2006 Fleetwood SOUTHWIND: complaints, problems and recalls

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER OR EXIT THE MOTOR HOME, THE DOOR LATCH LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT OPEN BY USE OF THE KEY. THE MOTOR HOME WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH AND LOCK ASSEMBLY, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168889 at NHTSA ↗

LEAKING OF MOTORHOME ROOF DUE TO FAULTY SKYLITES,MOTORHOME MANUFACTURER DENIES LEAKING FROM SKYLITES. SKYLITES ARE A LITTLE OVER ONE YEAR OLD, AND EXCESSIVE DRY-ROTTING HAS OCCURRED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212626 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED RESIDUE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB CAP. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THERE WAS OIL LEAKING NEAR THE BRAKES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAL WHICH HELD THE OIL THAT LUBRICATED THE BEARINGS WAS LEAKING BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000 AND…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10360062 at NHTSA ↗

ALL OF THE WINDOWS FOG INTERNALLY BETWEEN THE DOUBLE PANE GLASS WINDOWS, CAUSING EXTREME POOR VISIBILITY. THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW IS THE WORST, CAUSING EXTREME POOR VISIBILITY ESPECIALLY WHEN CHANGING LANES AND MAKING RIGHT TURNS. WE ARE UNABLE TO SEE THE OUTSIDE PASSENGER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR CLEARLY! THIS POOR VISIBILITY HAS ALMOST CAUSED US NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS INVOLVING OTHER VEHICLES/BIKE RIDERS DUE TO THE INABILITY TO SEE THROUGH THE FOGGY WINDOWS. BECAUSE THE FOG IS INSIDE THE DOUBLE PANE, THERE IS NO WAY POSSIBLE TO CLEAN THEM! THE F…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,363 miles reported. Look up ODI 10542109 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2006-02-23 (February 23, 2006)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH KWIKEE BRAND ELECTRIC ENTRY STEP BUILT WITH A CONTROL UNIT MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, MAY DEVELOP AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DURING COLD WEATHER, ALLOWING FOR THE POTENTIAL OF THE PLASTIC CASE TO IGNITE.

Consequence: THIS WILL MAKE THE STEP INOPERABLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY, VEHICLE OR OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES CONTROLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE KWIKEE BRAND ELECTRIC ENTRY STEP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 800-509-3418.

Reported: 2006-06-19 (June 19, 2006)

ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE SPLINE CAN STRIP WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED.

Consequence: THIS STEERING CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06V148000) AND WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Reported: 2006-10-04 (October 4, 2006)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL MOTORS 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V225). DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIPS ON THESE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 877-294-6773 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Reported: 2008-06-03 (June 3, 2008)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS A GAS AND DIESEL MOTOR HOMES, CLASS C MOTOR HOMES, CONVENTIONAL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. A LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH GENERATES THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.

Consequence: EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.

Remedy: FLEETWOOD IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS. NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-509-3418.

Reported: 2008-07-15 (July 15, 2008)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 70,101 MY 2003-2007 SOUTHWIND, PACE ARROW, BOUNDER, FLAIR, STORM, FIESTA, TERRA GAS CLASS A MOTOR HOMES; BOUNDER, DISCOVERY, PROVIDENCE, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, REVOLUTION, AMERICAN EAGLE, AMERICAN HERITAGE, AMERICAN TRADITION DIESEL CLASS A MOTOR HOMES; JAMBOREE TIOGA CLASS C MOTOR HOMES; AND PROWLER, WILDERNESS, TERRY, MALLARD, PIONEER, PRIDE AND TRIUMPH CONVENTIONAL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATORS MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: FLEETWOOD IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Reported: 2009-06-02 (June 2, 2009)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 509 MY 2001-2008 CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.

Consequence: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731. WORKHORSE WILL CONDUCT THE OWNER AND DEALER NOTIFICATION.