2011 Fleetwood SOUTHWIND: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2011-01-07 (January 7, 2011)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SOUTHWIND AND MODEL YEAR 2010 BOUNDER CLASS-A MOTOR HOMES. THE LPG TANK CAN COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE SPRING SHACKLE CARRIER BOLT AND DAMAGE THE LPG TANK.

Consequence: THE DAMAGE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED RELEASE OF LPG GAS AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHICH MAY LEAD TO DEATH, INJURY OR LOSS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND INSPECT THE PROPANE TANK AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PROPANE TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD RV AT 1-800-509-3418.

Reported: 2011-01-28 (January 28, 2011)

FLEETWOOD RV IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1200-SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.

Consequence: THE SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED MAY NOT ACTIVATE IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREVENT A FIRE.

Remedy: FLEETWOOD RV IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT NORCOLD DEALERS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 10E-049 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101.

Reported: 2011-05-24 (May 24, 2011)

FLEETWOOD RV IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BOUNDER CLASSIC, STORM AND TERRA CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 21, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 11, 2011. CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BOUNDER AND SOUTHWIND CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 24, 2010 THROUGH MAY 18, 2011; AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BOUNDER AND SOUTHWIND CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011 THROUGH JUNE 15, 2011. A WIRE HARNESS THAT IS ROUTED UNDER THE MOTOR HOME, NEAR THE CHASSIS RAIL, CAN CONTACT A HEAT SHIELD LOCATED NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CLOSE PROXIMITY CAN CAUSE THE HARNESS TO MELT OR BE OTHERWISE DAMAGED.

Consequence: A DAMAGED WIRE HARNESS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS VEHICLE "SHUT DOWN", AND/OR LEAD TO A FIRE, AND MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REROUTE THE WIRE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE HEAT SHIELD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD OWNER RELATIONS AT 1-800-509-3418.

Reported: 2011-08-03 (August 3, 2011)

FLEETWOOD RV IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AMERICAN EAGLE, AMERICAN TRADITION, DISCOVERY, REVOLUTION LE, AND MODEL YEAR 2011 AMERICAN EAGLE, AMERICAN HERITAGE, AMERICAN TRADITION, BOUNDER, BOUNDER CLASSIC, DISCOVERY, EXPEDITION, PROVIDENCE, REVOLUTION LE, AND SOUTHWIND CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH MURRAY OR SIEMENS BRAND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THESE CIRCUIT BREAKERS HAVE A NON-CONFORMING "SPRING CLIP" PLUG-IN ASSEMBLY THAT BREAKS OR FAILS TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FORCE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE PANEL BOARD.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURE, ARCING OR THERMAL DAMAGE AT THE CONNECTION POINT, AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PANEL BOARD'S ELECTRICAL INSULATION. THIS COULD LEAD TO FIRE, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD OWNER RELATIONS AT 1-800-509-3418.