Model year record

2003 FLEETWOOD Southwind

8 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 24 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V312000

Equipment

Component
Equipment
Manufacturer
FLEETWOOD RV, INC.
Vehicles affected
6,684
Reported to NHTSA
2009-07-28
Owners notified
2009-06-26

Defect description

FLEETWOOD RV IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 MOTORHOMES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 24, 2004 AND MARCH 11, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR, 1200LRIM, AND 1201LRIM REFRIGERATORS WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.

Safety risk

IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

FLEETWOOD RV WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD RV AT 1-800-509-3418 OR NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V198000

Service brakes, air

Component
Service brakes, air
Manufacturer
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.
Vehicles affected
509
Reported to NHTSA
2009-06-02
Owners notified
2009-05-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V320000

Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer

Component
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
Manufacturer
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.
Vehicles affected
70,101
Reported to NHTSA
2008-07-15
Owners notified
2008-10-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V120000

Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer

Component
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
Manufacturer
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.
Vehicles affected
167,096
Reported to NHTSA
2007-03-19
Owners notified
2007-05-10

Defect description

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, 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.

Safety risk

RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

FLEETWOOD WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). 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 YOU 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V115000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.
Vehicles affected
7,205
Reported to NHTSA
2006-04-12

Defect description

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ACTIA CORPORATE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101 "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND NO. 105 "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IF THE BRAKE FAIL INPUT FALLS BELOW A VOLTAGE OF 1.5V, THE BRAKE FAILURE LAMP AND ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED. ALSO ACTIVATION OF THE ABS TELLTALE WHEN THE ABS IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR.

Safety risk

AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS MAY FAIL AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHICH COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN AND REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V352000

Trailer hitches

Component
Trailer hitches
Manufacturer
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.
Vehicles affected
8,969
Reported to NHTSA
2004-07-20
Owners notified
2004-08-23

Defect description

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH DRAW TITE HITCH RECEIVERS MAY BE MISSING ONE OR MORE WELDS BETWEEN THE HITCH RECEIVER BOX AND THE BOTTOM SUPPORT PLATE.

Safety risk

THE WELDS COULD BREAK, ALLOWING THE HITCH RECEIVER BOX AND THE TOWED LOAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE HITCH RECEIVER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V452000

Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer

Component
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
Manufacturer
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.
Vehicles affected
60,877
Reported to NHTSA
2003-11-04

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, THESE OVENS WERE PRODUCED WITH A DEFECTIVE PANEL. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN CIRCUIT PATTERNS ON THE MEMBRANE PANEL, ESPECIALLY OVERLAPPED BY A "JUMPER" OR JUMP WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS.

Safety risk

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLY A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

SAMSUNG WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. IN THE MEANTIME, CONSUMERS SHOULD UNPLUG THEIR MICROWAVE, IF POSSIBLE. IF THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE, THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR UNTIL THE PANEL IS REPLACED. CONSUMERS SHOULD NEVER USE THE MICROWAVE OVEN FOR STORAGE OR LEAVE ANY TOWELS, PAPER, CLOTH OR OTHER PRODUCTS IN THE MICROWAVE AFTER USE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAMSUNG AT 800-932-3837 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-629-8454.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V344000

Equipment: mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer

Component
Equipment: mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer
Manufacturer
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,100
Reported to NHTSA
2003-09-16
Owners notified
2003-10-03

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS, THE HYDRAULIC HOSE OPERATING THE LEVELING JACK SYSTEM WAS ROUTED SO IT PLACES THE HOSE TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST. THE HOT EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THE HYDRAULIC HOSE TO MELT OR ABRADE, RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID.

Safety risk

IF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SHOULD IGNITE BY AN EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATING TUBE OR OTHER HEAT SOURCE, THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE DAMAGED HOSES AND RELOCATE THE AFFECTED HYDRAULIC LINES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OCTOBER 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic1325,000 mi
Electrical system120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Equipment12,700 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer150,800 mi
Fuel/propulsion system127,500 mi
Service brakes154,000 mi
Service brakes, air148,900 mi
Service brakes, air: disc124,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: leaf17,828 mi
Trailer hitches117,000 mi
Unknown or other1

The 2002 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.