RoadVitals

2005 Fleetwood American Tradition

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Jul 22, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jul 15, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Fleetwood American Tradition, most frequently naming the electrical and visibility categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Visibility150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08V320000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jul 15, 2008
70,101 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The 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.
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
07V583000

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

Dec 14, 2007
238 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ZF MODEL 8018 STEERING GEARS, THESE GEARS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE INCORRECT RECIRCULATING BALL SPACER. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW THE RECIRCULATING BALLS TO ESCAPE FROM THE RECIRCULATING BALL CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING.
The risk: THE OPERATOR MAY NOTICE HIGHER REQUIRED STEERING WHEEL INPUTS, OR THE NEED FOR MORE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE IN COMBINATION WITH METALLIC CRACKING NOISES PRIOR TO A LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FLEETWOOD IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER AND ZF TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07V343 AND 07E049). OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
05V216000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:WATER HEATER

May 12, 2005
186 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE SYSTEMS' AQUA-HOT AND HYDRO-HOT WATER HEATERS, WHICH USE WEBASTO BURNER TUBES, THE BURNER TUBES DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND COULD FAIL PREMATURELY.
The risk: THE SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF THE EXHAUST TUBE EXITING FROM THE HEATER CAN INCREASE AND COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: VEHICLE SYSTEMS IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VEHICLE SYSTEMS AT 1-800-685-4298 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE06005ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVERTENT SLIDE-OUT EXTENSION MOVEMENT

Opened Jan 20, 2006
Closed May 2, 2006

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON ODI'S RECEIPT OF A CONGRESSIONAL LETTER ON BEHALF OF A CONSTITUENT.THE CONSTITUENT REPORTED INCIDENTS WHERE THE SLIDE OUT ROOM OF HIS MOTOR HOME WOULD INADVERTENTLY MOVE (EXTEND) DURING HIGHWAY USE.ODI WAS CONCERNED THAT A FULLY EXTENDED SLIDE OUT WOULD DEGRADE THE VEHICLE'S DYNAMIC HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS AND/OR POSSIBLY IMPACT AN OBJECT OR ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH.ODI CONTACTED FLEETWOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT SLIDE OUT ROOMS WERE INSTALLED IN MOTOR HOMES, TRAVEL TRAILERS AND FOLDING TRAILERS. AS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION ODI VISITED A RV SHOW AND THE FLEETWOOD PAXINOS PLANT TO EXAMINE SLIDE OUTS IN VARIOUS NEW MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLES AND GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE SYSTEMS WORK.DURING THE INVESTIGATION ODI LEARNED THAT THERE ARE TWO METHODS USED TO EXTEND SLIDE OUT ROOMS.SOME MANUFACTURERS USE HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS AND OTHERS, SUCH AS FLEETWOOD, USE AN ELECTRIC MOTOR. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jul 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2005 Fleetwood American Tradition. The contact stated that the odometer was fluctuating while driving. Additionally, the ABS warning light was illuminated and the electrical system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

NHTSA ID
11475321
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Mileage
19,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 26, 2020

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS FOGGING UP AND CANNOT SEE OUTSIDE MIRROR THE GLASS IS DOUBLE PANE AND THE FOGGING IS BETWEEN THE TWO LAYERS OF GLASS NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN A BAD DESIGN OF SEALING THE TWO LAYERS OF GLASS IN THE FRAME THE PROBLEM STARTED LAST YEAR AND HAS CONTINUE TO GET WORST

NHTSA ID
11361250
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Mileage
50,000 mi
Filed Oct 21, 2018

WE HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN AND OR OUT OF OUR MOTOR HOME SEVERAL TIMES. AT OUR AGE, WE CANNOT GET OUT OF THE WINDOWS SO WE HAVE COMPLETELY DISABLED THE SYSTEM. WE HAVE TAKEN ALL THE BATTERIES OUT OF THE FOBS AND USE THE DEAD BOLT LOCK TO LOCK OUR VEHICLE BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID OF AGAIN BEING LOCKED IN. WHAT WERE TO HAPPEN IF WE WERE LOCKED IN AND A FIRE BROKE OUT IN OUR COACH? THIS IS SURELY A SAFETY ISSUE!

NHTSA ID
11141672
Incident
Oct 20, 2016
Filed Apr 17, 2018

ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES SWEEP BACK AND FORTH CONSTANTLY. THEREFORE, THE SPEEDOMETER READING IS IMPOSSIBLE AS WELL AS THE FUEL GAUGE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, OIL GAUGE, FRONT AND BACK AIR PSI GAUGES, RPMS, ETC. ALL GAUGES BEGIN TO WAG AS SOON AS THE MOTOR IS STARTED AND CONTINUE THE WHOLE TIME THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11088715
Incident
Jan 1, 2012

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

0255

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRONIC SURGE PROTECTION (ESP) FAILURE MAY CAUSE A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF THE MOTOR HOME 120 VOLT POWER AND ALL INDICATOR LIGHTING ON THE ESP PANEL. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Fleetwood American Tradition by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014010—
2011020—
2010010—
2009020—
2008230—
2007140—
2006010—
2005Viewing441—
2004251—
2003041—
2002031—
2001030—
2000630—
1999350—
1998320—
1997210—
1996200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.