RoadVitals

1997 Fleetwood Bounder

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.
29
Latest Feb 7, 2015
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.
5
Latest Mar 19, 2007
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.
0
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 29 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder, most frequently naming the brakes, suspension and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Brakes822.9%
  • Suspension617.1%
  • Engine514.3%
  • Transmission411.4%
  • Visibility411.4%
  • Steering25.7%
  • Fuel system25.7%
  • Body & structure25.7%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

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

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mar 19, 2007
167,096 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
The 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.
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Jun 26, 1998
895 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS," FOR AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF TINT.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER REDUCED VISIBILITY THROUGH THE SIDE WINDOWS WHEN BACKING UP, WHEN USING THE MIRRORS FOR LANE CHANGES, OR WHENEVER LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDOWS.
FLEETWOOD ENT., INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER

Oct 7, 1997
1,915 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES. THE HYDRAULIC HOSES WHICH OPERATE THE LEVELING JACK SYSTEM IS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING THE HOSE TO MELT, RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID.
The risk: THIS HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN IGNITE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, REPLACE ANY DAMAGED HOSES, AND RELOCATE THE AFFECTED HYDRAULIC LINES.
FLEETWOOD ENT., INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Visibility
Filed Feb 7, 2015

THE SIDE WINDOWS HAVE LOST THE SEAL AND ARE NOW BEYOND REPAIR . VISIBILITY IS IMPOSSIBLE. TRIED TO FIND THE WINDOWS AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND.SEEMS ODD THAT THIS HAS BEEN WRITTEN UP MANY TIMES.OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR TEN YEARS AND THIS STARTED AFTER SECOND YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. *JS

NHTSA ID
10681963
Incident
Feb 2, 2015
Mileage
47 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V178000, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:JACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2000 AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. WHILE INSPECTING HE FOUND SEVERAL CRACKED HOSES AND FLUID LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 18,500.

NHTSA ID
10344679
Incident
Jun 8, 2010
Mileage
18,500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 19, 2009

IN OCTOBER 2004 I BOUGHT 4 BIG O LT235/85R16 TIRES FOR MY MOTOR HOME. IN OCTOBER 2005, AFTER PUTTING ON ABOUT 16,000 MILES, THE TREAD CAME OFF OF ONE OF THE TIRES WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH. FIVE MONTHS LATER, BUT ONLY 1,000 MILES MORE, THE SECOND TIRE LOST IT TREAD. ONE HUNDRED MILES LATER THE THIRD TIRE LOST ITS TREAD. IN ALL THREE CASES THERE WAS TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE TREAD FROM THE CARCASS, JUST LIKE THE SEMI TRUCKS LOSING THE TREAD ON A RE-TREADED TIRE. AS A RESULT OF THESE INCIDENTS, CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME, INCLUDING RUPTURE OF A PROPANE LINE, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10277340
Incident
Oct 15, 2008
Mileage
16,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 20, 2007

I OWN A 1997 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW HAS BECAME CLOUDED AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY AND TRAVEL DIRECTION IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRRORS. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS YET, AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10203566
Incident
Dec 10, 2006
Mileage
60,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 2007

THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY 1997 BOUNDER MOTOR HOME THAT'S BUILT ON A CHEVROLET P-30 CHASSIS WILL FAIL WITHOUT WARNING & ALLOW THE COACH TO ROLL. IT HAS BEEN REBUILT & WORKS MOST OF THE TIME. IT'S THAT ONE TIME IT WON'T WORK THAT WORRIES ME. I AM USING WHEEL CHAULKS WHENEVER I PARK IT. *TR. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID
10201760
Incident
Jul 20, 2007
Mileage
60,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 17, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER. APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO,THE CONTACT BEGAN EXPERIENCED VISIBILITY PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. HE STATED THAT THE WINDOWS WERE DUAL, INSULATED PANE, AND THE GLASS SEALS HAVE FAILED, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A GROWTH BETWEEN THE PANES THAT HAD A CLEAR CRYSTAL LOOK, AND PRODUCED A FOGGY LOOK ON THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT INSISTED THAT THESE WINDOWS SHOULD BE OF A BETTER QUALITY AND NOT USE DUAL PANES THAT CRACK AND CAUSE POOR VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A COMPLAINT WAS PREVIOUSLY MADE FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL WITH ODI # 10043211 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.*AK

NHTSA ID
10188100
Incident
Apr 16, 2004
Mileage
30,000 mi
Filed Nov 10, 2005

MY COMPLAINT DOES NOT INVOLVE AN ACCIDENT BUT DOES INVOLVE A FAILURE TO ACT (BY FLEETWOOD MOTORHOME CO.) AND RECTIFY WHAT I FEEL IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY MOTORHOME. I PURCHASED MY 1997 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER NEW IN 1997 AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET FLEETWOOD TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE FIRE ESCAPE WINDOW IN MY MOTORHOME IS SORELY INADEQUATE. THEY MERELY PLACED A DECAL THAT READS "FIRE EXIT" ON A STANDARD WINDOW AND EXPECT THAT TO SUFFICE. A NORMAL FIRE ESCAPE WINDOW HAS TWO RED HANDLES THAT SECURE THE WINDOW FRAME DURING NORMAL OPERATION AND CAN ALSO BE TURNED TO UNLATCH THE WINDOW FRAME FOR EGRESS IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE. I CONTACTED FLEETWOOD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAD ME GO TO A LOCAL AUTHORIZED FLEETWOOD REPAIR FACILITY WHERE A SERVICE MANAGER TOOK PICTURES OF MY WINDOW AND SENT THEM TO FLEETWOOD. FLEETWOOD RESPONDED TO THEM , AND THEY TO ME, THAT I HAVE THE CORRECT CONFIGURATION. LAST WEEK I WENT TO A RV SHOW WHERE THERE WERE NEW AND USED BOUNDERS ON SALE. THE NEW BOUNDER HAD THE CORRECT FIRE ESCAPE WINDOW (RED RELEASE HANDLES). IN ANOTHER BOUNDER (USED) THAT WAS A YEAR OR SO NEWER THAN MINE THERE WAS NO REAL FIRE ESCAPE WINDOW. IT WAS UN-EQUIPPED, JUST LIKE MINE. IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, AN OLDER COUPLE SUCH AS MY WIFE AND I, WOULD HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE. I FEAR THAT WE WOULD SURELY SUSTAIN SEVERE BURNS AT THE VERY LEAST. SINCE THERE WERE OTHER MOTORHOMES IN MY MOTORHOME'S ERA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, MANY PEOPLE COULD BE AT RISK. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD RESOLVE THIS PUBLIC DANGER. THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ID
10142388
Incident
Nov 10, 2005
Steering
Filed Oct 20, 2004

WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10097251
Incident
Aug 14, 2004
Mileage
31,645 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

04212008

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FLEETWOOD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CONSUMER MAINTENANCE ADVISORY, GENERATOR FUEL LINES. FLEETWOOD MOTOR HOME OWNERS. CSC WAS RECEIVED. *PE

98348

EQUIPMENT

SUBJECT ON DOMESTIC ICE MAKER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION. *YC

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 Bounder by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010
2025110
2024020
2023160
2022350
2021260
2020250
2019020
2018450
2017340
2016520
2015610
2014330
2013010
2012110
2011220
2010130
2009110
2008320
2007560
2006680
2005175150.9
20042810150.9
2003138145.8
2002125144.8
2001850
2000133039.9
1999351139.6
1998243148.6
1997Viewing295044.7
1996242038.7
1995101031.6
1994201037.0
1993113046.6
1992700
1991520
1990123253.6
1989124
1988230
1987030
1986020
1985010

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.