RoadVitals

2003 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.
13
Latest Sep 24, 2010
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.
8
Latest Jul 28, 2009
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 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Fleetwood Bounder, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and fuel system categories. 8 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

  • Brakes538.5%
  • Driver assistance17.7%
  • Fuel system17.7%
  • Interior & seats17.7%
  • Steering17.7%
  • Tires & wheels17.7%
  • Transmission17.7%
  • Body & structure17.7%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
09V312000

EQUIPMENT

Jul 28, 2009
6,684 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
FLEETWOOD RV, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09V198000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Jun 2, 2009
509 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.View 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

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

View all 13
Transmission
Filed Sep 24, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE WOULD OPERATE THE VEHICLE, HE WOULD NOTICE THAT THE LCD SHIFT INDICATOR WOULD TAKE UNUSUALLY LONG TO ILLUMINATE BEFORE FAILING COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10357344
Incident
Nov 14, 2005
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER 35E RV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE THEN SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MELTED THE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V198000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR). THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ACCEPT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE REAR BRAKES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 13,760. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10291958
Incident
Jul 31, 2009
Mileage
13,760 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 4, 2009

THE DUAL PANE WINDOWS IN MY MOTOR HOME ARE FOGGED UP MAKING IT HARD TO SEE IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. THERE ARE MORE WINDOWS FOGGING UP BUT NOT ONES THAT WOULD AFFECT MY ABILITY TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. FLEETWOOD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT CONTINUES TO DO BUSINESS WITH SI-GE WINDOWS AND IS NOT CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260641
Incident
Mar 1, 2009
Mileage
41,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 2, 2009

I OWN 2003 BOUNDER BUILT ON THE W/22 (WORKHORSE) CHASIS.. THREE TIMES NOW I HAVE HAD MY LEFT FRONT ABS (BOSCH SYSTEM) BRAKE WHEN APPLIED GOING DOWN STEEP GRADE DRAG. MEANING RATHER THAN THE PUMPING ACTION OF ABS IT WAS NOT RELEASING, AND ONE COULD HERE AND FEEL THE SOUND SIMILAR TO METAL ON METAL. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD AND FELT ALL WHEELS. LEFT FRONT ACTUALLY SLIGHTLY BLISTERED MY FINGER TIPS. IN A FEW WEEKS I AM AS PART OF MY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE HAVING THE BRAKE SYSTEM BLED. I AM HOPING THAT WHEN THEY PULL MY WHEELS THAT ALL IS WELL. THE MH HAS 23,385 MILES ON IT. TWO YEARS AGO A ZRK FITTING WAS INSTALLED ON THE BELL CRANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260419
Incident
Dec 16, 2008
Mileage
25,180 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 2008

BRAKE FAILURES(2) ON 2003 BOUNDER MOTORHOME WITH WORKHORSE W22 CHASSIS. CHASSIS PURCHASED NEW ON JAN.14,2004. LR BRAKE FAILED ON 8-29-08 ON I-5 AT OLYMPIA, WA, WITH APPROX. 21,100 MILES ON VEHICLE. RR BRAKE FAILED ON 9-29-08 ON HWY. 20 IN COUPEVILLE, WA AT APPROX.21,482 MILES. WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND ROADS WERE DRY; DUAL HOLDING TANKS WERE EMPTY; 100 GAL WATER TANK WAS ALSO EMPTY; FUEL TANK WAS ABOUT 1/2 FULL (35 GAL.). MOTORHOME WAS NOT OVERLOADED AND NO VEHICLE WAS IN TOW. 8-29 FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE SLOWING IN PRE-LABOR DAY WEEKEND TRAFFIC AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ON INITIAL APPLICATION. REPEATED APPLICATIONS OF BRAKE PEDAL GAVE ABOUT 1/2 PEDAL TRAVEL WITH GREATLY LESSENED DECELERATION TIME AND STOPPING DISTANCE . THE SECOND FAILURE ON 9-29-08 OF THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS LESS SURPRISING AND BRAKE PEDAL PUMPING WAS MORE INSTINCTIVE. STOPPING A 24,000 POUND MOTORHOME ON AN EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT MERELY CLAMPS AROUND THE DRIVE SHAFT IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION. REPAIRS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ALL AFFECTED BRAKE ROTORS, BOSCH CALIPERS, AND BRAKE PADS, PLUS A WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FOR THE ABS SYSTEM ON THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE FAILURE. APPROX. $2200 IN REPAIR COSTS FOR TWO BRAKES. A NEIGHBOR OF MINE WITH EXACT SAME YEAR AND MODEL MOTORHOME/CHASSIS AS MINE IS NOW AT A REPAIR FACILITY IN YUBA CITY, CA HAVING EXPERIENCED FAILURE OR BURN-OUT OF ALL 4 BRAKE ASSEMBLES WHILE ENROUTE FROM RENO,NV TO SACRAMENTO,CA.. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THE SAFETY RECALL ON W-22 BRAKE SYSTEMS NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED BEYOND THE CHASSIS #33356806 CUTOFF SPECIFIED IN NHSTA RECALL 04V084000. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246982
Incident
Aug 29, 2008
Mileage
21,000 mi
Filed Oct 10, 2008

I OWN A 2003 BOUNDER MOTOR HOME BUILT ON THE WORK HORSE CHASSIS. ON AUG. 08, 2008 WHEN I STARTED MY MOTOR HOME I NOTICED THAT THE LCD SCREEN (WINDOW) WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. THIS LCD WINDOW IS PRT OF THE ACTIA INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I CALLED A WORK HORSE AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTER IN BATH, NY AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AUG. 24. THEY TOLD ME IN THE MEANTIME THEY WOULD CONTACT WORK HORSE ON THIS TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE TO SPEED UP THE REPAIR. IN THAT TIME PERIOD WORK HORSE DID NOT GET BACK TO THEM, AND SO THE DAY I ARRIVED AFTER DRIVING OVER TWO HOURS I WAS INFORMED NO WORD YET. I KNEW THAT THEY HAD TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM. ALL ONE HAD TO DO WAS LOOK AT THE SCREEN AND SEE THAT NOTHING ON IT COULD BE READ. THE SCREEN SERVES A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONS BESIDE SHOWING WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN. RIGHT NOW IT IS A MATTER OF FEELING THE SHIFT THROUGH TO DRIVE. FIRST CLICK REVERSE, 2ND. CLICK NEUTRAL, 3RD. CLICK DRIVE. ANY OTHER DOWN SHIFT TOO DANGEROUS TRYING TO FIND 3, 2, 1....THE LCD SCREEN ALSO SHOWS THE MILEAGE WHICH IS NOT ABLE TO BE READ. CAN'T SELL IT OR TRADE IF I WANTED TO. IT ALSO SHOWS MPG, OIL PRESSURE, INDIVIDUAL TRIP, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER DRIVER AID FUNCTIONS..IT IS PART OF THE WARNING SYSTEM OF A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. NOW IF A BUZZER OR BEEP SOUNDS THE SCREEN WOULD NORMALLY INDICATE WHAT IT IS ABOUT. KIND OF LIKE DRIVING BLIND! THE ACTIA CLUSTER HAD A RECALL REPAIR ON THIS FEB. 2006, I BOUGHT THE MH MARCH 2006. THE RECALL PERTAINED TO A RE-PROGRAMMING OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR THE ABS BRAKE WARNING. THE LCD IS PART OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER..WH SAID THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT AN AUTHORIZED WH DEALERSHIP. IT DID TO GET DONE. LATER I WAS TOLD IN PHONE CONVERSATION WITH WH THAT THERE WAS A COURTESY RECALL GOOD UNTIL FEB. '09. OCT 8, I TOOK IT TO LAZY DAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE AUTHORIZED. THEY SAID WH WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF IT BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS ABOUT A BRAKE ISSUE.. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT NO LCD SCREEN IS VERY COMMON. CONTACT ME PLEASE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245061
Incident
Aug 5, 2008
Mileage
27,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2007

IN JUNE, AFTER TIRE REPLACEMENT, A CERTIFIED BRAKE AND ALIGNMENT SHOP DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE CALIPERS HAD BEEN INTERMITTENTLY STICKING WHICH CAUSED SEVERE OVERHEATING OF ALL BRAKE AND BEARING COMPONENTS. THE ROTORS, CALIPERS, AND ALL BEARINGS HAD FAILED. THIS WAS INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED BY AN INSPECTOR SENT OUT BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PEOPLE. AFTER REPLACING ALL THESE COMPONENTS, I WAS DRIVING TO OREGON AND THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR OF THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED (INTERMITTENTLY), AND THE MOTORHOME WOULD PULL VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEFORE REPAIR COULD BE OBTAINED. THAT SENSOR HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED. ALL PARTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE (AT THE SERVICE CENTERS). *TR UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10201990
Incident
Jun 16, 2007
Mileage
20,238 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 19, 2005

DT: INTERMITTENTLY THE DASHBOARD GAUGE PANEL WENT DEAD. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE GAUGE PACKAGE, AND TODAY IT WENT DEAD AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE PANEL ON APRIL 4, 2005. SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THEY DID A FLASH THEN HAD A REPLACEMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10136947
Incident
Apr 4, 2005

Manufacturer communications

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

0251

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

AIR INTAKE BAFFLE PROCEDURE/INSTALLATION WHICH MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO STALLING OR SPUTTERING DURING HEAVY RAINS OR WHEN WATER IS SPRAYED DIRECTLY AT THE FRONT END. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE ALSO. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING FLEETWOOD 2005 BOUNDER, PACE ARROW, FLAIR AND STORM. *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 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
2003Viewing138145.8
2002125144.8
2001850—
2000133039.9
1999351139.6
1998243148.6
1997295044.7
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.