RoadVitals

2003 Fleetwood Discovery

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.
6
Latest Jun 19, 2014
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 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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery, most frequently naming the electrical, interior & seats and exterior lighting categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

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

  • Electrical333.3%
  • Interior & seats222.2%
  • Exterior lighting222.2%
  • Suspension111.1%
  • Visibility111.1%

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
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
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
07V120000

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

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

Filed Jun 19, 2014

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-77 NEARING STATESVILLE, NC, THE CONVECTION OVEN/MICROWAVE FELL OUT OF THE CEILING FACE DOWN ONTO THE STOVE. IT APPEARS THAT THE BRACKETS PULLED OUT OF THE OVEN CAUSING IT TO FALL. THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY REASON FOR A CONVECTION OVEN TO FALL OUT OF THE CEILING OF A MOTORHOME UNLESS OF A DESIGN FLAW OR SOMEONE NOT MOUNTING THE OVEN CORRECTLY. AFTER THINKING ABOUT IT, THIS OVEN HAS ALWAYS BOUNCED AND MADE SQUEAKING NOISES WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD, HOWEVER, I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD FALL OUT OF THE CEILING. IT COULD NOT BE MOUNTED CORRECTLY AS WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A NEW ONE INSTALLED, THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10604437
Incident
Nov 5, 2013
Mileage
104,200 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 25, 2006
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY HOME AND THE MOTORHOME CUT OFF AND BACK ON AND THEN DID IT AGAIN. BEFORE I COULD PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE ALARM FOR THE REAR AIR BRAKES SOUNDED AND THE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ZERO, AND THEN IT COMPLETELY LOST ALL ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER. I DRIFTED TO A STOP. IN MY SIDE MIRROR I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE REAR DRIVERS COMPARTMENT. I RAN TO THE REAR OF THE MOTORHOME AND SAW FIRE COMING OUT OF THE SECOND COMPARTMENT FROM THE REAR. I OPENED THE DOOR AND FLAMES SHOT OUT. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND ELECTRICAL BOXES AND POWER INVERTER. I TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. BUT IT WENT OUT AND FIRED RIGHT BACK UP. I CALLED 911 AND THEN GRABBED A SECOND AND THIRD ONE WITH THE SAME RESULTS. WHEN I GOT THERE WITH THE FOURTH ONE THE FIRE HAD SPREAD TO THE TOP OF THE MOTOR. AS I WAS STILL TRYING TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL A COUNTY SHERIFF CAME UP AND TRIED TO HELP WITH ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN THE FIRE KEPT BUILDING HE TOLD ME TO GET AWAY. WITH IN 5 TO 7 MIN. THE FIRE DEPT. GOT THERE AND TOOK OVER. IT TOOK THEM ABOUT 30 TO 40 MIN. TO PUT IT OUT. THE FIREMEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AND ELECTRICAL FIRE. WHEN IT WAS OVER IT WAS TOO FAR GONE TO SAVE. I FEEL THAT IT WAS AND ELECTRICAL DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE IT TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10163440
Incident
Jul 23, 2006
Mileage
63,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 28, 2004

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS COLD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TOUCH THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY RECOMMENDED THE WINTER PACKAGE, WHICH WAS DONE, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST, NOW THEY RECOMMEND OILING THE PIVOTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10105395
Incident
Nov 11, 2003
Mileage
15,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Nov 19, 2004

WHILE IN MOTION AND DURING OPERATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/DASH INSTRUMENTATION, AND WARNING EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND POWER FAILS AND WILL NOT OPERATE UNLESS ALLOWED TO BACK POWER THE UNIT THROUGH THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER HAS MADE 5 ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR. MS* NM*AND CA* FIRST STARTED JUNE 03 AND PROBLEM CONTINUES TO DATE (NOVEMBER 04). *AK

NHTSA ID
10100232
Incident
Jun 20, 2003
Mileage
1,500 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Jul 12, 2004

DURING ACTIVE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, DASH INSTRUMENTATION FAILS AND BECOMES NON-FUNCTIONING. LIGHTS, BRAKE AND BLINKING, FAIL TO OPERATE. ENGINE START WILL FAIL UNLESS POWER IS ALLOWED TO BACK TRAVEL THROUGH LIGHTING CIRCUIT. ALL SAFETY INSTRUMENTATION FAILS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THERE HAVE BEEN 4 ATTEMPTS BY THE MANUFACTURER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. NO RESOLUTION IS IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. *LA

NHTSA ID
10080878
Incident
Jun 21, 2003
Mileage
1,200 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 17, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THIS CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BRAKE SHOES NEEDED TO BE SET. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID
10055978
Incident
Jan 17, 2004
Mileage
30,800 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Fleetwood Discovery by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2023030—
2022020—
2021120—
2020110—
2019200—
2018040—
2017120—
2014130—
2013110—
2011030—
2010020—
2009040—
2008370—
2007430—
2006950—
2005172146.9
2004123147.9
2003Viewing641—
2002231—
2001920—
2000920—
1999162038.8
1998182039.9
1997134057.1
1996320—

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.