2021 Fleetwood Fortis

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on November 21, 2025, requesting a defect investigation to “determine whether the absence of a redundant mechanical wheel-fastener locking mechanism constitutes a safety-related defect in motor vehicles and motor-vehicle equipment” in the heavy-vehicle sector. On March 4, 2026, NHTSA opened Defect Petition DP26002 to evaluate the petitioner's request. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11703245. The petitioner focused on all vehicles utilizing the 10-285.75 mm bolt wheels, also known as 10 Hole 22.5" Hub Pilot Wheels, as the subject of the petition. ODI conducted a comprehensive search of Vehicle Owner Questionnaire's (VOQ) and Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data for vehicles equipped with the subject wheels. Furthermore, ODI reviewed six months of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Motor Carrier Management Information System violation data for commercial vehicles cited for loose/missing wheel fasteners. After a review of this data, ODI has found insufficient evidence to support the petitioner's claim that a safety-related defect exists. The data indicates that instances of loose or missing fasteners typically occur at higher mileages following fleet maintenance activities, rather than as a result of an inherent vehicle manufacturing or design defect. Furthermore, commercial motor vehicle operators are required to conduct daily pre-trip inspections to detect and mitigate loose fasteners before operation. In the absence of a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requiring wheels to have a redundant locking system and given the lack of evidence establishing a systemic safety defect, ODI is denying this Defect Petition. The denial of this petition does not foreclose the agency from taking further action if warranted or making a future finding that a safety-related defect exists based upon additional information the agency may receive. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

I was doing a pre-buy inspection on a 2021 Fleetwood Fortis with approx. 1300 miles on it. As I walked up to the vehicle after it was brought up to front of dealership I could hear what sounded like noisy lifters. I looked at engine from over front passenger side front wheel and could see arching across a separated ignition wire. I know Ford has had an issue with ignition wires on their new 7.3 Triton engine. But why hasn't a recall been issued? I would think that this is a serious safety issue. The other question I have is - Did Ford authorize the faulty wires because the right wires were not available?

NHTSA ID

11441754

Incident

Nov 26, 2021

2021 FLEETWOOD FORTIS. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING VARIOUS ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE A/C WOULD BLOW HOT AIR AND LEAK, THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING SCREWS/WASHERS/NUTS CAUSING LOUD VIBRATIONS, OUTSIDE STORAGE DOORS DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, AWNING WAS LOOSE,TRIM ON ETRANCE FALLS OFF,CLOSET FLOOR WAS BROKEN,FRONT TABLE LEG MISSING, VARIOUS DOORS WERE POORLY INSTALLED, FRONT LICENSE PLATE SUPPORT MISSING, DRIVER SEAT DOESN'T SWIVEL, WATER LEAKING UNDER KITCHEN CABINENT, WATER LEAKING ON ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, AND KITCHEN DRAWERS WERE POORLY INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND BE FULLY REIMBURSED.

NHTSA ID

11434819

Incident

Sep 29, 2021

Loose Lug Nuts (7 total) 2021 Fleetwood Fortis 36DB Ford F53 Chassis. 26k . While walking my dog and passing by my RV, I happened to look at my passenger side rear wheel and noticed a lug nut extremely loose. I walked over, and by hand, with one twist, I removed the lug nut. After proceeding around my vehicle, I removed 7 lug nuts in total... BY HAND... NOT with a tool. Passenger side rear (1) passenger side front (1) drivers side front (3) drivers side rear (2). I have had the vehicle since 2/12/21 and it arrived with about 200 miles on it. (Delivery from plant in Indiana to Ohio) It now has almost 3000 miles. It has the 22.5 aluminum Alcoa wheels. Not sure if those wheels are installed at Ford during chassis build or at Rev/Fleetwood during coach build. Reported to Ganley Ford ( Ford truck service center) June 22, 2021.

NHTSA ID

11421850

Incident

Jun 22, 2021

According to the notice from Ford 22S62: DEALER NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Advance Notice - In some of the affected vehicles, the rear stabilizer bar attachment bracket(s) weld-nuts may not be capable of supporting the required joint torque for this application and may have been damaged during the assembly process. During vehicle usage, the weld nuts attaching the rear stabilizer bracket may loosen, and the attachment bracket may break and/or the attachment bolts and the bracket may separate from the vehicle. It is possible that this may result in a road debris hazard.

The attached dealer service bulletin regarding Product Upgrade campaign 212322REV was emailed 1/07/2022 to all REV RV dealers. The purpose of this Product Upgrade Bulletin is to inform REV RV dealers on the need to inspect and, if necessary, enhance the securing of lines/hoses, cables or, wire harnesses on certain model year 2020, 2021 and, 2022 Fleetwood and Holiday Rambler brand Class A Gas motorhomes. On motorhomes affected by this Product Upgrade, there may be the potential of lines/hoses, cables and, or wire harnesses not being adequately secured.

The purpose of this dealer notification letter is to inform all REV Recreation Group dealers about Product Upgrade 212322REV affecting certain model year 2020, 2021 and 2022 Fleetwood and Holiday Rambler brand Class A Gas motorhomes CONDITION: On motorhomes affected by this Product Upgrade, there may be the potential of lines/hoses, cables and or wire harnesses not be adequately secured.

The purpose of this owner notification letter is to inform the owners of certain model year 2020, 2021 and 2022 Fleetwood and Holiday Rambler brand Class A Gas motorhomes of the Product Upgrade 212322REV CONDITION: On motorhomes affected by this Product Upgrade, there may be the potential of lines/hoses, cables and or wire harnesses not be adequately secured.

The attached owner notification letter was mailed 10/26/2020 to the owners of certain model year 2021 Fleetwood Fortis Model 32RW, manufactured 5/5/2020 - 7/24/2020. The purpose of this Product Upgrade owner notification letter is to inform the owners of certain model year 2021 Fleetwood Fortis Model 32RW, manufactured 5/5/2020 - 7/24/2020, about REV Recreation Group Product Upgrade 200915REV. On motorhomes affected by this Product Upgrade, a portion of the slideout platform bed top, extending out from the bed's platform, may be inadequately supported and could bend near the supported portion of the bed top when excess weight or force is applied to the extended portion.

The attached dealer notification letter was distributed via email to REV Recreation Group dealers 10/23/2020. The purpose of this dealer notification letter is to inform all REV Recreation Group dealers about REV Recreation Group Product Upgrade 200915REV, affecting certain model year 2021 Fleetwood Fortis Model 32RW, manufactured 5/5/2020 - 7/24/2020 and certain model year 2021 Holiday Rambler Invicta Model 32RW manufactured 5/12/2020 - 5/21/2020. On motorhomes affected by this Product Upgrade, a portion of the slideout platform bed top, extending out from the bed's platform, may be inadequately supported and could bend near the supported portion of the bed top when excess weight or force is applied to the extended portion.