RoadVitals

2003 Fleetwood Pace Arrow

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.
12
Latest Apr 20, 2012
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.
7
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 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Fleetwood Pace Arrow, most frequently naming the brakes, exterior lighting and other / unspecified categories. 7 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

  • Brakes433.3%
  • Exterior lighting216.7%
  • Other / unspecified216.7%
  • Suspension18.3%
  • Interior & seats18.3%
  • Heating & air conditioning18.3%
  • Fuel system18.3%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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 12
Fuel system
Filed Apr 20, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, HE SMELLED A FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE CABIN. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE BROKE IN HALF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,326.

NHTSA ID
10455888
Incident
Mar 26, 2012
Mileage
44,326 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 1, 2011

I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM FLORIDA THIS SPRING AND HAD HEARD A NOISE LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING AT THE TIME. WHEN WE STOPPED FOR FUEL WALKING AROUND THE MOTORHOME I SAW THAT THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 37A 2003 PACE ARROW THAT HAS ALL OF 27,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED FLEETWOOD ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE COACH. I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM FROM FLEETWOOD'S MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF GLUING IN THE HEAD LIGHTS ON THESE MOTORHOMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10398422
Incident
Apr 18, 2011
Mileage
27,079 mi
Brakes
Filed May 4, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW EQUIPPED WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE BRAKES FOR THE CHASSIS BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10328736
Incident
Apr 5, 2010
Brakes
Filed Aug 4, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW WITH THE 2003 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING BRAKES. THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP; HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. HE CHECKED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE SMOKING. AFTER WAITING OVER AN HOUR, HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL CALIPER, BRAKE LINE, ROTOR, BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY, AND ABS SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BRAKE HOSE AND BRAKE LINING WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,886 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,926. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/11/08 *JB

NHTSA ID
10236904
Incident
Jul 16, 2008
Mileage
21,886 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 7, 2007

2003 PACE ARROW MOTOR HOME WITH BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED TWICE PUTTING HIS FAMILY AND OTHERS IN DANGER. HE STATES THAT THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE PASSENGER SIDE RESERVOIR WAS VERY HOT. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT IMPROVE THE RESPONSE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10211689
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 5, 2007

DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR FAILED AND SPEWED YELLOW MATERIAL INTO THE COOLING AREA. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE SERIAL NUMBER IS IN THE RANGE LISTED ON THE RECALL. CUSTOMER REPLACED THE ENTIRE COOLING UNIT IN OCTOBER 2006. **NAR**KB A FATIGUE CRACK WAS FOUND IN THE BOILER TUBE WHICH RELEASED THE PRESSURIZED COOLANT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE MODEL NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10202666
Incident
Oct 27, 2006
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 22, 2006

TL* - THE CONTACT READ IN THE GOOD SAMARITAN MAGAZINE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON DOMETIC REFRIGERATORS, WHICH IS IN HIS 2003/FLEETWOOD/PACE ARROW RV. THE DETAILS IN THE MAGAZINE INDICATE THE REFRIGERATOR COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD ANY INCIDENTS WITH HIS DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR.

NHTSA ID
10176848
Incident
Dec 22, 2006
Mileage
32,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 1, 2006

2003 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW MOTOR HOME PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT AND FIXTURE FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE HEADLIGHT FIXTURE WAS INSTALLED BY USING GLUE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10168009
Incident
Jan 1, 1901

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 Pace Arrow by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023030—
2022030—
2021040—
2020020—
2019120—
2018350—
2017310—
2011000—
2010000—
2009010—
2008140—
2007150—
2006350—
2005114157.4
2004186155.0
2003Viewing127152.0
2002541—
2001330—
2000152038.3
1999151042.5
1998112142.8
1997114144.6
1996921—
1995100138.4
1994300—
1993121031.4
1992131032.0
1991910—
1990410—
1989621—
1988220—
1987020—
1986120—
1985230—
1984120—
1983030—
1982010—
1981110—
1980010—
1979010—
1976010—
1974020—
1973020—
1971010—
1970010—

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.