RoadVitals

1989 Fleetwood Southwind

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.
3
Latest May 29, 1999
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.
2
Latest Apr 14, 1992
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Fleetwood Southwind, most frequently naming the body & structure and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Body & structure266.7%
  • Brakes133.3%

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

2 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
92V052000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Apr 14, 1992
20,413 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT NUT RETAINING CLIP MAY BE MISSING. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE LACK OF A RETAINING CLIP WILL ALLOW THE NUT TO WORK LOOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.
The risk: STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING COLUMN CANRESULT IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSPECT STEERING ASSEMBLY FOR A STEERING WHEEL NUT RETAINING CLIP. IF CLIP IS MISSING, INSTALL A STEERING WHEEL NUT RETAINING CLIP, OR HAVE A DEALER INSPECT AND INSTALL A CLIP. FLEETWOOD ADVISES OWNERS NOT TO OPERATE THE MOTORHOMES UNTIL A STEERING WHEEL NUT INSPECTION AND CLIP INSTALLATION IS COMPLETED.
FLEETWOOD ENT., INC.View on NHTSA.gov
89V145000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Aug 29, 1989
320 units potentially affected
The defect: MISSING OR MISAPPLIED SUPPORT CLIP CREATES POTENTIAL FOR REAR BRAKE LINE FRACTURE DUE TO FATIGUING.
The risk: FRACTURE COULD RESULT IN DECREASED BRAKING PERFORMANCE.WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPAIR BRAKE CLIP, AS NECESSARY.
FLEETWOOD ENT., INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed May 29, 1999

I WRITE THIS SHORT MEMO TO HIGHLIGHT A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DESIGN FLAW WITH OUR (AND MOST LIKELY OTHER SIMILAR MODELS) SOUTHWIND RV'S (CHASSIS NUMBER [XXX]) THAT RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. (THIS IS NOT A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT, IT IS INTENDED TO ALERT YOU IN TIME TO EVALUATE THE DEFECT AND ALERT OTHERS BEFORE LIVES ARE POSSIBLY LOST. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
706969
Incident
Sep 1, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Oct 8, 1997

SIDE OF VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN TWO PIECES, THE HORIZONTAL STRIP THAT SECURES THE TWO PIECES FAILED.

NHTSA ID
545599
Body & structure
Filed Apr 1, 1997

CRACKS ON THE EXTERIOR CORNERS OF THE DOOR/WINDOWS.

NHTSA ID
516114

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Fleetwood Southwind by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023160—
2022150—
2021160—
2020150—
2019020—
2018040—
2017110—
2016130—
2015020—
2014130—
2012310—
2011040—
2010030—
2009010—
2008020—
2007330—
2006460—
2005840—
2004138152.9
2003248153.2
2002451—
2001440—
2000840—
1999720—
1998131038.5
1997820—
1996111040.0
1995150031.7
1994900—
1993520—
1992210—
1991611—
1990411—
1989Viewing320—
1988220—
1987120—
1986110—
1985131—
1984320—
1983120—
1982010—
1981010—
1980010—
1979010—

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.