RoadVitals

1997 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.
8
Latest Aug 30, 2013
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 Mar 19, 2007
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind, most frequently naming the brakes, other / unspecified and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Brakes450.0%
  • Other / unspecified225.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Tires & wheels112.5%

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
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
96V236000

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Nov 22, 1996
241 units potentially affected
The defect: THE E-Z SLIDE-OUT ROOM CAN OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. WATER CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM CONTROL RELAY.
The risk: IF THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM OPERATES UNEXPECTEDLY, THE MOTOR HOME WIDTH WILL INCREASE WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF TRAVELING OR PROPERTY DAMAGE COULD OCCUR WHILE THE MOTOR HOME IS PARKED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REPLACEMENT CONTROL RELAY IN A WATERPROOF LOCATION ON THESE MOTOR HOMES.
FLEETWOOD ENT., INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 30, 2013

SIX (6) BCT RADIAL A/P TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON 97 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME (MODEL 32VS) ON 3/19/11 AT APPROX. 33000 MILES. ONE TIRE FAILED WITH TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING ON RT. 90,10 MILES WEST OF ROCHESTER, NY, ON 7/2/13. TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED WIRING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEELWELL AREA. WIRING WAS REPAIRED, TIRE WAS REPLACED AND A TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED. SECOND TIRE FAILED (SIDEWALL RUPTURE) ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WHILE EXITING RT. 180 IN WILLIAMSPORT, PA ON 8/19/13. VEHICLE WAS EXITING TO INVESTIGATE A SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION JUST PROIR TO THE FAILURE. TIRES WERE MONITORED FOR PRESSURE AND TEMP. AND SHOWED NO LOW PRESSURE OR HIGH TEMP. SIGNS. ALL BCT TIRES WERE REPLACED IN WILLIAMSPORT, PA ON 8/19/13, AT 38000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
10538121
Incident
Aug 19, 2013
Mileage
38,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 11, 2005
1 injury reported

THE AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC STEP DID NOT COME OUT WHEN SUPPOSE TO UPON OPENING THE DOORS. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO FALL OUT, AND BREAK HIS LEG. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10107197
Incident
Nov 14, 2004
Mileage
60,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 28, 2004
1 injury reported

THE AUTOMATIC 12 VOLT STEP AT THE ENTRANCE DOOR FAILED TO EXTEND WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED IN THE DARK . CAUSING MY WIFE TO FALL SINCE THERE WAS NO STEP. REQUIRING SURGERY, A PLATE AND SCREWS TO BE PUT IN HER ANKLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10104633
Incident
Jan 14, 2004
Mileage
55,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 2004

THE AUTOMATIC PARK BRAKE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. A NEW PART WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10089421
Incident
Jan 9, 2001
Mileage
15,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 28, 2004

AUTOMATIC PARK BRAKE DID NOT ENGAGE, AND THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DID NOT PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING FROM AN INCLINE. VEHICLE WAS BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10080076
Incident
Jun 15, 2004
Mileage
85,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 18, 2003

THE AUTOPARK BRAKE AND MANUAL PARK BRAKE HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES ALLOWING MOTORHOME TO DRIFT (ONE TIME HITTING ANOTHER ) .LAST TIME 7/16/03. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO YOU!*AK

NHTSA ID
10033036
Incident
Jul 16, 2003
Mileage
52,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 31, 2001

THE "AUTO PARK BRAKE" AND THE MANUALLY FOOT OPERATED PARKING BRAKE HAVE FAILED THREE (3) TIMES ALLOWING THE MOTORHOME TO DRIFT FREELY OR NEARLY SO.

NHTSA ID
751459
Incident
Feb 14, 2001
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 14, 1999

THE VALVE ON THE FRONT BURNER HEATED AND THE BURNER COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF

NHTSA ID
711338

Manufacturer communications

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

04212008

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FLEETWOOD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CONSUMER MAINTENANCE ADVISORY, GENERATOR FUEL LINES. FLEETWOOD MOTOR HOME OWNERS. CSC WAS RECEIVED. *PE

98348

EQUIPMENT

SUBJECT ON DOMESTIC ICE MAKER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION. *YC

336

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BENDIX WASHER/DRYER. *JD

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 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
1997Viewing820—
1996111040.0
1995150031.7
1994900—
1993520—
1992210—
1991611—
1990411—
1989320—
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.