RoadVitals

2003 Fleetwood Southwind Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
16
Latest Oct 22, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
67%
of 24 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Oct 22, 2018

3 TIMES NOW WHILE DRIVING MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED. BRAKES HAVE GOTTEN HOT AND OVERHEATED. CAN SMELL A BURNING SMELL. ABS LIGHTS COME ON. BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND WILL NOT STOP. ONLY WAY TO STOP IS TO SHIFT VEHICLE TO LOW GEAR AND APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH HAS TAKEN AN EXTREMELY LONG TIME WITH NARROW MISSES. ON TIME WHILE DRIVING DOWN A WINDY ROAD. ANOTHER TIME IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND JUST AFTER THE BRAKES SMELLED OF BURNING. BY THE TIME I PULLED OVER SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE FRONT BRAKES. I LIFTED THE FRONT WHEELS OFF OF THE GROUND AND THE WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN. I CRACKED OPEN A BRAKE LINE AND THE FLUID WAS BOILING. I REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND CALIPERS ALSO BOTH FRONT ABS SENSORS. RECENTLY FOR THE THIRD TIME I LOST BRAKES AFTER TRAFFIC, A BURNING SMELL OCCURRED AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AGAIN THIS TIME COMING FRONT THE REAR BRAKES. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PLEASE HELP. ALSO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11141924
Incident
Oct 19, 2018
Mileage
54,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY WHEN DEPRESSED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE LATER, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/13/16*LJ THE CONSUMER LEARNED A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE BRAKES. THE ROTORS, CALIPERS SENSORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/19/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10907560
Incident
Sep 12, 2016
Mileage
28,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 13, 2015

RECALL 09V198000 BOUGHT USED 2003 SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME AND ATTEMPTED AT SEVERAL WORKHORSE SERVICE CENTERS TO GET THE BRAKE RECALL PERFORMED. WAS TOLD BY ALL THAT WORKHORSE HAS NO CALIPERS TO SHIP AND NO PLANS TO ORDER ANY MORE. HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN WHEN THERE ARE STILL VEHICLES THAT NEED THE WORK PERFORMED? *TR

NHTSA ID
10683210
Incident
Feb 13, 2015
Mileage
48,900 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 29, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND 36B. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING; THE CALIPERS STUCK AND THE ABS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED AFTER HAVING THEM REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS WAS SET TO NOT WORK. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,948.

NHTSA ID
10368213
Incident
Nov 9, 2009
Mileage
14,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 23, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME ON A WORK HORSE CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE. WHEN THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS AND STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BRAKES WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AFTER MARKET BRAKES TO REPLACE THE CURRENT BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER REPLACING THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS THE CALIPERS BEGAN TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS REFERRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS, CALIPERS, AND THE BRAKE PADS. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WORKHORSE DID COMPENSATE HIM FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ID
10344921
Incident
Feb 10, 2010
Mileage
26,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 7, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND RV. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 50-55 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH NO POWER RESPONSE. SUDDENLY, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESUMED OPERATION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WITH NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000. UPDATED 09/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/14/10

NHTSA ID
10334963
Incident
Feb 5, 2007
Mileage
29,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 7, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTOR HOME. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING SMELL. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SAW BRAKE FLUID UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 16,000.

NHTSA ID
10329276
Incident
Apr 30, 2010
Mileage
16,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 15, 2010

FRONT END HAD BEGUN TO MILDLY VIBRATE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ON CURSORY INSPECTION COULD TELL THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE FRONT ROTORS WAS CRACKED CLEAR THROUGH. CALLED WORKHORSE, WAS DIRECTED TO CLOSEST REPAIR SHOP. FOUND BOTH FRONT ROTORS WITH MULTIPLE CRACKS, SOME CLEAR THROUGH ON BOTH FRONT. BRAKE PADS ONLY 1/3 GONE, NO EVIDENT GLAZE OR HEAT SIGNS APPARENT (PICTURES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST) ON THE PADS. CALIPERS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AS SAFETY PRECAUTION. I KNOW ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALL FOR THE CALIPERS WHICH GUIDES ME TO BELIEVE THAT SOME HOW THEY ARE RELATED DIRECTLY TO MY ROTOR FAILURES. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT THAT WOULD BE DUE TO CONTINUOUS HARD BRAKING OR RIDING THE BRAKES. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER (50 YEARS) AND I KNOW HOW TO AVOID OVERHEATING THE BRAKES, PRIMARILY TO KEEP THEM FUNCTIONING WHEN YOU NEED THEM. THESE REPAIRS (AT 34,000) COST $954, I SENT REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO WORKHORSE WHICH WAS PROMPTLY DENIED. SO NOW I AM FILING AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10319996
Incident
Feb 8, 2010
Mileage
34,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2010

RETURNED FROM 75 MILE TRIP, RIGHT REAR BRAKE AND WHEEL LINER VERY HOT AND SMELL OF BRAKE BURNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10316975
Incident
Mar 1, 2010
Mileage
29,942 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2010

AFTER 75 MILE TRIP, RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS HOT AND SMOKING, NO LOSS OF BRAKING, RETURN TRIP 8 DAYS LATER NO PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10316971
Incident
Feb 7, 2009
Mileage
29,942 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2010

AFTER 100 MILE TRIP, LOST BRAKING ON MY MOTORHOME, WITH THE SMELL OF BRAKE BURNING, WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. REAR WHEEL LINERS BOTH SIDES WERE TOO HOT TO TOUCH. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, BRAKE FLUID COOLED OFF AND BRAKING RETURNED. RETURN TRIP OF 100 MILES 3 DAYS LATER WITH NO PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10316968
Incident
Jan 7, 2006
Mileage
25,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2010

AFTER 90 MILE TRIP, LOST BRAKING ON MY MOTORHOME, WITH THE SMELL OF BRAKE BURNING, BRAKE PEDAL AT THE FLOOR. REAR WHEEL LINERS BOTH SIDES WERE TOO HOT TO TOUCH. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, BRAKE FLUID COOLED OFF AND BRAKING RETURNED. RETURN TRIP OF 90 MILES 2 DAYS LATER WITH NO PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10316967
Incident
Mar 9, 2005
Mileage
22,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 1, 2009

COMING THROUGH MOUNTAINS IN PENNSYLVANIA, THE MILLAGE WAS ABOUT 25000. RIGHT REAR BRAKE LOCKED AND OVERHEATED. I WAS NOT RIDING THE BRAKES, ONLY RIGHT REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP. I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH BOTH FRONT BRAKES WITH MILLAGE AT 18000 OR SO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10263820
Incident
Aug 21, 2008
Mileage
25,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 19, 2008

BRAKE FAILURE ON A 2003 FLEETWOOD WORKHORSE CHASSIS MOTORHOME. PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246044
Incident
Oct 19, 2008
Mileage
20,888 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 13, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND W22. ON JULY 3 2007, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $837. ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CALIPER ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITED UNTIL THE CALIPER RELEASED. SHE THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FAILURE AT THE COST OF $873. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,722 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,162. UPDATED 03-11-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10217972
Incident
Jul 3, 2007
Mileage
24,162 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 6, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN THE BRAKES COOLED DOWN, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PADS WERE WORN AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR MONTHS LATER. THE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24,000.

NHTSA ID
10202050
Incident
May 5, 2007
Mileage
24,000 mi

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .