RoadVitals

2004 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.
13
Latest Feb 16, 2015
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.
8
Latest Jun 2, 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 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Fleetwood Southwind, most frequently naming the brakes, other / unspecified and body & structure categories. 8 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

  • Brakes646.2%
  • Other / unspecified430.8%
  • Body & structure17.7%
  • Fuel system17.7%
  • Visibility17.7%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
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
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

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 13
Visibility
Filed Feb 16, 2015

NO INCIDENT HAS HAPPEN YET THE SIDE WINDOWS HAS DOUBLE PAIN THE GAS HAS CLOUDLE TO A POINT WHEN THE SUN IS HEATING UP THE GLASS THAT IT RESTRICT THE VIEW IN THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR THAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10683637
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
18,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 18, 2013

OUR RV NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR'S ALARM SOUNDED. THE FAULT SAYS NO CO--NO COOLING UNIT. NORCOLD SENT THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SENSOR PART AS OUR REFRIGERATOR/COOLING UNIT IS UNDER RECALL; IT WAS INSTALLED BY RV SERVICE CENTER ON 8/8/13. THIS WEEK END OUT CAMPING THE ALARM SOUNDED AGAIN; IT WAS RESET BY RV OWNER, BUT ALARM SOUNDED AGAIN. THE OWNER CAN ONLY RESET IT ONCE AFTER THAT IT GOES TO RV SERVICE CENTER FOR RESETTING. MY CLAIM NUMBER FOR NORCOLD IS 580811 FOR THE PART. WE THOUGHT WITH THE NEW PART INSTALLED THE ALARM WOULDN'T GO OFF AGAIN. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535996
Incident
Aug 17, 2013
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 24, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEFORE THE FIRE ERUPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V3440000 (EQUIPMENT; HYDRAULIC LEVELING JACKS), HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY DID NO LONGER MANUFACTURED THE PART. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500. KMJ

NHTSA ID
10521526
Incident
Jun 23, 2013
Mileage
15,500 mi
Filed May 25, 2011

AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES COMPLAINING, I WAS TOLD TO SPRAY THE JACKS WITH WD-40. I STILL HAVE TO DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES A TRIP. IF I FORGET TO, THE JACKS DON'T COME UP AND DRAG ON THE GROUND

NHTSA ID
10403454
Incident
Jul 30, 2004
Mileage
1,633 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR NEAR THE BRAKES AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND IF THE TEST DOES NOT SHOW RESULTS OF BRAKE DAMAGE THE CONTACT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RELATED COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BRAKES AND THE MANUFACTURER NOT AUTHORIZING THE SERVICE BRAKES RECALL ( 09V198000). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ID
10349264
Incident
Aug 12, 2010
Mileage
9,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 11, 2010

LOSS OF BRAKES IN MOUNTAINS DUE TO OVER HEATING. REAR WHEELS SMOKING AND TOO HOT TO TOUCH. PULLED OF INTO REST AREA AND STAYED THERE FOR 4 HOURS TO LET BRAKES COOL DOWN. AFTER STOPPING BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR UNTIL THINGS COOLED DOWN AND THEN PUMPED THE BRAKES TO GET TO CAMP GROUND 8 MILES AWAY. AFTER 3 DAYS THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO GET BRAKES. AFTER CALLING WORKHORSE I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR HOME TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THE CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH TOOK 2 DAYS TO GET APPROVAL FROM WORKHORSE. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE FIX FOR THIS RECALL IS TAKING SO LONG, AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. WORKHORSE SAID THE FIX WILL COME SOMETIME AFTER NOVEMBER 2010. IS THIS A SAFE WAY TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10348716
Incident
Jul 29, 2010
Mileage
32,648 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 30, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND RV. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE BRAKES. NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,500.

NHTSA ID
10322880
Incident
Sep 15, 2009
Mileage
21,300 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 17, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTH WIND. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL#50901-C FROM WORKHORSE IN REGARDS TO THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE WHICH BURNED THE ABS SENSOR IN JUNE 2009. ON AUGUST 14, 2009, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER ALSO FAILED. THE RV MOTOR HOME IS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,500.

NHTSA ID
10280634
Incident
Jul 14, 2009
Mileage
12,000 mi

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 Southwind by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023160—
2022150—
2021160—
2020150—
2019020—
2018040—
2017110—
2016130—
2015020—
2014130—
2012310—
2011040—
2010030—
2009010—
2008020—
2007330—
2006460—
2005840—
2004Viewing138152.9
2003248153.2
2002451—
2001440—
2000840—
1999720—
1998131038.5
1997820—
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.