The 1997 Fleetwood Discovery has 4 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (4 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints13filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 4reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer
NHTSA recall 07V120000 · Mar 19, 2007 · 167,096 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX HYDRAULIC LINES ARE ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO A SHARP EDGE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE LINES TO RUPTURE AND RESULT IN A HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAK.
Risk: THIS FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FEATURE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, REPLACE OR REPAIR DAMAGED HOSES AS NECESSARY, AND RELOCATE THE AFFECTED HYDRAULIC LINES.
Visibility › Windshield
NHTSA recall 98V147000 · Jun 26, 1998 · 895 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS," FOR AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF TINT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER REDUCED VISIBILITY THROUGH THE SIDE WINDOWS WHEN BACKING UP, WHEN USING THE MIRRORS FOR LANE CHANGES, OR WHENEVER LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDOWS.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 97V236000 · Dec 19, 1997 · 433 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A VINYL PROTECTIVE FRONT COVER. THIS COVER INCLUDES A MESH WHICH COVERS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS MESH INTERFERES WITH THE PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE OF THE HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN A NONCOMPLIANCE TO FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: THE INTERFERING MESH CAUSES THE EFFECTIVE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS TO BE LESS THAN REQUIRED. THE DECREASE IN HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS CAN DECREASE THE ABILITY TO VIEW THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN OTHER INSTANCES WHERE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE NEEDED. ALSO, THE DECREASED BRIGHTNESS OF THE TURN SIGNALS WILL AFFECT THE VISIBILITY OF THESE SIGNALS TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND REPAIR PARTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS RECALL. IF OWNERS SO DESIRE, THEY CAN HAVE A DEALER PERFORM THIS REMEDY FOR THEM.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor
4
0
2
0
—
Exterior lighting Brake lights; Headlights
3
0
1
0
—
Equipment Recreational vehicle/trailer
2
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Front underhood; Wiring
2
0
1
0
—
Tires
2
0
0
0
—
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 17, 2011 · 105,200 miles · fireExterior lighting TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRES WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,663.
Dec 15, 2001Visibility › Windshield FRONT WINDSHIELD KEEPS POPPING OUT.*AK *TT
Aug 20, 2001Tires DURING A RECENT TRIP THE MOTORHOME EXPERIENCED THREE BLOWOUTS, THE TIRES HAD 33000 MILES ON IT (MICHELIN SIZE 235/80R/22.5 XTRV TIRES).
Apr 28, 2001 · fireElectrical system › Wiring ON THE DATE INDICATED, WHILE THE MOTORHOME WAS PLUGGED INTO 115V 30 AMP A/C POWER, WITH ONE ROOF AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OCCURRED IN THE JUNCTION BOX. THE FIRE, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT, CONSUMED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WIRING INSULATION. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD TO OTHER MATERIAL. DAMAGE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWERTEK BREAKER BOX AND REPAIR OF THE WIRING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED IN THIS MOTORHOME. A VERY SIMILAR ELECTRICAL SHORT AND FIRE OCCURRED IN JULY 2000. DAMAGE WAS NOT AS EXTENSIVE AND ONLY THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THESE INCIDENTS ARE BEING REPORTED TO NHTSA AS A SAFETY HAZARD. OTHER OWNERS OF THE…
Nov 1, 2000Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood WHEN HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON ELECTRICAL WIRING AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH STARTED MELTING, THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER DASH. CONSUMER COULD ONLY DRIVE DURING DAY TIME.*AK *JB
Apr 15, 2001 · fireVisibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN ALLSTATE INSURANCE INSPECTOR STATED THAT CIRCUIT BOARD IN FRONT HEATING VENT WAS FAULTY AND FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN FAN COMING ON AND REMAINING ON .*AK *JB
Apr 22, 2001 · fireVisibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element INSURANCE INVESTAGATER SAID FIRE DUE TO FAULTY HEATER CIRCUT BOARD, THIS CAUSED FAN TO COME ON BLOWING FIRE THROUGH MOTORHOME, OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF MOTORHOME SHOULD BE INFORMED TO THE POSIBLITY OF FIRES, IF WE WERE IN THE MOTORHOME WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. FLEETWOOD SAID NO RESPONSEABILITY WOULD BE TAKEN ON THEIR PART, FLEETWOOD DID TAKE AN ACCIDENT REPORT.
Jul 7, 2000Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery WHILE OPERATING MOTORHOME AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ITS FUEL LINE RUPTURED, RESULTING IN DIESEL FUEL SEEPAGE THROUGHOUT MOTORHOME.*AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.