The 2003 Fleetwood Pace Arrow has 7 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (5 complaints).
Problem: FLEETWOOD RV IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 MOTORHOMES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 24, 2004 AND MARCH 11, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR, 1200LRIM, AND 1201LRIM REFRIGERATORS WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.
Risk: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: FLEETWOOD RV WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD RV AT 1-800-509-3418 OR NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.
Service brakes, air
NHTSA recall 09V198000 · Jun 2, 2009 · 509 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer
NHTSA recall 08V320000 · Jul 15, 2008 · 70,101 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: 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.
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.
Electrical system
NHTSA recall 06V115000 · Apr 12, 2006 · 7,205 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ACTIA CORPORATE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101 "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND NO. 105 "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IF THE BRAKE FAIL INPUT FALLS BELOW A VOLTAGE OF 1.5V, THE BRAKE FAILURE LAMP AND ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED. ALSO ACTIVATION OF THE ABS TELLTALE WHEN THE ABS IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR.
Risk: AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS MAY FAIL AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHICH COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN AND REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.
Problem: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH DRAW TITE HITCH RECEIVERS MAY BE MISSING ONE OR MORE WELDS BETWEEN THE HITCH RECEIVER BOX AND THE BOTTOM SUPPORT PLATE.
Risk: THE WELDS COULD BREAK, ALLOWING THE HITCH RECEIVER BOX AND THE TOWED LOAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE HITCH RECEIVER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.
Problem: ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS, THE HYDRAULIC HOSE OPERATING THE LEVELING JACK SYSTEM WAS ROUTED SO IT PLACES THE HOSE TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST. THE HOT EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THE HYDRAULIC HOSE TO MELT OR ABRADE, RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID.
Risk: IF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SHOULD IGNITE BY AN EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATING TUBE OR OTHER HEAT SOURCE, THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE DAMAGED HOSES AND RELOCATE THE AFFECTED HYDRAULIC LINES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OCTOBER 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.
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*
Service brakes, hydraulic Fluid
5
0
0
0
—
Equipment Recreational vehicle/trailer › Lpg systems › Water heater; Recreational vehicle/trailer
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 26, 2012 · 44,326 miles · fireFuel system, gasoline TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, HE SMELLED A FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE CABIN. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE BROKE IN HALF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,326.
Apr 18, 2011 · 27,079 milesExterior lighting I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM FLORIDA THIS SPRING AND HAD HEARD A NOISE LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING AT THE TIME. WHEN WE STOPPED FOR FUEL WALKING AROUND THE MOTORHOME I SAW THAT THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 37A 2003 PACE ARROW THAT HAS ALL OF 27,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED FLEETWOOD ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE COACH. I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM FROM FLEETWOOD'S MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF GLUING IN THE HEAD LIGHTS ON THESE MOTORHOMES. *TR
Apr 5, 2010Service brakes, hydraulic TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW EQUIPPED WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE BRAKES FOR THE CHASSIS BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Jul 16, 2008 · 21,886 milesService brakes, hydraulic TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW WITH THE 2003 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING BRAKES. THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP; HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. HE CHECKED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE SMOKING. AFTER WAITING OVER AN HOUR, HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL CALIPER, BRAKE LINE, ROTOR, BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY, AND ABS SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BRAKE HOSE AND BRAKE LINING WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,886 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,926. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/11/08 *JB
Jan 1, 1901Service brakes, hydraulic › Fluid 2003 PACE ARROW MOTOR HOME WITH BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED TWICE PUTTING HIS FAMILY AND OTHERS IN DANGER. HE STATES THAT THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE PASSENGER SIDE RESERVOIR WAS VERY HOT. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT IMPROVE THE RESPONSE. *JB
Oct 27, 2006Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR FAILED AND SPEWED YELLOW MATERIAL INTO THE COOLING AREA. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE SERIAL NUMBER IS IN THE RANGE LISTED ON THE RECALL. CUSTOMER REPLACED THE ENTIRE COOLING UNIT IN OCTOBER 2006. **NAR**KB A FATIGUE CRACK WAS FOUND IN THE BOILER TUBE WHICH RELEASED THE PRESSURIZED COOLANT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE MODEL NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB
Dec 22, 2006 · 32,000 milesEquipment TL* - THE CONTACT READ IN THE GOOD SAMARITAN MAGAZINE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON DOMETIC REFRIGERATORS, WHICH IS IN HIS 2003/FLEETWOOD/PACE ARROW RV. THE DETAILS IN THE MAGAZINE INDICATE THE REFRIGERATOR COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD ANY INCIDENTS WITH HIS DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR.
Jan 1, 1901Exterior lighting › Headlights › Concealment devices 2003 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW MOTOR HOME PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT AND FIXTURE FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE HEADLIGHT FIXTURE WAS INSTALLED BY USING GLUE. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE06005 · opened Jan 20, 2006 · closed May 2, 2006INADVERTENT SLIDE-OUT EXTENSION MOVEMENT 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…