Model year record

1997 Fleetwood Southwind recalls & problems

The 1997 Fleetwood Southwind has 2 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is parking brake (6 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints8filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentMar 19, 2007

Recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 07V120000167,096 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.

VisibilityNov 22, 1996

Power window devices and controls

Recall 96V236000241 vehicles

Problem: THE E-Z SLIDE-OUT ROOM CAN OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. WATER CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM CONTROL RELAY.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REPLACEMENT CONTROL RELAY IN A WATERPROOF LOCATION ON THESE MOTOR HOMES.

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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Parking brakeConventional; Driveline › Hydraulic	6	0	52,500 mi
EquipmentRecreational vehicle/trailer	2	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components	1	0	—
Structure	1	1	—
Tires	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires
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…
Aug 19, 2013 · 38,000 miles
Structure1 injury
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
Nov 14, 2004 · 60,000 miles
Equipment1 injury
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
Jan 14, 2004 · 55,000 miles
Parking brake
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
Jan 9, 2001 · 15,000 miles
Parking brake
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
Jun 15, 2004 · 85,000 miles
Parking brake › Driveline › Hydraulic
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
Jul 16, 2003 · 52,500 miles
Parking brake › Conventional
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.
Feb 14, 2001
Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer
THE VALVE ON THE FRONT BURNER HEATED AND THE BURNER COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF
Sep 14, 1999

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.