Model year record

1998 Fleetwood Southwind recalls & problems

The 1998 Fleetwood Southwind has 1 safety recall and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (4 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints13filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 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.

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	Fires	Typical mileage*
SuspensionFront › Wheel bearing; Front › Springs › Air suspension system	4	0	—
Unknown or other	2	1	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Storage › Tank assembly	2	0	—
EquipmentMechanical › Slide-in camper	1	0	—
StructureFrame and members	1	0	—
Power trainDriveline › Differential unit	1	0	—
Electrical systemWiring	1	1	—
Steering	1	0	—
VisibilityWindshield	1	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Visibility › Windshield
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FLEETWOOD RV. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HE HEARD A BANG THEN FELT WIND COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE PULLED OVER, HE NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. A REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE RV AND STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED MORE FIBERGLASS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WOULD CAVE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,337 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Apr 11, 2007 · 16,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
TANK DEVELOPED LEAK AT SEAM. REPAIR SHOP REPORTED REPLACING SEVERAL FUEL TANKS UNDER WARRANTY ON THIS MODEL IN PREVIOUS YEARS. APPEARS TO BE PREVELANT PROBLEM WITH DESIGN.*AK
Sep 1, 2001
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
THE FUEL LINE TO THE GENERATOR ROTTED OUT AND BEGAN LEAKING DOWN THE FUEL TANK. *AK
Apr 1, 2001
Unknown or other
WHILE USIG RV GENERATOR C0 DETECTOR ALRM GOES OFF WHILE COOKING/SLEEPING/ WATCHING TV, OR ANY UNRELATED ACTIVITY. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM, CALLED MANUFACTURER, AND CAN NOT EXPLAIN PROBLEM. *AK
Dec 1, 1997
Suspension
SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF THE MOTORHOME IS NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION CAUSING SEVERE HANDLING PROBLEMS. *MJS
Jun 19, 1998
Steering
VEHICLE IS DESIGNED WITH STEERING PROBLEMS, INSTALLATION OF AN AFTER MARKET ITEM NEEDED TO BE PURCHASED TO ILLIMINATE STEERING PROBLEMS. MJS
Aug 24, 1999
Electrical system › WiringFire
VEHICLEE HAD AN ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WERE NINE LEAKS IN THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING IN THE SHOWER/KITCHEN AND OTHER AREAS. ALSO, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED OUT TWICE, AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. A LOUD POPPING SOUND CAME FROM THE KITCHEN SINK. CONSUMER FELT VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSAFE. *AK
Nov 12, 1998
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL DEFECTIVE RESULTING IN GRINDING OF THE GEARS, REPLACED UNIT HOWEVER NEW UNIT FAILED ALSO.
Oct 10, 1998

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