FaultScore

FaultScore report

1998 Fleetwood American Eagle problems

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 1998 Fleetwood American Eagle with NHTSA between 1998 and 2015. The largest single group is the tires. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.

D

FaultScore 69/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Fleetwood American Eagle.

How this is worked out

The numbers

12

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 51 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 51
Against the median year of the Fleetwood American Eagle. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
33.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.

How 1998 compares with every other Fleetwood American Eagle

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1998 Fleetwood American Eagle

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Tires 4 33.3%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Brakes 2 16.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Steering 2 16.7%

Median failure at 126,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 8.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 8.3%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 8.3%
Electrical System 1 8.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Dec 1998 peak 4 Feb 2015

Recalls on the 1998 Fleetwood American Eagle

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2007047 16,870 units in Canada

Other

On certain motorhomes, conventional travel trailers and fifth wheel travel trailers equipped with a Dometic Corporation refrigerator, a fatigue crack can develop in the boiler tube. This could allow the release of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source is present, which could result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the refrigerator's boiler tube assembly.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Bronx, NY Crash 9 killed

TIRES

I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN FLEETWOOD'S REPAIR OF DEFECT THAT LED TO TIRE FAILURS AND NINE DEATHS FROM CRASHES. CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH COMPLETE REPORTS OF INVESTIGATIONS AT THE SCENES AND YOUR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND CONTACT NUMBERS FOR FOLLOWUP OF THIS REPORT. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 99V277000 TIRESIZE: G25975R225)

NHTSA complaint #737502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mineral Point, MO Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

RIGHT FRONT TIRE (GOODYEAR) BLEW UP ON I-44 IN NEW MEXICO. MOTORHOME (AMERICAN EAGLE) LOST CONTROL AND WNET OFF THE ROAD. BRAKES FAILED. TOWED VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE ($3000.00 WORTH). GOODYEAR REFUNDED MY $ 1000.00 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME OF ADMISSOION OF LIABILITY. THERE WERE REPORTEDLY OVER 30 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF TIRE FAILURE OCCURRING IN THE SAME BRAND OF MOTORHOME WHICH RUN ON GOODYEAR TIRES, WITH MOTORHOME CHASIS SUPPLIED BY SPARTAN MOTORS. THERE WAS SOME DIFFICULTY FIGURING OUT THE CAUSE OF THESE TIRE FAILURES IN 1998 AND 1999. OWNERS WERE ADVICED TO INCREASE TIRE PRESSURES AND THE EXACT AIR PRESSURE REOMMENDED WERE DEBATED REGULARLY ON VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS RAISING QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES BY THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA complaint #722399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mineral Point, MO Crash

TIRES

RIGHT FRONT TIRE (GOODYEAR) BLEW UP ON I-44 IN NEW MEXICO. MOTORHOME (AMERICAN EAGLE) LOST CONTROL AND WNET OFF THE ROAD. BRAKES FAILED. TOWED VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE ($3000.00 WORTH). GOODYEAR REFUNDED MY $ 1000.00 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME OF ADMISSOION OF LIABILITY. THERE WERE REPORTEDLY OVER 30 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF TIRE FAILURE OCCURRING IN THE SAME BRAND OF MOTORHOME WHICH RUN ON GOODYEAR TIRES, WITH MOTORHOME CHASIS SUPPLIED BY SPARTAN MOTORS. THERE WAS SOME DIFFICULTY FIGURING OUT THE CAUSE OF THESE TIRE FAILURES IN 1998 AND 1999. OWNERS WERE ADVICED TO INCREASE TIRE PRESSURES AND THE EXACT AIR PRESSURE REOMMENDED WERE DEBATED REGULARLY ON VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS RAISING QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES BY THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA complaint #722399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 126,000 miles Livingston, TX

STEERING

I WAS LEAVING THE TA TRUCKSTOP IN NEW BRAUNFELS TEXAS ON SUNDAY FED 1 AT APP. @1:30 PM , I WAS TURNING RIGHT ON THE I 35 SERVICE ROAD AND MY UNIT WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE DITCH. I UNHOOKED MY TOW CAR AND BACKED INTO THE TRUCKSTOP . I GOT A MOBILE MECHANIC TO LOOK AT MY UNIT AND HE TOLD ME THE STEERING BRACKET WAS BROKEN IN TWO PIECES.

NHTSA complaint #10680875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gainesville, FL

STEERING

I WAS INFORMED OF 2 SAFETY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE, TUTHILL, AND SPARTAN CHASSIS WON'T MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, CITING THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, I WASN'T AWARE OF THE RECALLS UNTIL THIS YEAR, AND NOW AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, AND CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10469251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY Crash 9 killed

TIRES

I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN FLEETWOOD'S REPAIR OF DEFECT THAT LED TO TIRE FAILURS AND NINE DEATHS FROM CRASHES. CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH COMPLETE REPORTS OF INVESTIGATIONS AT THE SCENES AND YOUR ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND CONTACT NUMBERS FOR FOLLOWUP OF THIS REPORT. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 99V277000 TIRESIZE: G25975R225)

NHTSA complaint #737502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mineral Point, MO Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

RIGHT FRONT TIRE (GOODYEAR) BLEW UP ON I-44 IN NEW MEXICO. MOTORHOME (AMERICAN EAGLE) LOST CONTROL AND WNET OFF THE ROAD. BRAKES FAILED. TOWED VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE ($3000.00 WORTH). GOODYEAR REFUNDED MY $ 1000.00 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME OF ADMISSOION OF LIABILITY. THERE WERE REPORTEDLY OVER 30 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF TIRE FAILURE OCCURRING IN THE SAME BRAND OF MOTORHOME WHICH RUN ON GOODYEAR TIRES, WITH MOTORHOME CHASIS SUPPLIED BY SPARTAN MOTORS. THERE WAS SOME DIFFICULTY FIGURING OUT THE CAUSE OF THESE TIRE FAILURES IN 1998 AND 1999. OWNERS WERE ADVICED TO INCREASE TIRE PRESSURES AND THE EXACT AIR PRESSURE REOMMENDED WERE DEBATED REGULARLY ON VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS RAISING QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES BY THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA complaint #722399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mineral Point, MO Crash

TIRES

RIGHT FRONT TIRE (GOODYEAR) BLEW UP ON I-44 IN NEW MEXICO. MOTORHOME (AMERICAN EAGLE) LOST CONTROL AND WNET OFF THE ROAD. BRAKES FAILED. TOWED VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE ($3000.00 WORTH). GOODYEAR REFUNDED MY $ 1000.00 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME OF ADMISSOION OF LIABILITY. THERE WERE REPORTEDLY OVER 30 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF TIRE FAILURE OCCURRING IN THE SAME BRAND OF MOTORHOME WHICH RUN ON GOODYEAR TIRES, WITH MOTORHOME CHASIS SUPPLIED BY SPARTAN MOTORS. THERE WAS SOME DIFFICULTY FIGURING OUT THE CAUSE OF THESE TIRE FAILURES IN 1998 AND 1999. OWNERS WERE ADVICED TO INCREASE TIRE PRESSURES AND THE EXACT AIR PRESSURE REOMMENDED WERE DEBATED REGULARLY ON VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS RAISING QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES BY THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA complaint #722399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, UN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE HAS SHORTS IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NLM

NHTSA complaint #545932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, UN

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

AIR BRAKES FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #545932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, UN

EQUIPMENT

HYDRALIC LEVELERS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #545932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tulsa, AZ

TIRES

RECALL 99V277000, THE OVERLOADING OF THE FRONT TIRE CAUSED WEAR AND TEAR TO THE REAR AXLE, AND TIRE AND CANNOT HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE MOTORHOME WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #857907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

College Station, TX

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED TO THE REAR FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL, ALMOST RESULTING IN A CRASH. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #853775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin, VT

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD NOT PROPERLY SEALED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO POP OUT AND SHIFT TO PASSENGER'S SIDE CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. CONSUMER ALSO HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #838352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Geronimo, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FUEL EXPULSION FROM THE TANK FILL HOLE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE OF VENT, RECALL WORK PERFORMED HOWEVER PROBLEMS WITH GAS EXPULSION CONTINUED.

NHTSA complaint #542689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.