Owners have filed 38 complaints
about the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder with NHTSA between 1998 and 2016.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 15 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 79
Against the median year of the Fleetwood Bounder. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 27
5.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 97
57% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 compares with every other Fleetwood Bounder
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 Bounder
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
718.4%
Equipment & Accessories
513.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
513.2%
Median failure at 53,500 miles
Body & Structure
513.2%
Median failure at 29,000 miles
Brakes
410.5%
Median failure at 40,907 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
37.9%
Median failure at 29,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
25.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Lights
25.3%
Doors, Latches & Locks
12.6%
Tires
12.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
12.6%
Suspension
12.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
12.6%
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.
Jun 1998peak 10Aug 2016
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE07055Opened 14 Nov 2007Closed 14 Mar 2008FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
GASOLINE SUPPLY LINE TO GEN'R SEEPAGE
ODI'S INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND THAT THE 1/4 INSIDE DIAMETER FUEL HOSE THAT PROVIDES GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLE'S ON-BOARD GENERATOR CAN CRACK AND SEEP FUEL. COMPLAINT SUMMARIES INDICATE THAT OWNERS HAVE TYPICALLY DETECTED A SEEPING FUEL LINE THROUGH (1) THE ODOR OF RAW GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR (2) ERRATIC OR NON-START GENERATOR PERFORMANCE.ODI HAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL IN THE GENERATOR FUEL SUPPLY HOSE IS PULLED INTO THE GENERATOR BY SUCTION SO THE GENERATOR IS LIKELY TO PULL AIR INTO THE FUEL LINE THROUGH MINOR CRACKS IN THE FUEL LINE CAUSING ERRATIC GENERATOR PERFORMANCE WELL BEFORE THE CRACKS WILL I...
Recalls on the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder
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 200704716,870 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.
Recall 199718450 units in Canada
Structure
THE HYDRAULIC HOSES WHICH OPERATE THE LEVELING JACK SYSTEM HAVE A ROUTING WHICH PLACES THEM CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN CAUSE THE HYDRAULIC HOSE TO MELT, RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID. THIS HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN IGNITE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING A FIRE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED, DAMAGED HOSES WILL BE REPLACED AND AFFECTED HYDRAULIC LINES WILL BE RELOCATED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Tillamook, ORCrash2 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN THE MOTORHOME WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ALL OVERHEAD CABINETS ABOVE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER FELL DOWN, CAUSING INJURIES TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. THE MOTORHOME WAS TOTALLED IN THE CRASH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #836152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 40,907 milesElkhorn, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
I OWN AND OPERATE A GENERAL REPAIR SHOP. MY TECH REPLACED FRONT WHEEL ABS SENSORS ON FOR MENTIONED VEHICLE. WORKHORSE MFG PART NUMBERS (W8006778) AND (W8006803). WHILE ON TEST DRIVE THE ABS SYSTEM ENTERED FALSE DEPLOYMENT MODE AT 15MPH WHILE APPROACHING A BUSY HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET AND SLAM THE TRANSMISSION INTO LOW TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE NOSE OF THE COACH ENDED BLOCKING HALF A LANE OF TRAFFIC. NO ACCIDENT. FYI, THIS VEHICLE GVW IS 20,000 LBS. ( NOTE: THE FOLLOWING IS TECHNICAL IN NATURE.) I DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SHOP TO INITIATE INVESTIGATION. USING A DVOM I MEASURED THE VOLTAGE AMPLITUDE OUT OF THE NEW WHEEL SPEED SENSORS. THE FRONT LEFT MEASURED .068V AC AND THE FRONT RIGHT MEASURED .286V AC. THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE FALSE DEPLOYMENT. I THEN REMOVED THE FRONT WHEELS TO INSPECT THE SENSORS AND DISCOVERED THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS ARE MANUFACTURE WITHOUT LOCATION DOWELS. THE LOCATION DOWELS SET THE CRITICAL CLEARANCE GAP BETWEEN THE RELUCTOR AND SENSOR. THIS CLEARANCE GAP HAS A NARROW PLUS OR MINUS TOLERANCE. WHEN THE TOLERANCE IS LOST THE ABS SYSTEM WILL ENTER A FALSE DEPLOYMENT MODE ( ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND BLOCKS BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE CALIPERS ). THE NEW REPLACEMENT ABS SENSORS HAVE NO LOCATION DOWELS THERE FOR TOLERANCES AS DESIGNED ARE NOT ACHIEVED. THIS IS WHY I LOST CONTROL OF 10 TONS OF VEHICLE. THE PART SUPPLIER, PART MANUFACTURER, AND CHASSIS BUILDER HAVE BEEN SERVED FULL NOTICE OF THIS FLAW. THE GM CASE REFERENCE NUMBER IS [XXX]. THANK YOU, [XXX] MASTER ASE TRUCK CERTIFIED MASTER ASE CAR CERTIFIED MASTER ASE ENGINE MACHINIST CERTIFIED ASE L1 CERTIFIED WALWORTH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT APPOINTED EXPERT WITNESS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10898468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesYuma, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
GASOLINE LEAKING FROM CRACKED FUEL LINE BETWEEN MAIN GAS TANK AND GENERATOR ON 1998 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER MOTORHOME. CONCERN ABOUT DANGER OF LEAKING GASOLINE BUT THERE IS ALSO SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO LEAK. IF THERE WAS ANY SPARK FROM THIS CONNECTION, IT MAY CAUSE GAS TANK TO EXPLODE. I HAVE RUN THE GENERATOR 3 TIMES WITHOUT RUNNING THE MOTORHOME ENGINE AND HAVE HAD GAS LEAK EACH TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10222150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesOscoda, MI
STRUCTURE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE FOUR THERMO-PANE WINDOWS IN THE MOTOR HOME LOCATED IN THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT. THREE OF THESE WINDOWS HAVE DEVELOPED A LEAK, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO FOG REDUCING THE DRIVERS VISION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED. UPDATED 08/14/06.
NHTSA complaint #10163819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesOscoda, MI
VISIBILITY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE FOUR THERMO-PANE WINDOWS IN THE MOTOR HOME LOCATED IN THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT. THREE OF THESE WINDOWS HAVE DEVELOPED A LEAK, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO FOG REDUCING THE DRIVERS VISION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED. UPDATED 08/14/06.
NHTSA complaint #10163819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,900 milesFenton, MI
PARKING BRAKE
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *AK......WHILE DRIVING THROUGH DOWN TOWN ATLANTA THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, NEARLY THROWING THE DRIVER ANS PASSENGER (S) OUT OF THEIR SEATS. IF THIS OCCURRED ON ICE/SNOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10106950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesEast Palatka, FL
PARKING BRAKE
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THE PARKING BRAKE FAILURE FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS ROLLED BACK WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A PERIODIC MAINTENANCE LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINT ON THE BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10099233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesMayer, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE GROUND DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HOSE THAT WAS LOCATED NEAR FUEL TANK AND GENERATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10042489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE DRIVER WINDSHIELD POPPED OUT AT BOTTOM DUE TO FLAW AT FACTORY. 5/8 OF FIBER GLASS WERE NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN THE RUBBER SEAL AND THE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #567616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GENERATOR MAKING NOISES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FUEL LINE WAS CRACKED. CONSUMER HAD TO CHANGE FUEL LINE TO THE COACH GENERATOR (110VAC-5.5 KVA) *MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL LINE IS INSTALLED FROM OEM CHASIS CHEVROLET TO THE COACH GENERATOR BY FLEETWOOD AND HAS A MATERIAL MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH RESULTS IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION ALLOWING HYDRO CARBONS TO VENT INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE FUEL TO ESCAPE TO THE HOT SUFACES OF THE ONAN GENERATOR, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE/PERSONAL INJURY AND OR DEATH. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8019625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GENERATOR MAKING NOISES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FUEL LINE WAS CRACKED. CONSUMER HAD TO CHANGE FUEL LINE TO THE COACH GENERATOR (110VAC-5.5 KVA) *MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL LINE IS INSTALLED FROM OEM CHASIS CHEVROLET TO THE COACH GENERATOR BY FLEETWOOD AND HAS A MATERIAL MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH RESULTS IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION ALLOWING HYDRO CARBONS TO VENT INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE FUEL TO ESCAPE TO THE HOT SUFACES OF THE ONAN GENERATOR, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE/PERSONAL INJURY AND OR DEATH. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8019625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
A REPAIR MAN CHANGING A FLAT TIRE DISCOVERED THE PROPANE LINE LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL WAS BROKEN AND THE WIRE HARNESS ABOVE THE WHEEL WELL COVER WAS SPLIT, THE PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WHEEL WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE DEFECT BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. CONSUMER WILL SEEK LEGAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR MONIES PAID.
NHTSA complaint #567457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
A REPAIR MAN CHANGING A FLAT TIRE DISCOVERED THE PROPANE LINE LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL WAS BROKEN AND THE WIRE HARNESS ABOVE THE WHEEL WELL COVER WAS SPLIT, THE PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE WHEEL WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE DEFECT BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. CONSUMER WILL SEEK LEGAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR MONIES PAID.
NHTSA complaint #567457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I WILL MAKE THIS SHORT. I OWN A RV MADE BY FLEETWOOD. GOING TO FLORIDA WITH FAMILY WE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE TORE UP WHEEL WELL COVER AND THEN DESTROYED A MAIN WIRING HARNESS WITH BOTH AC/DC POWER. THE MAIN CONCERN WAS IT ALSO BROKE A GAS LINE, THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION FROM THE SPARKING WIRES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS TOLD ME TO GO TO HELL, THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY A DIME FOR REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR EVEN KILLED FROM A GAS EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #765975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WILL MAKE THIS SHORT. I OWN A RV MADE BY FLEETWOOD. GOING TO FLORIDA WITH FAMILY WE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE TORE UP WHEEL WELL COVER AND THEN DESTROYED A MAIN WIRING HARNESS WITH BOTH AC/DC POWER. THE MAIN CONCERN WAS IT ALSO BROKE A GAS LINE, THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION FROM THE SPARKING WIRES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS TOLD ME TO GO TO HELL, THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY A DIME FOR REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR EVEN KILLED FROM A GAS EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #765975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plano, TX
TIRES
I WILL MAKE THIS SHORT. I OWN A RV MADE BY FLEETWOOD. GOING TO FLORIDA WITH FAMILY WE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE TORE UP WHEEL WELL COVER AND THEN DESTROYED A MAIN WIRING HARNESS WITH BOTH AC/DC POWER. THE MAIN CONCERN WAS IT ALSO BROKE A GAS LINE, THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION FROM THE SPARKING WIRES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS TOLD ME TO GO TO HELL, THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY A DIME FOR REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR EVEN KILLED FROM A GAS EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #765975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, OH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THERE WAS A QUARTER OF AN INCH GAP IN WINDSHIELD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD POPPED OUT AT BOTTOM DUE TO FLAW AT FACTORY. 5/8 INCH OF FIVER GLASS WAS NEEDED TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN THE RUBBER SEAL AND THE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #8016015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY Point, CA
STRUCTURE
FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS WEARING UNEVENLY. AFTER INSPECTION AT DEALERSHIP CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BOLT HOLDING TIE ROD IN PLACE WAS LOOSE AND READY TO SNAP.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT AND FRONT RIGHT TIRES WERE WORN ON THE INNER SIDE DUE TO THE 4 BOLTS HOLDING THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WERE LOOSE AND READY TO SNAP. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8010927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngwood, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
MANY FLEETWOOD OWNERS REPORT THEIR HEADLIGHT LENSES CLOUD OVER (BECOME MILKY) AND THEREFORE THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS DRASTICALLY REDUCED. THIS DEFECT APPEARS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE LENSE. FLEETWOOD HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM WHEN A MOTORHOME IS UNDER WARRANTY. BUT, IF IT NOT...THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS!!!!
NHTSA complaint #752182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Myers Beach, FL
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE MOUNTED ON DRIVESHAFT. HAD PUT ON PARKING BRAKE, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL AWAY. PARKING BRAKE HAD BURNED UP. WOULD NEED TO PUT DOWN ELECTRIC JACK TO PREVENT MOTOR HOME FROM ROLLING AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #880286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atascadero, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
MY VEHICLE IS A 35 FT MOTOR HOME BUILT BY FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC., RIVERSIDE, CA, THE COACH WAS CONSTRUCTED ON A FORD F-SUPER DUTY CLASS A MOTOR HOME CHASSIS WITHA 228 " WHEEL BASE. FORD RATES THE MAX GVWR AT 17,000 LBS WITHA 6000 LB FRONT AXLE CAPACITY. THE LOAD ON THE FRONT AXLE HAS BEEN MEASURED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT 5710 LBS. TOTALLY EMPTY . THIS WILL NOT ALLOW A DRIVER AND PASSENGER TO BE IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT OVERLOADING THE FRONT AXLE.
NHTSA complaint #723510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MO
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE AIR CONDITIONER SHROUD NEARLY SEPERATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO STRESS CRACKS AROUND THE MOUNTING BOLTS. I HAD TO REMOVE THE COVER TO CONTINUE MY TRIP.
NHTSA complaint #723699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, MN
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WATER LEAKING INTO VEHICLE, MISSING SEALS CAUSING FUMES TO ENTER ALSO. MJS
NHTSA complaint #547370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
KICKS OUT OF CRUISE WHEN GOING UP HILLS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #547370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, MN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR MISSING WHEN DELIVERED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #547370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL WIRES HANGING FROM CASE UPON DELIVERY. MJS
NHTSA complaint #547370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.