43 of the
465 complaints filed about the Fleetwood Bounder
are about the body and structure —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
On [XXX], after arriving at our campground in Tok, Alaska, the main entry-door latch/handle on our 2023 Fleetwood Bounder motorhome failed completely. I parked the motorhome in front of the campground office. When I attempted to open the main entry door by lifting the door handle, the handle broke off and came completely into my hand. The door would no longer open. There were four people inside the motorhome, and none of us could open the main entry door. We were effectively trapped inside the RV through the primary entrance. Because we could not open the door, I climbed out through the passenger-side window so that I could get outside and retrieve tools. While climbing out of the window, I fell and injured my leg and back. After getting up, I went to the motorhome’s tool compartment and retrieved a screwdriver. I then passed the screwdriver through the window to my friend, who was still inside the motorhome. Since the main door could not be opened using the broken handle, my friend had to remove the screws securing the inside door latch/handle assembly. When those screws were removed, the assembly came apart and the internal components became loose. This disassembly was necessary so that we could gain access to the internal latch mechanism. My friend was then able to manually pull one of the internal latch components, which finally released the door and allowed us to open it. The latch assembly and its components were subsequently removed from the door. We have saved the broken handle, the latch assembly, and all of the loose internal components. Nothing has been discarded, and we also have photographs documenting the failed parts. The duct tape currently visible on the door is only being used to cover the opening left after removal of the latch assembly. It is not being used to repair the latch or hold the latch mechanism together. After the incident, I contacted two service people in Tok, Alaska seeking assistance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B
NHTSA complaint #11758492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
One of the HEHR windows blew off of the motorhome while driving down I-5 in California. The window shattered. (Fortunately it did not hit the motorhome driving behind us, and fortunately we were in the right lane so it didn't hit anyone else.) We had to go two and a half months driving with no window in that place (the bedroom) - we, of course, blocked it with styrofoam, etc and good old duct tape for the rest of our trip. We checked the rest out upon stopping and there is another one that was pulling off enough that we duct-taped that all tightly so it wouldn't blow off. And at least one more window is loosening up also. These windows are obviously defective in the way that they are installed built. We understand there has been a recall on this, but it does not include our year 2015. We would like to have all of these HEHR windows replaced so as not to be a safety hazard to anyone around us on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11512400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown - Discovered that interior motor cowling was loose and missing fasteners to hold cowling in place. Also it was missing any rubber gasket to keep any engine fumes from entering the interior. Since the cowling was loose and not fastened, the interior was extremely noisy, i.e. 75 decibels.
NHTSA complaint #11478647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE WERE TRAVELLING ON THE I44 EAST OF ST.LOUIS, ON 04/14/16 WHEN THE FIRST TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR INSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, THE TREAD HAD PEELED OFF THE TIRE AND TORE OUT THE WIRING IN THE WHEEL WELL FOR THE 120 VAC AND THE 12 VDC AND DAMAGED 2 COMPARTMENTS AND ABOUT 5 FEET OF THE TAILPIPE WAS CRUSHED. THE SECOND TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE BACK,(04/16/16), ALSO ON THE REAR INSIDE, BLEW OUT WHILE WE WERE TRAVELLING ON THE I70 7 MILES FROM THE I270 TURNOFF WEST OF CINCINATTI OHIO. THE TREAD HAD ALSO PEELED OFF THE TIRE AND ALSO DAMAGED THE 2 COMPARTMENTS NEAREST THE TIRE WERE HEAVILY DAMAGED AND THE WIRING WAS ALSO TORN OUT. THE APPRAISED VALUE OF THE DAMAGE WAS $11,000. THE TIRE PRESSURES WERE CHECKED IN BOTH INSTANCES AND WERE AT AN ACCEPTABLE RANGE ,WELL BELOW THE 100 PSI RANGE.
NHTSA complaint #10863536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UPON ARRIVING HOME IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA FROM A TRIP TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS THE ENTRY STEPS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR TO STEP OUT. A CLOSER LOOK REVEALED THE STEPS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE WELDS IN TWO CORNERS OF THE BATTERY BOX THAT HOLD THE BATTERY BOX IN PLACE HAD FAILED ALLOWING THE BATTERY BOX TO DROP DOWN ONTO THE STEPS AND SOME WIRES THAT RAN BENEATH IT. THE COACH BATTERY BOX HOLDS TWO 80 POUND DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES. THE BATTERY BOX IS LOCATED INCHES FORWARD T OF LP GAS TANK AND A COPPER GAS LINE. OUR TRIP ENDED PRIOR TO THE FORWARD WELDS FAILING WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE BATTERY BOX RUPTURING THE LP GAS TAN. SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS. AFTER I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PICKED UP THE MOTORHOME. AFTER THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT FLEETWOOD, FLEETWOOD AUTHORIZED TRANSPORT OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN GOSHEN INDIANA TO THEIR MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN DECATUR INDIANA FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE (MOTORHOME) IS WAITING AT THE DEALERSHIP TO BE PICKED UP AT THIS TIME. UPDATED 12/10/15*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10788743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER MODEL 34F MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STORM WINDOW SEALS FRACTURED AND CAUSED MOISTURE TO CLOUD THE WINDOWS. THE FAILURE IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER AND CLEANED THE WINDOWS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THAT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACE THE STORM WINDOWS ON BOTH SIDES. THE MOTOR HOME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500.
NHTSA complaint #10641796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CABINETS OVER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME (RV). DROPPED APPROXIMATELY 6 TO12 INCHES. FEW SCREWS ON THE LEFT SIDE HELD IT FROM DROPPING ALL THE WAY DOWN. IT APPEARS THAT THE LARGE SCREWS MISSED THE SUPPORTS AND THE SMALL SCREWS NEVER MADE IT TO THE SUPPORT. NOTHING IS KEPT IN THESE CABINETS EXCEPT A FEW ITEM THAT WERE PUT IN AT THE FACTORY. (NO TV)
NHTSA complaint #10509191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC LEVELING JACKS WERE BENT AND WERE UNABLE TO RETRACT BACK INTO THE HOUSING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE OR MAKE USE OF ANY OF THE FIXTURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HYDRAULIC LEVELING SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 771 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,800.
NHTSA complaint #10383962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE COVER OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INSIDE THE MOTORHOME IS MADE OF FIBERGLASS. THE FIBERGLASS HAS CRACKED TO THE POINT THAT I CANNOT STAND ON IT FOR FEAR OF FALLING THROUGH IT ONTO THE ENGINE. THE COVER IS IN A PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE TO STAND ON IT TO GET TO THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SEAT. IT ALSO HAS TO BE STEPPED ON TO GET TO ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. I CONTACTED FLEETWOOD AND GOT NO RESPONSE BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10219808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
FAX FROM CONSUMER RE THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCED WITH 2004 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER RV. *TS WHEN HE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RV IT WAS LEANING TO THE RIGHT AND THE RIDE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE SLIDES CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. RAIN WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE CEILING AND THE DASHBOARD. THE WATER DAMAGED AN OUTLET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER FOR THE LEANING. THE DEALER TOOK THE COACH OFF IT'S FRAME AND ADDED SPACERS BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE DEALER TO BUY BACK THE RV.
NHTSA complaint #10146492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD CONSOLE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA DROPPED DOWN FROM THE CEILING ABOUT ONE INCH. THE CONTACT FEARED THAT THIS MIGHT COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE CEILING AND INJURE THE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10144550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONSUMER HAS MOTOR HOME. THE CONSUMER WENT INSIDE THE MOTORHOME AND DISCOVERED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS WERE NO LONGER CLEAR. THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE ROLLED DOWN TO SEE OUT OF THEM. THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT SHE BELIEVES THE SEAL AROUND THE WINDOW MAY HAVE LEAKED CAUSING THIS DISCOLORATION AND 0% VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAD A GLASS REPAIRMAN LOOK AT THE WINDOWS AND HE STATED THAT THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE GLASS REPAIRMAN SAID THAT HE THOUGHT IT COULD ALSO BE THE SEAL. THE MOTORHOME SAT FROM DECEMBER UNTIL FEBRUARY WHEN SHE NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FOGGING WAS BEGINNING. THE CONSUMER ALSO SAYS THAT VEHICLE WAS IN A RAIN STORM IN THE FIRST PART OF MARCH WHEN WINDOWS ENDED UP TAKING WATER IN BETWEEN THE DOUBLE PANE. CONSUMER FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM HAD BECOME ADVANCED WHILE IN WASHINGTON, AND THEN TRAVELED TO ARIZONA WHERE WINDOWS TOOK ON WATER. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10128126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NAR 02/10/2003.. THE RV HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE WINDSHIELD FALLING OUT, THE ROOF LEAKED, THERE WAS A PROPANE GAS LEAKED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE, THE STEERING SYSTEM HAD TO MUCH PLAY, THE BOLTS IN THE U-JOINT FELL OUT, THE WIRES FEEDING THE ALTERNATOR WERE TOO TIGHT, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CLIP BROKE, RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK, THE HANGARS ON THE EXHAUST PIPE BROKE. THE SHOWER HEAD, DRINKING FAUCET, WALL MIRRORS, THE SLIDE ROOM COMPARTMENT, THE VERTICAL PANEL UNDER THE BED CAME APART, MULTIPLE CLIPS ON THE DOOR BROKE, THE TAIL PIPE RUSTED, LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE, THE WOOD TRIM CAME LOOSE, THE MICROWAVE WAS LOOSE IN THE CABINET. (LAWYER ON BEHALF OF DONAL AND HELEN SCHROEDER)
NHTSA complaint #10008673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE BOUGHT A NEW 2003 FLEETWOOD, BOUNDER MOTORHOME AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING MUCH DIFFICULTY IN HAVING A LEAK REPAIRED IN OUR REAR BEDROOM. OUR CARPETING HAS BEEN SOAKED IN A CERTAIN SPOT AND NOW WE BELIEVE MILDEW IS SETTING IN.
NHTSA complaint #10075021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE ADDRESSING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERIES A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE WERE INFORMED BY OUR DEALER THAT SERIOUS CRACKS HAD BEEN FOUND IN THE VERTICAL WELDS OF THE SUPPORT BEAMS WHICH HOLD THE FRONT BUMPER AND BATTERY ASSEMBLY TO THE "A" FRAME. THESE CRACKS AS SHOWN TO US IN PHOTOS, RUN HALF WAY DOWN THE VERTICAL WELDS CRUCIAL IN SUPPORTING THE BUMPER ASSEMBLY. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT NOR HAVE WE MODIFIED THE BUMPER WITH ATTACHMENTS. THE ORIGINAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN INFORMED US THAT OVER THE YEARS HE HAS SEEN THIS TYPE OF SEPARATION ON BOUNDER/FLEETWOOD MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10046812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR AXLE IS OVER LOADED, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF AXLE. *AK WHEN THE RV WAS LOAD WITH NORMAL CARGO (FUEL, WATER AND CONSUMERS BELONGINGS) THE REAR AXLE WAS OVERWEIGHT WHICH CAUSED POOR HANDLING. A RECALL WAS ISSUED RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (99V013000). THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE 13 FOOT OVERHANG FROM THE REAR AXLE MAY BE PART OF THE PROBLEM. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10038304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REAR END AROUND THE FUEL TANK, DISINTEGRATED AND SEPARATED. DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN CONTACTED. SERIAL #F739S1715341. MULTIPLE DEFECTS HAD BEEN FOUND. THERE WERE LEAKS, FAULTY DOOR LATCHES, A CRACKED DASHBOARD, WINDOW FRAME FELL OFF THE WALL. THE DEALER STATED THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *AK THE RV ALSO HAD EXCESSIVE RUST *CB
NHTSA complaint #10027145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNSEALED SPACE IN REAR BEDROOM ALLOWED ONE TO LOOK OUTSIDE. THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE, THE EXHAUST FROM THE WATER HEATER AND OTHER OUTSIDE ELEMENTS, SUCH AS FUMES, SNAKES, INSECTS OR ANYTHING ELSE, HAD FREE ACCESS TO MOTOR HOME. *AK THE ENTRANCE STEPS DEPLOYED, WHILE THE MOTOR HOME WAS IN MOTION, THE BACK UP CAMERA CONSISTENTLY BLEW FUSES.
NHTSA complaint #10011363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SHORT CORD MELTED DUE TO LOOSE GROUND WIRES. DEALER HAS REPLACED SHORT CORD. *AK THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 156 REPAIRS DONE SO FAR AND THERE ARE STILL 27 UNRESOLVED ISSUES. THE SHOWER WAS INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN, THE FRONT AIR/HEAT WAS CONTROLLED BY THE BACK CONTROLS AND VICE VERSA. THE 30 AMP SYSTEM DOESN'T SUPPORT THE COACH SYSTEM, THE SHORE CORD MELTED, NONE OF THE GROUND WIRES WERE TIGHT. THE WALLS WERE NOT FASTENED TO THE STUDS, THE FLOOR WAS NOT FASTENED TO THE FRAME, THE TV ANTENNA CONTROLS FELL OUT AND THE WASHER HAD ONE OF FOUR BRACES LEFT IN. THE ROOF CAME OFF, THE ABSENCE OF SEALER ALLOWED RAIN TO SEEP INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THERE ARE ENGINE PROBLEMS, THE CHASSIS HAS AIR LEAKS AND THE WHEEL SEAL NEEDED REPAIRING.
NHTSA complaint #8011798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.