Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 1997 Fleetwood Discovery with NHTSA between 1997 and 2011.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 8 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 — 50
Against the median year of the Fleetwood Discovery. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
26.7% 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 1997 compares with every other Fleetwood Discovery
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1997 Fleetwood Discovery
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
426.7%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Lights
320.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 105,200 mi
Equipment & Accessories
213.3%
Tires
213.3%
Electrical System
213.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Doors, Latches & Locks
16.7%
Fuel & Propulsion
16.7%
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.
Jul 1997peak 5Jun 2011
Recalls on the 1997 Fleetwood Discovery
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 2000177108 units in Canada
Steering
On certain Diesel motorhomes, the hydraulic hoses which operate the power steering gear box are routed close to a sharp edge. A sharp edge could cut the hydraulic hose, releasing hydraulic fluid and resulting in loss of power steering assist. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and damaged hoses will be replaced or repaired as necessary. Affected hoses will be relocated.
Recall 19972317 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. THE VINYL MESH WHICH COVERS THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS INTERFERES WITH THEIR PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE, THEREBY DECREASING HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS. CORRECTION: INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOVAL OF THE VINYL MESH COVERING WILL BE SUPPLIED TO OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 1997083387 units in Canada
Other
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REGULATION 6 - STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE. COMPLIANCE LABELS WERE NOT INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. CORRECTION: COMPLIANCE LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 105,200 milesBroussard, LAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRES WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,663.
NHTSA complaint #10408711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON THE DATE INDICATED, WHILE THE MOTORHOME WAS PLUGGED INTO 115V 30 AMP A/C POWER, WITH ONE ROOF AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OCCURRED IN THE JUNCTION BOX. THE FIRE, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT, CONSUMED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WIRING INSULATION. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD TO OTHER MATERIAL. DAMAGE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWERTEK BREAKER BOX AND REPAIR OF THE WIRING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED IN THIS MOTORHOME. A VERY SIMILAR ELECTRICAL SHORT AND FIRE OCCURRED IN JULY 2000. DAMAGE WAS NOT AS EXTENSIVE AND ONLY THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THESE INCIDENTS ARE BEING REPORTED TO NHTSA AS A SAFETY HAZARD. OTHER OWNERS OF THE DISCOVERY MOTORHOME HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR INCIDENTS. FLEETWOOD HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, FLEETWOOD HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. NO RECALL HAS EVER BEEN ISSUED. THERE ARE NO SPECIAL PERIODIC MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL NOR HAVE ANY BEEN SENT TO OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #746007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN ALLSTATE INSURANCE INSPECTOR STATED THAT CIRCUIT BOARD IN FRONT HEATING VENT WAS FAULTY AND FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN FAN COMING ON AND REMAINING ON .*AK
NHTSA complaint #887672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NVFire
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
INSURANCE INVESTAGATER SAID FIRE DUE TO FAULTY HEATER CIRCUT BOARD, THIS CAUSED FAN TO COME ON BLOWING FIRE THROUGH MOTORHOME, OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF MOTORHOME SHOULD BE INFORMED TO THE POSIBLITY OF FIRES, IF WE WERE IN THE MOTORHOME WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. FLEETWOOD SAID NO RESPONSEABILITY WOULD BE TAKEN ON THEIR PART, FLEETWOOD DID TAKE AN ACCIDENT REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #744999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 105,200 milesBroussard, LAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRES WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,663.
NHTSA complaint #10408711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ormond Beach, FL
TIRES
DURING A RECENT TRIP THE MOTORHOME EXPERIENCED THREE BLOWOUTS, THE TIRES HAD 33000 MILES ON IT (MICHELIN SIZE 235/80R/22.5 XTRV TIRES).
NHTSA complaint #562599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa ANA, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
FRONT WINDSHIELD KEEPS POPPING OUT.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8007672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ormond Beach, FL
TIRES
DURING A RECENT TRIP THE MOTORHOME EXPERIENCED THREE BLOWOUTS, THE TIRES HAD 33000 MILES ON IT (MICHELIN SIZE 235/80R/22.5 XTRV TIRES).
NHTSA complaint #562599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON THE DATE INDICATED, WHILE THE MOTORHOME WAS PLUGGED INTO 115V 30 AMP A/C POWER, WITH ONE ROOF AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OCCURRED IN THE JUNCTION BOX. THE FIRE, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT, CONSUMED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WIRING INSULATION. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD TO OTHER MATERIAL. DAMAGE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWERTEK BREAKER BOX AND REPAIR OF THE WIRING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED IN THIS MOTORHOME. A VERY SIMILAR ELECTRICAL SHORT AND FIRE OCCURRED IN JULY 2000. DAMAGE WAS NOT AS EXTENSIVE AND ONLY THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THESE INCIDENTS ARE BEING REPORTED TO NHTSA AS A SAFETY HAZARD. OTHER OWNERS OF THE DISCOVERY MOTORHOME HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR INCIDENTS. FLEETWOOD HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, FLEETWOOD HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. NO RECALL HAS EVER BEEN ISSUED. THERE ARE NO SPECIAL PERIODIC MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL NOR HAVE ANY BEEN SENT TO OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #746007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Petersburg, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHEN HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON ELECTRICAL WIRING AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH STARTED MELTING, THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER DASH. CONSUMER COULD ONLY DRIVE DURING DAY TIME.*AK
NHTSA complaint #887697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Petersburg, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHEN HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON ELECTRICAL WIRING AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH STARTED MELTING, THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER DASH. CONSUMER COULD ONLY DRIVE DURING DAY TIME.*AK
NHTSA complaint #887697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN ALLSTATE INSURANCE INSPECTOR STATED THAT CIRCUIT BOARD IN FRONT HEATING VENT WAS FAULTY AND FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN FAN COMING ON AND REMAINING ON .*AK
NHTSA complaint #887672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NVFire
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
INSURANCE INVESTAGATER SAID FIRE DUE TO FAULTY HEATER CIRCUT BOARD, THIS CAUSED FAN TO COME ON BLOWING FIRE THROUGH MOTORHOME, OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF MOTORHOME SHOULD BE INFORMED TO THE POSIBLITY OF FIRES, IF WE WERE IN THE MOTORHOME WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. FLEETWOOD SAID NO RESPONSEABILITY WOULD BE TAKEN ON THEIR PART, FLEETWOOD DID TAKE AN ACCIDENT REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #744999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syracuse, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
WHILE OPERATING MOTORHOME AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ITS FUEL LINE RUPTURED, RESULTING IN DIESEL FUEL SEEPAGE THROUGHOUT MOTORHOME.
NHTSA complaint #725632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Worth, FL
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
MAGIC CHEF RANGE: TOP FORWARD VALVE STICKS IN ON POSITION AND CAN'T BE TURNED OFF. TURNED ALL THE PROPANE OFF, AND STILL IT WAS ON. CONTACTED DEALER, AND REPLACED THE FORWARD VALVE. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SERIAL# TO THE RANGE 10885756SH AND MODEL#85TB3BK. *AK
NHTSA complaint #864685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebring, FL
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
THE LARGE BURNER CONTROL VALVE STARTED TO STICK IN THE ON POSITION DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT TO THE POINT THAT IT PARTIALLY MELTED THE PLASTIC KNOB, THIS IS POSSIBLY A DESIGN FLAW AND POTENTIALLY A SAFETY HAZARD. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL DUE TO DESIGN FLAW, DIODE KIT NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #537996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Plaines, IL
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
LEFT SIDE DRIVERS MIRROR IS MOUNTED SO DRIVER IS LOOKING YHROUGH THE SIDE TINTED WINDOW AND REFLECTS CURBSIDE TRAFFIC INTO THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR.
NHTSA complaint #513155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SIDE DOOR OPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #515481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.