Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 1999 Fleetwood Discovery with NHTSA between 1999 and 2006.
The largest single group is the tires.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 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 — 60
Against the median year of the Fleetwood Discovery. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1999 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 1999 Fleetwood Discovery
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
633.3%
Median failure at 41,000 miles
Body & Structure
316.7%
Equipment & Accessories
211.1%
Median failure at 99,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
15.6%
Seat Belts
15.6%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.6%
Lights
15.6%
Median failure at 37,000 miles
Steering
15.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.6%
Engine & Cooling
15.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
233.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
116.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
116.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
233.3%
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.
Jun 1999peak 2Sep 2006
Recalls on the 1999 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.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 20,810 milesDuson, LA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TIRE FAILURE (BLOW OUT) CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE TIRE..
NHTSA complaint #10168988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesConroe, TX
EQUIPMENT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SIX TIRE MINDERS PURCHASED TO MONITOR THE AIR PRESSURE ON A FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY MOTOR HOME ARE DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS AN INDICATOR ON THE TIRE MINDER THAT SHOULD HAVE TURNED YELLOW IF THE PRESSURE WAS DOWN. THE INDICATOR STAYED BLACK INDICATING THE PRESSURE WAS GOOD. UPON RETURNING FROM AN EXTENDED TRIP, THE CONTACT CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE ON THE TIRES; THE PRESSURE WAS ONLY AT 40-60 POUNDS. THE RECOMMENDED PRESSURE WAS 110 POUNDS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART AND THEY HAD CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHICH IS MINDER RESEARCH CORPORATION. *AK UPDATED 6/16/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10158570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesConroe, TX
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SIX TIRE MINDERS PURCHASED TO MONITOR THE AIR PRESSURE ON A FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY MOTOR HOME ARE DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS AN INDICATOR ON THE TIRE MINDER THAT SHOULD HAVE TURNED YELLOW IF THE PRESSURE WAS DOWN. THE INDICATOR STAYED BLACK INDICATING THE PRESSURE WAS GOOD. UPON RETURNING FROM AN EXTENDED TRIP, THE CONTACT CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE ON THE TIRES; THE PRESSURE WAS ONLY AT 40-60 POUNDS. THE RECOMMENDED PRESSURE WAS 110 POUNDS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART AND THEY HAD CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHICH IS MINDER RESEARCH CORPORATION. *AK UPDATED 6/16/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10158570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesST. Helen, MI
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TIRE FAILURES MADE BY MICHELIN ON MY MOTORHOME
NHTSA complaint #10126284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesSpearfish, SD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
THE RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERS, AND NEITHER ONE COULD LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10092815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Commack, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE CONSUMER STATED, WHEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED IT DESTROYED THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER.
NHTSA complaint #10051612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesInverness, FL
TIRES
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THREE BLOW OUTS.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BE THE TIRE DEALER THAT THE SIDEWALL WERE WEAK WHICH CAUSED THE BLOWOUTS. *TS MICHELIN STATED THE BLOWOUT WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES WERE SET AT THEIR SPECIFICATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10042793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, NC
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR DUAL TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10038617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olympia, WA
STRUCTURE
THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CONTAINED CRACKS IN THE REAR WALLS, ALSO THE FRONT FINDER CRACKED DUE TO VIBRATION.
NHTSA complaint #10004575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Clair Shores, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FLEETWOOD TELLS US THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND TO BE SURE TO HAVE MY WIFE WEAR HER SEATBELT ALSO TO KEEP BOTH LOCKS LOCKED. THE DOOR SHOULD STAY SHUT JUST BY FORCE. FLEETWOOD LAST REPAIRED THIS IN JUNE, 2002 AT THE DECATUR, IN LOCATION. ONE OF THEIR REPRESTATIVES MADE A HOUSE CALL ON 7/30/02 AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. FOR THE AMOUNT THAT WAS PAID FOR THIS VEHICLE WE SHOULD HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #765753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Clair Shores, MI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FLEETWOOD TELLS US THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND TO BE SURE TO HAVE MY WIFE WEAR HER SEATBELT ALSO TO KEEP BOTH LOCKS LOCKED. THE DOOR SHOULD STAY SHUT JUST BY FORCE. FLEETWOOD LAST REPAIRED THIS IN JUNE, 2002 AT THE DECATUR, IN LOCATION. ONE OF THEIR REPRESTATIVES MADE A HOUSE CALL ON 7/30/02 AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. FOR THE AMOUNT THAT WAS PAID FOR THIS VEHICLE WE SHOULD HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #765753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clyde, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS GOING UP THE STEPS GETTING INTO MY MOTORHOME, AND I USED THE GRAB HANDLE TO PULL MYSELF UP AND IT CAME APART IN MY HANDS, I FELL BACKWARDS, I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO CATCH MYSELF BEFORE I FELL DOWN. HAD THIS HAPPENED TO AN OLDER PERSON IT COULD OF BEEN REAL BAD. THE PULL HANDLE IS MADE OF CLEAR PLASTIC AND IT APPEARED TO HAVE STRESS CRACKS/MARKS IN THE PLASTIC. I SAVED THE OLD PIECE. I CONTACTED THE MFG. FLEETWOOD AT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER 800-322-8216 AND SPOKE WITH "MICHAEL" WHO INFORMED ME IT WAS ONLY GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR. I BELONG TO "THE DISCOVERY OWNERS ASSOCIATION" WHICH WE HAVE ABOUT 1700 COACH OWNER MEMBERS AND THRU OUR WEB SITE, WEB MASTER BOB COOK E-MAIL COOKRD1@JUNO.COM, HE INFORMED ME OF NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THE OUTSIDE DOOR GRAB HANDLE. I FEEL THIS IS A HAZZARD TO THE ELDERLY COACH OWNERS AS WELL AS THE YOUNGER ONES TOO. FLEETWOODS ATTITUDE IS NOT A CONCERN ABOUT THIS ITEM. THE PLASTIC EVIDENTLY PUT UNDER A STRESS WHEN ITS MADE. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN FORWARDED TO JIM POURROY OF RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA A TECHNICAL SERVICE TRAINER WITH FLEETWOOD PHONE 909-274-2000.
NHTSA complaint #749398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
STEERING:LINKAGES
NO SUMMARY LISTRED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #741089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHENEVER DRIVING VEHICLE AT NIGHT WINDSHIELD ACTS LIKE A REFLECTING MIRROR. IT REFLECTS BACK WHAT EVER IS INSIDE MOTORHOME. IT MAKES VISIBILITY HARD. CANNOT SEE SIDE MIRRORS DUE TO WINDOW GLASS REFLECTING BACK. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #876915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Park City, UT
TIRES
THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST FIVE FAILURES OF LEFT FRONT TIRE (MICHELIN XRV) ON DISCOVERY MOTORHOMES. THESE FAILURES ARE ARGUABLY SIMILAR TO THOSE ON THE FLEETWOOD AMERICAN COACH PRODUCT LINE WHICH WAS RECALLED AFTER SIX REPORTED DEATHS EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE REPORTS ARE FILTERING IN ON THREE INTERNET SITES; DISCOVERY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INTENET DISCOVERY MOTORHOME CLUB AND DISCOVERY INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER OF FMCA. THE SUSPECTED CAUSE IS A LOAD IMBALNCE DUE TO ADDTION OF LIVING ROOM SLIDE ON 1999/2000 MOTORHOMES. THE NEWEEST MODELS HAVE HAD TIRES INCREASED FROM 235 TO 255 AS WELL AS A SUBSEQUENT INCREASE IN AXLE CAPACITY WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THIS FAILURE MODE. NEEDS FURTHER RESEARCH ON URGENT BASIS IN MY OPINION.
NHTSA complaint #737715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Molino, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION PASSANGER'S DOOR WILL OPEN WHILE LOCKED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING THE DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #874650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUN City W, AZ
POWER TRAIN
THE ODOMETER IS DIFFICULT TO READ IN DAYLIGHT AND IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ AT NIGHT WITH THE PANEL LIGHTS ON. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Daniel, WV
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE PROPANE TANK FOR THE GENERATOR WHICH IS MOUNTED IN THE MIDDLE/BELOW THE FRAME IS SCRAPING AGAINST THE ROAD WHICH IS CAUSING DEEP SCRATCHES IN THE TANK AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #837052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.