Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 1996 Fleetwood Southwind with NHTSA between 1996 and 2007.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 10 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 — 43
Against the median year of the Fleetwood Southwind. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 37
7.1% 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 1996 compares with every other Fleetwood Southwind
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1996 Fleetwood Southwind
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
321.4%
Median failure at 20,500 miles
Brakes
214.3%
Median failure at 40,690 miles
Steering
214.3%
Equipment & Accessories
17.1%
Median failure at 66,160 miles
Lights
17.1%
Suspension
17.1%
Body & Structure
17.1%
Electrical System
17.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.1%
Median failure at 66,160 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
125.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
125.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
250.0%
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.
Mar 1996peak 2Feb 2007
Recalls on the 1996 Fleetwood Southwind
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 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.
Recall 199610836 units in Canada
Electrical
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH E-Z GLIDE EXPANDABLE ROOM SYSTEM. THE ELECTRIC WIRE USED TO POWER THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ON THESE VEHICLES IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A CIRCUIT BREAKER. INCORRECT EXPANDABLE ROOM OPERATION COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING AND MELTING OF THE WIRE INSULATION, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A FIRE. CORRECTION: CIRCUIT BREAKER WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED UNITS.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Melbourne, FL2 killed
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
MY FATHER AND HIS FRIEND BOTH DIED FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING WHILE SLEEPING IN A FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME IN NOVEMBER OF 1999. CARBON MONOXIDE FROM THE ONAN GENERATOR FILLED THE MOTOR HOME WITH THE DEADLY FUMES. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN LITIGATION WITH FLEETWOOD, ONAN AND THE DEALERSHIP. INVESTIGATIONS DURING THE COURSE OF THE LAWSUIT HAVE REVEALED MANY OTHER INSTANCES OF THE SAME FATE BEFALLING OTHER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. FLEETWOOD AND ONAN HAVE SHOWN THEY HAVE NO REGARD FOR THE DEATH'S THEIR PRODUCTS ARE CAUSING. THEY WOULD RATHER LITIGATE THAN FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HOLD THESE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE AND PREVENT OTHER FAMILIES FROM GOING THROUGH THE TRAGEDY OUR FAMILY HAS HAD TO ENDURE. HTTP://WWW.MCSRR.ORG/PRESSRELEASES/NHTSA01P.HTML.
NHTSA complaint #10181702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Melbourne, FL2 killed
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
MY FATHER AND HIS FRIEND BOTH DIED FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING WHILE SLEEPING IN A FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME IN NOVEMBER OF 1999. CARBON MONOXIDE FROM THE ONAN GENERATOR FILLED THE MOTOR HOME WITH THE DEADLY FUMES. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN LITIGATION WITH FLEETWOOD, ONAN AND THE DEALERSHIP. INVESTIGATIONS DURING THE COURSE OF THE LAWSUIT HAVE REVEALED MANY OTHER INSTANCES OF THE SAME FATE BEFALLING OTHER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. FLEETWOOD AND ONAN HAVE SHOWN THEY HAVE NO REGARD FOR THE DEATH'S THEIR PRODUCTS ARE CAUSING. THEY WOULD RATHER LITIGATE THAN FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HOLD THESE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE AND PREVENT OTHER FAMILIES FROM GOING THROUGH THE TRAGEDY OUR FAMILY HAS HAD TO ENDURE. HTTP://WWW.MCSRR.ORG/PRESSRELEASES/NHTSA01P.HTML.
NHTSA complaint #10181702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,690 milesEndicott, NY
PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC
FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC PARK BRAKE ON A CHEVY P30 CHASSIS.
NHTSA complaint #10095999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,160 milesDiamond BAR, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
PURCHASED A 1996 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND 34' MOTORHOME (GM CHASSIS) FROM GIANT RV IN UPLAND AND AFTER ONLY 100 MILES OF DRIVING, BOTH DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEELS SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE. I BELIEVE THE AXLE SHAFT BROKE BUT GIANT RV WILL NOT TALK TO ME ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10043193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,160 milesDiamond BAR, CA
EQUIPMENT
PURCHASED A 1996 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND 34' MOTORHOME (GM CHASSIS) FROM GIANT RV IN UPLAND AND AFTER ONLY 100 MILES OF DRIVING, BOTH DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEELS SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE. I BELIEVE THE AXLE SHAFT BROKE BUT GIANT RV WILL NOT TALK TO ME ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10043193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,500 milesRohnert Park, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD FALLING OUT
NHTSA complaint #10005225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeport, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD HAS STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM SEAL AT TOP ON BOTH SIDES. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER ADDS PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR RUBBER GASKET IS NOT STAYING ATTACHED TO FIBERGLASS BODY OF MOTORHOME, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO TIP OUT AT TOP CORNER. DEALER TOOK GLASS OUT AND RESET. CONSUMER NOTICED FLAWED WINDSHIELD AT TIME OF PURCHASE.
NHTSA complaint #8013607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medford, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MOTORHOME HAD STALLED AND STOPPED IN THE CENTER LANES OF FREEWAY,A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THANKS TO HIGHWAY POLICE AND CELL PHONE.THIS HAPPEN TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #757373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AFTER BEING ON FOR A WHILE. ALSO, DEFECT WITHIN WINDSHIELD CAUSES IT TO BECOME LOOSE FROM THE MOUNTING. REPAIRWORK DONE. MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #836996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AFTER BEING ON FOR A WHILE. ALSO, DEFECT WITHIN WINDSHIELD CAUSES IT TO BECOME LOOSE FROM THE MOUNTING. REPAIRWORK DONE. MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #836996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sedona, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #603355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sedona, AZ
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
DISCONNECTED RETURN HOSE ON POWER STEERING PUMP, CAUSING METALLIC NOISE, VIBRATION.
NHTSA complaint #603355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EAU Claire, WI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT WHEELS ALIGNED.
NHTSA complaint #513586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, CO
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MOTOR HOME CHASSIS TOO SMALL FOR BODY OF VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO LOSE CONTROL EASILY.
NHTSA complaint #502801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, CO
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN; FAILURE ON THE STEERING,CAUSING THE VHEICLETO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT.
NHTSA complaint #981039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.