Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 1998 Fleetwood Southwind with NHTSA between 1998 and 2007.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 74
14.3% 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 1998 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 1998 Fleetwood Southwind
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Suspension
428.6%
Other & Unspecified
214.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Fuel & Propulsion
214.3%
Equipment & Accessories
17.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17.1%
Median failure at 16,000 miles
Body & Structure
17.1%
Steering
17.1%
Electrical System
17.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.1%
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.
Apr 1998peak 2Aug 2007
Recalls on the 1998 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 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Napa, CAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLEE HAD AN ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WERE NINE LEAKS IN THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING IN THE SHOWER/KITCHEN AND OTHER AREAS. ALSO, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED OUT TWICE, AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. A LOUD POPPING SOUND CAME FROM THE KITCHEN SINK. CONSUMER FELT VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #835097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Napa, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLEE HAD AN ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WERE NINE LEAKS IN THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING IN THE SHOWER/KITCHEN AND OTHER AREAS. ALSO, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED OUT TWICE, AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. A LOUD POPPING SOUND CAME FROM THE KITCHEN SINK. CONSUMER FELT VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #835097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 16,000 milesRitalto, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FLEETWOOD RV. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HE HEARD A BANG THEN FELT WIND COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE PULLED OVER, HE NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. A REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE RV AND STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED MORE FIBERGLASS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WOULD CAVE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,337 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
NHTSA complaint #10198897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flower Mound, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TANK DEVELOPED LEAK AT SEAM. REPAIR SHOP REPORTED REPLACING SEVERAL FUEL TANKS UNDER WARRANTY ON THIS MODEL IN PREVIOUS YEARS. APPEARS TO BE PREVELANT PROBLEM WITH DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #755759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THE FUEL LINE TO THE GENERATOR ROTTED OUT AND BEGAN LEAKING DOWN THE FUEL TANK.
NHTSA complaint #751926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lady Lake, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE USIG RV GENERATOR C0 DETECTOR ALRM GOES OFF WHILE COOKING/SLEEPING/ WATCHING TV, OR ANY UNRELATED ACTIVITY. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM, CALLED MANUFACTURER, AND CAN NOT EXPLAIN PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #876559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windsor, CO
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF THE MOTORHOME IS NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION CAUSING SEVERE HANDLING PROBLEMS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut CRE, CA
STEERING
VEHICLE IS DESIGNED WITH STEERING PROBLEMS, INSTALLATION OF AN AFTER MARKET ITEM NEEDED TO BE PURCHASED TO ILLIMINATE STEERING PROBLEMS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Napa, CAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLEE HAD AN ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WERE NINE LEAKS IN THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING IN THE SHOWER/KITCHEN AND OTHER AREAS. ALSO, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED OUT TWICE, AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. A LOUD POPPING SOUND CAME FROM THE KITCHEN SINK. CONSUMER FELT VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #835097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Napa, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLEE HAD AN ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WERE NINE LEAKS IN THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING IN THE SHOWER/KITCHEN AND OTHER AREAS. ALSO, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED OUT TWICE, AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. A LOUD POPPING SOUND CAME FROM THE KITCHEN SINK. CONSUMER FELT VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #835097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bremerton, WA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL DEFECTIVE RESULTING IN GRINDING OF THE GEARS, REPLACED UNIT HOWEVER NEW UNIT FAILED ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #542928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hayward, CA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DESIGN OF THE MOTORHOME HAS A HOLE BETWEEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE DRIVER'S FEET JUST UNDER THE DASH RELEASING FUMES INTO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #539293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ewing, NJ
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO UNGREASED WHEEL BEARINGS WHICH CAUSED THEM TO FREEZE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #828164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ewing, NJ
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
FRONT WHEEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSED BY UNGREASED WHEEL BEARINGS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #827102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUN City W, AZ
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION POOR DUE TO THE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION.
NHTSA complaint #535596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portola, CA
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:SLIDE-IN CAMPER
SLIDE TOPPER LOCK MECHANISM FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #533997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.