Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 1999 Fleetwood Southwind with NHTSA between 1999 and 2009.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 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 — 53
Against the median year of the Fleetwood Southwind. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 30
5.9% 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 1999 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 1999 Fleetwood Southwind
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
317.6%
Equipment & Accessories
211.8%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
211.8%
Body & Structure
211.8%
Brakes
211.8%
Median failure at 28,177 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.9%
Fuel & Propulsion
15.9%
Lights
15.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.9%
Engine & Cooling
15.9%
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.
Nov 1999peak 5Aug 2009
Recalls on the 1999 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.
Tucson, AZ1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V-086) THE MOTORHOME HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FORMALDEHYDE AND CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHICH HAS CAUSED SEVERE HEADACHES AND PROBLEMS TO THE CONSUMER THAT HAS REQUIRED HOSPITAL TREATMENT, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS ARE CONTINUING, RECALL 00V-086 WAS COMPLETED HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #556720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 28,177 milesOrting, WA
PARKING BRAKE
I HAVE A 1999 FLEETWOOD 35' RV WITH AUTO PARK. WHILE RETURNING FROM A TRIP--THE AUTO PARK LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BOTH CAME ON--WE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND CHECKED THINGS OUT--THERE WAS NO FIRE--BUT AVERY STRONG SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING--WE LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS THE AUTO PARK BRAKE PADS. THE MOTOR HOME IS ON A GM P-30 CHASSIS AND CONSISTS OF HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE SENSORS AND A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM--IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH EITHER OF THESE SENSORS OR IF THE FLUID RUNS LOW--THE SYSTEM ENGAGES---THERE ARE 2 BRAKE SHOES THAT FIT AROUND THE DRIVE SHAFT THESE CLAMP DOWN ON THE DRIVE SHAFT TO STOP THE VEHICLE--THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION--IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME--POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THIS SYSTEM AND GM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE PROBLEM---I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR REIMBURSEMENT TO OWNERS OF THIS P-30 CHASSIS.
NHTSA complaint #10280684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebro-Woolley, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FLEETWOOD SOUTH WIND. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000). THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE JANUARY OF 2008. AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
NHTSA complaint #10216926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madill, OK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT OUT PRIOR WARNING FUSE SHORTED OUT, CAUSING PARKING BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION TO SHUTDOWN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8007009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madill, OK
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT OUT PRIOR WARNING FUSE SHORTED OUT, CAUSING PARKING BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION TO SHUTDOWN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8007009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madill, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT OUT PRIOR WARNING FUSE SHORTED OUT, CAUSING PARKING BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION TO SHUTDOWN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8007009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tavares, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD POPPED OUT AT TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER. OTHER SIDE BUCKLED AND BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #745064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #556720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SINCE DELIVERY, WHEN THE SLIDE-OUT IS OPENED TO ENLARGE THE BEDROOM, THE GROUND CAN BE SEEN. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #556720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE SHOWER AND TOILET LEAKS. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #556720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE TESTING THE MOTORHOME DUE TO FUMES, THE DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED THAT THE LAVATORY FAN WAS WIRED BACKWARDS AND BLOWING AIR INSIDE INSTEAD OF OUTSIDE.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #556720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V-086) THE MOTORHOME HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FORMALDEHYDE AND CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHICH HAS CAUSED SEVERE HEADACHES AND PROBLEMS TO THE CONSUMER THAT HAS REQUIRED HOSPITAL TREATMENT, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS ARE CONTINUING, RECALL 00V-086 WAS COMPLETED HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #556720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION CAME OUT IN HAND. YH
NHTSA complaint #550790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upland, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
IN A RAIN STORM DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT, CLEARANCE LIGHT FLICKING AND ENGINE MISFIRES DUE TO DESIGN ERROR THAT ALLOWED WATER TO BE SUCKED INTO THE AIR INTAKE. YH
NHTSA complaint #550790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, MN
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
BOTTOM STORAGE AREA LEAKS WATER, REPAIRED HOWEVER CONTINUES TO LEAK. MJS
NHTSA complaint #609968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. MJS
NHTSA complaint #609968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.