Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 2000 Fleetwood Southwind with NHTSA between 2001 and 2014.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 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 — 68
Against the median year of the Fleetwood Southwind. 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 — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2000 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 2000 Fleetwood Southwind
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Equipment & Accessories
313.6%
Brakes
313.6%
Median failure at 16,500 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
29.1%
Median failure at 12,000 miles
Suspension
29.1%
Median failure at 12,000 miles
Body & Structure
29.1%
Electrical System
29.1%
Median failure at 16,500 miles
Seats
14.5%
Wheels
14.5%
Tires
14.5%
Fuel & Propulsion
14.5%
Lights
14.5%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.5%
Median failure at 16,500 miles
Steering
14.5%
Median failure at 16,500 miles
Airbags
14.5%
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 2001peak 9Jul 2014
Recalls on the 2000 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.
Recall 2003078311 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
On certain vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or when the brake fluid is low. Correction: The brake warning indicator bulb from the right side indicator position must be transferred to the left side indicator position of the instrument cluster and the wire harness must be modified.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Corpus Christi, TX
WHEELS
PURCHASED SIX SAMSON GL 283 245/70/R/19.5 TIRES (DOT OD J D 22 ------) THROUGH WILKE TIRE SERVICE IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS FROM AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS ON HORNE ROAD IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. I HAD REQUESTED FROM WILKE TO RECORD ALL MANUFACTURERS DATE ON THE TIRES, HOWEVER, AFTER THE TIRES WERE MOUNTED ONTO MY VEHICLE, I COULD NOT FIND A MANUFACTURE DATE ON FIVE OF THE TIRES AND A DATE OF MAYBE 2114 THAT WAS BARELY READABLE ON ONE TIRE. THE OTHER MGF DATES LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD EITHER BEEN BUFFED OFF AND/OR MELTED OFF. WHEN I CONFRONTED WILKE TIRE ABOUT THE DATES, THEY REPLIED, WELL ANYONE CAN SEE THEY ARE NEW TIRES AND ANOTHER PART OWNER REPLIED THAT THE TIRES WOULD DRY ROT BEFORE WEARING OUT. I REPLIED, THAT IS THE VERY REASON I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT DATE THEY WERE MANUFACTURED AND/OR HOW LONG THEY HAD BEEN STORED IN THE WAREHOUSE. HE THEN TOLD ME THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2013. I CONTACTED ATD AND THEY ASKED FOR THE DOT NUMBER AND ALL I COULD GIVE THEM WAS DOT OD J D 22 ----, AND SINCE THEY WERE BLANK AND HAD NO DATE, HE INFORMED ME JUST BASED ON THE DOT NUMBER, THEY WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2012! I THEN DROVE TO THE ATD WAREHOUSE AND HAD ONE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES TRY TO FIND A DATE ON THE OTHER FIVE TIRES, HE COULD NOT, BUT INFORMED ME THEY DID NOT SELL ANY OLD TIRE AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE ALRIGHT TO SUM IT UP, I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT AGE THESE TIRES ARE! I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT BY DOT AND NHTSA REGULATIONS THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE IS REQUIRED BY LAW?
NHTSA complaint #10610515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corpus Christi, TX
TIRES
PURCHASED SIX SAMSON GL 283 245/70/R/19.5 TIRES (DOT OD J D 22 ------) THROUGH WILKE TIRE SERVICE IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS FROM AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS ON HORNE ROAD IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS. I HAD REQUESTED FROM WILKE TO RECORD ALL MANUFACTURERS DATE ON THE TIRES, HOWEVER, AFTER THE TIRES WERE MOUNTED ONTO MY VEHICLE, I COULD NOT FIND A MANUFACTURE DATE ON FIVE OF THE TIRES AND A DATE OF MAYBE 2114 THAT WAS BARELY READABLE ON ONE TIRE. THE OTHER MGF DATES LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD EITHER BEEN BUFFED OFF AND/OR MELTED OFF. WHEN I CONFRONTED WILKE TIRE ABOUT THE DATES, THEY REPLIED, WELL ANYONE CAN SEE THEY ARE NEW TIRES AND ANOTHER PART OWNER REPLIED THAT THE TIRES WOULD DRY ROT BEFORE WEARING OUT. I REPLIED, THAT IS THE VERY REASON I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT DATE THEY WERE MANUFACTURED AND/OR HOW LONG THEY HAD BEEN STORED IN THE WAREHOUSE. HE THEN TOLD ME THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2013. I CONTACTED ATD AND THEY ASKED FOR THE DOT NUMBER AND ALL I COULD GIVE THEM WAS DOT OD J D 22 ----, AND SINCE THEY WERE BLANK AND HAD NO DATE, HE INFORMED ME JUST BASED ON THE DOT NUMBER, THEY WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2012! I THEN DROVE TO THE ATD WAREHOUSE AND HAD ONE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES TRY TO FIND A DATE ON THE OTHER FIVE TIRES, HE COULD NOT, BUT INFORMED ME THEY DID NOT SELL ANY OLD TIRE AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE ALRIGHT TO SUM IT UP, I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT AGE THESE TIRES ARE! I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT BY DOT AND NHTSA REGULATIONS THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE IS REQUIRED BY LAW?
NHTSA complaint #10610515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesPitman, NJ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
JULY 2004 WINDSHIELD STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM FRAME IN MY 2000 SOUTHWIND MOTOR HOME. ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT LEAF SPRING LOST TENSION. THE WINDOW WAS RESET TWICE AND AFTER THE THIRD TIME IT BROKE WHEH LEVELING THE MOTOR HOME. THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING HAD BUSHINGS ADDED TO BRING IT UP TO LEVEL
NHTSA complaint #10121177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesPitman, NJ
SUSPENSION
JULY 2004 WINDSHIELD STARTED TO SEPARATE FROM FRAME IN MY 2000 SOUTHWIND MOTOR HOME. ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT LEAF SPRING LOST TENSION. THE WINDOW WAS RESET TWICE AND AFTER THE THIRD TIME IT BROKE WHEH LEVELING THE MOTOR HOME. THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING HAD BUSHINGS ADDED TO BRING IT UP TO LEVEL
NHTSA complaint #10121177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,500 milesInyokern, CA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ENGINE SIMPLY STALLED, AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. BRAKES FAILED AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING. AFTER VEHICLE COOLED OFF FOR A HALF HOUR IT STARTED UP AFTER ENGAGING THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10034276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,500 milesInyokern, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ENGINE SIMPLY STALLED, AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. BRAKES FAILED AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING. AFTER VEHICLE COOLED OFF FOR A HALF HOUR IT STARTED UP AFTER ENGAGING THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10034276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,500 milesInyokern, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ENGINE SIMPLY STALLED, AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. BRAKES FAILED AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING. AFTER VEHICLE COOLED OFF FOR A HALF HOUR IT STARTED UP AFTER ENGAGING THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10034276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,500 milesInyokern, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ENGINE SIMPLY STALLED, AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. BRAKES FAILED AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING. AFTER VEHICLE COOLED OFF FOR A HALF HOUR IT STARTED UP AFTER ENGAGING THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10034276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnstown, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
EXHAUST GASES FROM THE RUNNING GENERATOR FLOW UNDER THE EXTENDED SIDEWALLS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SERIOUS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE GENERATOR IS LOCATED. THERE IS EV IDENCE OF SOOT-LIKE MATERIAL AT A NUMBER OF POINTS INSIDE THE MOTORHOME'S LIVING SPACE. CO LEVELS UP TO 147 PPM IN THE BATHROOM FLOOR VENT AND 79 PPM IN THE BATHROOM ITSELF WERE MEASURED. S.E.A. INC HAS DETERMINED IT IS UNSAFE TO OCCUPY THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH THE GENERATOR RUNNING AND THE SIDEWALS EXTENDED.
NHTSA complaint #758020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huber Heights, OH
PARKING BRAKE
INCIDENT VEHICLE IS SOUTHWIND STORM MOTORHOME ON A P22 WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND GM 6.8 LITER VORTEC ENGINE. ELECTRO-HAYDRAULIC DRIVELINE MOUNTED PARKING BRAKE/AUTOPARK SYSTEMS ENGAGED ON ITS OWN FOUR TIMES IN TRAFFIC AFTER HITTING A ROUGH STRETCH OF ROAD WITH SLECTOR KNOB IN OFF POSITION THEN LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND FAILED TO RELEASE. TRACED PROBLEM TO BLOWN FUSE. BLEW FUSE ON TWO OCCAISIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND THAT INCIDENTS HAD RENDERED BOTH PARKING BRAKE AND PARK POSITION ON TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. HAD TO USE WOODEN BLOCK TO CHOCK VEHICLE WHENEVER PARKING. VEHICLE HAS NO WARNING SYSTEM TO INDICATE LOSS OF PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, ONLY INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT IT IS ENGAGED.
NHTSA complaint #754186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huber Heights, OH
PARKING BRAKE
INCIDENT VEHICLE IS SOUTHWIND STORM MOTORHOME ON A P22 WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND GM 6.8 LITER VORTEC ENGINE. ELECTRO-HAYDRAULIC DRIVELINE MOUNTED PARKING BRAKE/AUTOPARK SYSTEMS ENGAGED ON ITS OWN FOUR TIMES IN TRAFFIC AFTER HITTING A ROUGH STRETCH OF ROAD WITH SLECTOR KNOB IN OFF POSITION THEN LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND FAILED TO RELEASE. TRACED PROBLEM TO BLOWN FUSE. BLEW FUSE ON TWO OCCAISIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND THAT INCIDENTS HAD RENDERED BOTH PARKING BRAKE AND PARK POSITION ON TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. HAD TO USE WOODEN BLOCK TO CHOCK VEHICLE WHENEVER PARKING. VEHICLE HAS NO WARNING SYSTEM TO INDICATE LOSS OF PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, ONLY INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT IT IS ENGAGED.
NHTSA complaint #754186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Bernardino, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHEN LEVELING THE MOTORHOME WITH THE FACTORY SUPPLIED LEVELING JACKS, THE WINDSHIELD BUCKELS AND EXPLODES, CAUSING GLASS CHIPS TO FLY ONTO PEOPLE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THIS IS ALL DONE WHILE THE MOTORHOME WAS STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint #748721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT SPRINGS VERY WEAK, OVER 4" SAGGING IN FRONT, SO MUCH THAT RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAS RIPPED RIGHT FRONT FENDER. HAVE CONTACTED DEALER, FLEETWOOD, AND FORD (FORD'S CHASSIS). IT IS HAZZARDOUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #744297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magalia, CA
SEATS
CONSUMER NOTICED STOP LIGHT ON REAR WAS INOPERABLE, LATER NOTICED RIGHT FRONT PARKING LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL WERE ALSO INOPERABLE, THE STOP LIGHT'S BULB HAD EXPLODED DUE TO IMPROPER BULB SIZE BEING INSTALLED, PARKING LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL WERE FAULTY DUE TO BEING IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. *SLC CONSUMER STATES THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE SEAT MATERIAL, DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE THE SEATS. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE REFRIGERATOR BE REPLACED, HOWEVER DID NOT SPECIFY ANY REASON WHY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #560061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magalia, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG, HOWEVER UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH NO AIRBAG. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #560061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magalia, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ALL DOORS ARE SUPPOSED TO COME EQUIPPED WITH 2 GAS STRUTS, HOWEVER CONSUMER FOUND ONLY 1. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #560061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magalia, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER NOTICED STOP LIGHT ON REAR WAS INOPERABLE, LATER NOTICED RIGHT FRONT PARKING LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL WERE ALSO INOPERABLE, THE STOP LIGHT'S BULB HAD EXPLODED DUE TO IMPROPER BULB SIZE BEING INSTALLED, PARKING LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL WERE FAULTY DUE TO BEING IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. *SLC CONSUMER STATES THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE SEAT MATERIAL, DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE THE SEATS. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE REFRIGERATOR BE REPLACED, HOWEVER DID NOT SPECIFY ANY REASON WHY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #560061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magalia, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
LARGE HOLES WERE FOUND IN THE UPPER WALLS OF COMPARTMENTS UNDER THE BODY OF THE COACH BEHIND REAR WHEELS, WHEN IT WOULD RAIN, WATER WOULD FILL THE BASEMENT COMPARTMENTS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #560061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magalia, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
CONSUMER STATES THAT LP GAS DETECTOR FREQUENTLY ACTIVATES, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FOR THE FIRST 3 YEARS, DETECTOR COULD ANTICIPATE FALSE ALARMS DUE TO NEW CARPET VAPORS AND RESIDUAL OIL VAPORS FROM DUCTING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #560061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magalia, CA
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
CONSUMER NOTICED STOP LIGHT ON REAR WAS INOPERABLE, LATER NOTICED RIGHT FRONT PARKING LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL WERE ALSO INOPERABLE, THE STOP LIGHT'S BULB HAD EXPLODED DUE TO IMPROPER BULB SIZE BEING INSTALLED, PARKING LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL WERE FAULTY DUE TO BEING IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. *SLC CONSUMER STATES THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE SEAT MATERIAL, DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE THE SEATS. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE REFRIGERATOR BE REPLACED, HOWEVER DID NOT SPECIFY ANY REASON WHY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #560061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magalia, CA
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
HEADBOARD WAS BROKEN, ORDERED 3 MORE TIMES DUE TO FIRST 2 REORDERS WERE ALSO BROKEN, SHOWER AREA HAD A LEAK, DEALER SEALED INTERIOR OF SHOWER WHICH HAD TO BE DONE TWICE, GLASS OF ONE OF THE SHOWER PANELS HAD WEBBED, REPLACEMENT OF THIS TOOK 2 AND A HALF MONTHS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #560061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magalia, CA
EQUIPMENT
HEADBOARD WAS BROKEN, ORDERED 3 MORE TIMES DUE TO FIRST 2 REORDERS WERE ALSO BROKEN, SHOWER AREA HAD A LEAK, DEALER SEALED INTERIOR OF SHOWER WHICH HAD TO BE DONE TWICE, GLASS OF ONE OF THE SHOWER PANELS HAD WEBBED, REPLACEMENT OF THIS TOOK 2 AND A HALF MONTHS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #560061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.