Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2004 Fleetwood Southwind with NHTSA between 2004 and 2015.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 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 — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2004 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 2004 Fleetwood Southwind
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
642.9%
Median failure at 16,368 miles
Equipment & Accessories
428.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 15,500 mi
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
Median failure at 1,633 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17.1%
Median failure at 18,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
17.1%
Median failure at 1,100 miles
Body & Structure
17.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
325.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
758.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
216.7%
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.
Sep 2004peak 3Feb 2015
NHTSA investigations into the 2004 Fleetwood Southwind
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE06005Opened 20 Jan 2006Closed 2 May 2006EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
INADVERTENT SLIDE-OUT EXTENSION MOVEMENT
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON ODI'S RECEIPT OF A CONGRESSIONAL LETTER ON BEHALF OF A CONSTITUENT.THE CONSTITUENT REPORTED INCIDENTS WHERE THE SLIDE OUT ROOM OF HIS MOTOR HOME WOULD INADVERTENTLY MOVE (EXTEND) DURING HIGHWAY USE.ODI WAS CONCERNED THAT A FULLY EXTENDED SLIDE OUT WOULD DEGRADE THE VEHICLE'S DYNAMIC HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS AND/OR POSSIBLY IMPACT AN OBJECT OR ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH.ODI CONTACTED FLEETWOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT SLIDE OUT ROOMS WERE INSTALLED IN MOTOR HOMES, TRAVEL TRAILERS AND FOLDING TRAILERS. AS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION ODI VISITED A RV SHO...
Recalls on the 2004 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 2009215702 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain motorhomes, the brake calipers may stick in the applied position. This can result in abnormal heat generation at the wheel end which, if undetected, could eventually lead to soft brake pedal condition due to brake fluid boil. Extended stopping distances may result in a vehicle crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.
Recall 200824611,692 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 install a secondary burner housing.
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 2006235252 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain motorhomes equipped with Workhorse Custom Chassis, the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture, resulting in inadequate retention of the damper. If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result in the underhood area which may result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip.
Recall 20062081,501 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain motorhomes equipped with Workhorse Custom Chassis, the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture, resulting in inadequate retention of the damper. If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result in the underhood area which may result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip.
Recall 2006111209 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Certain motorhomes fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 101 and 105. Incorrect software programmed into the instrument panel cluster may not allow activation of certain driver warning indicators. As a result, the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the warning lamps indicating brake system failure. Correction: Workhorse Custom Chassis dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster.
Recall 2004264182 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, the Draw Tite brand hitch receiver may be missing one or more welds that would normally exist between the hitch receiver box and the bottom support plate. During use, forces may be applied that could cause the existing welds to break and the hitch receiver box and towed load to separate from the towing vehicle, which could result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the hitch receiver, and if any welds are missing, will replace it.
Recall 20032894,187 units in Canada
Other
On certain recreational vehicles equipped with a Samsung microwave oven, an electrical short can occur in the microwave oven's membrane panel keypad causing the oven to activate without pressing any keypads. This could result in excessive heat, smoke or possibly a fire. Correction: Samsung will notify its customers and repair the membrane panel keypad. In the meantime, consumers should unplug their microwave ovens, if possible. If the consumer is unable to unplug the microwave, they should leave the door ajar until the membrane panel keypad is replaced.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 15,500 milesRedding, CAFire
EQUIPMENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEFORE THE FIRE ERUPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V3440000 (EQUIPMENT; HYDRAULIC LEVELING JACKS), HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY DID NO LONGER MANUFACTURED THE PART. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500. KMJ
NHTSA complaint #10521526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 18,000 milesWest Jefferson, OH
VISIBILITY/WIPER
NO INCIDENT HAS HAPPEN YET THE SIDE WINDOWS HAS DOUBLE PAIN THE GAS HAS CLOUDLE TO A POINT WHEN THE SUN IS HEATING UP THE GLASS THAT IT RESTRICT THE VIEW IN THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR THAT.
NHTSA complaint #10683637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
OUR RV NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR'S ALARM SOUNDED. THE FAULT SAYS NO CO--NO COOLING UNIT. NORCOLD SENT THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SENSOR PART AS OUR REFRIGERATOR/COOLING UNIT IS UNDER RECALL; IT WAS INSTALLED BY RV SERVICE CENTER ON 8/8/13. THIS WEEK END OUT CAMPING THE ALARM SOUNDED AGAIN; IT WAS RESET BY RV OWNER, BUT ALARM SOUNDED AGAIN. THE OWNER CAN ONLY RESET IT ONCE AFTER THAT IT GOES TO RV SERVICE CENTER FOR RESETTING. MY CLAIM NUMBER FOR NORCOLD IS 580811 FOR THE PART. WE THOUGHT WITH THE NEW PART INSTALLED THE ALARM WOULDN'T GO OFF AGAIN. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10535996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,500 milesRedding, CAFire
EQUIPMENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEFORE THE FIRE ERUPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V3440000 (EQUIPMENT; HYDRAULIC LEVELING JACKS), HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY DID NO LONGER MANUFACTURED THE PART. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500. KMJ
NHTSA complaint #10521526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,633 milesWilton, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES COMPLAINING, I WAS TOLD TO SPRAY THE JACKS WITH WD-40. I STILL HAVE TO DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES A TRIP. IF I FORGET TO, THE JACKS DON'T COME UP AND DRAG ON THE GROUND
NHTSA complaint #10403454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesOregon City, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR NEAR THE BRAKES AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND IF THE TEST DOES NOT SHOW RESULTS OF BRAKE DAMAGE THE CONTACT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RELATED COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BRAKES AND THE MANUFACTURER NOT AUTHORIZING THE SERVICE BRAKES RECALL ( 09V198000). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
NHTSA complaint #10349264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,648 milesDunedin, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKES IN MOUNTAINS DUE TO OVER HEATING. REAR WHEELS SMOKING AND TOO HOT TO TOUCH. PULLED OF INTO REST AREA AND STAYED THERE FOR 4 HOURS TO LET BRAKES COOL DOWN. AFTER STOPPING BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR UNTIL THINGS COOLED DOWN AND THEN PUMPED THE BRAKES TO GET TO CAMP GROUND 8 MILES AWAY. AFTER 3 DAYS THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO GET BRAKES. AFTER CALLING WORKHORSE I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR HOME TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THE CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH TOOK 2 DAYS TO GET APPROVAL FROM WORKHORSE. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE FIX FOR THIS RECALL IS TAKING SO LONG, AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. WORKHORSE SAID THE FIX WILL COME SOMETIME AFTER NOVEMBER 2010. IS THIS A SAFE WAY TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE?
NHTSA complaint #10348716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,648 milesDunedin, FL
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
LOSS OF BRAKES IN MOUNTAINS DUE TO OVER HEATING. REAR WHEELS SMOKING AND TOO HOT TO TOUCH. PULLED OF INTO REST AREA AND STAYED THERE FOR 4 HOURS TO LET BRAKES COOL DOWN. AFTER STOPPING BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR UNTIL THINGS COOLED DOWN AND THEN PUMPED THE BRAKES TO GET TO CAMP GROUND 8 MILES AWAY. AFTER 3 DAYS THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO GET BRAKES. AFTER CALLING WORKHORSE I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR HOME TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THE CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH TOOK 2 DAYS TO GET APPROVAL FROM WORKHORSE. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE FIX FOR THIS RECALL IS TAKING SO LONG, AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. WORKHORSE SAID THE FIX WILL COME SOMETIME AFTER NOVEMBER 2010. IS THIS A SAFE WAY TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE?
NHTSA complaint #10348716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,300 milesOrangeburg, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND RV. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE BRAKES. NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,500.
NHTSA complaint #10322880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesJarrettsville, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTH WIND. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL#50901-C FROM WORKHORSE IN REGARDS TO THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE WHICH BURNED THE ABS SENSOR IN JUNE 2009. ON AUGUST 14, 2009, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER ALSO FAILED. THE RV MOTOR HOME IS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,500.
NHTSA complaint #10280634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,194 milesClearwater, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES,CALIPERS,SENSORS IN REAR LOST SOUTHWIND 2004 WORKHORSE CHASIS WILL ONLY COVER 32 PERCENT OF BILL BECAUSE WE DIDN'T TAKE IT TO A WORKHORSE TECH. THE BRAKES WERE WEAK WE WERE AFRAID TO DRIVE TO FAR ON THE HWY. WE DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO A WORKHORSE TEC. THERE IS GOING TO BE A RECALL SO THE SHOULD PAY ENTIRE BILL REGARD LESS.
NHTSA complaint #10280080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,542 milesSutherlin, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON 2/2/06 HAD SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME IN TO SHOP WITH COMPLAINT OF STRANGE BRAKE NOISE AND ABS LIGHT BEING ON. OTHER ISSUES ALSO. ON 09/18/08 HAD MOTORHOME IN TO SHOP WITH COMPLAINT OF ABS LIGHT BEING ON. HAD OTHER ISSUES ALSO. ABS LIGHT CAME BACK ON AS SOON AS WE LEFT THE REPAIR SHOP. MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BARD AND WAS TOO COSTLY AND NOT NEEDED. ON 2/17 /09 MOTORHOME SMELLED OF OVERHEATED BRAKES ON NARROW WINDING FLAT ROAD. WE PULLED OFF IN ONLY SPOT AVAILABLE AND WAITED FOR IT TO COOL DOWN ABOUT 3 MILES FROM OUR INTENDED CAMPING SPOT. 1/4 MILE FROM CAMP GROUND LOST MOST OF BRAKES. DROVE ON INTO CAMPGROUND AT ABOUT 5 MPH IN LOW GEAR. NOTED FLUID ON FRONT LEFT WHEEL. CALLED OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFICE, UNITED STATES WARRANTY CORP. POLICY HAD BEEN PURCHASED AT TIME OF VEHICLE PURCHASE. THEY DIRECTED US TO LOCAL REPAIRMAN. HE SAID THE BRAKES HAD STUCK AND THE BRAKE FLUID HAD BOILED. HE COULD NOT HANDLE THE REPAIR WORK. WARRANTY COMPANY THEN AGREED TO USE LTM TRUCK AND RV REPAIR SHOP ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY IN COOS BAY OREGON. MOTOR HOME WAS TOWED. DRIVER NOTED BURNT SENSORS AND TOLD ME MY ABS LIGHT MUST BE ON. REPAIRS WERE MADE AND TOTAL COST WAS $2414.75. REPLACED FRONT PADS, CALIPERS, HUB CAP, BEARINGS RACES, WHEEL SEALS, COUNTER SHAFT BEARING, REAR BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS, WHEEL SEALS, SCOTSEAL, TURNED ROTORS, ABS SENSORS. DRILLED BELL CRANK FOR GREASE FITTING. EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY ANY OF COSTS, STATING THEY HAD DETERMINED A STUCK BELL CRANK HAD CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO STICK AND THEY DO NOT COVER THAT PART OR DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE BELL CRANK. ON 05/22/09 RECEIVED "INTERIM NOTICE" FROM WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASIS THAT SOME OF THEIR PRODUCTS MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPER STICKING. THEY STATE THEY HAVE NOT DETERMINED WHAT THE FINAL REMEDY WILL BE. WORKHORSE ADVISED US TO WATCH FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS AND IF THEY DETERMINE OUR MOTOR HOME WAS AFFECTED BY THE FUTURE RECALL WE WILL RECEIVE NOTICE WHEN IT HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #10269873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schaumburg, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
I HAVE AN 2004 SOUTHWIND MOTOR HOME. WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALER I WAS BEING ADVISED ON HOW TO OPEN THE ESCAPE WINDOW IN THE BEDROOM. AFTER OPENING THE LATCHES THE PERSON HAD TO HIT THE WINDOW AND PUSH ON IT MANY TIMES. I DO NOT BELIEVE MY WIFE COULD HAVE OPENED THIS WINDOW IF THERE WAS A FIRE. ALSO THE ARMS ON THIS WINDOW BEND WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE SMALL WINDOW FOR AIR. PLEASE CHECK THIS BEFORE WE LOOSE SOMEONE AND GET THE WINDOWS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10112073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,100 milesMonee, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE TRAILER STALLED. TRAILER WAS SERVICED 4 TIMES, AND IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM, IN WHICH THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10097867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesGlendale, CA
TRAILER HITCHES
DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL 04V352000 BECAUSE THE MOTOR HOME WELD WAS CRACKED BUT DIDN'T BREAK YET.
NHTSA complaint #10090317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.