62 of the
238 complaints filed about the Fleetwood Southwind
are about the braking system —
26% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
3 TIMES NOW WHILE DRIVING MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED. BRAKES HAVE GOTTEN HOT AND OVERHEATED. CAN SMELL A BURNING SMELL. ABS LIGHTS COME ON. BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND WILL NOT STOP. ONLY WAY TO STOP IS TO SHIFT VEHICLE TO LOW GEAR AND APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH HAS TAKEN AN EXTREMELY LONG TIME WITH NARROW MISSES. ON TIME WHILE DRIVING DOWN A WINDY ROAD. ANOTHER TIME IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND JUST AFTER THE BRAKES SMELLED OF BURNING. BY THE TIME I PULLED OVER SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE FRONT BRAKES. I LIFTED THE FRONT WHEELS OFF OF THE GROUND AND THE WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN. I CRACKED OPEN A BRAKE LINE AND THE FLUID WAS BOILING. I REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND CALIPERS ALSO BOTH FRONT ABS SENSORS. RECENTLY FOR THE THIRD TIME I LOST BRAKES AFTER TRAFFIC, A BURNING SMELL OCCURRED AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AGAIN THIS TIME COMING FRONT THE REAR BRAKES. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PLEASE HELP. ALSO THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11141924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY WHEN DEPRESSED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE LATER, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/13/16*LJ THE CONSUMER LEARNED A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE BRAKES. THE ROTORS, CALIPERS SENSORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/19/16.
NHTSA complaint #10907560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE HAS SETUP FOR DUAL SYSTEM BRAKES IN CASE OF A BRAKE LINE FAILURE. MY MASTER CYLINDER DOES NOT HAVE TWO SEPARATE RESERVOIRS SO WHEN I HAD A BRAKE LINE BREAK, WHILE IN MOTION, I LOST ALL THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE. THE RESERVOIR HAS SEPARATE TUBING FOR A DUAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10824700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECALL 09V198000 BOUGHT USED 2003 SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME AND ATTEMPTED AT SEVERAL WORKHORSE SERVICE CENTERS TO GET THE BRAKE RECALL PERFORMED. WAS TOLD BY ALL THAT WORKHORSE HAS NO CALIPERS TO SHIP AND NO PLANS TO ORDER ANY MORE. HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN WHEN THERE ARE STILL VEHICLES THAT NEED THE WORK PERFORMED?
NHTSA complaint #10683210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS WHERE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE ROTORS. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE CALIPER TO GET SO HOT THAT A PART OF THE CALIPER TO MELT AND DROP ON TO THE INSIDE REAR TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE REAR TIRE TO BLOW OUT AND THE OUT SIDE TIRE TO GET SO HOT TO THE TOUCH THAT IT FELT HOT ENOUGH TO THE POINT THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE. LUCKY FOR ME THIS HAPPENED JUST AS I WAS RETURNING FROM A WEEK LONG CAMPING TRIP WITH OUR GRAND CHILDREN. I HAD JUST BACKED THE MOTOR HOME INTO MY DRIVE WAY AND AS SOON AS I GOT OUT OF THE COACH I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRES. I GOT MY GARDEN HOSE AND STARTED TO POUR WATER ON THE TIRES TO COOL THEM OFF. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRES WHERE ALSO VERY HOT SO I GOT ANOTHER HOSE AND STARTED POURING WATER ON THEM AS WELL. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS ON MY MOTOR HOME WHERE ON RECALL BUT I HAD NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED. NOW THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME THE $ 3,199.00 THAT IT COST ME TO HAVE MY MOTOR HOME REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10483023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND 36B. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING; THE CALIPERS STUCK AND THE ABS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED AFTER HAVING THEM REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS WAS SET TO NOT WORK. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,948.
NHTSA complaint #10368213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED RESIDUE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HUB CAP. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THERE WAS OIL LEAKING NEAR THE BRAKES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAL WHICH HELD THE OIL THAT LUBRICATED THE BEARINGS WAS LEAKING BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.
NHTSA complaint #10360062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME ON A WORK HORSE CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE. WHEN THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS AND STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BRAKES WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AFTER MARKET BRAKES TO REPLACE THE CURRENT BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER REPLACING THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS THE CALIPERS BEGAN TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS REFERRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS, CALIPERS, AND THE BRAKE PADS. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WORKHORSE DID COMPENSATE HIM FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
NHTSA complaint #10344921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND RV. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 50-55 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH NO POWER RESPONSE. SUDDENLY, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESUMED OPERATION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WITH NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000. UPDATED 09/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/14/10
NHTSA complaint #10334963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTOR HOME. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING SMELL. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SAW BRAKE FLUID UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 16,000.
NHTSA complaint #10329276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
FRONT END HAD BEGUN TO MILDLY VIBRATE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ON CURSORY INSPECTION COULD TELL THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE FRONT ROTORS WAS CRACKED CLEAR THROUGH. CALLED WORKHORSE, WAS DIRECTED TO CLOSEST REPAIR SHOP. FOUND BOTH FRONT ROTORS WITH MULTIPLE CRACKS, SOME CLEAR THROUGH ON BOTH FRONT. BRAKE PADS ONLY 1/3 GONE, NO EVIDENT GLAZE OR HEAT SIGNS APPARENT (PICTURES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST) ON THE PADS. CALIPERS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AS SAFETY PRECAUTION. I KNOW ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALL FOR THE CALIPERS WHICH GUIDES ME TO BELIEVE THAT SOME HOW THEY ARE RELATED DIRECTLY TO MY ROTOR FAILURES. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT THAT WOULD BE DUE TO CONTINUOUS HARD BRAKING OR RIDING THE BRAKES. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER (50 YEARS) AND I KNOW HOW TO AVOID OVERHEATING THE BRAKES, PRIMARILY TO KEEP THEM FUNCTIONING WHEN YOU NEED THEM. THESE REPAIRS (AT 34,000) COST $954, I SENT REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO WORKHORSE WHICH WAS PROMPTLY DENIED. SO NOW I AM FILING AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10319996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER 100 MILE TRIP, LOST BRAKING ON MY MOTORHOME, WITH THE SMELL OF BRAKE BURNING, WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. REAR WHEEL LINERS BOTH SIDES WERE TOO HOT TO TOUCH. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, BRAKE FLUID COOLED OFF AND BRAKING RETURNED. RETURN TRIP OF 100 MILES 3 DAYS LATER WITH NO PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10316968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER 90 MILE TRIP, LOST BRAKING ON MY MOTORHOME, WITH THE SMELL OF BRAKE BURNING, BRAKE PEDAL AT THE FLOOR. REAR WHEEL LINERS BOTH SIDES WERE TOO HOT TO TOUCH. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, BRAKE FLUID COOLED OFF AND BRAKING RETURNED. RETURN TRIP OF 90 MILES 2 DAYS LATER WITH NO PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10316967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKES QUIT WORKING WHEN TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
NHTSA complaint #10315589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.