FaultScore

FaultScore report

2001 Fleetwood Wilderness problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2001 Fleetwood Wilderness with NHTSA between 2000 and 2008. The largest single group is the equipment & accessories.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

14

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

How 2001 compares with every other Fleetwood Wilderness

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2001 Fleetwood Wilderness

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Equipment & Accessories 8 57.1%

0 crashes, 2 fires

Suspension 3 21.4%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

Body & Structure 2 14.3%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

Tires 1 7.1%

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.

Oct 2000 peak 3 May 2008

Recalls on the 2001 Fleetwood Wilderness

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 2007047 16,870 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 2003289 4,187 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.

Recall 2001176 2 units in Canada

Structure

Certain travel trailers equipped with the bedroom slide option #966. These travel trailers can experience towing instability at speeds in excess of 55 mph. If this situation is not controlled it could lead to a loss of vehicle control resulting in personal injury and/or a vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will equipped the travel trailer with steel plates along the chassis main rails in order to provide the maximum towing performance possible by optimizing the tongue load.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Waco, GA Fire

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

I HAVE A 2001 FLEETWOOD WILDERNESS TRAVEL TRAILER WITH A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR MODEL NUMBER RM 2652 THAT HAD STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY. WHEN IT WAS SWITCHED OVER TO GAS OPERATION THE REFRIG. CAUGHT ON FIRE. WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT PUT OUT BEFORE IT DID ANY MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE UNIT THEN PROCEED TO SPILL LARGE AMOUNTS OF A YELLOW OILY LIQUID INSIDE THE CAMPER. THERE WAS A VERY STRONG AMMONIA SMELL AFTER THE FIRE. WE LATER LEARNED OF A RECALL # 06E076000 ON THIS MODEL REFRIG. BY DOMETIC FOR THIS VERY REASON, A FIRE HAZARD THAT MY MOM SAW IN THE HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE. I CALLED DOMETIC TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THE UNIT REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND GOT NO WHERE WITH THEM. I NEED HELP WITH THIS PLEASE. THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THIS UNIT FOR US AS IT COULD HAVE BURNED OUR CAMPER UP AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN IT. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NHTSA complaint #10177879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pinckney, MI Fire

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM PANEL, UNDERNEATH THE SIDE OF THE BED. CONSUMER OPENED PANEL, AND NOTICED WIRES IN THE INVERTER BOX WERE ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH FIRE, BUT ALL WIRES MELTED. MATTRESS WAS NOT FIRE RETARDENT/ NO EXTRA WALL OR FIRE PRECAUTION. CONSUMER HAD NO KNOWLEGDE OF BED BEING OVER INVERTER BOX. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #873730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Killeen, TX

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION. UNIT WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE CENTER ACCORDING TO DOMETIC AND SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SAFETY RECALL AND FIRE HAZARD ACCORDING TO WHERE CRACK IS LOCATED THAT LEAKED OUT COOLING SUBSTANCE. DOMETIC SAID THEY NO LONGER REPLACE THE UNITS UNDER THE RECALL. SERVICE CENTER SAID THEY HAVE SENT THEM UNITS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SAME EXACT CRACK ISSUE AND DOMETIC REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10229142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Killeen, TX

EQUIPMENT

DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION. UNIT WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE CENTER ACCORDING TO DOMETIC AND SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SAFETY RECALL AND FIRE HAZARD ACCORDING TO WHERE CRACK IS LOCATED THAT LEAKED OUT COOLING SUBSTANCE. DOMETIC SAID THEY NO LONGER REPLACE THE UNITS UNDER THE RECALL. SERVICE CENTER SAID THEY HAVE SENT THEM UNITS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SAME EXACT CRACK ISSUE AND DOMETIC REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10229142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Killeen, TX

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION. UNIT WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE CENTER ACCORDING TO DOMETIC AND SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SAFETY RECALL AND FIRE HAZARD ACCORDING TO WHERE CRACK IS LOCATED THAT LEAKED OUT COOLING SUBSTANCE. DOMETIC SAID THEY NO LONGER REPLACE THE UNITS UNDER THE RECALL. SERVICE CENTER SAID THEY HAVE SENT THEM UNITS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SAME EXACT CRACK ISSUE AND DOMETIC REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10229142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylorville, IL

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FLEETWOOD WILDERNESS TRAILER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS IN STORAGE AT THE TIME, BUT WHEN HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE HAD ALREADY OCCURRED WITH THE REFRIGERATOR. DOMETIC ADVISED HIM TO GO TO A LOCAL RV DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. UPDATED 06/09/2008. *LJ RECALL 0E6076000. UPDATED

NHTSA complaint #10225692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waco, GA Fire

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

I HAVE A 2001 FLEETWOOD WILDERNESS TRAVEL TRAILER WITH A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR MODEL NUMBER RM 2652 THAT HAD STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY. WHEN IT WAS SWITCHED OVER TO GAS OPERATION THE REFRIG. CAUGHT ON FIRE. WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT PUT OUT BEFORE IT DID ANY MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE UNIT THEN PROCEED TO SPILL LARGE AMOUNTS OF A YELLOW OILY LIQUID INSIDE THE CAMPER. THERE WAS A VERY STRONG AMMONIA SMELL AFTER THE FIRE. WE LATER LEARNED OF A RECALL # 06E076000 ON THIS MODEL REFRIG. BY DOMETIC FOR THIS VERY REASON, A FIRE HAZARD THAT MY MOM SAW IN THE HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE. I CALLED DOMETIC TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THE UNIT REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND GOT NO WHERE WITH THEM. I NEED HELP WITH THIS PLEASE. THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THIS UNIT FOR US AS IT COULD HAVE BURNED OUR CAMPER UP AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN IT. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NHTSA complaint #10177879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa ANA, CA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

METAL FATIGUE AND FAILURE OF THE FRAME ON MY 2001 FLEETWOOD WILDERNESS TRAILER. THE FRAME IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SUPPORT BRACKET FOR ONE OF THE WHEEL SPRINGS DEVELOPED STRESS CRACKS WHICH RESULTED IN DESTRUCTION OF THE FRAME AT THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT OF THE BRACKET. THIS SECTION OF THE FRAME COMPLETELY TORE LOOSE AND LEFT THE BRACKET HANGING AND NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE TRAILER. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED STRESS CRACKS AT TWO OTHER POINTS IN THE MAIN SUPPORT MEMBER OF THE TRAILER. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION AT A REST STOP AND STEPS WERE TAKEN TO REDUCE THE LOADING AT THE DAMAGED AREA. TEMPORARY REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE TRAILER BROUGHT BACK HOME. HAD THIS FAILURE OF THE WHEEL SUPPORT SYSTEM HAPPENED ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD IT IS POSSIBLE THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.

NHTSA complaint #10156666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,000 miles Groveland, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER,BRACKET

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45 TO 50 MPH LEAF SPRING BRACKET BROKE. AS RESULT, IT CAUSED DRIVER'S REAR TIRE TO BLOW OUT. FLEETWOOD WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE BADLY WORN OUT DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10089175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houlton, ME

EQUIPMENT

RECALL# 03E044000 SUBJECT: MICROWAVE OVENS/CIRCUIT SHORT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED SAMSUNG FOUR TIMES TO GET INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET THE RECALL REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER HAS LEFT MESSAGES AND HAS RECEIVED NO FEEDBACK. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO GET THE REPAIRS DONE. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10048505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,000 miles Visalia, CA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE'S FRAME BROKE ENABLING THE CONSUMER TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CURBSIDE REAR SPRING HANGER BRACKET BROKE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS TWISTED AND WAS UNSAFE TO TRAVEL BEFORE REPAIRS. WHEN THE RV WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER MORE CRACKS WERE FOUND AND THE REAR AXLE WAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10029376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alberta, CD

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

WHILE INSPECTING VEHICLE NOTICED THAT LEAF SPRING WAS BENT. THIS CAN CAUSE AXLE TO DISCONECT FROM VEHICLE IF LEAF SPRING BREAKS.

NHTSA complaint #8015814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yermo, CA

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER/BRACKET

LEAF SPRING BRACKET BROKE WHILE GOING 65MPH. BROKEN LEAF SPRING BRACKET CAUSED DRIVER'S REAR TIRE TO BLOWOUT. FRONT PASSENGER TRIE BLEW OUT DUE TO VEHICLE SHIFTING. FLEETWOOD WAS NOTIFIED. THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT AND REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8009323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fresno, CA

EQUIPMENT

THREE WATER HOLDING TANKS ARE WEDGED BETWEEN, AND WHEN HEATED UP PLASTIC TANK BENT UP. TANKS HAVE NOTHING STRAPPED AROUND FOR SUPPORT. TWO OF THE TANKS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY FELL ONTO THE ROAD WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. FLEETWOOD WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8006638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dunbar, WI

TIRES

AFTER TRAVELING 45 THOUSAND MILES TRAVEL TRAILER STEEL HAD SEPAPARATED AND LEFT SPRING WAS BROKEN. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT WATER MAY BE IN TIRES WHICH WAS CAUSING THIS DEFECT. TRAILER WAS SERVICEED, AND TECHNICIAN DID NOTICE WATER IN TIRES WHICH CAUSED HARD VIBRATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #894951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pinckney, MI Fire

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM PANEL, UNDERNEATH THE SIDE OF THE BED. CONSUMER OPENED PANEL, AND NOTICED WIRES IN THE INVERTER BOX WERE ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH FIRE, BUT ALL WIRES MELTED. MATTRESS WAS NOT FIRE RETARDENT/ NO EXTRA WALL OR FIRE PRECAUTION. CONSUMER HAD NO KNOWLEGDE OF BED BEING OVER INVERTER BOX. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #873730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.