NHTSA Complaint #10067956 — 1998 BOUNDER MOTORHOME

ON 7/12/01 - 38,100 MILES I PURCHASED A 1998 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER 43J ON A P-30 CHASSIS. VIN#[XXX] I HAD TO RETURN THE COACH TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD AND IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER WAS LOATH TO ACTUALLY PUT ON ANY NEW PARTS AND SIMPLY TRIED TO RE-ADJUST THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER TAKING IT TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS, IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD BECAUSE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR TRANSMISSION SEAL ONTO THE PARKING BRAKE DRUM GETTING ALL OVER THE BRAKE SHOES RESULTING IN NO PARKING BRAKE. THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A NEW DRUM, AND BRAKE SHOES. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND THE COACH WOULD NO LONGER ROLL IN PARK. 8/18/02 - 40,213 MILES THE PARKING ACTUATOR CABLE FROM THE HYDRAULIC UNIT TO THE BRAKE DRUM ON THE DRIVE LINE FAILED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. THE CABLE WAS ROUTED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT MAKES A 180 DEGREE BEND AND THE BEND WAS ONLY 1/2" AWAY FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE CAUSED THE CABLE TO FAIL AT THE BEND RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AT 65MPH. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A DESTROYED BRAKE SHOES AND DRUM. 4/26/04 - 43,090 MILES THE PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED WHILE UNDER WAY AT 45 MPH. WE CAME TO A STOP IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS. TOXIC TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DUMPED ONTO THE ROAD. THIS PARKING BRAKE DESIGN IS SERIOUSLY FLAWED AND IS GOING TO EVENTUALLY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH. I WILL ALSO CONTINUE WORKING TO GET SOME GOVERNMENT ACTION ON THIS ISSUE. I WILL POST ANY FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. CONTACT ME AT: [XXX] WARMEST REGARDS,[XXX] 2004 CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE FOR THE 67TH DISTRICT THERE IS A PRICE FOR BEING FREE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)