2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
24
Owner Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND
The 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND has received a total of 24 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulic (13 complaints), Electrical System (1 complaint), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND, potentially affecting up to 322,541 vehicles.
Recall 09V312000 — EQUIPMENT
| 6,684 vehicles affected
Defect: FLEETWOOD RV IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 MOTORHOMES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 24, 2004 AND MARCH 11, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR, 1200LRIM, AND 1201LRIM REFRIGERATORS WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF...
Consequence: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: FLEETWOOD RV WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD RV AT 1-800-509-3418 OR NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.
View full details →Recall 09V198000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
| 509 vehicles affected
Defect: FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 509 MY 2001-2008 CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING...
Consequence: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731. WORKHORSE WILL...
View full details →Recall 08V320000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
| 70,101 vehicles affected
Defect: FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 70,101 MY 2003-2007 SOUTHWIND, PACE ARROW, BOUNDER, FLAIR, STORM, FIESTA, TERRA GAS CLASS A MOTOR HOMES; BOUNDER, DISCOVERY, PROVIDENCE, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, REVOLUTION, AMERICAN EAGLE, AMERICAN HERITAGE, AMERICAN TRADITION DIESEL CLASS A MOTOR HOMES; JAMBOREE TIOGA CLASS C MOTOR HOMES; AND PROWLER, WILDERNESS, TERRY, MALLARD, PIONEER, PRIDE AND TRIUMPH CONVENTIONAL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A...
Consequence: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: FLEETWOOD IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE...
View full details →Recall 07V120000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
| 167,096 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: FLEETWOOD WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE...
View full details →Recall 04V352000 — TRAILER HITCHES
| 8,969 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH DRAW TITE HITCH RECEIVERS MAY BE MISSING ONE OR MORE WELDS BETWEEN THE HITCH RECEIVER BOX AND THE BOTTOM SUPPORT PLATE.
Consequence: THE WELDS COULD BREAK, ALLOWING THE HITCH RECEIVER BOX AND THE TOWED LOAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE HITCH RECEIVER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.
View full details →Recall 03V344000 — EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER
| 1,100 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS, THE HYDRAULIC HOSE OPERATING THE LEVELING JACK SYSTEM WAS ROUTED SO IT PLACES THE HOSE TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST. THE HOT EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THE HYDRAULIC HOSE TO MELT OR ABRADE, RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID.
Consequence: IF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SHOULD IGNITE BY AN EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATING TUBE OR OTHER HEAT SOURCE, THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE DAMAGED HOSES AND RELOCATE THE AFFECTED HYDRAULIC LINES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OCTOBER 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT...
View full details →Recall 03V452000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
| 60,877 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, THESE OVENS WERE PRODUCED WITH A DEFECTIVE PANEL. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN CIRCUIT PATTERNS ON THE MEMBRANE PANEL, ESPECIALLY OVERLAPPED BY A "JUMPER" OR JUMP WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS.
Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLY A FIRE.
Remedy: SAMSUNG WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. IN THE MEANTIME, CONSUMERS SHOULD UNPLUG THEIR MICROWAVE, IF POSSIBLE. IF THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE, THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR UNTIL THE PANEL IS...
View full details →Recall 06V115000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 7,205 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ACTIA CORPORATE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101 "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND NO. 105 "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IF THE BRAKE FAIL INPUT FALLS BELOW A VOLTAGE OF 1.5V, THE BRAKE FAILURE LAMP AND ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED. ALSO...
Consequence: AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS MAY FAIL AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHICH COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN AND REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND
24 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentrecreational Vehicletrailer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Air | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Airdisc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionrearspringsleaf Spring Assemblyleaf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
WHAT DOES "THE VIN YOU ENTERED CANNOT BE PROCESSED AT THIS TIME. IF THE VIN WAS ENTERED CORRECTLY, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER FOR MORE INFORMATION. " MEAN WHEN I CANNOT FIND THE TRUE MANUFACTURER?
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.*JB
GENERATOR FUEL LINE FROM MAIN TANK TO GENERATOR RUPTURED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY.
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? *TR
Safety Rating for the 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND
- 1998 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 14 complaints
- 1999 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 17 complaints
- 2000 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 22 complaints
- 2001 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 6 complaints
- 2002 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 5 complaints
- 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND (current)
- 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 14 complaints
- 2005 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 12 complaints
- 2006 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 5 complaints
- 2007 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 3 complaints
- 2008 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND — 0 complaints
Other FLEETWOOD Models
- FLEETWOOD BOUNDER — 460 total complaints
- FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW — 216 total complaints
- FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY — 148 total complaints
- FLEETWOOD PROWLER — 120 total complaints
- FLEETWOOD TIOGA — 95 total complaints
- FLEETWOOD FLAIR — 84 total complaints
- FLEETWOOD JAMBOREE — 77 total complaints
- FLEETWOOD FLEETWOOD — 76 total complaints