The side windows have lost the seal and are now beyond repair . Visibility is impossible. Tried to find the windows and is impossible to find.seems odd that this has been written up many times.owned this vehicle for ten years and this started after second year of ownership.
The worst 1997 Fleetwood Bounder problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes8
- Suspension6
- Engine5
- Transmission4
- Visibility4
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes8
- Suspension6
- Engine5
- Transmission4
- Visibility4
- Body2
- Fuel system2
- Steering2
- Tires1
Recalls 5
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 inc. To manage this campaign. Stericycle will assist you in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling of appointments. Owners may contact dometic/stericycle at 1‑888‑446‑5157 or fleetwood at 1‑800‑322‑8216.
Recall number 07V120000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motor homes. The driver's and passenger's side windows do not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 205, "glazing materials," for an acceptable level of tint.
- Risk
- This condition could cause the driver reduced visibility through the side windows when backing up, when using the mirrors for lane changes, or whenever looking through the windows, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace these windows.
Recall number 98V147000 · Recall details
Equipment: mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: class a motor homes. The hydraulic hoses which operate the leveling jack system is routed too close to the engine exhaust manifold causing the hose to melt, releasing hydraulic fluid.
- Risk
- This hydraulic fluid can ignite in the engine compartment causing a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect, replace any damaged hoses, and relocate the affected hydraulic lines.
Recall number 97V178000 · Recall details
Visibility: power window devices and controls
- What is wrong
- The e-z slide-out room can operate unexpectedly. Water can cause an electrical short in the slide-out room control relay.
- Risk
- If the slide-out room operates unexpectedly, the motor home width will increase which could lead to an accident if traveling or property damage could occur while the motor home is parked.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a replacement control relay in a waterproof location on these motor homes.
Recall number 96V236000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- Miswiring of the low beam headlamp receptacle for the replaceable halogen lamp causes a noncompliance to fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- This condition causes reduced lighting levels with the low beam operation resulting in reduced visibility during dark driving conditions.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and modify the motor home wiring to provide correct circuit connections.
Recall number 96V220000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 1997 Fleetwood Bounder owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 fleetwood bounder. The contact referenced the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 97v178000, equipment:mechanical:jacks. The vehicle was purchased used in 2000 and the contact stated that the recall work was performed. While inspecting he found several cracked hoses and fluid leaking from the engine. He called the manufacturer and they would not assume liability for the repairs. The failure and current mileages were 18,500.
In october 2004 I bought 4 big o lt235/85r16 tires for my motor home. In october 2005, after putting on about 16,000 miles, the tread came off of one of the tires while traveling about 60 MPH. Five months later, but only 1,000 miles more, the second tire lost it tread. One hundred miles later the third tire lost its tread. In all three cases there was total separation of the tread from the carcass, just like the semi trucks losing the tread on a re-treaded tire. As a result of these incidents, considerable damage was done to the underside of the motor home, including rupture of a propane line, which could have resulted in a major fire.
I own a 1997 fleetwood bounder. The drivers side window has became clouded at different times of the day and travel direction it is almost impossible to see out into the rear view mirrors. There has been no accidents yet, and it is extremely difficult to see out.
The parking brake on my 1997 bounder motor home that's built on a chevrolet p-30 chassis will fail without warning & allow the coach to roll. It has been rebuilt & works most of the time. It's that one time it won't work that worries me. I am using wheel chaulks whenever I park it. *tr. Updated 01/11/08. *lj updated
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 fleetwood bounder. Approximately three years ago,the contact began experienced visibility problems with the driver side window. He stated that the windows were dual, insulated pane, and the glass seals have failed, causing poor visibility while driving. The contact's vehicle had the same failure with the passenger's side window. He stated that there was a growth between the panes that had a clear crystal look, and produced a foggy look on the window. The contact insisted that these windows should be of a better quality and not use dual panes that crack and cause poor visibility. The contact stated that a complaint was previously made for the same year, make, and model with odi # 10043211 (visibility:glass, side/rear). The current mileage is 37,000 and failure mileage was 30,000.
My complaint does not involve an accident but does involve a failure to act (by fleetwood motorhome co.) and rectify what I feel is a major safety issue with my motorhome. I purchased my 1997 fleetwood bounder new in 1997 and have been trying to get fleetwood to recognize that the fire escape window in my motorhome is sorely inadequate. They merely placed a decal that reads "fire exit" on a standard window and expect that to suffice. A normal fire escape window has two red handles that secure the window frame during normal operation and can also be turned to unlatch the window frame for egress in the event of a fire. I contacted fleetwood about this problem and they had me go to a local authorized fleetwood repair facility where a service manager took pictures of my window and sent them to fleetwood. Fleetwood responded to them , and they to me, that I have the correct configuration. Last week I went to a rv show where there were new and used bounders on sale. The new bounder had the correct fire escape window (red release handles). In another bounder (used) that was a year or so newer than mine there was no real fire escape window. It was un-equipped, just like mine. In the event of a fire, an older couple such as my wife and I, would have great difficulty exiting the vehicle. I fear that we would surely sustain severe burns at the very least. Since there were other motorhomes in my motorhome's era with the same problem, many people could be at risk. I would appreciate it if you could resolve this public danger. Thank you.
When driving over bumps in the road the steering column became difficult to maneuver. . Please provide additional information.
Problems with exhaust manifold and head gasket.*mr the vehicle exhaust manifold made noise while driving. Several attempts at have the problem resolved has ailed. The consumer spoke with several other people who also have motorhomes with low mileage 460 ford engine's. The consumer contacted ford customer service who indicated that rust was the cause of the problem. The representative went on to say that he banks header system was the cure which would cost about $4000. The consumer had the header system installed and it seem to be working well. The consumer feels that the manufacturer knows of the faulty exhaust manifold but continues to manufacture them.
Consumer heard a disturbing noise coming from exhaust manifold system. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Compare the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder
Other model years
199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122014201520162017201820202021202220232025
Questions about the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder
Is the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder reliable?
Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder, 9.7 times a typical Bounder model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder?
Brakes, with 8 complaints. Next is suspension (6).
How many recalls does the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder have?
5 recalls, covering equipment, visibility and electrical system.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Fleetwood Bounder?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history