Check a VIN

1997 Fleetwood Bounder problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder is brakes. It has 9.7 times the complaints of a typical Bounder model year.

Typical year9.7x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
29
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
2
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 1997 Fleetwood Bounder problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    8
  • Suspension
    6
  • Engine
    5
  • Transmission
    4
  • Visibility
    4

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    8
  • Suspension
    6
  • Engine
    5
  • Transmission
    4
  • Visibility
    4
  • Body
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 5

Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailerReported March 19, 2007 · 167,096 vehicles affected
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: windshieldReported June 26, 1998 · 895 vehicles affected
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/stabilizerReported October 7, 1997 · 1,915 vehicles affected
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 controlsReported November 22, 1996 · 241 vehicles affected
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 breakersReported November 1, 1996 · 1,110 vehicles affected
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

See all 5 recalls for the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder

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.

Filed Feb 7, 2015 · Visibility · 47 miles · NC

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.

Filed Jul 22, 2010 · Engine · 18,500 miles · MI

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.

Filed Jul 19, 2009 · Tires · 16,000 miles · CO

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.

Filed Sep 20, 2007 · Visibility · 60,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Sep 4, 2007 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · CA

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

Filed Apr 17, 2007 · Visibility · 30,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Nov 10, 2005 · AZ

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.

Filed Oct 20, 2004 · Steering · 31,645 miles · PA

When driving over bumps in the road the steering column became difficult to maneuver. . Please provide additional information.

Filed Aug 20, 2004 · Engine · 33,674 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Jul 23, 2004 · Engine · 34,000 miles · AZ

Consumer heard a disturbing noise coming from exhaust manifold system. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1997 Fleetwood Bounder before you buy

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.

Share your experience with the 1997 Fleetwood Bounder

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

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
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN