Six (6) bct radial a/p tires were installed on 97 fleetwood southwind motorhome (model 32vs) on 3/19/11 at approx. 33000 miles. One tire failed with tread separation while driving on rt. 90,10 miles west of rochester, ny, on 7/2/13. Tread separation caused wiring damage to the right rear wheelwell area. Wiring was repaired, tire was replaced and a tire pressure monitor system was installed. Second tire failed (sidewall rupture) on the left front wheel while exiting rt. 180 in williamsport, pa on 8/19/13. Vehicle was exiting to investigate a severe front end vibration just proir to the failure. Tires were monitored for pressure and temp. And showed no low pressure or high temp. Signs. All bct tires were replaced in williamsport, pa on 8/19/13, at 38000 miles.
The worst 1997 Fleetwood Southwind problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes4
- Body1
- Tires1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes4
- Body1
- Tires1
Recalls 2
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: 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
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind 3
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 1997 Fleetwood Southwind owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The automatic electric step did not come out when suppose to upon opening the doors. This caused the consumer to fall out, and break his leg. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The automatic 12 volt step at the entrance door failed to extend when the door was opened in the dark . Causing my wife to fall since there was no step. Requiring surgery, a plate and screws to be put in her ankle.
The automatic park brake came on while driving and would not release when placed in reverse. A new part was placed on the vehicle, but problem still exists. *ak there were times where the vehicle was warmed and would not go into gear and the brake would not release. *sc
Automatic park brake did not engage, and the emergency parking brake did not prevent the vehicle from rolling from an incline. Vehicle was back and forth to the dealer on several occasions, but problem recurred.
The autopark brake and manual park brake have failed several times allowing motorhome to drift (one time hitting another ) .last time 7/16/03. This is the second time I have reported this to you!
The "auto park brake" and the manually foot operated parking brake have failed three (3) times allowing the motorhome to drift freely or nearly so.
The valve on the front burner heated and the burner could not be turned off
Compare the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind
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Questions about the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind
Is the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind, 2.7 times a typical Southwind model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind?
Brakes, with 4 complaints, typically around 52,500 miles. Next is body (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind have?
2 recalls, covering equipment and visibility.
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