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.
The worst 2003 Fleetwood Southwind problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes16
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind
Recalls 8
Equipment
- What is wrong
- 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 a leak occurs and the refrigerator continues to be operated after solution circulation has ceased the heat source could generate very high temperatures. At such high temperatures, the cooling unit could rupture.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 09V312000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air
- What is wrong
- 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 of the brake drag if undetected by the driver.
- Risk
- 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 conduct the owner and dealer notification.
Recall number 09V198000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- 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 two-door refrigerators manufactured by the dometic corporation. The refrigerator 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
- 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 this campaign. Stericycle will assist the owner 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 08V320000 · Recall details
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
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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 activation of the ABS telltale when the ABS is not properly functioning does not always occur.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 06V115000 · Recall details
Trailer hitches
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 04V352000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 replaced. Consumers should never use the microwave oven for storage or leave any towels, paper, cloth or other products in the microwave after use. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact samsung at 800‑932‑3837 or fleetwood at 1‑800‑629‑8454.
Recall number 03V452000 · Recall details
Equipment: mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact fleetwood at 1‑800‑322‑8216.
Recall number 03V344000 · Recall details
See all 8 recalls for the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind
Defect investigations
Inadvertent slide-out extension movement
This investigation was opened based on odi's receipt of a congressional letter on behalf of a constituent.the constituent reported incidents where the slide out room of his motor home would inadvertently move (extend) during highway use.odi was concerned that a fully extended slide out would degrade the vehicle's dynamic handling characteristics and/or possibly impact an object or another vehicle, resulting in a crash.odi contacted fleetwood and discovered that slide out rooms were installed in motor homes, travel trailers and folding trailers. As part of the investigation odi visited a rv show and the fleetwood paxinos plant to examine slide outs in various new make and model vehicles and gain an understanding of how the systems work.during the investigation odi learned that there are two methods used to extend slide out rooms.some manufacturers use hydraulic systems and others, such as fleetwood, use an electric motor. (continued on page 2)
PE06005
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind 1
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2003 Fleetwood Southwind owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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?
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 fleetwood southwind 36b. The contact stated that the ABS failed without warning; the calipers stuck and the ABS no longer functioned after having them replaced. The dealer stated that the ABS was set to not work. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000 and the current mileage was 16,948.
Tl*the contact owns 2003 fleetwood southwind motorhome on a work horse chassis. The contact stated that when the brakes were applied they failed. The contact pulled over and inspected the brakes and then continued to drive. When the contact reached his destination he noticed that the brakes were extremely hot. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the brakes and calipers and stated that the replacement brakes were on back order. The contact purchased after market brakes to replace the current brakes on the vehicle. After replacing the brakes and calipers the calipers began to leak. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was referred by the manufacturer. The dealer replaced the rotors, calipers, and the brake pads. The failure had not recurred. The contact stated that workhorse did compensate him for the repairs. The failure mileage was 26,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 fleetwood southwind rv. While the contact was driving at approximately between 50-55 MPH, there was a burning smell inside of the vehicle. The brake pedal was applied with no power response. Suddenly, the emergency brake was engaged and the vehicle was able to slow down. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The engine was turned off. The vehicle resumed operation normally. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealership three times for the identical failures with no repairs. The failure was contributed to the rear brake calipers. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. Updated 09/01/10. *lj updated 09/14/10
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 fleetwood southwind motor home. While driving 35 MPH, when the contact applied the brakes, the pedal extended to the floorboard and the vehicle began pulling to the right. When the failure occurred there was also a burning smell. After examining the vehicle, the contact saw brake fluid underneath the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the rear brake calipers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 16,000.
Front end had begun to mildly vibrate when brakes were applied. On cursory inspection could tell that at least one of the front rotors was cracked clear through. Called workhorse, was directed to closest repair shop. Found both front rotors with multiple cracks, some clear through on both front. Brake pads only 1/3 gone, no evident glaze or heat signs apparent (pictures available on request) on the pads. Calipers were functioning properly. Rotors were replaced and the brake pads were replaced as safety precaution. I know about the safety recall for the calipers which guides me to believe that some how they are related directly to my rotor failures. There are no signs of excessive heat that would be due to continuous hard braking or riding the brakes. I am a very experienced driver (50 years) and I know how to avoid overheating the brakes, primarily to keep them functioning when you need them. These repairs (at 34,000) cost $954, I sent request for reimbursement to workhorse which was promptly denied. So now I am filing an official complaint. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Compare the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind
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Questions about the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind
Is the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind reliable?
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind, 8.0 times a typical Southwind model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind?
Brakes, with 16 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind have?
8 recalls, covering equipment, service brakes, air and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Fleetwood Southwind brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 09V198000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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