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.
Fleetwood Southwind fire or smoke problems
10 of the 157 owner complaints about the Fleetwood Southwind describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 10
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 28,177
By model year
- 20041
- 20035
- 20021
- 19991
- 19981
- 19901
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 fleetwood southwind. The contact stated that hydraulic fluid leaked into the exhaust system. The contact noticed smoke coming from under the vehicle. The contact used the fire extinguisher before the fire erupted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection or repair. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The contact referenced recall the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v3440000 (equipment; hydraulic leveling jacks), however the manufacturer stated they did no longer manufactured the part. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 15,500. Kmj
The rear brake calipers where applying brake pressure on the brake rotors. This caused the brake caliper to get so hot that a part of the caliper to melt and drop on to the inside rear tire. This caused the rear tire to blow out and the out side tire to get so hot to the touch that it felt hot enough to the point that I thought it was going to catch fire. Lucky for me this happened just as I was returning from a week long camping trip with our grand children. I had just backed the motor home into my drive way and as soon as I got out of the coach I could see smoke coming from the passenger side rear tires. I got my garden hose and started to pour water on the tires to cool them off. The driver side rear tires where also very hot so I got another hose and started pouring water on them as well. I later found out that the brake calipers on my motor home where on recall but I had never been notified. Now the manufacturer will not reimburse me the $ 3,199.00 that it cost me to have my motor home repaired.
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.
I have a 1999 fleetwood 35' rv with auto park. While returning from a trip--the auto park light and the brake light both came on--we stopped immediately and checked things out--there was no fire--but avery strong smell of something burning--we later found out it was the auto park brake pads. The motor home is on a gm p-30 chassis and consists of high and low pressure sensors and a hydraulic system--if there is a problem with either of these sensors or if the fluid runs low--the system engages---there are 2 brake shoes that fit around the drive shaft these clamp down on the drive shaft to stop the vehicle--this can be a very dangerous situation--it can happen at anytime--possibly causing an accident or injury. There are a lot of complaints on the internet concerning this system and gm does not seem to be responsive to the problem---I believe there should be a recall or reimbursement to owners of this p-30 chassis.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 fleetwood southwind w22. On july 3 2007, while driving 45 MPH, the front passenger side of the vehicle shook. The contact smelled something burning and pulled over to the side of the road. He noticed that the brake caliper locked. The failure was repaired at the cost of $837. On february 1, 2008, the driver's side caliper also failed. The contact pulled over and waited until the caliper released. She then drove the vehicle to the dealer and they repaired the failure at the cost of $873. The manufacturer was notified. The current mileage was 25,722 and failure mileage was 24,162. Updated 03-11-08
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 fleetwood southwind. While driving 15 MPH, the front brakes failed as the contact attempted to stop the vehicle and he smelled something burning. When the brakes cooled down, he took the vehicle to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that the pads were worn and the rotors needed to be changed. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred four months later. The number of cylinders and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 24,000.
Vehiclee had an electrical wiring problem. Also, there were nine leaks in the vehicle, including in the shower/kitchen and other areas. Also, electrical system burned out twice, and when vehicle was parked it caught on fire. A loud popping sound came from the kitchen sink. Consumer felt vehicle was very unsafe.
Had started motorhome when motorhome caught fire. Fire dept was called & put flames out. Motorhome totaled. Fire dept report & insurance inspector concurred that electrical wiring was cause of the fire. *ak
Related recalls
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- REV Recreation Group (REV) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Fleetwood Bounder and 2013-2016 Fleetwood Southwind recreational vehicles. The welds attaching the battery tray may be insufficient. As a result, the tray may separate from underneath the chassis.
- Risk
- An unsecured battery tray can cause a battery acid leak or an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire or injury.
- Remedy
- REV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery tray, and install fasteners, if necessary, to secure the battery tray, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2017. Owners may contact REV customer service at 1‑800‑509‑3417. REV's number for this recall is 170914REV.
Recall number 17V584000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- Fleetwood rv is recalling certain model year 2010 american eagle, american tradition, discovery, revolution le, and model year 2011 american eagle, american heritage, american tradition, bounder, bounder classic, discovery, expedition, providence, revolution le, and southwind class a motor homes equipped with murray or siemens brand circuit breakers. These circuit breakers have a non-conforming "spring clip" plug-in assembly that breaks or fails to provide sufficient force to maintain a proper electrical connection in the panel board.
- Risk
- This condition could lead to excessive temperature, arcing or thermal damage at the connection point, and potential damage to the panel board's electrical insulation. This could lead to fire, property damage, or personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the circuit breakers if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on august 25, 2011. Owners may contact fleetwood owner relations at 1‑800‑509‑3418.
Recall number 11V399000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Fleetwood rv is recalling certain model year 2011 bounder classic, storm and terra class a motor homes built on ford chassis and manufactured from may 21, 2010, through february 11, 2011. Certain model year 2011 bounder and southwind class a motor homes built on ford chassis and manufactured from may 24, 2010 through may 18, 2011; and certain model year 2012 bounder and southwind class a motor homes built on ford chassis and manufactured from may 16, 2011 through june 15, 2011. A wire harness that is routed under the motor home, near the chassis rail, can contact a heat shield located next to the passenger side engine exhaust manifold. The close proximity can cause the harness to melt or be otherwise damaged.
- Risk
- A damaged wire harness can result in an electrical short, result in intermittent operation of electrical systems vehicle "shut down", and/or lead to a fire, and may result in loss of vehicle control, injury, or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and reroute the wire harness away from the heat shield. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during june 2011. Owners may contact fleetwood owner relations at 1‑800‑509‑3418.
Recall number 11V298000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- Fleetwood rv is recalling certain model year 2010 bounder, bounder classic, fiesta, southwind and terra class a motor homes manufactured from march 11, 2010 through march 30, 2010. These motor homes were built on workhorse custom chassis and with general motors gasoline engines and equipped with remy alternator. A low resistance electrical short in the alternator's voltage regulator may occur.
- Risk
- An electrical short in the alternator may occur without warning possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the alternator if necessary free of charge. Navistar/workhorse is handing the owner notification and remedy for this campaign please see navistar/workhorse's defect report 10v‑158. Owners may contact navistar/workhorse at 1‑877‑246‑7731.
Recall number 10V251000 · 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
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- The electric wire used to power the expandable room hydraulic pump motor was not equipped with a circuit breaker. Overheating of the wire can occur with incorrect expandable room operation.
- Risk
- This condition can cause the wire insulation to melt, causing smoke and possible fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a circuit breaker to the expandable room system pump motor wire. Fleetwood will also provide a vehicle label to identify the location of the circuit breaker, and will provide owner's manual literature to identify the circuit breaker location.
Recall number 96V102000 · Recall details
Questions about the Fleetwood Southwind fire or smoke
Which Fleetwood Southwind years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (5 complaints), 1990 (1 complaints) and 1998 (1 complaints).
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