2003 Fleetwood Bounder recalls and problems

The 2003 Fleetwood Bounder has 8 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Fleetwood dealer.

Recalls
8
Complaints
13
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Fleetwood Bounder vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Fleetwood Bounder recalls

Recall 09V-312: Equipment

Reported Jul 28, 2009 · 6,684 vehicles affected · FLEETWOOD RV, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 09V-198: Service Brakes, Air

Reported Jun 2, 2009 · 509 vehicles affected · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 08V-320: Equipment

Reported Jul 15, 2008 · 70,101 vehicles affected · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 07V-120: Equipment

Reported Mar 19, 2007 · 167,096 vehicles affected · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 06V-115: Electrical System

Reported Apr 12, 2006 · 7,205 vehicles affected · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 04V-352: Trailer Hitches

Reported Jul 20, 2004 · 8,969 vehicles affected · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 03V-452: Equipment

Reported Nov 4, 2003 · 60,877 vehicles affected · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 03V-344: Equipment

Reported Sep 16, 2003 · 1,100 vehicles affected · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2003 Fleetwood Bounder problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Tires1
Structure1
Steering1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Fuel System, Other1
Parking Brake1
Electrical System1
Unknown or Other1
Visibility1
Service Brakes, Air1
Power Train1

Most reported parts

  • Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Power Steering Fluid — 1
  • Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System — 1
  • Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 1
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission › Shift Pattern Indicator — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 20,238 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Fleetwood Bounder complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · at 20,000 miles · reported Sep 24, 2010
The contact owns a 2003 fleetwood bounder rv. The contact stated that whenever he would operate the vehicle, he would notice that the LCD shift indicator would take unusually long to illuminate before failing completely. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure or repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 40,000.
Service Brakes, Air · at 13,760 miles · reported Nov 12, 2009
The contact owns a 2003 fleetwood bounder 35e rv. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. He then smelled a strong burning odor. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated that the front brake caliper melted the sensor. The vehicle was repaired under recall campaign id number 09v198000 (Service brakes, air). The manufacturer refused to accept financial responsibility for the rear brake system replacement. The vehicle has not been repaired for the rear brakes. The failure and current mileages were…
Visibility · at 41,000 miles · reported Mar 4, 2009
The dual pane windows in my motor home are fogged up making it hard to see in my rear view mirror. There are more windows fogging up but not ones that would affect my ability to see while driving. Fleetwood knows about this problem but continues to do business with si-ge windows and is not concerned with the problem.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 25,180 miles · reported Mar 2, 2009
I own 2003 bounder built on the w/22 (Workhorse) chasis.. Three times now I have had my left front ABS (Bosch system) brake when applied going down steep grade drag. Meaning rather than the pumping action of ABS it was not releasing, and one could here and feel the sound similar to metal on metal. Pulled off to side of road and felt all wheels. Left front actually slightly blistered my finger tips. In a few weeks I AM as part of my maintenance schedule having the brake system bled. I AM hoping that when they pull my wheels that all is well. The mh has 23,385 miles on it. Two years ago a zrk…
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 20,238 miles · reported Sep 5, 2007
In june, after tire replacement, a certified brake and alignment shop discovered that all four brake calipers had been intermittently sticking which caused severe overheating of all brake and bearing components. The rotors, calipers, and all bearings had failed. This was independently confirmed by an inspector sent out by the extended warranty people. After replacing all these components, I was driving to oregon and the left front speed sensor of the ABS system failed (Intermittently), and the motorhome would pull violently to the right almost causing loss of control on several occasions…

Other Fleetwood Bounder years

Compare all Fleetwood Bounder years · All Fleetwood models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Fleetwood Bounder have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2003 Fleetwood Bounder: 09V-312 (equipment), 09V-198 (service brakes, air), 08V-320 (equipment), 07V-120 (equipment), 06V-115 (electrical system) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Fleetwood Bounder?

Owners report service brakes, hydraulic problems most often (5 reports), followed by tires (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 20,238 miles.

Are Fleetwood recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Fleetwood dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.