Fleetwood Discovery 1997

Model Discovery made in 1997 by Fleetwood got 18 consumer complains there are 4 recalls as well as 3 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system, equipment and exterior lighting. Technical service bulletines regarding equipment, fuel system, gasoline and unknown or other. There were some recalls concerningequipment, exterior lighting and steering.

Model 1997

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EQUIPMENT - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
07V120000FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.from 04/01/1997 to 07/31/2003V (Vehicle)16709605/10/2007MFRFLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.03/19/200703/20/2007
Defect SummaryCertain 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.
Consequence SummaryRelease of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.
Corrective SummaryFleetwood 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.
NotesCustomers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
97V236000FLEETWOOD ENT., INC.from 12/01/1996 to 06/30/1997V (Vehicle)43301/20/1998MFRFLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.12/19/199712/30/1997571108
Defect SummaryVehicle description: class a motor homes equipped with a vinyl protective front cover. this cover includes a mesh which covers the front headlight assembly. this mesh interferes with the photometric performance of the headlights resulting in a noncompliance to fmvss no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence SummaryThe interfering mesh causes the effective brightness of the headlights and turn signals to be less than required. the decrease in headlight brightness can decrease the ability to view the road while driving at night or in other instances where headlights would be needed. also, the decreased brightness of the turn signals will affect the visibility of these signals to following vehicles.
Corrective SummaryOwners will be provided with instructions and repair parts necessary to perform this recall. if owners so desire, they can have a dealer perform this remedy for them.
NotesOwner notification is expected to begin january 20, 1998.owners who do not receive the instructions and repair parts within a reasonable time should contact fleetwood at 1-800-322-8216.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
00V204000FLEETWOOD ENT., INC.from 06/01/1996 to 08/31/1999V (Vehicle)496708/28/2000MFRFLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.07/27/200007/28/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle description: motor homes. the power steering gear box hydraulic lines are routed too close to a sharp edge. this can cause the lines to rupture and result in a hydraulic fluid leak.
Consequence SummaryThis fluid leakage can cause loss of the power steering assist feature.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect, replace or repair damaged hoses as necessary, and relocate the affected hydraulic lines.
NotesOwner notification began august 28, 2000. 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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD
98V147000FLEETWOOD ENT., INC.from 07/01/1995 to 01/31/1996V (Vehicle)89507/20/1998MFRFLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.06/26/199807/01/1998571205
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryThis 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace these windows.
NotesOwner notification is expected to begin july 20, 1998.owners who take their motor homes 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.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EQUIPMENT
9834802/09/1998600253Subject on domestic ice maker installation and operation. *yc05/01/1998
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
0421200804/21/200810025322Consumer maintenance advisory, generator fuel lines. fleetwood motor home owners. csc was received. *pe07/29/2008
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
33602/15/199752242Operating instructions for bendix washer/dryer. *jd07/17/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
04/28/2001205/01/1997
 On the date indicated, while the motorhome was plugged into 115v 30 amp a/c power, with one roof air conditioner operating, an electrical fire occurred in the junction box. the fire, apparently caused by a short circuit, consumed a considerable amount of wiring insulation. fortunately, the fire did not spread to other material. damage required replacement of the powertek breaker box and repair of the wiring. this was the second time that this had occurred in this motorhome. a very similar electrical short and fire occurred in july 2000. damage was not as extensive and only the wiring needed to be repaired. these incidents are being reported to nhtsa as a safety hazard. other owners of the discovery motorhome have reported similar incidents. fleetwood has refused to provide me with any financial assistance to correct the damage resulting from the most recent incident. to the best of my knowledge, fleetwood has never acknowledged the problem. no recall has ever been issued. there are no special periodic maintenance procedures in the owner's manual nor have any been sent to owners. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
11/01/2000209/30/2000
 When headlights were turned on electrical wiring and headlight switch started melting, there was smoke under dash. consumer could only drive during day time.*ak *jb
EQUIPMENT - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
08/04/199905/01/1997
 Magic chef range: top forward valve sticks in on position and can't be turned off. turned all the propane off, and still it was on. contacted dealer, and replaced the forward valve. however, it happened again. serial# to the range 10885756sh and model#85tb3bk. *ak *ml
310/26/1996
 The large burner control valve started to stick in the on position due to excessive heat to the point that it partially melted the plastic knob, this is possibly a design flaw and potentially a safety hazard. nlm
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
06/17/2011105200
 Tl- the contact owns a 1997 fleetwood discovery. the contact stated that he smelled something burning from in front of the vehicle and noticed that the wires in the headlights had melted. the contact repaired the failure. the dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 105,200 and the current mileage was 105,663. nw
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
1
 Brake lights fail due to design flaw, diode kit needs to be installed.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
11/01/2000209/30/2000
 When headlights were turned on electrical wiring and headlight switch started melting, there was smoke under dash. consumer could only drive during day time.*ak *jb
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY
07/07/20001
 While operating motorhome at highway speed, its fuel line ruptured, resulting in diesel fuel seepage throughout motorhome.*ak
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH
411/29/1996
 Side door opens while vehicle is in motion.
TIRES
3
 During a recent trip the motorhome experienced three blowouts, the tires had 33000 miles on it (michelin size 235/80r/22.5 xtrv tires).
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - BLOWER
04/15/2001107/01/1997
 While vehicle was parked in consumer's driveway it caught on fire, and was completely destroyed. an allstate insurance inspector stated that circuit board in front heating vent was faulty and failed. this resulted in fan coming on and remaining on .*ak *jb
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - CONTROLS/WIRING
04/22/2001107/01/1997
 Insurance investagater said fire due to faulty heater circut board, this caused fan to come on blowing fire through motorhome, other owners of this type of motorhome should be informed to the posiblity of fires, if we were in the motorhome we could have been seriously injured or killed. fleetwood said no responseability would be taken on their part, fleetwood did take an accident report.
VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES - EXTERIOR
 Left side drivers mirror is mounted so driver is looking yhrough the side tinted window and reflects curbside traffic into the left side mirror.
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD
12/15/2001209/01/1999
 Front windshield keeps popping out.*ak *tt