2003 Fleetwood Discovery

Routine

Owners filed 6 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the exterior lighting › hazard flashing warning lights. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System2
010
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension1
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment09V312000
Filed Jul 28, 20096,684 vehiclesFleetwood Rv, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer08V320000
Filed Jul 15, 200870,101 vehiclesFleetwood Enterprises, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer07V120000
Filed Mar 19, 2007167,096 vehiclesFleetwood Enterprises, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings03V180000
Filed May 16, 2003516 vehiclesFleetwood Enterprises, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN MODEL S MOTOR HOMES, THE REINFORCED LIQUID PROPANE (LP) GAS RUBBER HOSE CAN BE PINCHED DURING SLIDE-OUT ROOM OPERATION.

Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO A LP GAS LEAK WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSION AND/OR FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE/RE-ROUTE THE LP GAS RUBBER HOSE AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 11, 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 19, 2014104,200 milesOH

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-77 NEARING STATESVILLE, NC, THE CONVECTION OVEN/MICROWAVE FELL OUT OF THE CEILING FACE DOWN ONTO THE STOVE. IT APPEARS THAT THE BRACKETS PULLED OUT OF THE OVEN CAUSING IT TO FALL. THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY REASON FOR A CONVECTION OVEN TO FALL OUT OF THE CEILING OF A MOTORHOME UNLESS OF A DESIGN FLAW OR SOMEONE NOT MOUNTING THE OVEN CORRECTLY. AFTER THINKING ABOUT IT, THIS OVEN HAS ALWAYS BOUNCED AND MADE SQUEAKING NOISES WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD, HOWEVER, I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD FALL OUT OF THE CEILING. IT COULD NOT BE MOUNTED CORRECTLY AS WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A NEW ONE INSTALLED, THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 25, 200663,000 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY HOME AND THE MOTORHOME CUT OFF AND BACK ON AND THEN DID IT AGAIN. BEFORE I COULD PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE ALARM FOR THE REAR AIR BRAKES SOUNDED AND THE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ZERO, AND THEN IT COMPLETELY LOST ALL ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER. I DRIFTED TO A STOP. IN MY SIDE MIRROR I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE REAR DRIVERS COMPARTMENT. I RAN TO THE REAR OF THE MOTORHOME AND SAW FIRE COMING OUT OF THE SECOND COMPARTMENT FROM THE REAR. I OPENED THE DOOR AND FLAMES SHOT OUT. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND ELECTRICAL BOXES AND POWER INVERTER. I TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. BUT IT WENT OUT AND FIRED RIGHT BACK UP. I CALLED 911 AND THEN GRABBED A SECOND AND THIRD ONE WITH THE SAME RESULTS. WHEN I GOT THERE WITH THE FOURTH ONE THE FIRE HAD SPREAD TO THE TOP OF THE MOTOR. AS I WAS STILL TRYING TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL A COUNTY SHERIFF CAME UP AND TRIED TO HELP WITH ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN THE FIRE KEPT BUILDING HE TOLD ME TO GET AWAY. WITH IN 5 TO 7 MIN. THE FIRE DEPT. GOT THERE AND TOOK OVER. IT TOOK THEM ABOUT 30 TO 40 MIN. TO PUT IT OUT. THE FIREMEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AND ELECTRICAL FIRE. WHEN IT WAS OVER IT WAS TOO FAR GONE TO SAVE. I FEEL THAT IT WAS AND ELECTRICAL DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE IT TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Dec 28, 200415,000 milesOH

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS COLD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TOUCH THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY RECOMMENDED THE WINTER PACKAGE, WHICH WAS DONE, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST, NOW THEY RECOMMEND OILING THE PIVOTS. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Nov 19, 20041,500 milesCA

WHILE IN MOTION AND DURING OPERATION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/DASH INSTRUMENTATION, AND WARNING EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND POWER FAILS AND WILL NOT OPERATE UNLESS ALLOWED TO BACK POWER THE UNIT THROUGH THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER HAS MADE 5 ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR. MS* NM*AND CA* FIRST STARTED JUNE 03 AND PROBLEM CONTINUES TO DATE (NOVEMBER 04). *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jul 12, 20041,200 milesCA

DURING ACTIVE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, DASH INSTRUMENTATION FAILS AND BECOMES NON-FUNCTIONING. LIGHTS, BRAKE AND BLINKING, FAIL TO OPERATE. ENGINE START WILL FAIL UNLESS POWER IS ALLOWED TO BACK TRAVEL THROUGH LIGHTING CIRCUIT. ALL SAFETY INSTRUMENTATION FAILS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THERE HAVE BEEN 4 ATTEMPTS BY THE MANUFACTURER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. NO RESOLUTION IS IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. *LA

Suspension
Filed Mar 17, 200430,800 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THIS CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BRAKE SHOES NEEDED TO BE SET. *AK *MR

6 of 6 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20240100Routine
20230300Routine
20220200Routine
20211200Routine
20201100Routine
20192000Routine
20180400Routine
20171200Routine
20141300Routine
20131100Routine
20110300Routine
20100200Routine
20090400Routine
20083710Routine
20074300Routine
20069500Routine
200517200Routine
200412300Routine
2003 — this page6410Routine
20022300Routine
20019200Routine
20009200Routine
199916200Routine
199818200Routine
199713440Routine
19963200Routine

Compare every Discovery year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 28, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.