1997 Fleetwood Southwind Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 53,750miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind. The part named most often is brakes, with 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment (2) and body and structure (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 53,750 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Equipment complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes4 50%
- Equipment2 25%
- Body and structure1 13%
- Tires1 13%
Example complaints
Brakes: “The automatic park brake came on while driving and would not release when placed in reverse. A new part was placed on the vehicle, but problem still exists. There were times where the vehicle was warmed and would not go into gear and the brake would not release.”
NHTSA complaint #10089421, filed 2004-09, 15,000 milesEquipment: “The automatic 12 volt step at the entrance door failed to extend when the door was opened in the dark . Causing my wife to fall since there was no step. Requiring surgery, a plate and screws to be put in her ankle.”
NHTSA complaint #10104633, filed 2004-12, 55,000 milesBody and structure: “The automatic electric step did not come out when suppose to upon opening the doors. This caused the consumer to fall out, and break his leg. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10107197, filed 2005-01, 60,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 60,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V120000Mar 19, 2007Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Fleetwood Southwind 1997–2004, Bounder 1997–2004, Discovery 1997–2004 +20 more
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…
- 96V236000Nov 22, 1996Visibility › Power window devices and controlsCovers: Fleetwood Southwind 1997, Bounder 1997, Flair 1997 +3 more
The e-z slide-out room can operate unexpectedly. Water can cause an electrical short in the slide-out room control relay.
Recall details for the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10025322Apr 21, 2008Fuel system. Fleetwood service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Consumer maintenance advisory, generator fuel lines. Fleetwood motor home owners. Csc was received.
Other model years of the Fleetwood Southwind
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 | 20,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 13 | 14,194 | 8 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 24 | 25,000 | 8 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 8 | 14,250 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 7 | 28,177 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 13 | 16,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 8 | 53,750 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 11 | 40,690 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 15 | 76,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 9 | 23,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 6 | 25,632 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Fleetwood Southwind model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment with 2.
Has the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Fleetwood Southwind reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 53,750 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 60,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.