U.S. public vehicle records

1998 Fleetwood SOUTHWIND problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

16,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 13 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues	1	7.7%
Steering behavior	1	7.7%
Fuel system concerns	1	7.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Suspension

Unknown Or Other

Electrical System:Wiring

Equipment:Mechanical:Slide-In Camper

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit

Steering

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Suspension	2
Unknown Or Other	2
Electrical System:Wiring	1
Equipment:Mechanical:Slide-In Camper	1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	1
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit	1
Steering	1

Suspension: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Slide-In Camper: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Steering: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1998

1999

2000

2001

2007

1998: 6; 1999: 2; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2007: 1

Pattern summary

Suspension leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 835097 · 1999-02-19 (February 19, 1999)

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. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 835097 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 548145 · 1999-08-24 (August 24, 1999)

VEHICLE IS DESIGNED WITH STEERING PROBLEMS, INSTALLATION OF AN AFTER MARKET ITEM NEEDED TO BE PURCHASED TO ILLIMINATE STEERING PROBLEMS. MJS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 548145 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 751926 · 2001-09-08 (September 8, 2001)

THE FUEL LINE TO THE GENERATOR ROTTED OUT AND BEGAN LEAKING DOWN THE FUEL TANK. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751926 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

7.7%Usable mileage1 / 13 records

69.2%Valid incident date9 / 13 records

100.0%Valid filing date13 / 13 records

69.2%Ordered incident and filing dates9 / 13 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2009	2010	2011	2012	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Visibility:Windshield	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Body	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11443973 This “Defect” refers to the leveling system of a Class A motorhome; specifically a Southwind 35K manufactured by Fleetwood on a Ford F53 chassis. This is a gas powered, front engine motorhome. Overview: The leveling system provides a means of stabilizing the motorhome when parked by extending jacks to the ground and relies on a system of high-pressure hoses and jacks to perform this function. Two sets of hoses are used, one set extends or lowers the jacks and the other retracts or raises them. The jacks NEED to be in the retracted state in… Look up ODI 11443973 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11656807 The storage compartments melted due to being to close to the exhaust pipe. Also the external propane pipe is very the exhaust pipe Look up ODI 11656807 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11443973 This “Defect” refers to the leveling system of a Class A motorhome; specifically a Southwind 35K manufactured by Fleetwood on a Ford F53 chassis. This is a gas powered, front engine motorhome. Overview: The leveling system provides a means of stabilizing the motorhome when parked by extending jacks to the ground and relies on a system of high-pressure hoses and jacks to perform this function. Two sets of hoses are used, one set extends or lowers the jacks and the other retracts or raises them. The jacks NEED to be in the retracted state in… Look up ODI 11443973 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Parking Brake	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Frame And Members	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Visibility	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11542899 · 1,500 mi The contact owns a 2017 Fleetwood Southwind RV built on a 2017 Ford F53 chassis. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side windows delaminated with white spots, preventing the driver from seeing the side mirrors while attempting to change lanes while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the RV was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500. Look up ODI 11542899 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2022: 1 complaints · 2023: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2022	1	1	1
2023	0	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2022	1	0	0
2023	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Suspension	Unknown Or Other	Electrical System:Wiring	Equipment:Mechanical:Slide-In Camper	Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit	Steering
Suspension	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	—	1 ODI 835097 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. *AK Look up ODI 835097 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring	0	1 ODI 835097 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. *AK Look up ODI 835097 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0
Equipment:Mechanical:Slide-In Camper	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Steering	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.