- The 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.
- The risk
- Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
1998 Fleetwood Bounder Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (5) and the fuel system (5). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 2 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in March 2007 for the recreational vehicle / trailer. For comparison, the 1997 has 29 and the 1999 has 35.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Bounder year, for its age
#132 most complained-about 1998 vehicle
- Complaints
- 24
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1998 Fleetwood Bounder problems
Share of all 24 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1998 Fleetwood Bounder recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Vehicle description: class a motor homes. These motor homes, when fully equipped and loaded with typical cargo, will experience an overloaded condition on the rear axle.
- The risk
- This could cause the rear axle components to fail prematurely resulting in loss of vehicle control.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the rear axle with a new higher capacity rear axle.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: class a motor homes. The hydraulic hoses which operate the leveling jack system is routed too close to the engine exhaust manifold causing the hose to melt, releasing hydraulic fluid.
- The risk
- This hydraulic fluid can ignite in the engine compartment causing a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect, replace any damaged hoses, and relocate the affected hydraulic lines.
What owners say
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24 complaints about the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
I own and operate a general repair shop. My tech replaced front wheel abs sensors on for mentioned vehicle. Workhorse mfg part numbers (w8006778) and (w8006803). While on test drive the abs system entered false deployment mode at 15mph while approaching a busy highway intersection. I had to stand on the brake pedal with both feet and slam the transmission into low to bring the vehicle to stop. The nose of the coach ended blocking half a lane of traffic. No accident. Fyi, this vehicle gvw is 20,000 lbs. (...
Read the full complaint
Note: the following is technical in nature.) I drove the vehicle back to the shop to initiate investigation. Using a dvom I measured the voltage amplitude out of the new wheel speed sensors. The front left measured .068V ac and the front right measured .286V ac. This is the cause of the false deployment. I then removed the front wheels to inspect the sensors and discovered the source of the failure. The replacement sensors are manufacture without location dowels. The location dowels set the critical clearance gap between the reluctor and sensor. This clearance gap has a narrow plus or minus tolerance. When the tolerance is lost the abs system will enter a false deployment mode ( abs system activates and blocks brake fluid pressure being applied to the brake calipers ). The new replacement abs sensors have no location dowels there for tolerances as designed are not achieved. This is why I lost control of 10 tons of vehicle. The part supplier, part manufacturer, and chassis builder have been served full notice of this flaw. The gm case reference number is [[redacted]]. Thank you, [[redacted]] master ase truck certified master ase car certified master ase engine machinist certified ase l1 certified walworth county circuit court appointed expert witness information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
Gasoline leaking from cracked fuel line between main gas tank and generator on 1998 fleetwood bounder motorhome. Concern about danger of leaking gasoline but there is also some type of electrical connection directly adjacent to leak. If there was any spark from this connection, it may cause gas tank to explode. I have run the generator 3 times without running the motorhome engine and have had gas leak each time. *Tr
Dt*: the contact stated there are four thermo-pane windows in the motor home located in the driver's compartment. Three of these windows have developed a leak, causing the windows to fog reducing the drivers vision. The dealership has been informed. Updated 08/14/06. *Jb
While driving 60 mph emergency brake engaged. As a result, consumer was able to pull off the road. *Ak......While driving through down town atlanta the emergency brake engaged, nearly throwing the driver ans passenger (s) out of their seats. If this occurred on ice/snow it could have been disasterous. *Ak
The vehicle has been serviced for the parking brake failure four times. The vehicle has rolled back while in the park position. The consumer received a periodic maintenance letter from the manufacturer because of the complaint on the brake.*Jb
Vehicle is leaking fuel onto the ground due to a defective hose that was located near fuel tank and generator.*Ak
Consumer states that there is a problem with the generator making noises. Dealer was notified. The fuel line was cracked. Consumer had to change fuel line to the coach generator (110vac-5.5 Kva) *mr the consumer states that the fuel line is installed from oem chasis chevrolet to the coach generator by fleetwood and has a material manufacturing defect which results in an unsafe condition allowing hydro carbons to vent into the atmosphere and potentially allowing the fuel to escape to the hot sufaces of the onan generator, which can result in a fire/personal injury and or death. *Scc
The driver windshield popped out at bottom due to flaw at factory. 5/8 Of fiber glass were needed to close the gap between the rubber seal and the body. *Yh
A repair man changing a flat tire discovered the propane line located in front of the wheel was broken and the wire harness above the wheel well cover was split, the protective cover over the wheel was destroyed. The manufacturer refused to pay the dealer to look at the defect because vehicle was out of warranty. Consumer will seek legal reimbursement for monies paid. *Jg
I will make this short. I own a rv made by fleetwood. Going to florida with family we had a flat tire. The tire tore up wheel well cover and then destroyed a main wiring harness with both ac/dc power. The main concern was it also broke a gas line, that could have caused an explosion from the sparking wires. The manufacturer has told me to go to hell, that they would not pay a dime for repair since the vehicle is out of warranty. This is wrong and needs to be investigated as my family and I could have been injured or even killed from a gas explosion.*Ak
There was a quarter of an inch gap in windshield. Took vehicle to dealer stated that vehicle was out of warranty. Problem still exists. *Ak consumer stated that the windshield popped out at bottom due to flaw at factory. 5/8 Inch of fiver glass was needed to close the gap between the rubber seal and the body. *Yh
Front left tire was wearing unevenly. After inspection at dealership consumer was informed that bolt holding tie rod in place was loose and ready to snap.*Ak consumer states that the left and front right tires were worn on the inner side due to the 4 bolts holding the tie rod assembly were loose and ready to snap. *Slc
Many fleetwood owners report their headlight lenses cloud over (become milky) and therefore the light output is drastically reduced. This defect appears on the outside of the lense. Fleetwood has fixed the problem when a motorhome is under warranty. But, if it not...They refuse to do anything. They have been aware of this problem for many years!!!!
Parking brake mounted on driveshaft. Had put on parking brake, and vehicle started to roll away. Parking brake had burned up. Would need to put down electric jack to prevent motor home from rolling away. *Ak
The air conditioner shroud nearly seperated from the vehicle due to stress cracks around the mounting bolts. I had to remove the cover to continue my trip. *Ak
My vehicle is a 35 ft motor home built by fleetwood enterprises, inc., Riverside, ca, the coach was constructed on a ford f-super duty class a motor home chassis witha 228 " wheel base. Ford rates the max gvwr at 17,000 lbs witha 6000 lb front axle capacity. The load on the front axle has been measured by the manufacturer at 5710 lbs. Totally empty . This will not allow a driver and passenger to be in the vehicle without overloading the front axle. *Ak
The slideout room is not aligned properly with the body and allows carbon monoxide to leak in when we run the generator. The rubber seals don't seal because the slideout is twisted. The motorhome was returned to the factory once to repair the slideout. My dealer has tested and verified co leakage and has come up with several theories and reasons for the leakage, but no remedy. The last time we used the generator, the co detector went off in seven minutes with the window that is farthest from the generator open and the ceiling fan on. We can't use the generator. We have three phone numbers -- land line (425) 290-7109 and two cell phones, (425) 478-3698 and 478-3691. Thank you. *Ak
The generator exhaust our 1998 bounder 32k seeps back into the motohome and raises the co2 levels to unsafe levels. This results in the co2 detector being set off. This has happened every time we have used our motorhome.
Model 32h - rear of vehicle within 500 lbs maximum axle rating with no water, no gear, and 3/4 tank fuel. 100 Gallon (800 lbs) water tank and almost all available storage behind rear axle. Vehicle will almost always be over rated rear axle weight when in operation. Problem corrected in 1999 model with longer wheelbase and higher rated rear axle. Recall activated for slideout models, but not standard models like mine. Fleetwood and ford notified a year ago with no action taken. No failure yet (your form will not accept zero failures), but am concerned about the future.
Slide out would go in and out without the key in control. Mjs
If dome light switch is turned on, both headlights instantly burn out. Fuse left in by mistake at ford. All ford f-53 chassis (1999) it also drains battery when stored. Fix--remove fuse that enables dome light switch. Domelight switch is part of dash dimmer switch.
When the motorhome was involved in a crash all overhead cabinets above driver and the passenger fell down, causing injuries to both occupants. The motorhome was totalled in the crash. Manufacturer was notified about the crash. *Ak
Recall on motorhome chasis, unable to talk to anyone who can refer hin to a dealer the can service the motorhome.
While camping smelled something burning. Found wires were too closely together, they shorted out and burned .
Fleetwood Bounder: every year compared
All Bounder years1998 Fleetwood Bounder vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Fleetwood Bounder | 24 | 3 | D | |
| 1998 Fleetwood Discovery | 18 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1998 Fleetwood Pace Arrow | 11 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1998 Fleetwood American Eagle | 9 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1998 Fleetwood Fleetwood | 8 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1998 Fleetwood Jamboree | 7 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1998 Fleetwood American Dream | 4 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1998 Fleetwood Avion | 3 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1998 Fleetwood Flair | 3 | 3 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder
Does the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder: recreational vehicle / trailer (March 2007); rear (January 1999); integrated jack / leveler / stabilizer (October 1997). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (5), fuel system (5), brakes (4).
How many complaints has the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder had?
24 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 6, 1998 and the latest on August 25, 2016. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1998 Fleetwood Bounder a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 29 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Fleetwood Bounder year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Fleetwood Bounder years have the most complaints?
1999 (35), 1997 (29), 2004 (28). See every Fleetwood Bounder year compared.
What should I do if my 1998 Fleetwood Bounder has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data