- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Fleetwood Discovery Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (3) and the lights (2). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in July 2009 for the equipment. For comparison, the 2002 has 2 and the 2004 has 12.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Discovery year, for its age
#255 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Fleetwood Discovery problems
Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Fleetwood Discovery recalls 4
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
- 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.
- The risk
- If this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.
- The fix
- 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.
- 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.
- The problem
- On certain model s motor homes, the reinforced liquid propane (lp) gas rubber hose can be pinched during slide-out room operation.
- The risk
- This could lead to a lp gas leak with the potential for explosion and/or fire.
- The fix
- 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 say
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6 complaints about the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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
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...
Read the full complaint
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
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
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
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
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
Fleetwood Discovery: every year compared
All Discovery years2003 Fleetwood Discovery vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Fleetwood Discovery | 6 | 4 | D | |
| 2003 Fleetwood Bounder | 13 | 8 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Fleetwood Excursion P | 2 | 1 | - | Compare |
| 2003 Fleetwood Chesapeake | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2003 Fleetwood American Dream | 1 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Fleetwood Expedition | 1 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel | 1 | 1 | 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 2003 Fleetwood Discovery
Does the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery: equipment (July 2009); recreational vehicle / trailer (July 2008); recreational vehicle / trailer (March 2007); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (May 2003). 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 2003 Fleetwood Discovery?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (3), lights (2), equipment & accessories (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery had?
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 17, 2004 and the latest on June 19, 2014. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 34 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Fleetwood Discovery 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 Discovery years have the most complaints?
1998 (18), 2005 (17), 1999 (16). See every Fleetwood Discovery year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Fleetwood Discovery 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