Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2004 Fleetwood American Eagle
The 2004 Fleetwood American Eagle is a generally reliable vehicle but has several recalls concerning equipment and steering components. Notably, issues with steering gears and hydraulic systems could significantly impact safety. Verify recalls are addressed and test drive to identify potential problems before purchasing.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Fleetwood American Eagle has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #08V320000 REFRIGERATOR/DOMETIC NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V583000 STEERING GEAR SPACER/FREIGHTLINER/ZF NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V120000 REFRIGERATOR/DOMETIC NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V216000 BURNER TUBES /VEHICLE SYSTEMS/WEBASTO NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V166000 PNEUMATIC LINE PINCHED/FLUID LEAK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V196000 FLEETWOOD/CERT LABEL/INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V034000 FLEETWOOD/SPARTAN/HYDRAULIC PUMP NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V304000 FLEETWOOD/DOOR ENTRY ELECTRIC POWER NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Loss of steering
How to check: Inspect steering gear functionality and service record for recall repair.
Hydraulic fluid leak
How to check: Check for leaks near hydraulic system and filter area.
Entry doorstep malfunction
How to check: Verify doorstep functions correctly in 'last out' mode.
Water heater burner failure
How to check: Examine water heater for signs of premature failure.
Incorrect tire pressure label
How to check: Confirm tire pressure label matches manufacturer requirements.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Ease of starting and listen for unusual noises.
Red flag: Hard start or knocking sounds.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Steering responsiveness and fluidity.
Red flag: Steering feels sticky or rough.
- 03
Low-speed maneuvering
What to check: Check hydraulic system for leaks when turning.
Red flag: Fluid leaks when steering.
- 04
Medium-speed driving
What to check: Ensure smooth operation of entry doorstep.
Red flag: Doorstep does not deploy correctly.
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Verify power and smoothness during acceleration.
Red flag: Sudden loss of power or hesitation.
- 06
Braking from speed
What to check: Brake pedal feel and stopping performance.
Red flag: Pulsating pedal or poor stopping power.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the steering recall been addressed?
- Are there any persistent hydraulic leaks?
- Has the doorstep feature been fixed?
- Have the water heater burners been replaced?
- Is the tire pressure label correct?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Maintenance history
- Water heater service record
- Tire pressure certificate
- Warranty information if available
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Fleetwood American Eagle at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
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