NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Fleetwood Discovery Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Fleetwood Discovery has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Fleetwood dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2003 Fleetwood Discovery owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery, describing incidents dated June 20, 2003 to November 5, 2013.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 3 complaints
Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint

Of the 6 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10604437 · Filed June 19, 2014
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…
ODI #10163440 · Filed July 25, 2006
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…
ODI #10105395 · Filed December 28, 2004
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

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE06-005: INADVERTENT SLIDE-OUT EXTENSION MOVEMENT
Closed May 2, 2006

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

REFRIGERATOR FIRE/NORCOLD

NHTSA #09V312000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported July 28, 2009 · FLEETWOOD RV, INC.

Potentially affected: 6,684 vehicles

Owners notified June 26, 2009 · Vehicles built June 29, 2000 – January 29, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

REFRIGERATOR/DOMETIC

NHTSA #08V320000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported July 15, 2008 · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Potentially affected: 70,101 vehicles

Owners notified October 24, 2008 · Vehicles built April 1, 2003 – November 30, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

REFRIGERATOR/DOMETIC

NHTSA #07V120000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported March 19, 2007 · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Potentially affected: 167,096 vehicles

Owners notified May 10, 2007 · Vehicles built April 1, 1997 – July 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FLEETWOOD/LP HOSE LEAK

NHTSA #03V180000 · Fuel System, Other — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported May 16, 2003 · FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.

Potentially affected: 516 vehicles

Fleetwood campaign 30516 · Owners notified June 11, 2003 · Vehicles built June 26, 2002 – February 28, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MODEL S MOTOR HOMES, THE REINFORCED LIQUID PROPANE (LP) GAS RUBBER HOSE CAN BE PINCHED DURING SLIDE-OUT ROOM OPERATION.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO A LP GAS LEAK WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSION AND/OR FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

FLEETWOOD RECALL NO. 30516.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Fleetwood Discovery.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10604437

Incident: November 5, 2013 · Filed: June 19, 2014

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

Electrical System

ODI #10163440

Fire

Incident: July 23, 2006 · Filed: July 25, 2006

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 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

Visibility

ODI #10105395

Incident: November 11, 2003 · Filed: December 28, 2004

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

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Equipment

ODI #10100232

Incident: June 20, 2003 · Filed: November 19, 2004

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

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10080878

Incident: June 21, 2003 · Filed: July 12, 2004

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

Suspension

ODI #10055978

Incident: January 17, 2004 · Filed: March 17, 2004

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

Other Fleetwood Discovery model years

Check your 2003 Fleetwood Discovery VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Fleetwood Discovery at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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