The 1996 Fleetwood Southwind has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 881 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM96V1020001996-06-18881 affected
Defect
THE ELECTRIC WIRE USED TO POWER THE EXPANDABLE ROOM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A CIRCUIT BREAKER. OVERHEATING OF THE WIRE CAN OCCUR WITH INCORRECT EXPANDABLE ROOM OPERATION.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE WIRE INSULATION TO MELT, CAUSING SMOKE AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER TO THE EXPANDABLE ROOM SYSTEM PUMP MOTOR WIRE. FLEETWOOD WILL ALSO PROVIDE A VEHICLE LABEL TO IDENTIFY THE LOCATION OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER, AND WILL PROVIDE OWNER'S MANUAL LITERATURE TO IDENTIFY THE CIRCUIT BREAKER LOCATION.
Complaints by component
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
2deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
EQUIPMENT
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1
PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC
1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
1
Total complaints14
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Failure of the automatic park brake on a chevy p30 chassis. *ak”
“Purchased a 1996 fleetwood southwind 34' motorhome (gm chassis) from giant rv in upland and after only 100 miles of driving, both driver side rear wheels separated from the axle. I believe the axle shaft broke but giant rv will not talk to me about it. *la”
“Purchased a 1996 fleetwood southwind 34' motorhome (gm chassis) from giant rv in upland and after only 100 miles of driving, both driver side rear wheels separated from the axle. I believe the axle shaft broke but giant rv will not talk to me about it. *la”
“Windshield falling out”
“Windshield has started to separate from seal at top on both sides. Dealer will be notified. *ak consumer adds passenger side exterior rubber gasket is not staying attached to fiberglass body of motorhome, causing windshield to tip out at top corner. Dealer took glass out and reset. Consumer…”
“My father and his friend both died from carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping in a fleetwood southwind motorhome in november of 1999. Carbon monoxide from the onan generator filled the motor home with the deadly fumes. We are currently in litigation with fleetwood, onan and the dealership.…”
“Headlights go on and off intermittently after being on for a while. Also, defect within windshield causes it to become loose from the mounting. Repairwork done. Manufacturer aware of the problems. Problems still exists. Provide further information. *ak”
“Headlights go on and off intermittently after being on for a while. Also, defect within windshield causes it to become loose from the mounting. Repairwork done. Manufacturer aware of the problems. Problems still exists. Provide further information. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Fleetwood Southwind as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.