ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH OPTION #149

Oct 03, 2002 — Recall Campaign #02V271000

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH OPTION #149 (NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS), THE ELECTRICAL WIRING MAY BE PINCHED AT THE REAR OF THE REFRIGERATOR CAUSING THE WIRING TO SHORT AGAINST OTHER WIRES IN THE AREA OR METAL COMPONENTS OF THE REFRIGERATOR.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 69 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

02V271000

Manufacturer:	FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC.
Recall date:	October 03, 2002
NHTSA Campaign #:	02V271000
Units affected:	69

Description:: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH OPTION #149 (NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS), THE ELECTRICAL WIRING MAY BE PINCHED AT THE REAR OF THE REFRIGERATOR CAUSING THE WIRING TO SHORT AGAINST OTHER WIRES IN THE AREA OR METAL COMPONENTS OF THE REFRIGERATOR.
Consequeces:: THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, REPLACE OR REPAIR DAMAGED 110 VOLT AND 12 VOLT WIRES AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 11, 2002. 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:: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2002 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY

2002 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY Complaints
MULTIPLE TIRES EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL BLOW-OUT ON MICHELIN 255/80 R 22.5 XRV. I HAVE A 2002 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY MOTORHOME WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS JUST OVER 17,000 MILES ON IT. TO DATE I HAVE EXPERIENCED FOUR OUT OF SIX TIRE SIDEWALL FAILURES WHICH MICHELIN DESCRIBES AS A "ZIPPER RIP". THE FIRST BLOW-OUT WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT ON 5/13/2005 @ 15,025 MILES. THE MOTORHOME WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE UNTIL MY MOST RECENT TRIP. ON THIS TRIP I EXPERIENCED THREE MORE BLOW-OUTS WITHIN 36 HOURS OF WHICH 11 HOURS WERE SPENT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AWAITING SERVICE AND 5 HOURS SLEEPING. THE SECOND BLOW-OUT WAS THE INSIDE LEFT REAR WHICH OCCURRED ON 10/30/2005 @ 17,133 MILES, THE THIRD BLOW-OUT WAS THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR WHICH OCCURRED ON 10/30/2005 @ 17,483 MILES AND THE FOURTH BLOW-OUT WAS THE OUTSIDE LEFT REAR WHICH OCCURRED ON 10/31/2005 @ 17,760 MILES. TO PREVENT A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL I ROTATED THE "NEW REPLACEMENT" FOR THE RIGHT REAR (INCIDENT #3) TO THE RIGHT FRONT TO PREVENT A FRONT TIRE FAILURE. EACH BLOW-OUT RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO MY MOTORHOME. I HAVE SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO BOTH REAR FENDER SKIRTS AND A CARGO BIN. ONE INSTANCE CAUSED ME TO GO ONTO THE SHOULDER AND HIT A MILE MARKER WHICH SCRATCHED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE COACH FOR SEVERAL FEET. THE SAME INCIDENT KNOCKED OUT MY INSTRUMENTATION ON THE DASH RENDERING ALL GAUGES INOPERABLE. I KEEP THIS MOTORHOME IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE AND AM VERY PROFICIENT AT MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE INFLATION. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT I WEIGHED MY MOTORHOME FULLY LOADED ON A CAT CERTIFIED SCALE TO ENSURE PROPER LOAD. BASED ON THE TIRE AND THE MOTORHOME MANUFACTURER'S WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS I WAS WITHIN LOAD SPECIFICATIONS. I CONTINUE TO HEAR NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM FELLOW RV ENTHUSIASTS CONCERNING THE XRV AND XZE TIRES FAILING AS DESCRIBED. I BELIEVE THIS PRODUCT TO BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *NM;