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1997 Fleetwood Discovery

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

13 reports
105,200 miles · Jun 23, 2011
Exterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRES WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,200 AND THE CURRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FLEETWOOD DISCOVERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRES WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FAILURE AND BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,663.

NHTSA ODI #10408711

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Visibility

FRONT WINDSHIELD KEEPS POPPING OUT.*AK *TT

NHTSA ODI #8007672

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2001
Tires

DURING A RECENT TRIP THE MOTORHOME EXPERIENCED THREE BLOWOUTS, THE TIRES HAD 33000 MILES ON IT (MICHELIN SIZE 235/80R/22.5 XTRV TIRES).

NHTSA ODI #562599

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

ON THE DATE INDICATED, WHILE THE MOTORHOME WAS PLUGGED INTO 115V 30 AMP A/C POWER, WITH ONE ROOF AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OCCURRED IN THE JUNCTION BOX. THE FIRE, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT, CONSUMED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WIRING INSULATION. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD TO OTHER MATERIAL…

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ON THE DATE INDICATED, WHILE THE MOTORHOME WAS PLUGGED INTO 115V 30 AMP A/C POWER, WITH ONE ROOF AIR CONDITIONER OPERATING, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OCCURRED IN THE JUNCTION BOX. THE FIRE, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT, CONSUMED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WIRING INSULATION. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE DID NOT SPREAD TO OTHER MATERIAL. DAMAGE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWERTEK BREAKER BOX AND REPAIR OF THE WIRING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAD OCCURRED IN THIS MOTORHOME. A VERY SIMILAR ELECTRICAL SHORT AND FIRE OCCURRED IN JULY 2000. DAMAGE WAS NOT AS EXTENSIVE AND ONLY THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THESE INCIDENTS ARE BEING REPORTED TO NHTSA AS A SAFETY HAZARD. OTHER OWNERS OF THE DISCOVERY MOTORHOME HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR INCIDENTS. FLEETWOOD HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, FLEETWOOD HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. NO RECALL HAS EVER BEEN ISSUED. THERE ARE NO SPECIAL PERIODIC MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL NOR HAVE ANY BEEN SENT TO OWNERS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #746007

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2001
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHEN HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON ELECTRICAL WIRING AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH STARTED MELTING, THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER DASH. CONSUMER COULD ONLY DRIVE DURING DAY TIME.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #887697

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2001
VisibilityFire

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN ALLSTATE INSURANCE INSPECTOR STATED THAT CIRCUIT BOARD IN FRONT HEATING VENT WAS FAULTY AND FAILED. THIS RESULTED IN FAN COMING ON AND REMAINING ON .*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #887672

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2001
VisibilityFire

INSURANCE INVESTAGATER SAID FIRE DUE TO FAULTY HEATER CIRCUT BOARD, THIS CAUSED FAN TO COME ON BLOWING FIRE THROUGH MOTORHOME, OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF MOTORHOME SHOULD BE INFORMED TO THE POSIBLITY OF FIRES, IF WE WERE IN THE MOTORHOME WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. FLEETWOOD SAID NO RESPONSEABILITY WOULD B…

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INSURANCE INVESTAGATER SAID FIRE DUE TO FAULTY HEATER CIRCUT BOARD, THIS CAUSED FAN TO COME ON BLOWING FIRE THROUGH MOTORHOME, OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF MOTORHOME SHOULD BE INFORMED TO THE POSIBLITY OF FIRES, IF WE WERE IN THE MOTORHOME WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. FLEETWOOD SAID NO RESPONSEABILITY WOULD BE TAKEN ON THEIR PART, FLEETWOOD DID TAKE AN ACCIDENT REPORT.

NHTSA ODI #744999

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE OPERATING MOTORHOME AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ITS FUEL LINE RUPTURED, RESULTING IN DIESEL FUEL SEEPAGE THROUGHOUT MOTORHOME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #725632

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2000
Equipment

MAGIC CHEF RANGE: TOP FORWARD VALVE STICKS IN ON POSITION AND CAN'T BE TURNED OFF. TURNED ALL THE PROPANE OFF, AND STILL IT WAS ON. CONTACTED DEALER, AND REPLACED THE FORWARD VALVE. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SERIAL# TO THE RANGE 10885756SH AND MODEL#85TB3BK. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #864685

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2000
Equipment

THE LARGE BURNER CONTROL VALVE STARTED TO STICK IN THE ON POSITION DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT TO THE POINT THAT IT PARTIALLY MELTED THE PLASTIC KNOB, THIS IS POSSIBLY A DESIGN FLAW AND POTENTIALLY A SAFETY HAZARD. NLM

NHTSA ODI #551639

Official recalls

4

07V120000 · Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer

Mar 19, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

00V204000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Jul 27, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX HYDRAULIC LINES ARE ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO A SHARP EDGE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE LINES TO RUPTURE AND RESULT IN A HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FEATURE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, REPLACE OR REPAIR DAMAGED HOSES AS NECESSARY, AND RELOCATE THE AFFECTED HYDRAULIC LINES.

98V147000 · Visibility:windshield

Jun 26, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS," FOR AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF TINT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER REDUCED VISIBILITY THROUGH THE SIDE WINDOWS WHEN BACKING UP, WHEN USING THE MIRRORS FOR LANE CHANGES, OR WHENEVER LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDOWS.

97V236000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Dec 19, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A VINYL PROTECTIVE FRONT COVER. THIS COVER INCLUDES A MESH WHICH COVERS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS MESH INTERFERES WITH THE PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE OF THE HEADLIGHTS RESULTING IN A NONCOMPLIANCE TO FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE INTERFERING MESH CAUSES THE EFFECTIVE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS TO BE LESS THAN REQUIRED. THE DECREASE IN HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS CAN DECREASE THE ABILITY TO VIEW THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN OTHER INSTANCES WHERE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE NEEDED. ALSO, THE DECREASED BRIGHTNESS OF THE TURN SIGNALS WILL AFFECT THE VISIBILITY OF THESE SIGNALS TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND REPAIR PARTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS RECALL. IF OWNERS SO DESIRE, THEY CAN HAVE A DEALER PERFORM THIS REMEDY FOR THEM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.