Fleetwood-Xcursion RV Exposed: Water Intrusion, Slide Failures, DEF Derates, Warranty Delays

Introduction and Model Background

AI-powered research tools have systematically collected and analyzed public information to produce this report. The Fleetwood Xcursion (commonly referenced online as the Fleetwood Excursion) is a mid-length diesel-pusher motorhome historically positioned as a compact, luxury coach within the Fleetwood RV lineup under the REV Group umbrella. It has been sold across multiple model years on Freightliner chassis with Cummins power, marketed for its maneuverable size, upscale interiors, and full-body paint. While some owners report positive touring experiences, a significant volume of public complaints and forum threads depict recurring quality control issues, repair delays, and costly failures that prospective buyers should weigh carefully.

Because the model name is often spelled “Excursion,” consumers researching a “Fleetwood Xcursion” will find the most results by searching both spellings. Throughout this report, we use both spellings where appropriate and provide direct links to relevant searches so readers can verify owner accounts, recalls, and complaint patterns for themselves.

Where to Find Unfiltered Owner Feedback Before You Buy

• Join model-specific Facebook groups for Fleetwood Excursion owners (also try Fleetwood Xcursion groups) to read real-world issues and repair outcomes. Search the groups for “water leaks,” “slide,” “DEF,” “warranty,” and “delays.”
• YouTube: Fleetwood Excursion problems and YouTube: Fleetwood Xcursion problems for owner video walk-throughs of defects and fixes.
• Google search: Fleetwood Excursion problems aggregates forum posts, dealer reviews, and news items; use filters for the past year to prioritize current issues.
• BBB search: Fleetwood Excursion to review complaints, response patterns, and unresolved cases related to the brand/model.
• Owner forums: browse and search by model on RVForums.com, RVForum.net, and RVUSA Forum for maintenance threads and fix guides.
• Consumer reports and reviews: RVInsider: Fleetwood Excursion problems.
• Reddit communities: r/rvs: Fleetwood Excursion problems, r/RVLiving search, and r/GoRVing search.
• Recalls and investigations: check by model at NHTSA recalls: Fleetwood Excursion.
• General complaint aggregators: browse PissedConsumer and search for “Fleetwood Excursion” or “Fleetwood Xcursion.”

Investigative channels like Liz Amazing’s RV consumer advocacy channel regularly spotlight systemic RV quality and service failures; search her channel for the model you’re considering to see if similar patterns appear for the Fleetwood Excursion or comparables.

Have you owned this model? Add your firsthand insights for other shoppers.

Why a Third-Party RV Inspection Is Essential Before Signing

Before purchase—new or used—hire an independent NRVIA-certified or seasoned third‑party RV inspector. This is often your only leverage point to have issues corrected before money changes hands and priority drops. Many buyers report cancelled trips and months-long waits while their RV sits at a dealer service bay with backordered parts. Protect yourself by arranging an inspection and making repairs or holdbacks a condition of closing.

• Search for local professionals: RV Inspectors near me.
• Insist the inspector pressure tests for leaks, scans engine/transmission modules, tests every system (120V/12V), documents slide alignment, and checks weight ratings at a CAT scale with full fuel/water.
• Require written repair commitments or escrow holdbacks; verbal assurances are not enforceable.

Already own one? What did your inspection miss or catch?

Reported Defects and Failure Patterns

Chassis and Drivability (Freightliner/Cummins)

Slide-Outs and Structural Integrity

Electrical and House Systems

Plumbing, HVAC, and Wet Bay Concerns

Interior Fit, Finish, and Equipment

Service, Warranty, and Parts Availability

If you’ve experienced delays or denials, tell future buyers how you resolved it.

For broader context on industry-wide service bottlenecks, see consumer advocacy from creators like Liz Amazing, who documents RV quality and service pitfalls; search her channel for the model you’re considering to compare patterns.

Legal and Regulatory Warnings

• Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act (federal): Manufacturers must honor written warranties and cannot require specific branded parts to maintain coverage unless they’re provided free. If you suspect wrongful denial, document every service interaction and escalate in writing.
• State Lemon Laws: Coverage for motorhomes varies widely. Some states exclude living quarters and cover only chassis/drivetrain, while others offer limited protection. Research your state lemon law applicability for a Fleetwood Excursion/Xcursion, and act within statutory timelines.
• Uniform Commercial Code (UCC): Persistent, material defects can support revocation of acceptance claims in some jurisdictions—consult a consumer attorney experienced in RV cases.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Deceptive advertising and unfair practices can be reported. If promised features or repair timelines were misrepresented, file complaints with the FTC and your state Attorney General.
• NHTSA: Safety defects and recall noncompliance should be reported and tracked here. Check and monitor: NHTSA recall search for Fleetwood Excursion.

Keep meticulous records: inspection reports, dated photos of defects, all correspondence with dealers/manufacturer, repair orders, and receipts. If needed, these documents support arbitration or legal action. Advocacy channels like Liz Amazing’s investigations into RV industry accountability also provide helpful checklists for documenting claims and navigating escalations.

Product and Safety Impact Analysis

• Roadside Safety Risks: DEF derates, brake/ABS warnings, and steering wander can create hazardous driving scenarios. A derate at highway speeds may force a low-speed limp to the shoulder or an emergency exit, increasing collision risk.
• Water Damage = Long-Term Structural Risk: Leaks around slides and caps can lead to hidden rot, mold, and electrical shorts. Delamination compromises structural integrity and resale value.
• Electrical/Multi­plex Failures: Loss of lighting, HVAC control, or slide/awning operation can cause unsafe conditions, especially in extreme weather or while boondocking.
• Fire Hazards: Refrigerator recalls and overloaded electrical circuits carry a real-world risk. Always confirm recall completion and consider installing temperature and smoke alerts in the galley and behind the fridge.
• Financial Exposure: Prolonged service delays and out-of-network repairs (when traveling) drive up costs. Owners report trip cancellations, campground losses, and emergency hotel stays.

Have a safety concern we didn’t cover? Post your warning for fellow shoppers.

Examples of Owner Complaints and Patterns

Across reviews and forums, repeated one-star narratives typically describe a chain of events:

• Early defects after delivery: Misaligned slides, leaking windows, or non-functioning components discovered within the first few trips.
• Service bottlenecks: Dealer schedules weeks out; parts take weeks more. Owners report lost reservations and trips.
• Escalation and frustration: Mixed experiences with warranty approvals, with some repairs denied as “maintenance,” and others authorized after prolonged back-and-forth.
• DIY coping: Some owners become de facto technicians—resealing, rewiring grounds, or replacing sensors to avoid downtime.

Triangulate these experiences using publicly available sources:

• YouTube owner videos: Fleetwood Excursion problems and Fleetwood Xcursion problem searches.
• Google: Fleetwood Excursion problems to surface dealer reviews and independent blogs.
• RVInsider complaint summaries for Fleetwood Excursion.

Counterpoints: Reported Improvements and Positive Notes

Some owners highlight the Excursion’s manageable length for a diesel pusher, comfortable ride quality after suspension tuning, and attractive interiors with solid-surface counters and full-body paint. Reports also exist of successful warranty repairs when documentation was thorough and dealers were proactive. As models age, many coaches have had problem components replaced (e.g., updated DEF heads, resealed roofs, slide realignments), improving reliability for subsequent owners. Nonetheless, even improved units require rigorous confirmation via maintenance records and pre-purchase inspections.

Buyer’s Action Checklist

• Hire an independent inspector and make the deal contingent on satisfactory results and dealer completion of repairs. Search: RV Inspectors near me.
• Moisture and pressure test: Demand a pressure/leak test and thermal imaging of slides, roof joints, and the wet bay.
• Chassis scan and road test: Scan for emissions/ABS codes; road test for wander/porpoising. Check tire date codes and alignment.
• Slide system evaluation: Open/close each slide multiple times. Inspect seals, topper, and tracks. Check for racking and even travel.
• Electrical systems: Test every outlet, lighting circuit, multiplex controls, generator under A/C load, and transfer switch operation.
• Plumbing and HVAC: Pressurize water lines, inspect all PEX fittings, and run A/Cs and furnace through full cycles.
• Appliance recalls: Verify by serial numbers; confirm refrigerator recall kit installation and safe operation.
• Weight checks: With full fuel and water, weigh each axle at a CAT scale to ensure tire and axle ratings are not exceeded.
• Paper trail: Collect maintenance logs, recall closures, and parts invoices to ensure issues were professionally resolved.
• Contract protections: Use an escrow holdback or punch-list addendum requiring completion of repairs prior to final payment.

What did your checklist reveal? Help the next buyer by sharing the surprises.

Costs, Depreciation, and Ownership Risk

Beyond purchase price, buyers should budget for:

• Immediate remediation: Resealing, slide alignment, battery replacement, and minor punch-list fixes ($1,000–$5,000).
• Potential major items: Multiplex controllers, refrigerator replacement, DEF sensor work, and generator repairs ($1,500–$6,000+ each).
• Downtime costs: Lost campground fees, trip cancellations, towing, and hotel stays during service delays.
• Resale impacts: Documented water damage or delamination can depress resale value dramatically, increasing total cost of ownership.

Context From Consumer Advocacy

Broader RV industry scrutiny has grown, as many owners report quality shortfalls and post-sale service gaps. For a balanced understanding of systemic issues and buyer strategies, consider searching the Fleetwood Excursion against independent voices such as Liz Amazing’s analyses of RV manufacturing and warranty pitfalls. Although not model-specific in every video, her methods for due diligence, documentation, and escalation apply directly to Fleetwood Excursion/Xcursion shoppers.

Summarized Risk Ratings for Key Problem Areas

• DEF/Emissions and Derate Risk: High (Serious Concern)
• Water Intrusion/Slide Seals: High (Serious Concern)
• Multiplex/Electrical Control Reliability: Moderate to High (Serious Concern for frequent travelers)
• Service Delays and Warranty Friction: High (Serious Concern)
• Fit and Finish/Punch-List Burden: Moderate (Moderate Concern)

Citations and Further Verification

• YouTube owner reports on Fleetwood Excursion problems
• YouTube search for Fleetwood Xcursion problems
• Google search results: Fleetwood Excursion problems
• BBB complaints related to Fleetwood Excursion
• NHTSA recall search for Fleetwood Excursion
• Reddit r/rvs discussions about Fleetwood Excursion problems
• RVInsider consumer reviews on Fleetwood Excursion
• Good Sam Community threads on Fleetwood Excursion problems

Have a source we missed? Post your link to help future buyers.

Bottom Line Recommendation

For prospective Fleetwood Xcursion/Excursion buyers, the volume and nature of reported issues—particularly water ingress, slide mechanisms, DEF/derate events, multiplex faults, and prolonged service delays—present material risks to safety, trip reliability, and total cost of ownership. Some units have been diligently repaired and perform well, but differentiating a sound coach from a future project requires exceptional diligence and a robust pre-purchase inspection.

Given the persistent patterns of serious complaints and the potential for extended repair downtime, we do not recommend purchasing a Fleetwood Xcursion/Excursion without documented remediation and an independent inspection that it passes with minimal findings. Many shoppers should consider alternative brands or models with stronger reliability records and faster service support histories.

Comments

Your experience can help fellow RV shoppers make safer choices. What went right—or wrong—with your Fleetwood Xcursion/Excursion? Please share details about model year, mileage, specific failures, repair costs, and dealer/manufacturer responses.