REV Group-Fleetwood RV Exposed: Leaks, Slide Failures, Electrical Gremlins & Warranty Delays
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REV Group-Fleetwood
Location: 1031 US Highway 224 E, Decatur, IN 46733
Contact Info:
• customerservice@fleetwoodrv.com
• Main 800-322-8216
Official Report ID: 1562
Introduction: What shoppers should know about REV Group–Fleetwood RV
AI-powered research tools have systematically collected and analyzed public information to produce this report. Fleetwood RV, a legacy American motorhome brand now under the REV Group umbrella, is best known for gas Class A coaches like the Bounder, Flair, Fortis, and Southwind, alongside diesel pushers such as Discovery, Pace Arrow, and Expedition (varies by year). The brand enjoys name recognition, but recent owner feedback paints a mixed picture: some loyalists love the layouts and brand history, while a substantial number of owners report quality-control lapses, recurring defects, warranty frustration, and long repair timelines that derail trips and budgets.
To see “unfiltered” owner discussion, start with broad, public searches that gather many perspectives:
- Google search: REV Group Fleetwood Problems
- YouTube search: REV Group Fleetwood Problems
- BBB complaints: REV Group Fleetwood
- Reddit r/rvs: REV Group Fleetwood Problems
- RVInsider owner reviews: REV Group Fleetwood Problems
Consider also industry watchdog voices. Liz Amazing’s channel spotlights RV quality, warranty, and consumer pitfalls. Search her videos for Fleetwood models you’re considering: Investigative RV consumer insights by Liz Amazing.
Join owner communities for real-time feedback. Instead of linking directly to Facebook, run this search and request to join multiple Fleetwood-specific groups to read archives and ask questions: Find Fleetwood RV Facebook groups via Google. Also try independent forums like RVForums.com, RVForum.net, and RVUSA Forum (use each site’s search for “Fleetwood” and the specific model).
Have you owned a Fleetwood RV? What’s been your experience?
Before you buy: Use an independent inspector to protect your wallet
(Serious Concern)
A third-party inspection is your only real leverage before you sign the buyer’s order. Once a dealer has your money, multiple owner reports describe being “pushed to the back of the line” for repairs, with rigs sitting for weeks or months waiting on parts or factory authorization. This is not unique to REV Group–Fleetwood, but it appears frequently in Fleetwood owner accounts, especially for early-life repairs. Cancelled camping trips, lost deposits, and storage fees follow.
- Action step: Book an NRVIA-certified or highly rated independent inspector. Use this search to find local options: RV Inspectors near me.
- Don’t skip the wet bay, roof, and slides: Water intrusion and slide alignment are common sources of expensive, recurring problems.
- Demand a written punch list and completion sign-off: Time-stamped photos of fixes and a systems test drive (generator, HVAC, slides, leveling, inverter/charger) help avoid surprises after delivery.
Cross-check known problem areas by searching complaints and recalls: NHTSA recall search: REV Group Fleetwood, Good Sam community results.
Brand context: REV Group–Fleetwood’s reputation in brief
Fleetwood’s motorhome lineup covers gas and diesel Class A segments, often built on Ford F-53 (gas) or Freightliner/Spartan (diesel) chassis, with house systems supplied by vendors (Lippert, Dometic, Coleman-Mach, Aqua-Hot, Onan/Cummins, etc.). While some model years earn praise for livability and storage, public owner comments since the late 2010s repeatedly cite quality-control misses at delivery, rapid sealant failures, slide and electrical gremlins, and protracted warranty service. This aligns with broader RV industry strain during and after the pandemic demand spike, but Fleetwood/REV complaints remain conspicuous in consumer spaces.
For examples, sift recent threads and 1-star reviews: Google results for Fleetwood complaints, YouTube results for Fleetwood issues, and Reddit owner posts in r/GoRVing and r/RVLiving.
Documented patterns of problems on Fleetwood models
Water leaks, sealant failures, and delamination
(Serious Concern)
Owners frequently report roof and window leaks within the first year, wet bay water ingress, and delamination tied to inadequate sealing or missed caulking at the factory. In several accounts, water finds its way through marker lights or slide toppers, wicking into subflooring before the first season ends. Delamination repairs can run into thousands of dollars and may be denied if deemed “maintenance.”
- Google: REV Group Fleetwood Water Leaks
- YouTube: Fleetwood water leak owner videos
- RVInsider: Fleetwood leaks complaints
Representative owner narrative: “Water came in through the front cap seam after the first storm. Dealer said sealant is maintenance; factory took weeks to approve partial repair. Interior paneling bubbled and we lost half the season waiting.” Cross-reference similar stories via Good Sam: Fleetwood leaks.
Slide-out misalignment and mechanism failures
(Serious Concern)
Fleetwood coaches using Schwintek or cable slide mechanisms are reported to drag, bind, go out of sync, or chew flooring/trim. Some owners document water intrusion at slide corners and toppers, gasket tears, and racking that requires repeated dealer adjustments. A stuck slide can strand you or make the rig undrivable.
- Google: Fleetwood slide problems
- YouTube: Fleetwood slide issues
- Reddit: Fleetwood slide problem threads
Electrical gremlins, 12V/120V, and control panel faults
(Serious Concern)
Multiple owners describe random 12V outages, GFCI trips, inverter/charger misbehavior, multiplex panel freezes, and parasitic drains. Miswired outlets at delivery, loose grounds, or poor crimping appear in several customer accounts. Some report “ghost” warnings on displays and hard-to-diagnose shorts that require factory-level troubleshooting.
- Google: Fleetwood electrical problems
- YouTube: Electrical issues on Fleetwood coaches
- Reddit r/RVLiving: electrical headaches
HVAC (A/C and furnace) and propane system issues
(Moderate Concern)
Complaints include rooftop A/C short-cycling, ducting gaps causing poor cooling in bedrooms, furnace ignition failures, and thermostat communication errors. Owners sometimes discover kinked or uninsulated duct runs hidden behind panels. Propane leaks are less common but serious; test thoroughly before trips.
Plumbing, tanks, and wet bay failures
(Moderate Concern)
Owners document PEX fittings leaking, loose traps under sinks, tank sensors reading full/empty incorrectly, and macerators clogging early. Wet bay panels sometimes arrive with poor sealing, inviting water and road grime. In a few cases, fresh tank supports were insufficient, allowing flex and stress cracks.
Fit-and-finish: Carpentry, cabinetry, doors, and trim
(Moderate Concern)
Misaligned cabinet doors, staples through finish, squeaking floors, loose furniture, and missing screws appear in numerous delivery-day punch lists. Some buyers report cosmetic defects the factory declined to treat as warranty, characterizing them as “within spec.” Rework is common and often extensive.
Chassis and drivability (F-53 gas, diesel pushers)
(Serious Concern)
On gas Class A models, owners frequently report body roll, steering wander, porpoising, and harsh ride on Ford F-53 chassis (a cross-industry issue). Many end up adding aftermarket sway bars, track bars, steering stabilizers, or SumoSprings at their own cost. Diesel models see fewer handling complaints but can have issues with air systems, ride height sensors, or ABS faults, depending on the underlying chassis and year.
- Google: Fleetwood F-53 handling problems
- YouTube: Drivability issues on Fleetwood Class A
- Reddit: handling and suspension upgrades
Generator, charging, and energy systems (Onan/Cummins, inverters, solar)
(Moderate Concern)
Reports include new generators that won’t stay running under load, fuel pick-up misadjusted, transfer switch defects, and inverter settings not dialed in for battery chemistry. Some coaches ship with marginal battery capacity or wiring bottlenecks that disappoint off-grid expectations.
Weight, cargo capacity (CCC), and axle loading
(Serious Concern)
Some floorplans leave limited cargo carrying capacity once loaded with water, passengers, and options. Owners have noted near-maxed rear axle weights from the factory. Overloading is a safety hazard—tires, brakes, and handling suffer. Weigh each wheel position and verify your coach’s actual CCC before you buy.
Appliances and components (refrigerators, jacks, awnings)
(Moderate Concern)
Lippert-leveling systems that fail to retract, awning motors burning out, refrigerator no-cool conditions, and microwave failures appear across owner reports. While component vendors warrant their products, the back-and-forth between dealer, OEM, and vendor often delays repairs for weeks.
Roof membranes, sealant choice, and maintenance burden
(Moderate Concern)
Even new coaches sometimes show inconsistent sealant coverage at roof terminations and penetrations. Owners report cracks within months and resort to personally resealing with better products. While roof care is a maintenance item, multiple accounts argue the factory baseline is insufficient.
If you’ve dealt with any of the above, could you add your story for other shoppers?
Service and warranty: Delays, denials, and parts scarcity
(Serious Concern)
The most consistent pain point in public Fleetwood/REV discussions is the service experience. Patterns include difficulty scheduling dealer appointments, long factory authorization times, parts on backorder, and “it’s maintenance” or “within spec” denials that leave owners paying out of pocket for early-life defects. Many describe months-long downtime for issues like slide repairs, water leaks, or electrical diagnostics.
- BBB search: REV Group Fleetwood — read complaint details about warranty responses and timelines.
- Google: Fleetwood warranty problems
- Reddit threads on warranty delays
Owners often cite “trip canceled” or “our brand-new RV is in the shop again” experiences. Common themes:
- Factory service center capacity: Limited slots; some report the REV service center is months out.
- Parts logistics: Proprietary trim pieces, slide tracks, or multiplex components can be backordered.
- Vendor handoffs: Dealer sends you to component maker (e.g., appliance vendor), while you expect the OEM to coordinate. Time is lost in triage.
For proactive education on how to handle RV service, see consumer advocacy videos like Liz Amazing’s RV owner guides and search her channel for “Fleetwood” or your model.
Don’t let this be you: hire an independent inspector before delivery and document deficiencies on the spot. Here’s a quick search to start: find RV inspectors near you. And if you got stuck in the service maze, will you add what happened and how it was resolved?
Recalls and safety notices
(Serious Concern)
Fleetwood coaches, like all RVs, face periodic recalls for safety-critical systems. These can include brake hydraulics, fuel routing, LP gas lines, battery cable routing, slide component hardware, or seatbelt anchoring. Some recalls originate from the chassis or component vendor (Ford, Freightliner, Lippert, Dometic, etc.), but they affect your Fleetwood. Delayed parts or incomplete dealer coverage can stretch fixes over months.
- NHTSA recall look-up: REV Group Fleetwood — expand to view by model and year.
- Google: Fleetwood recall news
Owners should check VINs regularly and confirm the recall remedy with the dealer in writing. If safety repairs are delayed beyond reasonable time, file a complaint with NHTSA and escalate with the manufacturer.
Legal and regulatory warnings for consumers
(Serious Concern)
Consumer complaints frequently allege warranty breaches or deceptive sales practices when defects aren’t addressed promptly. Key protections include:
- Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act (US): Requires manufacturers to honor written warranties and not create unreasonable hurdles for coverage. If the RV cannot be fixed within a reasonable number of attempts/time, you may have remedies.
- State lemon laws: Some states cover motorhomes differently than towables; specifics vary. Keep repair invoices, dates, and communications to establish a timeline.
- FTC Act and state UDAP laws: Prohibit unfair or deceptive acts and practices. Advertising features that consistently don’t work as represented could trigger scrutiny.
- NHTSA complaints: File safety-related issues here; patterns can force recalls. See: NHTSA recall and complaint portal.
If you believe your warranty rights were violated, consult an attorney familiar with RV lemon law and Magnuson–Moss. Use public complaint platforms to document your case: BBB: REV Group Fleetwood, and general documentation threads on Reddit r/rvs. You can also browse owner narratives on PissedConsumer (search for “Fleetwood” and model) at PissedConsumer browse reviews (search manually).
Product and safety impact analysis
(Serious Concern)
Based on public reports across platforms, several Fleetwood defects carry immediate safety or financial risk:
- Slide-out failures: A slide that won’t retract can block the driver’s view, prevent travel, or damage wiring/structure.
- Electrical faults: Miswired outlets or loose connections can lead to shocks, GFCI trips, or fire risk.
- Water intrusion: Beyond mold and rot concerns, water near 120V systems is dangerous, and delamination undermines structural integrity and resale value.
- Overloaded axles: Poor weight distribution or low CCC risks tire blowouts and brake fade.
- LP system problems: Leaks are rare but severe; always perform leak-down tests and odor checks.
Financially, early-life failures and extended service downtime erode the value proposition of a new coach. Even “minor” repairs can cascade—water damage turns cosmetic into structural, and electrical gremlins can require expensive diagnostics. Owners who must hire mobile techs due to dealer backlogs face out-of-pocket costs during warranty.
To arm yourself, watch educational content that demystifies RV service strategies, like this consumer advocacy channel: Learn how to pressure-test RV promises with Liz Amazing. Then schedule your own inspector: book an RV inspection near you.
Owner-quoted frustrations and recurring themes
Synthesizing owner comments across platforms yields recurring sentiments (paraphrased from public reviews and forum posts):
- “Brand-new, but leaking already.” First rain reveals roof cap or marker light leaks; dealer says “sealant is maintenance.” See: Google: Fleetwood sealant issues.
- “Our slide keeps tearing the floor.” After “alignments,” damage returns; parts on backorder. See: YouTube: slide damage reports.
- “Electrical nightmare.” Multiplex panel freezes, generator drops load, random 12V collapse overnight. See: Reddit r/RVLiving: electrical threads.
- “Stuck in service limbo.” Dealer waiting on factory OK; factory waiting on vendor; we missed three trips. See: BBB complaint narratives.
Have you experienced something similar? Add your voice to help other buyers.
Where and how to verify: Research links that actually help
- YouTube owners’ footage: REV Group Fleetwood Problems (YouTube search)
- General search: REV Group Fleetwood Issues (Google)
- BBB complaints: REV Group Fleetwood at BBB
- Owner forums: RVForums.com (search Fleetwood), RVForum.net (search Fleetwood), RVUSA Forum (search Fleetwood)
- RVInsider: Long-form owner reviews by model
- Reddit communities: r/rvs, r/GoRVing, r/RVLiving
- Find Fleetwood groups: Google search for Fleetwood Facebook groups
- NHTSA Recalls: Search recalls by brand/model
- Consumer watchdog content: Liz Amazing’s channel—search your specific Fleetwood model
Any signs of improvement?
To be fair, some recent buyers report better factory fit and faster dealer support than the prior few years. REV Group has also promoted service investments and customer support initiatives in marketing. Certain flagship diesel models receive higher satisfaction for drivability and interior design. Additionally, some recalls are resolved effectively once parts are available and the service queue clears.
However, improvements appear uneven across models, dealers, and production runs, and the volume of unresolved or recurring issues in public complaints remains substantial. At minimum, conduct a line-by-line PDI with an inspector and hold payment until every item is addressed.
Pre-purchase due diligence checklist for Fleetwood shoppers
- Independent inspection: Hire a pro with a thermal camera and moisture meter; insist on roof-to-chassis checks. Start here: RV Inspectors near me.
- Weigh the coach: Ask the dealer for a certified scale ticket or take it to a CAT scale before closing. Verify CCC and axle loads.
- Pressure-test for leaks: Many mobile inspectors can do a SealTech or equivalent pressure test pre-delivery.
- Function test: Run slides, leveling, A/C, furnace, water heater, generator, inverter/charger, transfer switch, and every outlet. Verify GFCI and polarity.
- Scan owner forums by model/year: Focus on your exact floorplan and chassis. Search patterns: Bounder problems, Discovery problems, Flair problems.
- Read service horror stories—and successes: Balance perspectives. A good start: YouTube search and BBB complaints.
- Follow industry critics and educators: Use consumer content like RV quality and warranty coverage breakdowns for practical negotiation tips.
If you own a Fleetwood now, what would you warn shoppers about—or recommend they do differently? Tell us so others can learn.
Summary: Who should consider Fleetwood—and who should not
- Consider if: You’ve found a specific floorplan you love; you can secure a thorough independent inspection; your dealer has an excellent service track record; and you’re prepared to budget for aftermarket handling upgrades on gas chassis.
- Be cautious if: You cannot get reliable service nearby; you plan long trips immediately after delivery; or you’re unwilling to personally audit sealants, slides, and electrical at handoff.
Bottom line: Given the volume and severity of recent owner complaints about early-life defects, leaks, slide failures, electrical problems, and prolonged service delays within the REV Group–Fleetwood lineup, we cannot broadly recommend this brand without a robust inspection and documented, dealer-backed remediation plan prior to purchase. Shoppers should actively compare alternatives in the same class and price tier, and strongly consider other RV brands or models with stronger quality-control records and faster service support.
Still researching? Start with broad, model-specific searches: REV Group Fleetwood Problems, owner videos, and community deep-dives on Good Sam and Reddit. And please, share what you’ve lived through in the comments—your experience helps the next buyer.
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