AI DamageFleetwood American Tradition reliability: problems, complaints, recalls
Summary for the Fleetwood American Tradition across 9 model years: 25 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 28% of all complaints
- 2 Tires 28% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 20% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- Suspension: 7 complaints (28% of all).
- Tires: 7 complaints (28% of all).
- Equipment: 5 complaints (20% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (16% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Additionally, the ABS warning light was illuminated and the electrical system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
Driver side window is fogging up and cannot see outside mirror the glass is double pane and the fogging is between the two layers of glass not sure what caused this problem other than a bad design of sealing the two layers of glass in the frame the problem started last year and has continue to get worst
Spartan chassis has recalled several motorhomes due to failure of the ball joints which in turn are due to faulty rubber boots. I am experiencing this problem now and wonder why my unit is not being recalled. I am facing a $1500. Repair bill. 12/03/18
2004 fleetwood american tradition coach. Consumer writes in regards to recall issues the consumer was informed his refrigerator unit was not included in the recall. (norcold model# 1200lrim).
Tl contact owns a 2000 american coach tradition motor home equipped with a norcold refrigerator model 1200-lrim, serial number 761243-fb (na). He received a second recall letter regarding his norcold refrigerator. He stated that the recall has to do with the product over heating.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 fleetwood american tradition rv. The contact stated the chassis ball joints had failed. There was also unknown grease leaking from the ball joints. The ball joints were replaced and the manufacturer provided assistance by covering the labor charges.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.