1999 Newmar DUTCH STAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
42,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 22 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 6 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
Tires: 6; Tires:Sidewall: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 9; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10138940 · 2005-10-06 (October 6, 2005)
DRIVING ON I-90 IN SOME RAINY WEATHER, ERROR CODE LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED CHECKED ALL FLUID LEVELS & CONTINUED ON. A FEW HOURS LATER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO INCREASE IN SPEED ON ITS OWN .RPM'S WERE AT 2000 & THE COACH WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. THE CHASSIS CONNECTOR ( CONNECTS COACH TO ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) FILLED WITH WATER AND CAUSED SHORTS,CROSSES,AND GROUNDS IN THE WIRING AND CAUSED THE MOTORHOME TO INCREASE IN SPEED ON ITS OWN. THE BRAKES WERE HOT AND SMOKING WHEN WE FINALLY GOT STOPPED. TECHNICIAN PULLED CON…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,199 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11233258 · 2019-07-19 (July 19, 2019)
WHILE ON A DOWNGRADE WITH THE ENGINE BRAKE ENGAGED AND IN 4TH GEAR, AT ABOUT 1900 RPM, THE SIDE MOUNTED FAN EXPLODED SENDING PLASTIC AND METAL PARTS OUT THE REAR OF THE MOTORHOME SHOWERING THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED AND ANOTHER VEHICLE FOLLOWING BEHIND. UPON INSPECTION THE FAN, WHICH IS DRIVEN BY A HYDRAULIC PUMP, WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ATTACHED BY TWO BOLTS TO A CROSS BAR BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE ENGINE. THE BOLT HOLES IN THE HYDRAULIC PUMP WERE ELONGATED AND BOTH BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF ALLOWING THE PUMP TO FALL DOWN WHICH RESULTED IN THE FAN BLAD…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11233258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189367 · 2007-05-01 (May 1, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE CENTER FOR REGULAR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, AND ALSO BECAUSE HE NOTICED THE SHUT OFF SWITCH FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT A FIRE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED BECAUSE THE WIRING MELTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SMELL ANYTHING BURNING NOR DID HE SEE ANY FLAMES. HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAMAGE WAS LOCATED AT THE REAR COMPARTMENT. UPDATE…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 874375 · 2000-11-03 (November 3, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY, LOSING ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSEDA CRASH. TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE FUEL FILTER. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 12 TIMES, AND REPLACED FUEL FILTER 10 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. *AK THE MOTOR STOPS RUNNING WHILE UNDER MOTION WHEN WATER GETS IN THE FUEL FILTER CAUSING BRAKE AND STEERING LOSS. IT TAKES ONLY A TEASPOON OF WATER TO CLOG THIS FILTER. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 874375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192968 · 2007-06-11 (June 11, 2007)
HAD BAD FUEL LEAK CAUSED BY USE OF ULTRA LOW SULFER DIESEL FUEL.(ULDF). REPLACED FUEL TRANSFER (LIFT) PUMP P/N 4935007 OLD PUMPWAS AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 47,305 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192968 at NHTSA ↗