Newmar KOUNTRY STAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
32 distinct recall campaigns
13,340 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2023 model years. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 44 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 13.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 11.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.3% |
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 | 8 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 6 |
| Equipment | 4 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Tires: 8; Steering: 7; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 6; Equipment: 4; Tires:Sidewall: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor: 3; Electrical System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 25 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2003: 6; 2004: 10; 2005: 2; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2017: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 3; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10400994 · 2011-05-16 (May 16, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NEWMAR KOUNTRY STAR MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND DOWN A HILL WHEN IT LOCKED IN PLACE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE IT. WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES EXCESSIVELY IT CONTINUED TO STAY LOCKED. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE HE DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,600. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ST…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10400994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235870 · 2008-07-26 (July 26, 2008)
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP ON WAY TO CAMPGROUND ON NARROW ROAD WITH OUT ROOM TO PULL OFF. TAPPED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES WITH SMALL SUCCESS IN FREEING CALIPER. ABOUT 3 MILES FROM CAMPGROUND WE CONTINUED TO PARK UPON ARRIVAL BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND OIL BLEW OUT OF WHEEL BEARING. CALLED WORKHORSE BUT RECEIVED NO HELP. FINALLY FOUND A MECHANIC TO DO ON SITE WORK COST $828. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,528 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155286 · 2006-05-22 (May 22, 2006)
MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT TO ODI # 10126325, I DID NOT KNOW THAT A NHTSA SAFETY RECALL # 03V-488 HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR MY MOTORHOME. I CONTACTED NEWMAR IN MAY, 2005 THAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY MOTORHOME AS EXPLAINED IN PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. ALTHOUGH, I HAVE HAD MY MOTORHOME CHECKED REPEATEDLY, NO ONE EVER CHECKED TO DETERMINE IF THE RECALL HAD BEEN DONE. I HAVE NO STICKERS ON MY MOTORHOME THAT WOULD SHOW THAT THE WORK HAD BEEN DONE. BUT THE PAPERWORK FROM FREIGHTLINER SAYS THAT THE WORK HAD BEEN DONE. A MECHANIC IN DEL RIO TEXAS,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10155286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11366338 · 2020-10-25 (October 25, 2020)
AFTER FEELING AND LEAVING FLYJ THE STEERING LOCKED UP IN A SLIGHT TURN. AFTER SOME EFFORT I MANAGED TO UNLOCK AND MAINTAIN DIRECTION. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING A FEW MORE TIMES AS I WAS ONLY 10 MIN FROM HOME. AFTER I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE UPPER TAPERED BEARING IN THE 90DEGREE GEAR BOX HAD FAILED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATIN. UPON DISASSEMBLE I FOUND THERE HAD BEEN MOISTURE IN THE UPPER BEARING RACE CAUSING THE ROLLERS TO FAIL A SUSUQUENTLY THE CAGE CAUSING THE LOCKUP. I FOUND THE GEARBOX WAS FULL OF FLUID TO THE UPPER FILLER PLUG. HOWEVER …
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11366338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10362194 · 2010-10-25 (October 25, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NEWMAR KOUNTRY STAR. AFTER STOPPING AND SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE THEN HAD TO HAVE BLOCKS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE WHEELS TO SECURE THE VEHICLE WHEN HE GOT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 39,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019865 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE ENGINE STALLED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10212208 · 2007-12-18 (December 18, 2007)
PRIMARY BATTERY CABLE GROUNDED INTO TURBO. NOT PROPERLY ANCHORED OR ROUTED. RUINED STARTER ,BATTERIES. CABLES WERE REROUTED BY A FREIGHTLINER SERVICE GARAGE ANCHORED STARTER CABLE REPLACED. I RECOMMENDED TO NEWMAR THAT A RECALL BE ISSUED AND ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY DAMAGE. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THEIR OPINION THE CABLES WERE ADEQUATELY SECURED AND NO FURTHER ACTION WAS NECESSARY AND CLOSED THE ISSUE. WE LOST A PROPANE FACILITY IN LUBBOCK,TX TO FIRE LAST YEAR WHETHER THEY IDENTIFIED THE IGNITION SOURCE OR NOT I DON'T KNOW . I DO K…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212208 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2020: 5; 2021: 6; 2022: 4; 2023: 1