2008 Newmar BAY STAR: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NEWMAR BAY STAR RV. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR IF THE RV IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ANOTHER LARGE VEHICLE, IT WILL SWAY AND ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LACKS STABILITY. HE SPOKE TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE SHOULD SLOW DOWN TO 45 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, WHICH SHOULD CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS AN INSUFFICIENT ANSWER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,500. UPDATED 07/17/09 *BF UPDATED 07/1…

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274723 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2008-02-22 (February 22, 2008)

NEWMAR IS RECALLING 109 MY 2008-2009 BAY STAR, CANYON STAR KOUNTRY AIRE, TORREY PINE, VENTANA DIESEL PUSHER, ALL STAR DIESEL PUSHER, KOUNTRY STAR DIESEL PUSHER, AND DUTCH STAR DIESEL PUSHER CLASS A MOTOR HOMES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH ATWOOD SEALED BURNER RANGES. THE RANGE AND SLIDE-IN BURNER TUBES LEADING FROM THE GAS MANIFOLD TO THE BURNER HEADS HAD A DEPRESSION OR "KINK" IN THE EXTERIOR BEND RESTRICTING PROPER AIRFLOW AND GAS MIXTURE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH ATWOOD TO HAVE THE TUBES REPLACED ON THESE RANGES (PLEASE SEE 07E030). OWNERS MAY CONTACT ATWOOD AT 1-800-348-7418 OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7791.

Reported: 2008-07-17 (July 17, 2008)

NEWMAR IS RECALLING 772 MY 2004-2005 AMERICAN STAR, KOUNTRY AIRE, MOUNTAIN AIRE, MY 2003-2006 KOUNTRY STAR, MY 2007 X-AIRE FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS; MY 2007 BAY STAR, MY 2004-2007 KOUNTRY STAR, MY 2004-2006 MOUNTAIN AIRE, MY 2003-2005 SCOTTSDALE CLASS A MOTOR HOMES; AND MY 2004-2006 DUTCH STAR, MY 2003-2006 KOUNTRY STAR, MY 2004-2006 MOUNTAIN AIRE DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-7791.

Reported: 2014-09-29 (September 29, 2014)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Bay Star, Ventana VT/VL, Dutch Aire, Dutch Star, All-Star, Mountain Aire, and Essex motorhomes manufactured January 16, 2007, to May 24, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the circuit breaker for the refrigerator heated water line may be incorrect for the amperage draw.

Consequence: A circuit breaker that is incorrectly rated for the amperage need increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorhome and verify that the circuit breaker rating is correct for the amperage draw, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2014. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2016-01-13 (January 13, 2016)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 Bay Star, Dutch Star, and Ventana, 2012-2014 Bay Star Sport and Ventana VL, 2008-2015 Canyon Star, 2009-2010 Dutch Aire and 2008 Kountry Star motorhomes manufactured May 29, 2007, to January 14, 2015, and equipped with certain Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps manufactured by Lippert Components. The bolt that attaches the fan gear assembly to the steps may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.

Consequence: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791 or Lippert Customer service at 574-537-8900. Newmar's number for this recall is 15E 078.

Reported: 2017-12-15 (December 15, 2017)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling various 1995-2018 motorhomes. A list of the affected vehicles available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V809-2309.pdf. These motorhomes are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on February 7, 2018. Owners may contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information or owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791. Newmar's number for this recall is 17E-062.