2012 Newmar BAY STAR: complaints, problems and recalls

I WAS DRIVING N/B ON US-89 FROM JACKSON, WY AND ACCELERATING TO 55 MPH WHEN MY RV BEGAN TO SWAY APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 FEET FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING OUT OF CONTROL. I SLOWED AND THE SWAYING SUBSIDED BUT WHEN AT 40 MPH BEGAN AGAIN WHEN I DROVE OVER A DEFECT IN THE ROAD. I STOPPED AT A CAMPGROUND AND WHILE EXAMINING MY RV I DISCOVERED THE BRACKET THE HOLDS THE REAR SWAY BAR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AXLE HAD BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND DEFECT FROM THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE SWAY BAR TO THE REAR AXLE, THE FIRST TIME WAS REPO…

Owner-reported narrative. 19,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779400 at NHTSA ↗

Discovered an approximately 4" long crack in the hub plate of a rear wheel. The crack goes through the serial number stamp on the wheel (possible stress riser caused by the serial number stamp?). The wheel has been taken out of service and is available for inspection. No other agency has inspected the wheel. There were no symptoms of an issue (no abnormal tire wear was noticed and no vibration or unbalance issues were noticed). The crack was seen when I was doing a periodic lug nut torque check.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436004 at NHTSA ↗

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.