2001 Newmar DUTCH STAR: complaints, problems and recalls

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I NOTICED THAT ONE OR BOTH FRONT BRAKES WERE DRAGGING. THIS WAS EVIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATION WAS REDUCED, THERE WAS A SMELL OF HOT BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL WHEN ON A HILL WITH THE BRAKES RELEASED, THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THERE WAS REDUCED FREE PLAY IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE FRONT BRAKES, THE RIGHT ONE WAS VERY HOT. I TAPPED ON THE CALIPER WITH A HITCH PIN THAT WAS AVAILABLE, AFTER WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. I DROVE THE VEHICL…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014396 at NHTSA ↗

THE BUSHING BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING AND AIR COMPRESSOR CONTINUED TO FAIL. WHEN THE BUSHING FAILED, THE ENGINE COOLANT NO LONGER WORKED. IF THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, IT WOULD ENGINE SHUT OFF AND NO STEERING WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK *SC THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES, WHICH TOOK 3-TO 4 SERVICE VISITS TO GET IT FIXED. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE BRAKE ISSUE. RECALL#03V064000) *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 15,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082900 at NHTSA ↗

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR RV, MODEL 40195. DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR RECALL MODEL #NDR1062 AND SERIAL # 01300099.. THE CONTACT READ IT IN THE GOOD SAM BOOK AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DELAY IN HAVING REPAIRS MADE TO THE REFRIGERATOR. TO DATE, THE CONTACT HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR. *AK UPDATED 01/30/07. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10177368 at NHTSA ↗

ELECTRIC LIFT PUMP FAILURE ON CUMMINS DIESEL (FAILURE DUE TO THE NEW ULSD FUEL AND WRONG GASKET MATERIAL USED FOR GASKETS--CAUSES A DIESEL LEAK ON TO HOT ENGINE ABOVE STARTER WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS FIRE). I ASKED CUMMINS HOW MANY LIFTS THEY'VE HAD TO SEND OUT TO DEALERS TO REPLACE, AND THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER. (I WAS IN CUMMINS DIESEL PARKING LOT AT THE TIME--I KNEW THERE WAS A LEAK, THEY COULDN'T FIX IT THAT DAY, IT BROKE DOWN BEFORE I COULD GET OUT OF PARKING LOT, HAD TO SIT THERE OVER WEEKEND UNTIL THE 7TH. HAD TO USE PERSONAL SERVICE CONT…

Owner-reported narrative. 111,881 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192016 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE FLEXES AND THE WINDSHIELDS POP OUT OF THE FRAME. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE WINDSHIELDS SHATTERED. MULTIPLE INCIDENTS DURING THE PAST 14 MONTHS...THE MOST RECENT WAS APRIL 3. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 46,046 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223555 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NEWMAR DUTCHSTAR RV. THE RV HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL NUMBER NDR1062. THE CONTACT NOTICED A YELLOW RESIDUE LEAKING FROM THE REFRIGERATOR AND SMELLED AMMONIA. IN ADDITION, SMOKE EXPELLED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT DEALERS WHO STATED THE REFRIGERATOR WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW REFRIGERATOR UNAWARE OF THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08E032000 (EQUIPMENT). DOMETIC REFUSED TO REIMBURSE FOR TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10304750 at NHTSA ↗

2001 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR DIESEL PUSHER WITH SPARTAN CHASSIS, THE BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT END HAVE FAILED MOTORHOME ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358774 at NHTSA ↗

FOUR TIMES THIS VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT DOWN WHEN TURNING IGNITION OFF. ALSO TWO TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS STARTED ON ITS ON WITH THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION OR REMOVED ALTOGETHER. THE DASH HEAT/DEFROSTER SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED SINCE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY TWO DIFFERENT FREIGHTLINER DEALERSHIPS AND BOTH WERE UNABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE MFGR WANTS ME TO DRIVE THIS UNSAFE AND ILLEGAL VEHICLE TO S. CAROLINA TO FACTORY FOR REPAIRS EVEN THO IT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT NUMEROUS TIMES, AND NOT REPAIRED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT T…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 753192 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-10-07 (October 7, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT AND REAR ENGINE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD, SPARTAN AND WORKHORSE CHASSIS. ALL FRONT ENGINE CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD AND WORKHORSE CHASSIS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2000. ALL REAR ENGINE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN CHASSIS WERE BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 23 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2000. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." AN INCORRECT VENT HOSE WAS INSTALLED ON THE FILL NOZZLE TO THE FUEL TANK. THE HOSE CAN BREAK DOWN ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE TO AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL VENT HOSE.

Reported: 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.

Consequence: IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REVISE THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-7791.

Reported: 2007-03-05 (March 5, 2007)

CERTAIN CLASS A AND DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOMES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, 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: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NEWMAR WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). 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 YOU 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: 2008-01-24 (January 24, 2008)

ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES CONSTRUCTED ON FORD F-53TY1 AND P131 MOTOR HOME CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH FORD IN CONDUCTING THIS RECALL. FORD WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332 OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7791. (NOTE: ALSO SEE FORD RECALLS 05V017, 05V388, AND 06V286)

Reported: 2009-06-11 (June 11, 2009)

NEWMAR IS RECALLING 2,578 MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.

Consequence: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.

Reported: 2015-12-09 (December 9, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 1997-2005 Dutch Star and Mountain Aire, 1998-1999 London Aire, 2004 Essex and 1997-1998 Kountry Aire motorhomes. The affected vehicles have a steering gear mounting bracket that may crack, causing a loss of steering ability.

Consequence: A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will replace the steering gear mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Newmar's number for this recall is 15V 633.

Reported: 2016-07-05 (July 5, 2016)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 1998-2010 Dutch Star, 2008 Kountry Star, 2008-2009 All Star and Ventana, 2009-2010 Dutch Aire, 2014-2015 King Aire and 2015 Essex motorhomes, built on a Spartan Motors chassis. In the affected vehicles, the flexible exhaust tube may tear allowing hot exhaust to blow against other components or materials.

Consequence: If hot exhaust gas contacts other components or materials, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will inspect the alignment of the tubes, correcting them and replacing any that are torn. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Newmar's number for this recall is 16V 313.

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.