2006 Newmar DUTCH STAR: complaints, problems and recalls

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE EXTERIOR PATIO LIGHT WAS SWITCHED ON AND THE 77 YEAR OLD CONTACT FELL TO THE GROUND INJURING HIS LEFT SHOULDER AND BOTH KNEES. THE RETRACTABLE STEPS OF THE VEHICLE RETRACTED WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS TURNED ON. WHEN A SERVICE DEALER SENT A TECHNICIAN TO INVESTIGATE, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS IMPROPER WIRING AND POORLY GROUNDED WIRING, WHICH CAUSED CROSSED WIRES. THE CROSSED WIRING CAUSED THE STEPS TO RETRACT AND TURN. THE WIRING WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE M…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,815 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173758 at NHTSA ↗

BUSSMAN BOX IS MOUNTED ON FLOOR OF COMPARTMENT BELOW BATTERY COMPARTMENT. WATER ENTERING THE COMPARTMENT CAN POOL ON THE FLOOR AND FLOOD THE BUSSMAN BOX, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. IF THE BUSSMAN BOX IS SHORT CIRCUITED THE VEHICLE ENGINE CANNOT BE STARTED AND MAY STOP ENTIRELY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240210 at NHTSA ↗

DURING OUR PRETRIP INSPECTION WE ALWAYS CHECK ALL LIGHTS PRIOR TO DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT LED ELEMENTS RANDOMLY FAIL TO LIGHT. SOMETIMES THE ENTIRE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT HAS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10279239 at NHTSA ↗

THIS IS 2ND RECALL FOR NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR IN OUR RV. RV IS IN STORAGE, BUILDING AND USED TO LIVE IN. FROZEN FOOD IN FREEZER, AND NO WHERE ELSE TO STORE IT. IT IS OVER 200 MILES TO CLOSEST REPAIR PLACE, AND INSURANCE ON RV IS FOR STORAGE ONLY AND NOT DRIVING. WILL COST OVER 200 DOLLARS FOR ROUND TRIP TO ACCOMPLISH DEFECTIVE NORCOLD PRODUCT. INSURANCE FOR RV TO MAKE TRIP WILL BE EXTRA AND OVER THE 200 DOLLAR AMOUNT. IF TURN OFF REFRIG, FREEZER WILL LOSE OVER $350 PERISHABLE ITEMS. WE ARE RETIRED, HAVE SOME DISABILITY, AND ON LIMITED INCOME. …

Owner-reported narrative. 23,427 miles reported. Look up ODI 10366753 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-08-08 (August 8, 2007)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN MM CHASSIS WITH CUMMINS ISL CM850 DIESEL ENGINES, THE CONNECTING ROD CONTAINS A MACHINING DEFECT IN THE WRIST PIN BUSHING OF THE ROD THAT COULD CAUSE A SEIZURE OF THE PISTON PIN.

Consequence: IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THIS CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ROD RUPTURING THE LOCK CAVITY, SPILLING OIL AND DEBRIS ONTO THE ROADWAY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH SPARTAN AND CUMMINS TO RECALIBRATE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND ENHANCE THE ENGINE PROTECTION SYSTEM ENABLING IT TO PROVIDE EARLY DETECTION OF THE FAILURE MODE AND AVOID MORE SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE AND RESULTANT SAFETY HAZARD. CUMMINS WILL ALSO INSTALL A NEW VALVE COVER WITH A CRANKCASE PRESSURE SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E033). OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 , SPARTAN AT 517-543-6400, OR NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-7791.

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: 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.