2021 Newmar DUTCH STAR: complaints, problems and recalls

I recently purchased a 2021 Newmar Dutchstar Motorhome, and took delivery recently. The Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensor failed in less than 3,000 miles. As a newbie in the motorhome world, I was stunned and very disappointed that this failure occurred so quickly, and also with the ramifications of the failure. When DEF sensors fail the engine can go into derate state which can cause my coach to move at a maximum of 5 mph in less than a couple hundred miles, and then the engine SHUTS DOWN. I contacted Spartan motors, the manufacturer of my ch…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424982 at NHTSA ↗

This model motorhome has a steering assist function to allow the steering wheel effort to be adjusted to a very light turning input or a very hard turning input. This feature is known as Comfort Drive or Comfort Steer. As I was driving down the highway at 60 MPH, I got a warning on the dash that said “Steering Effort Control (CTRL) Disabled” and the steering wheel immediately went into the very hard steering feel. While still driveable at highway speeds, all turns, especially at slow speeds are difficult to turn the wheel into and out of the tu…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11487005 at NHTSA ↗

Tire Pressure Monitor System stops working after 1 to 2 hours and shows all tires at 401 degrees F and 136 PSI. At this point there is no warning if a tire loses pressure or overheats which could lead to a blowout and accident.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11489742 at NHTSA ↗

TPMS not reading tire pressure

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11558068 at NHTSA ↗

My Newmar motorhome has 20,000 miles on it. When driving on the highway the steering intermittantly gets about 60% harder to steer for approximately 20 minutes then goes back to normal. It happens repeatedly and regardless of whether you are turning or going straight. Last week the problem became much worse. More importantly I was exiting the highway and the steering wheel turned by itself back to center while I was turning! Thank god I was moving slowly and was able to stop. I turned the motorhome engine off and restarted it and the steering w…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11621192 at NHTSA ↗

Last week I had the air dryer filter replaced at Colton Truck Terminal in Colton Ca. Subsequently, I did the complete 7 step air brake system check and discovered that during total loss of air pressure , the emergency brakes would not auto apply. I replaced the dash hand valve and the problem still persists, so I installed the original valve and took the coach back to Colton Truck Terminal to diagnose the problem. Attached is the paper work from Colton Truck Terminal diagnosing the issue and the correction of that issue. Also on that paperw…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11627009 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2020-09-29 (September 29, 2020)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2021 Essex, Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, and London Aire motorhomes. The front leveling jacks may not be fastened correctly to the chassis, possibly causing the jacks to fail to support the weight of the motorhome.

Consequence: If the front jacks fail, an unexpected drop can occur, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the leveling jacks as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2020. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2021-02-17 (February 17, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2021 Kountry Star and 2017-2021 Dutch Star motorhomes. The brake light switch may chafe against the windshield wiper mechanism, which could damage the brake light switch or it's wiring, and cause the brake lights to not illuminate.

Consequence: If the brake lights do not illuminate, other motorists will be unaware of the driver's intention, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake light switch and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2021-02-18 (February 18, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Dutch Star, King Aire, Essex, London Aire, and Mountain Aire motorhomes. The steering gear mounting bolts may become loose and back out, resulting in difficulty steering.

Consequence: Difficulty steering, or the inability to steer in both directions, can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: On behalf of Newmar, Shyft Group Inc. will coordinate the recall repair and notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear mounting bolts and washers, free of charge. The recall is expected to began April 19, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 21V 041.

Reported: 2021-03-17 (March 17, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2021 Dutch Star, New Aire, and Ventana motorhomes. The adjustable brake pedal assembly may be missing a return spring. This may cause the brake lights to stay illuminated after the brake pedal is released. Also, in certain towed vehicles, the brakes may stay engaged after the brake pedal is released.

Consequence: Malfunctioning brake lights can fail to alert other motorists of the driver's intention, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, brakes remaining unintentionally engaged on a towed vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly, and install a return spring if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 16, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 21V 108.

Reported: 2021-04-13 (April 13, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2021 London Aire, Dutch Star, New Aire, Ventana, and Mountain Aire vehicles. The steering output shaft may be too short and could disengage from the steering input shaft.

Consequence: Disengagement of the steering output shaft may result in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 and Shyft Group customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Newmar's number for this recall is 21V-214.

Reported: 2021-05-20 (May 20, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Dutch Star, 2017-2019 Mountain Aire, 2019-2021 Ventana and 2021 New Aire motorhomes. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rail threads, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed to owners on July 16, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8000. Newmar's number for this recall is Cummins 21E-032.

Reported: 2021-07-02 (July 2, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2019 Mountain Aire, 2020-2021 New Aire, 2020-2022 Super Star, 2018-2021 Ventana, and Dutch Star vehicles equipped with certain Cummins diesel engines. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot boreholes, allowing the high-pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Cummins service centers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is Cummins 21E-32.

Reported: 2021-07-27 (July 27, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Bay Star, Ventana, New Aire, 2019-2020 Canyon Star, Bay Star Sport, Essex, King Aire, London Aire, Mountain Aire, 2018-2021 Dutch Star, 2020 Kountry Star, and 2019 Ventana LE recreational vehicles. The adhesive that bonds the vented portion of the window may fail.

Consequence: Adhesive failure may cause the vent portion of the window to detach, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windows, and replace the vent if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 10, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 21E 047.

Reported: 2021-08-04 (August 4, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dutch Star, New Aire, and Ventana motorhomes equipped with Cummins L9 diesel engines. A fuel leak may occur from the fuel hose between the fuel pump and the remote fuel filter head.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Cummins will replace the fuel hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 16, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar's customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is Cummins 21E-063.

Reported: 2021-08-17 (August 17, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dutch Star, New Aire, and Ventana vehicles equipped with Cummins L9 diesel engines. A fuel leak may occur from the fuel hose between the fuel pump and the remote fuel filter head.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Cummins will replace the fuel hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on October 16, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar's customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Cummins' customer service at 1-800-286-6467. Newmar's number for this recall is DTNA #21V556/FL-897.

Reported: 2021-09-09 (September 9, 2021)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2019-2021 London Aire, Dutch Star, Essex, King Aire, Mountain Aire, 2020-2021 Ventana, and 2021 New Aire recreational vehicles. The instrument cluster may intermittently go blank while the vehicle is in motion.

Consequence: A blank instrument cluster display may be missing critical information such as the vehicle's speed and warning lights, which can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the control module software, and reroute and secure the ductwork, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 8, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar's customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2022-03-17 (March 17, 2022)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2021-2022 New Aire, Essex, King Aire, Ventana, Kountry Star, London Aire, Dutch Star and Mountain Aire motorhomes. The upper bolt connecting the steering column may not have been properly tightened, causing the nut to loosen off the bolt, potentially resulting in loss of steering control.

Consequence: Loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the upper and lower bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 16, 2022. Owners may contact Newmar's customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2022-04-11 (April 11, 2022)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, Ventana, Dutch Star, New Aire, Canyon Star, 2019 Ventana LE, 2020-2022 Kountry Star, 2019-2020 Mountain Aire, London Aire, Essex, and 2021 Super Star vehicles. The wiring under the seats may be incorrectly secured, which can lead to a pinched wire in the seat adjustment mechanism and cause an electrical short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the wiring, adding circuit breaker and fuse protection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 10, 2022. Owners may contact Newmar's customer service at 1-800-731-8300.