2012 Newmar ESSEX: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2013-09-17 (September 17, 2013)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2012 Essex and King Aire motor homes manufactured December 15, 2010, through August 15, 2011 on a Spartan Motors chassis. These vehicles are equipped with Ametek air pressure gauges that may exceed the air brake pressure accuracy requirements of plus or minus 7 percent. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: A low air pressure condition may appear safe to the driver, leaving the operator ignorant of the true condition of the vehicle's air brake system, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan Motors will notify the affected owners on behalf of Newmar Corporation. Spartan Motors dealers will replace the air pressure gauge. The recall began during November 2013. Owners may contact Newmar Corporation at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan Motors at 1-800-582-3454.

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: 2015-11-03 (November 3, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Essex recreational vehicles manufactured March 22, 2011, to January 8, 2013, and 2012 King Aire recreational vehicles manufactured March 22, 2011, to March 31, 2011, and built on a Spartan Motors chassis. Due to contact with the steering relay rod, the ABS modulator valve may fracture resulting in air not being applied to the affected wheel's air brakes.

Consequence: This may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle or cause the vehicle to pull to one side when braking. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners on Newmar's behalf and Spartan dealers will reorient the ABS modulator valve and install spacers for additional clearance, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300, or Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Newmar's number for this recall is 13V 392.

Reported: 2015-12-01 (December 1, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 King Aire, 2009-2014 Essex, 2011-2015 Mountain Aire, Ventana, and Dutch Star, 2012-2014 Ventana LE, 2012-2015 Canyon Star, and 2015 London Aire motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with refrigerator door latches that may inadvertently lock without the operator's knowledge.

Consequence: If an individual climbed into the refrigerator and the door inadvertently latched, the person would not be able to open the door, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will install a new replacement door latch that will not automatically latch, free of charge. The recall began on January 24, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2017-03-22 (March 22, 2017)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Dutch Star, 2016-2018 Mountain Aire and London Aire, and 2012-2018 Essex and King Aire motorhomes built on a Spartan Motors chassis. The ball joints on the independent front suspension (IFS) modules can loosen and separate, leading to a partial loss of steering.

Consequence: A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan service centers will remove, clean, apply thread locker, reinstall and torqued the ball joints, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 3, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-800-543-4277 to locate a qualified service center or contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791. Newmar's number for this recall is 17004.

Reported: 2017-06-14 (June 14, 2017)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2012-2015 King Aire and Essex motorhomes built on a Spartan Motors chassis. A component within the starter motor may break, potentially resulting in the starter motor overheating or drawing excessive current.

Consequence: A starter motor that overheats may increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan Motors dealers will replace the starter, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan Motors at 1-800-543-4277 or Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 17012.

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.