2014 Newmar KING AIRE: complaints, problems and recalls

DRIVER SIDE BELL CRANK BALL JOINT POPPED OFF WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING. THIS OCCURRED WHEN BACKING VEHICLE. SLOW SPEED LESS THEN 5 MPH. CHASSIS IS MANUFACTURED BY SPARTAN MOTORS. SERVICE BULLETIN TO INSPECT THIS PART HAD BEEN ISSUED RSB13-250-005B. SUPPOSEDLY VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED PRIOR TO MY OWNERSHIP.

Owner-reported narrative. 11,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10875801 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-12-12 (December 12, 2013)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 motorhomes manufactured October 15, 2012, through June 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the castle nuts for the steering linkage ball joint fasteners, which mount to bell cranks, may be loose. If the castle nuts become completely loose, the steering linkage may separate from the bell cranks without warning.

Consequence: This may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners and Spartan dealers will replace the steering linkage fasteners, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Customers may contact Newmar at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2015-02-03 (February 3, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Newmar King Aire, and Essex vehicles manufactured December 9, 2013, to December 16, 2014, equipped with certain Wabco Quick Release Valves with Double Check. In the affected valves, the rubber diaphragm may be damaged by sharp edges on the valve seat ribs, reducing the available air pressure in the air tanks.

Consequence: The reduced air pressure levels may reduce braking performance and/or the parking brakes could reapply, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the valve, free of charge. The recall began on February 26, 2015. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2015-02-06 (February 6, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 King Aire and Essex vehicles manufactured April 12, 2013, to October 18, 2013, and built on Spartan Chassis. In the affected vehicles, the steering linkage castlenuts may loosen without warning and the steering linkage may separate from the bell cranks.

Consequence: If the steering linkage separates from the bell cranks, a loss of vehicle control may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will inspect the steering linkage castle nuts and tighten them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2015-03-16 (March 16, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 King Aire, Essex, London Aire, and Mountain Aire motor homes manufactured November 26, 2013, to November 11, 2014. The wiper blades may separate from the wiper arm connectors, especially when the wipers are used at the high speed setting.

Consequence: If the wiper blades separate from the wiper arms, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

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: 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: 2017-03-22 (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.