2002 Newmar MOUNTAIN AIRE: complaints, problems and recalls

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP WHEN THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT WAS MADE. *JB *TS *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019795 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE FIFTH WHEEL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR MODEL # RM386). HE REPLACED THE REFRIGERATOR HIMSELF. DOMETIC HAS DENIED REIMBURSING HIM BECAUSE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR FOR CONFIRMATION THAT THE BOILER TUBE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE UNIT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10189669 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PADS WERE DRAGGING ON THE ROTORS AND CAUSING THEM TO BURN. THE CALIPERS WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT NEVER WERE. WHILE DRIVING 62 MPH, HE NOTICED SMOKE OUTSIDE THE WINDOW. HE PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT NO ONE WAS ABLE TO HELP. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,152 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS LEAKING. BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197827 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE MOTOR HOME. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CALIPERS BECAME SO HOT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID BOILED. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE CALIPERS AND THE CONTACT PAID TO HAVE THE SYSTEM FLUSHED. AFTER RETREIVING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING FOUR BLOCKS, THE BRAKES PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE CALLED WORK HORSE THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS ASKED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE SEVEN DAYS, BUT IT WAS NEVER MOVED. ANOTHER MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ROTORS …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10243163 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE RV. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN A GREAT AMOUNT OF FORCE WAS EXERTED DURING APPLICATION, HE WAS ABLE TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER AT AN EXPENSE OF $500.00. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,300.

Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284258 at NHTSA ↗

UNABLE TO GET PARTS FOR THE WORKHORSE BRAKE CALIPER RECALL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10358462 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED TO THE SIDE AND ROLLED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 05/06/16*BF *CN

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10849746 at NHTSA ↗

RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED SHIMMYING AT 30-55 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER, FRAME HAD BEEN STRETCHED DURING MANUFACTURING OF VEHICLE, AND THERE WERE NO PROPER SHIMS IN DRIVESHAFT CARRIER BEARING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR FOR 30 DAYS.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8011210 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2002-08-15 (August 15, 2002)

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR WABCO PNEUMATIC ANITLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) VALVE PACKAGES, THE ASSEMBLY BOLTS ON THESE VALVE PACKAGES WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.

Consequence: BOLTS TORQUED BELOW SPECIFICATION WILL NOT RELIABLY PREVENT AIR LEAKAGE AT THE AFFECTED ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS ONCE THE COMPONENT BEGINS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. IF AIR LEAKS DEVELOP AT ANY OF THE ABS VALVE PACKAGE INTERFACE JOINTS, BRAKE SYSTEM PRESSURE REDUCTIONS COULD OCCUR DURING BRAKING OR NORMAL OPERATION WITH UNITS EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION, POTENTIALLY EXTENDING STOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. 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 ARVINMERITOR WABCO AT 1-859-746-5956 OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7791.

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: 2003-10-03 (October 3, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH TUTHILL INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSIONS, THE DEFECT IS INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING TORQUE OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE CARRIER BOLT THAT MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE FROM ONE OF THE CONTROL ARMS.

Consequence: SHOULD THE STEERING KNUCKLE CARRIER SEPARATE FROM THE CONTROL ARM, THE OPERATOR COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: TUTHILL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A RETROFIT KIT P/N K704627 FREE OF CHARGE. 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 TUTHILL TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES AT 800-225-7824 (EXT. #390), SPARTAN AT 517-543-6400, OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7791.

Reported: 2004-01-09 (January 9, 2004)

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH ZOPS BRAKE CALIPERS, THE PADS CAN DRAG ON THE ROTOR SURFACE DUE TO THE PIN SLIDE.

Consequence: A HANG UP OR LOCK UP MAY CAUSE THE CALIPERS TO OVER HEAT AND NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO STOP SAFELY. THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKE CALIPERS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS AND WILL ARRANGE TO HAVE THE CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773 OR NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-5153.

Reported: 2005-09-08 (September 8, 2005)

ON CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH TREDIT WHEELS, THE RIMS MAY HAVE POOR WELD QUALITY AND INSUFFICIENT PRESS FIT BETWEEN THE WHEEL RIM AND DISC.

Consequence: THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE RIM. THE WHEEL MAY WOBBLE AND CAUSE A VIBRATION OR THE MOUNTED TIRE COULD LOSE AIR CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH TREDIT TIRE TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND HAVE THE RIMS REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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: 2010-09-22 (September 22, 2010)

NEWMAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DIMPLEX ELECTRAFLAME, SYMPHONY, OR OPTIFLAME BRANDED ELECTRIC FIREPLACES, STOVES, AND FIREPLACE INSERTS. THE PLUG IN REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER FOR THE FIREPLACE CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence: AN OVERHEATED RECEIVER COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH DIMPLEX AND DIMPLEX WILL PROVIDE OWNERS A FREE REPLACEMENT PLUG-IN REMOTE CONTROL KIT. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-346-7539.

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: 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.