2016 Newmar VENTANA: complaints, problems and recalls

On Jan 2, 2021, I filed NHTSA complaint #11386115. To date I have heard nothing other than an acknowledgement of receipt of the complaint. I would like to point out that this problem is on-going, increasing in severity and number of occurrences, and can easily be considered a life safety issue. As I’m sure you are aware, vehicles conveying human beings are becoming randomly and unpredictability stranded due to faulty sensors on otherwise properly functioning emission systems. This problem is easily resolvable with a simple policy modification…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424056 at NHTSA ↗

The SCR/DPF/DEF emissions control system is faulty and results in the vehicle becoming undrivable at unpredictable instances when no actual fault or deficiency exists. This may result in the driver becoming stranded in area with no cell phone signal and during times of harsh weather. It may also leave motorists stranded in unsafe locations with insufficient room to park safely and no capability to move to a safe location. This is a result of the system “de-rating” due to faulty sensors or DEF delivery systems or a variety of other causes. Becau…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431469 at NHTSA ↗

Driving west on Interstate 80 in Iowa heading to South Dakota, when smoke started to appear in rear of motor home outside . Pulled over to find that diesel fuel was spraying all over the motor, very fortunate that it did not catch on fire. It is a Cummins 8.9 diesel motor # 73844606 . Had it towed to a licensed repair shop and the mechanic found that the # 1 fuel injector line had a hair line crack causing the fuel leak. Contacted Cummins on this issue and they said there is no recall on this problem , because there is not enough engines h…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473849 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2016-01-27 (January 27, 2016)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ventana, and Dutch Star vehicles manufactured March 19, 2015, to January 21, 2016 on Freightliner chassis. The affected vehicles have an "Incomplete Vehicle Label" that incorrectly lists the maximum front tire inflation level to be 130 pounds per square inch (psi), when the correct level is 120 psi.

Consequence: If the tire is overinflated due to the incorrect label, the tire may unexpectedly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Freightliner will provide a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began on February 29, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791.

Reported: 2016-05-04 (May 4, 2016)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ventana, and Ventana LE vehicles manufactured March 27, 2015, to February 8, 2016, built on a Freightliner chassis. The front sway bar mounting brackets may not fit properly on the axle causing the mounting bolts to bend or loosen.

Consequence: If the sway bar bolts loosen, the sway bar may detach from the axle, affecting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers for Daimler Trucks, manufacturer of the chassis, will modify the sway bar mounting, free of charge. The recall began on June 14, 2016. Owners should contact Daimler Trucks North America LLC at 1-800-547-0712, or e-mail them at DTNA.Warranty.Campaigns@Daimler.com to locate a service center. Owners may also contact the Newmar service department at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 16V 208.

Reported: 2016-11-15 (November 15, 2016)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Dutch Star and Ventana motorhomes manufactured January 22, 2016, to November 7, 2016, equipped with Cummins ISL engines. These vehicles, built on a Freightliner chassis, have a power steering hose that may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on the starter motor, possibly causing electrical arcing and a power steering fluid leak.

Consequence: Electrical arcing in the presence of leaking power steering fluid can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will reroute the power steering hose for proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2017. Owners may contact Freightliner customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 16V 809.

Reported: 2017-06-30 (June 30, 2017)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Newmar Dutch Star and 2015-2017 Newmar Ventana motorhomes. In the affected motorhomes, the driver side and passenger side powered night shades can be lowered by using the remote when the ignition is in the ON position.

Consequence: If the vehicle is being driven and the button on the remote is pushed, the night shades may lower, blocking the driver's view, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners and dealers will install a relay to disable the operation of the driver and passenger night shade by the remote when the ignition is in the ON position. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

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.

Reported: 2017-12-19 (December 19, 2017)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2016-2018 Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, Essex, King Aire, London Aire, Mountain Aire, New Aire, Ventana and Ventana LE motorhomes. These vehicles may have a loose power connection at the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), possibly resulting in a build up of heat.

Consequence: The build up of heat in the wiring from the loose power connection can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electrical connection at the ATS, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2018-03-27 (March 27, 2018)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Newmar Ventana, 2011-2017 Newmar Dutch Star, and 2011-2014 Newmar Mountain Aire vehicles, built on Freightliner XBR chassis and equipped with Cummins ISL engines. The power steering hose on the affected vehicles may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on the starter motor, possibly causing electrical arcing and a power steering fluid leak.

Consequence: If the power steering hose contacts the power stud causing a power steering fluid leak, additional steering effort may be needed increasing the risk of a crash or an electrical arc may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will reroute the power steering hose, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is FL-762.

Reported: 2018-04-18 (April 18, 2018)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Newmar Ventana, 2015-2016 Newmar London Aire, and 2013-2017 Newmar Dutch Star motorhomes. When switching from using the low beam headlights to the high beam headlights, the low beam headlights go out when the intention was to have both beams illuminate.

Consequence: Without the low beams also illuminated when the high beams are on, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will correct the vehicles so that the low beam stays illuminated when the high beam is switched on, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.