U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Newmar MOUNTAIN AIRE problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

10 owner complaints analyzed

13 distinct recall campaigns

30,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 10 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	6	60.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Trailer Hitches

Service Brakes

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper

Unknown Or Other

Visibility

Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Trailer Hitches: 2; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Visibility: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004

2005

2008

2009

2010

2011

2013

2017

2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2017: 1

Pattern summary

Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10115132 · 2005-04-05 (April 5, 2005)

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V084000 CONCERNING WORKHORSE-BOSCH ZOPS BRAKE CALIPERS: AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED, WITHIN 800 MILES OR LESS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND ALMOST CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE'S RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED. *AK THE FRONT BEARINGS KEPT LOSING FLUIDS. BOTH INNER WHEEL SEALS WERE LEAKING THEREFORE BOTH FRONT INNER AND OUTER SEALS ON THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *SC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115132 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10238036 · 2008-08-13 (August 13, 2008)

ABS BRAKE FAILURE AND LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL. HAPPENED DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CALIPERS HUNG UP AND OVER HEATED BRAKES BURNING OUT ABS SENSOR. SAME PROBLEM ON 2002, 2001 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED 2003 AS PROBLEM IS THE SAME. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME YEAR AND SAME SITUATION AS MINE. WORKHORSE SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED OWNERS TO LUBE CALIPER SLIDES IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 22,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238036 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

10 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

70.0%Usable mileage7 / 10 records

100.0%Valid incident date10 / 10 records

100.0%Valid filing date10 / 10 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates10 / 10 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11384396 · 25,000 mi I PURCHASED THE UNIT WITH 25,000 MILES. THE DEF SYSTEM FAILED ENROUTE TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM AND FAILED AGAIN AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES AFTER REPAIR. THE ENTIRE DEF HEADER WAS REPLACED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES IN TO DERATE. MY MOTORHOME IS 53,000 LBS AND 45'. ADD A TOW VEHICLE AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I WAS HEADING TO LAS VEGAS NV FROM QUARTZITE, AZ WHEN THIS HAPPEND ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. NO PLACE TO PULL OVER TO EVEN CHECK ANYTHING. THESE DEF SYSTEMS CONTINUE T… Look up ODI 11384396 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11423856 These vehicles, built on a Spartan K3 chassis and powered by a Cummins ISX-12 engine are experiencing very high failure rates in the DEF system control head. When the control head fails, it sends error codes that result in derating engine power dramatically and/or immediate engine shut-down. This creates a very dangerous situation for anyone driving a motorhome that experiences this problem. In extreme cases, it may stop the vehicle in traffic lanes. Spartan Chassis says replacement DEF control heads are in extremely short supply and they wi… Look up ODI 11423856 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 11425599 My motorhome is currently in a Freighliner shop to replace the 2nd defective DEF head in less than 19,000 miles since New. The defective DEF head causes a derate of power and total shut down and can leave you stranded on the highway or coming down a mountain pass with no power defeating the air compressor therefore no air brakes with a 45 foot, 58,000 GVW vehicle. In my case I was able to get off the highway before total shutdown only because I was aware of the built in shutdown design of the emissions system. Look up ODI 11425599 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 11383084 · 3,000 mi THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, CAUSING GLARE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER IT IS IN-MOTION OR STATIONARY. AS SUCH, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 101, "CONTROL AND DISPLAYS." THE ONLY WAY I CAN DRIVE AT NIGHT IS TO COVER THE GLASS DISPLAY SO THAT I DO NOT GET THE GLARE REFLECTING FROM THE SIDE WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD. WHEN THE GLASS DASH IS COVERED YOU LOSE CRITICAL INFORMATION INCLUDING VEHICLE SPEED. THE GLARE OBSCURES SEEING OUT THE WI… Look up ODI 11383084 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 11511401 What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Tire pressurre monitoring system (TPMS) has not functioned properly since the day the vehicle was delivered. Drive and tag axle tire pressures and temps won't display reliably. The inner tire pressure on the driver's side of the drive axle has never displayed. Other drive and tag axle tire info displays intermittently in no obvious pattern-appears and disappears unpredictably. The TPMS can be inspected. How was your safety or the safety of… Look up ODI 11511401 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 11339919 · 10,000 mi ON JUNE 4TH AT 11:16 AM, TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON I-40 AT 70 MPH MY BRAKES WERE SLAMMED ON MOMENTARILY AND ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WAS CANCELLED FOR A FEW SECONDS. THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME EXCEPT FOR THE OVER PASS FOR PETRIFIED FOREST NP. BIG RIG TRUCKER WAS JUST BEGINNING TO CHANGE LANES AND PASS ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. TRUCKER WAS CHALLENGED IN HIS EFFORTS TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME AND HE WAS OBVIOUSLY FURIOUS WITH ME AS HE PASSED ME. THIS WAS THE 5TH TIME THE COACH HAS FALSE ALARMED IN ABOUT 7,000 MILES. ZF WABCO, ON GUARD CMS IS THE R… Look up ODI 11339919 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Frame And Members	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Visibility:Windshield	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Equipment	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	30,500 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10238036 · 22,500 mi ABS BRAKE FAILURE AND LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL. HAPPENED DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CALIPERS HUNG UP AND OVER HEATED BRAKES BURNING OUT ABS SENSOR. SAME PROBLEM ON 2002, 2001 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED 2003 AS PROBLEM IS THE SAME. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME YEAR AND SAME SITUATION AS MINE. WORKHORSE SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED OWNERS TO LUBE CALIPER SLIDES IMMEDIATELY. TR Look up ODI 10238036 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10246619 · 37,000 mi RIGHT FRONTS BRAKE LOCK UP CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL PULLED ME INTO THE DITCH. SECOND PROBLEM 2000 THOUSAND MILES LATER, RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRAGGING AND OVER HEATING. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OVER HEATED AND CAUSED OIL TO BOIL OUT OF BEARING, TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP FOR FIX. TR Look up ODI 10246619 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10284499 · 30,500 mi A BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WERE BEGINNING TO GRAB AND NOT RELEASE. AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR THE BRAKES COOLED ENOUGH TO DRIVE TO CUMMINS-BRIDGEWAY, WHO ARE THE LOCAL WORKHORSE SERVICE GARAGE. THEY EXAMINED THE BRAKES, SAID THEY HAD OVERHEATED BUT THEY WERE OK TO DRIVE ON VACATION AND CHARGED $70.70 FOR THE INSPECTION. ON JUNE 26, IN LANCASTER, PA THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. KNOWING THE DIAGNOSIS WE JUST CANCELLED VACATION AND BROUGHT THE MOTORHOME BACK HOME. *TR Look up ODI 10284499 at NHTSA ↗
Trailer Hitches	Too few reports for a range	27,272 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10090354 · 27,272 mi WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE TRAILER HITCH BROKE IN HALF WHILE THE TOWING A VEHICLE. THE TRAILER WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A HIDDEN HITCH, SERIAL 64-6100 , FIVE THOUSAND POUND WEIGHT. THE MOTOR HOME WAS DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS BEING PULLED.AK JB Look up ODI 10090354 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	Too few reports for a range	16,400 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10537041 · 16,400 mi I DELIVERED OUR RV TO A CERTIFIED WORKHORSE REPAIR CENTER TO HAVE THE #51101-C BRAKE RECALL ADDRESSED. THE WORKMANSHIP WAS EXCELLENT. MY COMPLAINT IS WORKHORSE DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE COMPLETE REPAIR. THEIR ARGUMENT IS THAT THE RV WASN'T DRIVEN ENOUGH. I PURCHASED THIS RV USED AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL WHEN I REGISTERED IT WITH WORKHORSE.COM. WHEN YOU READ THE TROUBLE TREE, PARAGRAPH 1.3/A, ALL THESE PARTS WERE CHANGED AND COMPLETED IN STEPS 8 & 9. THE TROUBLE TREE SAYS IT IS COVERED BUT THE WORKHORSE SERVICE DEPT. DOESN'T WANT TO PAY… Look up ODI 10537041 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	35,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10958794 · 35,000 mi NORCOLD 1200 RECALL, BACK OF REFRIDGE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ON GAS SETTING IN DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME AFTER A RETURN TRIP TO FLA. Look up ODI 10958794 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility	Too few reports for a range	33,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10398108 · 33,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE A CLASS. THE WINDSHIELD SEPARATED AT THE DRIVERS UPPER LEFT SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GLASS SHOP WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE WINDSHIELD CONTINUED TO SEPARATE AT THE DRIVER UPPER LEFT SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,020. Look up ODI 10398108 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2022: 2 complaints · 2023: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2022	0	1	2
2023	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2022	2	0	0
2023	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Trailer Hitches	Service Brakes	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper	Unknown Or Other	Visibility
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	—	0	0	0	0	0
Trailer Hitches	0	—	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes	0	0	—	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper	0	0	0	—	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	0	0	0	—	0
Visibility	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

1 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 10.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 22,500 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10238036 · 22,500 mi

Look up ODI 10238036 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule