2016 Newmar DUTCH STAR: complaints, problems and recalls

I HAVE A 2016 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR MOTOR HOME MODEL 4018. IT'S A 40 FT LONG DIESEL PUSHER ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS WITH TOYAL WEIGHT OF 39600 LBS. THE PROBLEM IS POTENTIAL OVERLOADING OF THE FRONT TIRES DUE TO WEIGHT. THE MOTOR HOME WAS JUST WEIGHED AT THE NEWMAR CORP. FACTORY AND THE WEIGHT ON THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WITHOUT PASSENGERS WAS 7355 LBS. THE FRONT TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE MICHELIN 305/70R22.5 LRL SERIES XRV. THEY HAVE A MAXIMUM LOAD RATING OF 7830 LBS.. ADDING THE WEIGHT OF A PASSENGER AND I SITTING IN THE TWO FRONT SEATS I ESTI…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10928890 at NHTSA ↗

While driving on I-75 in the Venice, Florida area, the lower half of the window fell off our motorcoach. The window was located on the passenger side about 22 ft from the front. I have learned this morning that many reports of this continue being reported on windows made by Hehr, which is now owned by Lippert. We are so very thankful it did not hit the vehicle behind us.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11455299 at NHTSA ↗

Windows constantly fogging causing view obstruction to rear view mirrors.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11491238 at NHTSA ↗

See attached document for complaint.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11723800 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: 2016-04-28 (April 28, 2016)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, Essex, and 2015-2016 London Aire vehicles manufactured March 27, 2013, to October 16, 2015 and built on a Freightliner chassis. On certain recreational vehicles built with a heavier, adjustable foot pedal, the brake activation signal to certain towed devices may not deactivate when the service brakes are released.

Consequence: If the brake activation signal to a towed device remains active when the motorhome chassis service brakes are released, the brakes on a towed device may remain engaged depending on brake configuration of the trailer. As a result, the brakes would drag and possibly overheat potentially resulting in a fire. Additionally, following drivers may be confused by the motorhome's actions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will modify the affected assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Freightliner/Daimler Trucks North America LLC at 1-800-547-0712 or Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 16V-204.

Reported: 2016-06-08 (June 8, 2016)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Dutch Star motorhomes manufactured from June 5, 2014, through October 16, 2015, and built on a Freightliner chassis. In the affected vehicles, the steering box may have been manufactured with an incorrect spacer with insufficient height that can cause too much play, causing the connection to wear between the steering wheel and the front axle.

Consequence: The steering wheel's connection to the front axle could fail resulting in a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will inspect and replace the steering box if necessary, free of charge. Note: Owners are urged not to drive their vehicles until they have been inspected. The recall began on July 14, 2016. 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 366.

Reported: 2016-06-28 (June 28, 2016)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Dutch Star and Mountain Aire and 2015-2016 London Aire and Essex motorhomes manufactured January 28, 2013, to December 14, 2015 and built on a Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) chassis. The throttle pedal position sensor on the affected vehicles may not return to zero, causing the engine brake to suddenly not activate as expected, reducing the vehicle's deceleration ability.

Consequence: A sudden loss of an engine brake without warning on a motorhome may lead to a reduced brake capacity, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and DTNA dealers will replace the throttle pedal, free of charge. The recall began on August 5, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar Customer Service Department at 1-800-731-8300 or Daimler Trucks North America LLC at 1-800-547-0712, or by e-mail at [email protected]. Newmar's number for this recall is 16V 321.

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: 2017-08-09 (August 9, 2017)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2014 Moutain Aire and 2014-2017 Dutch Star recreational vehicles built on Freightliner XCR chassis manufactured by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). These chassis have a battery cable mounting bracket may not have been installed correctly, as a result, the improperly routed and clipped battery cable can contact the frame rail, possibly chafing and short circuiting.

Consequence: A battery cable short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and DTNA dealers will inspect and revise the battery cable mounting bracket and cable routing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 20, 2017. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks North America at 1-800-547-0712 or Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 17V-451.

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.