2004 Newmar ESSEX: complaints, problems and recalls

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: 2004-02-05 (February 5, 2004)

CERTAIN MOTORHOMES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS," AND NO. 210 "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE BOLTS CAN FAIL.

Consequence: THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ANCHORAGE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT FRAME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BELT LATCH BOLT AND INSTALL A BUSHING AND A GRADE 5 BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 4, 2004. 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 1-800-731-8300 OR VILLA INTERNATIONAL AT 714-535-7272.

Reported: 2005-04-25 (April 25, 2005)

ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE SYSTEMS' AQUA-HOT AND HYDRO-HOT WATER HEATERS, WHICH ARE EQUIPPED WITH WEBASTO BURNER TUBES, THE BURNER TUBES DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND COULD FAIL PREMATURELY.

Consequence: SHOULD THE BURNER TUBE FAIL, THE COOLANT HEATER COULD OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: VEHICLE SYSTEMS IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VEHICLE SYSTEMS AT 1-800-685-4298 OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7719.

Reported: 2005-06-02 (June 2, 2005)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AMETEK NGI GAUGES, THE AIR GAUGES ARE NOT PROPERLY CALIBRATED AND THE LOW AIR WARNING INDICATOR MAY BE ACTIVATED WHEN ACTUAL AIR RESERVOIR PRESSURE READINGS ARE BELOW THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD REQUIRED RANGE OF 60 TO 65PSI.

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING, THUS THROWING THE PASSENGER FORWARD, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: SPARTAN IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HARNESS JUMPER CABLE TO EACH AIR SENDER. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 800-543-4277 OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7719.

Reported: 2008-01-11 (January 11, 2008)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER VCL OR XC CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ZF MODEL 8018 STEERING GEARS, THESE GEARS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE INCORRECT RECIRCULATING BALL SPACER. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW THE RECIRCULATING BALLS TO ESCAPE FROM THE RECIRCULATING BALL CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING.

Consequence: THE OPERATOR MAY NOTICE HIGHER REQUIRED STEERING WHEEL INPUTS, OR THE NEED FOR MORE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE IN COMBINATION WITH METALLIC CRACKING NOISES PRIOR TO A LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V-343) AND WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7791.

Reported: 2008-08-20 (August 20, 2008)

NEWMAR IS RECALLING 1 MY 2004 ESSEX DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOME BUILT ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES. THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE MAY LEAK CAUSING A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES TO PARK THE VEHICLE AFTER THE OPERATOR PULLS THE DASH VALVE BUTTON.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A DELAY OR FAILURE IN APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH DAIMLER TRUCKS AND BENDIX TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE (PLEASE SEE 07V302 AND 07E037). BENDIX WILL INSTALL A CHECK VALVE REPAIR KIT FOR THE AFFECTED SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712, BENDIX AT 1-440-329-9000 OR NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-7791.

Reported: 2015-11-13 (November 13, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Essex motorhomes manufactured March 24, 2003, to March 7, 2007, and 2005-2007 London Aire motorhomes manufactured May 30, 2005, to October 23, 2006, and 2007-2008 Mountain Aire motorhomes manufactured January 19, 2006, to February 27, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the engine cooling fan may separate from the fan drive while the fan is spinning.

Consequence: If the engine area is open and the cooling fan and detaches, someone nearby may be injured.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will replace the fan and fan drive system, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar service department at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan Chassis at 1-800-543-4277.

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.