2013 Newmar ESSEX: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2013-12-12 (December 12, 2013)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 motorhomes manufactured October 15, 2012, through June 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the castle nuts for the steering linkage ball joint fasteners, which mount to bell cranks, may be loose. If the castle nuts become completely loose, the steering linkage may separate from the bell cranks without warning.

Consequence: This may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners and Spartan dealers will replace the steering linkage fasteners, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Customers may contact Newmar at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2014-03-04 (March 4, 2014)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Bay Star Sport, Bay Star, Canyon Star, Ventana LE, Ventana, Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, and Essex recreational vehicles manufactured February 18, 2013, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with Frigidaire KG series microwaves. In the affected vehicles, the microwave may start on its own.

Consequence: If the microwave starts on its own and there are contents inside, a fire could result.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners and dealers. The recall began on April 17, 2014. Owners may contact Newmar at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2015-02-06 (February 6, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 King Aire and Essex vehicles manufactured April 12, 2013, to October 18, 2013, and built on Spartan Chassis. In the affected vehicles, the steering linkage castlenuts may loosen without warning and the steering linkage may separate from the bell cranks.

Consequence: If the steering linkage separates from the bell cranks, a loss of vehicle control may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will inspect the steering linkage castle nuts and tighten them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2015-11-03 (November 3, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Essex recreational vehicles manufactured March 22, 2011, to January 8, 2013, and 2012 King Aire recreational vehicles manufactured March 22, 2011, to March 31, 2011, and built on a Spartan Motors chassis. Due to contact with the steering relay rod, the ABS modulator valve may fracture resulting in air not being applied to the affected wheel's air brakes.

Consequence: This may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle or cause the vehicle to pull to one side when braking. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners on Newmar's behalf and Spartan dealers will reorient the ABS modulator valve and install spacers for additional clearance, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300, or Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Newmar's number for this recall is 13V 392.

Reported: 2015-12-01 (December 1, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 King Aire, 2009-2014 Essex, 2011-2015 Mountain Aire, Ventana, and Dutch Star, 2012-2014 Ventana LE, 2012-2015 Canyon Star, and 2015 London Aire motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with refrigerator door latches that may inadvertently lock without the operator's knowledge.

Consequence: If an individual climbed into the refrigerator and the door inadvertently latched, the person would not be able to open the door, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will install a new replacement door latch that will not automatically latch, free of charge. The recall began on January 24, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

Reported: 2017-03-22 (March 22, 2017)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Dutch Star, 2016-2018 Mountain Aire and London Aire, and 2012-2018 Essex and King Aire motorhomes built on a Spartan Motors chassis. The ball joints on the independent front suspension (IFS) modules can loosen and separate, leading to a partial loss of steering.

Consequence: A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan service centers will remove, clean, apply thread locker, reinstall and torqued the ball joints, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 3, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-800-543-4277 to locate a qualified service center or contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791. Newmar's number for this recall is 17004.

Reported: 2017-06-14 (June 14, 2017)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2012-2015 King Aire and Essex motorhomes built on a Spartan Motors chassis. A component within the starter motor may break, potentially resulting in the starter motor overheating or drawing excessive current.

Consequence: A starter motor that overheats may increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan Motors dealers will replace the starter, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan Motors at 1-800-543-4277 or Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 17012.

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.