2016 Newmar ESSEX: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2015-06-30 (June 30, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 King Aire and Essex vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2014, and May 13, 2015, and model year 2016 Mountain Aire vehicles manufactured from March 17, 2015, through April 17, 2015. The affected vehicles, built on a Spartan Chassis, have fasteners that attach the stay rod (v-rod) to the rear drive axle that may not have been installed with thread locker or tightened in the correct sequence.

Consequence: If the fasteners loosen, the stay rod may disconnect from the rear axle, allowing the rear axle to move freely, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners on behalf of Newmar, and dealers will replace the fasteners using thread lock, tightening them in the proper sequence and with the required torque values, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-582-3454.

Reported: 2015-08-05 (August 5, 2015)

Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Essex and King Aire vehicles manufactured March 7, 2014, to June 15, 2015, and 2016 Mountain Aire vehicles manufactured March 9, 2015, to June 5, 2015. The control module for the air suspension may experience a loss of power resulting in the air suspension not being able to achieve ride height.

Consequence: If the ride height of the suspension is less than specified ride height the vehicle may be difficult to control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Newmar will notify owners and Spartan Motors will repair the motor homes free of charge. The recall began on August 5, 2015. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.

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: 2016-06-28 (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: 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: 2017-12-15 (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.