2000 Newmar MOUNTAIN AIRE: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MOUNTAIN AIRE RV MADE BY NEWMAR WITH A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL# NDR1062, SERIAL# 95200085. ON 2 OCCASIONS THE REFRIGERATOR LEAKED COOLANT. THE REFRIGERATOR WAS REPAIRED ON BOTH OCCASIONS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT NO LONGER USED THE REFRIGERATOR DUE TO THE SAFETY FIRE RISK RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE OWNER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT DOMETIC AND WAS UNABLE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10182571 at NHTSA ↗

DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR FAILED CUSTOMER STATED THAT SHE WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR DAMAGES DONE DUE TO THE REFRIGERATOR LEAKING**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE REFRIGERATOR LEAKED COOLANT NEAR THE ELECTRICAL HEATER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED SHE WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE ARBITRARY CUT-OFF FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10190078 at NHTSA ↗

MOTORHOME FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS STARTED TO COME OUT ACROSS THE TOP AND DOWN THE SIDES, HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES AND IS NOW HAPPENING AGAIN. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560538 at NHTSA ↗

THE BATTERY WOULD NOT CHARGE. NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561478 at NHTSA ↗

THE GROSS WEIGHT IS 21260 CHASSIS REAR AXLE IS RATED AT 13500 AND IS LOADED AT 14360 WITHOUT FULL LIQUID LOAD, THE FRONT IS RATED AT 7000 AND IS LOADED AT 6900 WITHOUT A DRIVER OR PASSENGER, THE REAR SHOCKS ARE COMPRESSED AND ALLOW NO DAMPING ACTION AT THIS TIME, THE FORD TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THAT THE COACH WAS BUILT TOO HEAVY FOR THE FORD CHASSIS, NEWMAR IS NOW WILLING TO PUT A SPRING UNDER THE CHASSIS HOWEVER IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BUILT PROPERLY AT THE TIME OF ASSEMBLY THE CONSUMER IS WONDERING HOW A SPRING IS GOING TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE N…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561714 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN MOTORHOME WAS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN INTAKE MANIFOLD MALFUNCTIONED, ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER INTO AIR CLEANER WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO DIE OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS, PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 871187 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN IT SEVERELY VEERS TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, BOUNCES UP AND DOWN WHICH CAUSES LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES THAT PROBLEM EXISST DUE TO THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 890739 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-08-16 (August 16, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. INCORRECT INFORMATION HAS BEEN USED ON THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) TAG. THE TAG SHOWS TIRES INFORMATION LOCATED UNDER COLD INFLATION PRESSURE AS 131 PSI FOR THE FRONT AND 123 PSI FOR THE REAR. THE MAXIMUM TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE FOR THE RIM IS 120 PSI. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence: THE RIM COULD POSSIBLY FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: NEW TAGS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS.

Reported: 2000-10-07 (October 7, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT AND REAR ENGINE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD, SPARTAN AND WORKHORSE CHASSIS. ALL FRONT ENGINE CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD AND WORKHORSE CHASSIS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2000. ALL REAR ENGINE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN CHASSIS WERE BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 23 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2000. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." AN INCORRECT VENT HOSE WAS INSTALLED ON THE FILL NOZZLE TO THE FUEL TANK. THE HOSE CAN BREAK DOWN ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE TO AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL VENT HOSE.

Reported: 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.

Consequence: IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REVISE THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 14, 2003. 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 1-574-773-7791.

Reported: 2007-03-05 (March 5, 2007)

CERTAIN CLASS A AND DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOMES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NEWMAR WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-7791.

Reported: 2008-01-24 (January 24, 2008)

ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES CONSTRUCTED ON FORD F-53TY1 AND P131 MOTOR HOME CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH FORD IN CONDUCTING THIS RECALL. FORD WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332 OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7791. (NOTE: ALSO SEE FORD RECALLS 05V017, 05V388, AND 06V286)

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.