2003 Newmar MOUNTAIN AIRE: complaints, problems and recalls

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE TRAILER HITCH BROKE IN HALF WHILE THE TOWING A VEHICLE. THE TRAILER WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A HIDDEN HITCH, SERIAL 64-6100 , FIVE THOUSAND POUND WEIGHT. THE MOTOR HOME WAS DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS BEING PULLED.*AK *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 27,272 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090354 at NHTSA ↗

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V084000 CONCERNING WORKHORSE-BOSCH ZOPS BRAKE CALIPERS: AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED, WITHIN 800 MILES OR LESS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND ALMOST CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE'S RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED. *AK THE FRONT BEARINGS KEPT LOSING FLUIDS. BOTH INNER WHEEL SEALS WERE LEAKING THEREFORE BOTH FRONT INNER AND OUTER SEALS ON THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *SC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115132 at NHTSA ↗

ABS BRAKE FAILURE AND LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL. HAPPENED DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CALIPERS HUNG UP AND OVER HEATED BRAKES BURNING OUT ABS SENSOR. SAME PROBLEM ON 2002, 2001 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED 2003 AS PROBLEM IS THE SAME. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME YEAR AND SAME SITUATION AS MINE. WORKHORSE SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED OWNERS TO LUBE CALIPER SLIDES IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 22,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238036 at NHTSA ↗

RIGHT FRONTS BRAKE LOCK UP CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL PULLED ME INTO THE DITCH. SECOND PROBLEM 2000 THOUSAND MILES LATER, RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRAGGING AND OVER HEATING. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OVER HEATED AND CAUSED OIL TO BOIL OUT OF BEARING, TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP FOR FIX. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246619 at NHTSA ↗

A BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WERE BEGINNING TO GRAB AND NOT RELEASE. AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR THE BRAKES COOLED ENOUGH TO DRIVE TO CUMMINS-BRIDGEWAY, WHO ARE THE LOCAL WORKHORSE SERVICE GARAGE. THEY EXAMINED THE BRAKES, SAID THEY HAD OVERHEATED BUT THEY WERE OK TO DRIVE ON VACATION AND CHARGED $70.70 FOR THE INSPECTION. ON JUNE 26, IN LANCASTER, PA THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. KNOWING THE DIAGNOSIS WE JUST CANCELLED VACATION AND BROUGHT THE MOTORHOME BACK HOME. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 30,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284499 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE MOTOR HOME WITH A WORKHORSE W22 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 09V217000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT THE PARTS HAS NOT COME IN AFTER MORE THAN 1 YEAR. HE STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN MAY 2009, DECEMBER 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 2010. THE CONTACT STATED HE CHECKED 2 DAYS AGO AND THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT IN FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10360294 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE A CLASS. THE WINDSHIELD SEPARATED AT THE DRIVERS UPPER LEFT SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GLASS SHOP WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE WINDSHIELD CONTINUED TO SEPARATE AT THE DRIVER UPPER LEFT SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,020.

Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10398108 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE MOTORHOME 3778. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HITCH FRACTURED WHERE IT WAS WELDED WHILE PULLING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE FAILURE INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURER ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/30/11 *BF UPDATED 3/01/2012 *LN

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10407011 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2002-07-25 (July 25, 2002)

ON CERTAIN DIESEL PUSHER, AND CLASS A MOTORHOMES, A BRACKET SECURING THE TV IN PLACE IN THE FRONT OVERHEAD CABINET ABOVE THE DRIVER MAY NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE TV.

Consequence: THE TV COULD BECOME LOOSE AND FALL OUT ON THE DRIVER CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BODILY INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TV FROM THE FRONT OVERHEAD CABINET AND REPLACE THE INSTALLATION BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 31, 2002. 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.

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: 2004-01-09 (January 9, 2004)

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH ZOPS BRAKE CALIPERS, THE PADS CAN DRAG ON THE ROTOR SURFACE DUE TO THE PIN SLIDE.

Consequence: A HANG UP OR LOCK UP MAY CAUSE THE CALIPERS TO OVER HEAT AND NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO STOP SAFELY. THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKE CALIPERS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS AND WILL ARRANGE TO HAVE THE CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773 OR NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-5153.

Reported: 2005-03-24 (March 24, 2005)

CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAY" AND STANDARD NO. 105 "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." MODELS WITH ACTIA INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, THE INCORRECT SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE CLUSTER SUCH THAT CERTAIN WARNINGS ARE NOT DISPLAYED.

Consequence: INCORRECT SOFTWARE MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO ILLUMINATE WARNING LAMPS INDICATING BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES. THE STANDARDS REQUIRE DRIVER WARNING WHEN BRAKE FAILURE CODES ARE SET.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773 OR NEWMAR AT 574-773-7719.

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: 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: 2009-06-11 (June 11, 2009)

NEWMAR IS RECALLING 2,578 MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.

Consequence: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.

Reported: 2009-08-11 (August 11, 2009)

NEWMAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 2004 MOTOR HOMES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE TRAILERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 5, 2002 AND APRIL 3, 2003, EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE COOLANT SOLUTION IN THESE COOLING UNITS CAN ESCAPE.

Consequence: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE REMEDY CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED BY NORCOLD. THE SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON OCTOBER 19, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101 OR NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-7791.

Reported: 2010-09-22 (September 22, 2010)

NEWMAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DIMPLEX ELECTRAFLAME, SYMPHONY, OR OPTIFLAME BRANDED ELECTRIC FIREPLACES, STOVES, AND FIREPLACE INSERTS. THE PLUG IN REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER FOR THE FIREPLACE CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence: AN OVERHEATED RECEIVER COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH DIMPLEX AND DIMPLEX WILL PROVIDE OWNERS A FREE REPLACEMENT PLUG-IN REMOTE CONTROL KIT. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-346-7539.

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.