2001 Newmar Dutch Star problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer (2) · Visibility:windshield (1) · Suspension:front (1)
Safety recalls (3)
Equipment 2017-12-15 · campaign 17V809000 · 34,699 vehicles
Defect: 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 a
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System 2016-07-05 · campaign 16V501000 · 742 vehicles
Defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 1998-2010 Dutch Star, 2008 Kountry Star, 2008-2009 All Star and Ventana, 2009-2010 Dutch Aire, 2014-2015 King Aire and 2015 Essex motorhomes, built on a Spartan Motors chassis. In the affected vehicles, the flexible exhaust tube may tear allowing hot exhaust to blow against other components or materials.
Risk: If hot exhaust gas contacts other components or materials, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will inspect the alignment of the tubes, correcting them and replacing any that are torn. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 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 16V 313.
Steering 2015-12-09 · campaign 15V829000 · 1,920 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment 2017-09-28 · PIB 494 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
if the coach's hwh leveling system has intermittent issues when operating, check for corrosion or loose mounting bolts. torque the mounting bolts (if needed) to 30 ft. pounds. a ground cable may also be installed to improve the overall grounding of the hwh pump assembly.
What owners report
2010-10-01 · Suspension:front · 60,000 mi“2001 newmar dutch star diesel pusher with spartan chassis, the ball joints on the front end have failed motorhome only has 60,000 miles. *tr…”
2010-02-03 · Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer · 50,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2001 newmar dutchstar rv. the rv has a dometic refrigerator, model number ndr1062. the contact noticed a yellow residue leaking from the refrigerator and smelled ammonia. in addition, smoke expelled inside of the vehicle. the rv was taken to two independent dealers who stated the refrigerator was unable to be repaired fo…”
2008-04-07 · Visibility:windshield · 46,046 mi“when driving over uneven highway, the vehicle flexes and the windshields pop out of the frame. on two occasions the windshields shattered. multiple incidents during the past 14 months...the most recent was april 3. *tr…”
2007-05-30 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump · 111,881 mi“electric lift pump failure on cummins diesel (failure due to the new ulsd fuel and wrong gasket material used for gaskets--causes a diesel leak on to hot engine above starter which could cause serious fire). i asked cummins how many lifts they've had to send out to dealers to replace, and they refused to answer. (i was in cummins diesel parking lot…”
2006-12-29 · Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer“tl*- the contact owns a 2001 newmar dutch star rv, model 40195. dometic refrigerator recall model #ndr1062 and serial # 01300099.. the contact read it in the good sam book and was concerned about the delay in having repairs made to the refrigerator. to date, the contact has had no problems with the dometic refrigerator. *ak updated 01/30/07. …”
2004-08-20 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System · 15,500 mi“the bushing between the power steering and air compressor continued to fail. when the bushing failed, the engine coolant no longer worked. if the engine overheated, it would engine shut off and no steering would be available. *ak *sc the consumer had problems with the rear brakes, which took 3-to 4 service visits to get it fixed. there wa…”
2003-04-15 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 4,000 mi“while driving through stop and go traffic, i noticed that one or both front brakes were dragging. this was evident because the vehicle acceleration was reduced, there was a smell of hot brakes, the vehicle did not roll when on a hill with the brakes released, there was a vibration in the steering wheel, and there was reduced free play in the brake…”
2001-10-13 · Electrical System:ignition“four times this vehicle failed to shut down when turning ignition off. also two time this vehicle has started on its on with the key in the off position or removed altogether. the dash heat/defroster system has not worked since purchase of this vehicle. the vehicle has been looked at by two different freightliner dealerships and both were unable to…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.