2003 Newmar Mountain Aire problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes, Hydraulic (4) · Trailer Hitches (2) · Visibility (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.
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.
Equipment 2010-09-22 · campaign 10V434000 · 435 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: AN OVERHEATED RECEIVER COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (4)
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.
Seat Belts 2010-04-30 · TSB-372 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
newmar corp.: failed amsafe seat belts being returned to newmar for warranty coverage. please note that when changing out warranty amsafe seat belts, both harness strap with clip and buckle portion will need to be returned. all motorized models and all model years are included. *pe
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer 2008-06-04 · 344 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
newmar corporation: all motorized equipped with norcold refer. change cooling unit heating element vendors; there is a new style electric heating element that must be used in certain new cooling units. *pe
Equipment 2008-06-02 · 343 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
newmar corporation: all motorized rv. a thermal limit switch is added to certain 1200 lr, 1200 lrim, and 1201 lrim refrigerators to prevent possible excess or overheating conditions in the heater area of the cooling unit to exceed a certain level. *pe
What owners report
2017-03-06 · Unknown Or Other · 35,000 mi · 🔥 fire“norcold 1200 recall, back of refridge caught fire while on gas setting in driveway at my home after a return trip to fla.…”
2013-08-24 · Service Brakes · 16,400 mi“i delivered our rv to a certified workhorse repair center to have the #51101-c brake recall addressed. the workmanship was excellent. my complaint is workhorse does not want to pay for the complete repair. their argument is that the rv wasn't driven enough. i purchased this rv used and found out about the recall when i registered it with workhorse.…”
2011-06-15 · Trailer Hitches“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 …”
2011-04-28 · Visibility · 33,000 mi“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 ma…”
2010-10-13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“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 …”
2009-09-18 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 30,500 mi“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 f…”
2008-10-24 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 37,000 mi“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…”
2008-08-13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 22,500 mi“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…”
2005-04-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper“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 be…”
2004-10-15 · Trailer Hitches · 27,272 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.