2008 Newmar Dutch Star problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1)
Safety recalls (6)
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.
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer 2016-01-13 · campaign 16V008000 · 3,712 vehicles
Defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 Bay Star, Dutch Star, and Ventana, 2012-2014 Bay Star Sport and Ventana VL, 2008-2015 Canyon Star, 2009-2010 Dutch Aire and 2008 Kountry Star motorhomes manufactured May 29, 2007, to January 14, 2015, and equipped with certain Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps manufactured by Lippert Components. The bolt that attaches the fan gear assembly to the steps may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps.
Risk: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791 or Lippert Customer service at 574-537-8900. Newmar's number for this recall is 15E 078.
Suspension:rear:axle:non-Powered Axle Assembly 2015-10-14 · campaign 15V654000 · 119 vehicles
Defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Mountain Aire motorhomes manufactured October 16, 2006, to July 24, 2007, 2007-2008 Essex motorhomes manufactured November 1, 2006, to May 24, 2007 and 2007-2008 Dutch Star motorhomes manufactured October 12, 2006, to June 29, 2007. The affected vehicles have tag axles with wheel bearings that may be adjusted too tight, resulting in their overheating during use.
Risk: If the wheel bearings overheat, there is an increased risk of a wheel end fire.
Fix: Newmar will notfy owners, and Spartan dealers will check the wheel end bearings for appropriate end play, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2015. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Newmar's recall number is 15V-548.
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer 2014-09-29 · campaign 14V602000 · 561 vehicles
Defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Bay Star, Ventana VT/VL, Dutch Aire, Dutch Star, All-Star, Mountain Aire, and Essex motorhomes manufactured January 16, 2007, to May 24, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the circuit breaker for the refrigerator heated water line may be incorrect for the amperage draw.
Risk: A circuit breaker that is incorrectly rated for the amperage need increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorhome and verify that the circuit breaker rating is correct for the amperage draw, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2014. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Service Brakes, Air:drum:chamber 2012-09-24 · campaign 12V467000 · 278 vehicles
Defect: Newmar is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dutch Star and 2009-2010 Dutch Aire motorhomes, built on a Spartan chassis equipped with a Hendrickson independent front suspension. The front brake chambers may contact the upper control arm of the independent front suspension. Continued contact may result in damage sufficient enough to prevent the full release of the brakes. If the brakes do not fully release, as they drag, heat could be generated causing the brakes to engage even further.
Risk: As the brakes heat up, they may self-engage, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Spartan Motors will notify owners and repair the vehicles. The manufacturer has not provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Newmar Corporation at 1-574-773-7791.
Service bulletins (12)
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.
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer 2017-08-25 · 15V808 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mailing second notice on not corrected customer letters on nhtsa recall: newmar corporation has decided that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in specific motor homes. issue: certain motorhomes may have a defective refrigerator travel latch that may activate without the user?s knowl
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System 2016-08-18 · RSB 460 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
spartan motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in specific motor homes built on spartan chassis and in response newmar is publishing recall nhtsa# 16v 501 tc# 2016-342. on certain motorhomes, the exhaust flex tube may be misaligned causing the potential for th
Structure 2016-02-18 · TSB 446 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
newmar corporation has decided that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in specific motor homes. nhtsa#: 16v 008 tc#: 2016-018 newmar corporation has been advised by lippert components that on certain motorhomes using lci coachstep electric double or triple entrance steps, there is the
Wheels 2015-11-12 · TSB 432 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
spartan motors usa, inc. (spartan) has decided a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain incomplete motor home chassis. newmar corp. has built on these chassis. the list of specific newmar affected units is attached. newmar nhtsa# 15v 654, tc# 2015-467 tag axle wheel bearings
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer:lpg Systems:water Heater 2014-11-04 · TSB 412 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on certain newmar motorhomes, the refrigerator heated water line circuit breaker may have the wrong size amperage rating and the 12 volt thermostat and 12 volt heated water line could also be wired incorrectly, causing it to have the incorrect wiring or no power. the incorrect circuit breaker ampera
Showing the 6 most recent of 12 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2015-08-06 · Wheels · 24,832 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 newmar dutch star. the contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph and going over a dip, the front wheels fractured and detached. in addition, the rear portion off the vehicle went airborne. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that front shock absorber was under rated for th…”
2012-04-08 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 32,000 mi“i own a 1998 newmar dutchstar on a freightliner chassis with a 3126 cat motor. the issues outlined below began when lowering the jacks. then spread to low speed rpms at different periods of operation, causing a total electrical system shut down, (to include lights, power steering, power brakes, engine, a/c, radio, etc), thus causing a unsafe operat…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.