2004 Newmar Mountain Aire Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: 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

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.

Problem: 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.

Problem: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Newmar is recalling 772 my 2004-2005 american star, kountry aire, mountain aire, my 2003-2006 kountry star, my 2007 x-aire fifth wheel trailers; my 2007 bay star, my 2004-2007 kountry star, my 2004-2006 mountain aire, my 2003-2005 scottsdale class a motor homes; and my 2004-2006 dutch star, my 2003-2006 kountry star, my 2004-2006 mountain aire diesel pusher motor homes equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. The refrigerator 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.

Risk: If this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: Newmar is working with dometic to repair these refrigerators (please see 08e032). 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 the owner 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.

Problem: Certain motor home chassis built on freightliner vcl or xc chassis and equipped with zf model 8018 steering gears, these gears may have been assembled with the incorrect recirculating ball spacer. This could potentially allow the recirculating balls to escape from the recirculating ball circuit resulting in a loss of steering.

Risk: The operator may notice higher required steering wheel inputs, or the need for more steering wheel adjustments while driving in a straight line in combination with metallic cracking noises prior to a loss of steering. Loss of steering could result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Freightliner is conducting this recall (please see 07v-343) and will replace the steering gear free of charge. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712 or newmar at 574-773-7791.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This may cause the parking brake to engage without warning, thus throwing the passenger forward, creating the potential for injury to occupants.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: Should the burner tube fail, the coolant heater could overheat, possibly resulting in a fire.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Certain seat belt buckles on some motor homes fail to conform to the load requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

Risk: The seat belt buckle may unlatch in the event of a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury to the seat occupant.

Fix: Amsafe will notify customers and replace the buckles. The recall began may 28, 2004. Owners should contact amsafe at 1-574-266-8330 or newmar at 1-574-773-7791.

Problem: On certain motorhomes equipped with tuthill independent front suspensions, the defect is insufficient tightening torque of the steering knuckle carrier bolt that may result in separation of the steering knuckle from one of the control arms.

Risk: Should the steering knuckle carrier separate from the control arm, the operator could loose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.

Fix: Tuthill will notify its customers and provide a retrofit kit p/n k704627 free of charge. 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 tuthill transport technologies at 800-225-7824 (ext. #390), spartan at 517-543-6400, or newmar at 574-773-7791.