2003 Newmar Scottsdale Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Dec 20, 2017 · 1 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Scottsdale years
Not enough data 3rd of 13 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2003 Newmar Scottsdale. That ranks 3rd out of 13 Scottsdale model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (1 complaints, 100%), typically at around 21,000 miles. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2003 Newmar Scottsdale problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic1 · ~21,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1100%21,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

2003 Newmar Scottsdale recalls (9)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

EquipmentDec 15, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V809000 · 34,699 vehicles

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.

EquipmentAug 11, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V324000 · 493 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicJun 11, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V217000 · 2,578 vehicles

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.

Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailerJul 17, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V366000 · 2,192 vehicles

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.

Vehicle speed controlJan 24, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V025000 · 5,575 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.

Fix: 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)

Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailerMar 5, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V075000 · 16,190 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

Electrical systemMar 24, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V109000 · 1,738 vehicles

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.

Service brakes, air:disc:caliperJan 9, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V019000 · 37 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lampMar 26, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V064000 · 1,227 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The front brakes stick in the applied position causing abnormal heat generation on a ford f550 chassis.this seems to be the same problem that is being experienced on the workhorse chassie. The brakes start sticking after they have been applied once or twice, after a little heat has been built up…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Jan 8, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10442844

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Newmar Scottsdale?

Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Newmar Scottsdale?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2003 Newmar Scottsdale a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Scottsdale model years, the 2003 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.