2005 Newmar Dutch Star

Routine

Owners filed 5 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 9 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires1
000
Steering1
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch1
100
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
000
Electrical System1
000

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment17V809000
Filed Dec 15, 201734,699 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

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 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.

Remedy. 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 System16V501000
Filed Jul 5, 2016742 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

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.

Remedy. 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.

Steering15V829000
Filed Dec 9, 20151,920 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

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.

Remedy. 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 › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer08V366000
Filed Jul 17, 20082,192 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)08V015000
Filed Jan 11, 2008126 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Service Brakes, Air › Supply05V263000
Filed Jun 2, 20052,127 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Equipment05V170000
Filed Apr 25, 2005935 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage04V403000
Filed Aug 17, 2004315 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, DURING MANUFACTURING, THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS ATTACHMENT LOCATION FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED OR ATTACHED.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SHOULDER HARNESS MAY BECOME LOOSE OR UNATTACHED CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW PLATE OVER EXISTING BY DRILLING FOUR ATTACHMENT HOLES ON EACH SIDE OF NEW PLATE AND ADD SECURING BOLTS. THIS RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-7791.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly04V244000
Filed May 18, 200484 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › LatchCrash
Filed Jun 5, 200722,000 milesNV

I HAVE A NEWMAR RV AND THE DOORS ON THE STORAGE AREAS ON THE SIDES CAN COME OPEN WHEN DRIVING DONE THE ROAD. ONE SUCH DOOR OPENED AND HIT A MOTORCYCLE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS COULD OF BEEN A DEATH IF THE RIDER WOULD OF BEEN ON HIS BIKE. THE COMPANY WAS INFORMED AND OF COURSE THEIR REPLY WAS THAT THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED DEFORE. THERE HAS BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE AND NOTHING SAID ABOUT A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. THESE DOORS WHERE IN THEIR LOCKED POSITION AND LOOKED AT BEFORE DRIVING. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 30, 20066,970 milesMT

REAR SLIDE ON 2005 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR RETRACTS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE. LUCKILY WE OR OUR PETS WERE NOT INJURED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AUTOMATIC JACKS WERE DEPLOYED, BUT HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE UNIT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN AUG 2005. *JB

Steering
Filed Feb 8, 20061,380 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING ON NORMAL ROADS. IT DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT; ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN STRAIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ALIGNED THE FRONT END HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Oct 25, 20052,300 milesNV

AUTOMATIC SLIDE LOCKS FAILED TO CLOSE ON SLIDES. THEY HAVE A CHEAP SCREW THAT THEY BEND TO MAKE CONTACT WITH A MAGNET. VERY POOR DESIGN. *NM

Tires
Filed Apr 11, 2005NM

TIRES LOAD RATING BELOW THAT OF GAWR.

5 of 5 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20232300Routine
20220900Routine
202161300Routine
202061000Routine
2019231100Routine
2018161500Routine
201761800Routine
201641100Do not drive
201551120Do not drive
201421400Do not drive
20130800Routine
20120600Routine
20110600Routine
20100600Routine
20090500Routine
20082700Routine
20071800Routine
20064410Routine
2005 — this page5900Routine
200431010Routine
200341200Routine
200231000Routine
20018800Routine
200033800Routine
199923610Routine
199810600Routine
19973400Routine
19960100Routine
19950100Routine
19941100Routine

Compare every Dutch Star year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 15, 2017. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.