1997 Newmar Kountry Aire

Routine

Owners filed 5 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Trailer Hitches1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Tires1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components1
000
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights1
000

4 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.

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.

Vehicle Speed Control08V025000
Filed Jan 24, 20085,575 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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/Trailer07V075000
Filed Mar 5, 200716,190 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Trailer Hitches
Filed Oct 12, 200324,000 milesFL

TRAILER HITCH BAR ON MOTORHOME HAS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE. CRACKS IN HITCH OCCUR WHEN DRAGGING ON ROADWAYS. *LA

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 17, 2001TX

GOODYEAR, LT235/85R16, DOTMNORM5WV486, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH LESS THAN 20000 MILES ON A 1997, NEWMAR, KOUNTRY STAR TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH FRONT LEFT TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT, WHEN CONSUMER STOPPED TO CHANGE TIRE, HE NOTICED RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHOWED TREAD SEPARATION.*AK *SLC

Tires
Filed Aug 19, 2000MA

MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR TRUCK OFF THE OFF RAMP OF THE MASS PIKE IN NATICK WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. HE PULLED INTO A GAS STATION ON ROUTE 30 AND FOUND THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY TORN OFF THE RIM ON THE OUTSIDE. IT IS A SCARY SITE AND IF IT HAPPENED ON THE MASS PIKE WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH DAMAGE TO A TIRE IN MY LIFE IT TOTALY RIPED OFF THE WHOLE SIDE. WE TOOK PICTURES WE CAN SEND IF NEED BE. I WENT TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER TODAY ON A DONUT OF A TIRE REPLACING. WE WERE TOLD TO COME BACK WHEN THE MANAGER IS THEIR. WE WILL GO BACK ON TUES. 8/22/2000( DOT NUMBER: W2HYFRP097 TIRE SIZE: P215/70R14 )

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed May 4, 1998VA

DESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM/LIGHTING IS INSUFFICIENT FOR TRAILER, WIRING DOES NOT ACTIVATE SYSTEM PROPERLY.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Nov 26, 1997VA

THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE TRAILER.

5 of 5 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20051100Routine
20031300Routine
20020400Routine
20011400Routine
20001300Routine
19991400Routine
19981500Routine
1997 — this page5400Routine
19960200Routine
19951200Routine
19941110Routine
19910100Routine

Compare every Kountry Aire 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.