2000 Newmar London Aire

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.

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.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT AND REAR ENGINE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD, SPARTAN AND WORKHORSE CHASSIS. ALL FRONT ENGINE CLASS A MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD AND WORKHORSE CHASSIS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2000. ALL REAR ENGINE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN CHASSIS WERE BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 23 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2000. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." AN INCORRECT VENT HOSE WAS INSTALLED ON THE FILL NOZZLE TO THE FUEL TANK. THE HOSE CAN BREAK DOWN ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE TO AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL VENT HOSE.

THE WEIGHT RATING FOR THE FRONT AXEL IS NO MORE THAN 13,700 POUNDS. THIS IS TOO LOW. THE AXEL CARRIES MORE WEIGHT THAN THIS WITH OCCUPANTS AND VIRTUALLY NO CARGO ON BOARD. IN FACT, THE PORT FRONT TIRE CARRIES MORE WEIGHT THAN IT IS RATED FOR WITH OCCUPANTS AND A LIGHT LOAD OF CARGO. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION OF WHICH NEWMAR IS AWARE. IT CAN (AND MAYBE HAS) RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC SITUATION INVOLVING FRONT TIRE FAILURE, OR FAILURE OF THE FRONT AXEL. IT HAS LED TO PREMATURE REPLACEMENT OF SEVERAL FRONT SUSPENSION PARTS, INCLUDING BALL JOINTS, AIR BAGS AND TIRES. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

THE BALL JOINTS FAIL PREMATURELY ON SPARTAN CHASSES. THEY ARE SEALED UNITS, WHICH DO NOT ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL GREASE TO BE ADDED TO THIS VITAL COMPONENT WHILE SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS ON THE CHASSIS REQUIRE ROUTINE LUBRICATION. THE BOOTS FAIL AND THIS ALLOWS GRIT INTO THE JOINTS. ONCE THIS HAPPENS, THE JOINTS CAN FAIL AT ANT TIME. THERE IS NO REMEDY TO THE OEM PARTS EXCEPT REPLACEMENT AT SOME $2500. FAILURE TO REPLACE CAN BE CATROSTOPHIC AS BOTH THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING ARE AFFECTED. SPARTAN STATES IT IS NORMAL FOR THE BOOT TO FAIL AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND RHWY HAVE REPLACES A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THESE PARTS AT OWNERS EXPENSE. POLYMER TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN AVAILABLE FOR DECADES TO MANUFACTURE A BOOT THAT DOES NOT FAIL FOR DECADES. THEY SHOULD HAVE USED THIS TECHNOLOGY WHEN SPECIFYING THE MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOOTS. ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE IS TO SIMPLY MAKE THIS A GREASE JOINT TO ALLOW FOR ROUTINE LUBRICATION AS IS DONE FOR THE OTHER SUSPENTION PARTS. THE PARTS WITH PROPER LUBRICATION FITTINGSOR THE BALL JOINTS ON OTHER CHASSIS WITH PROPER MATERIAL OF CONTRUCTION DO NOT HAVE THE FAILURE RATE OF THE BALL JOINTSON THESE SPARTAN CHASSES.