2003 Newmar Mountain Aire

Routine

Owners filed 10 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It has been recalled 13 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
000
Trailer Hitches2
000
Visibility1
000
Unknown or Other1
010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper1
000
Service Brakes1
000

13 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.

Equipment10V434000
Filed Sep 22, 2010435 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Equipment09V324000
Filed Aug 11, 2009493 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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, Hydraulic09V217000
Filed Jun 11, 20092,578 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

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.

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.

Electrical System05V109000
Filed Mar 24, 20051,738 vehiclesNewmar Corporation

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Showing 10 of 13 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Mar 6, 201735,000 milesVA

NORCOLD 1200 RECALL, BACK OF REFRIDGE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ON GAS SETTING IN DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME AFTER A RETURN TRIP TO FLA.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 201316,400 milesMN

I DELIVERED OUR RV TO A CERTIFIED WORKHORSE REPAIR CENTER TO HAVE THE #51101-C BRAKE RECALL ADDRESSED. THE WORKMANSHIP WAS EXCELLENT. MY COMPLAINT IS WORKHORSE DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE COMPLETE REPAIR. THEIR ARGUMENT IS THAT THE RV WASN'T DRIVEN ENOUGH. I PURCHASED THIS RV USED AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL WHEN I REGISTERED IT WITH WORKHORSE.COM. WHEN YOU READ THE TROUBLE TREE, PARAGRAPH 1.3/A, ALL THESE PARTS WERE CHANGED AND COMPLETED IN STEPS 8 & 9. THE TROUBLE TREE SAYS IT IS COVERED BUT THE WORKHORSE SERVICE DEPT. DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE COMPLETE BILLING. IN MY OPINION, THEY SHOULD. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH YOUR RESPONSE. *TR

Trailer Hitches
Filed Jun 15, 2011SD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE MOTORHOME 3778. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HITCH FRACTURED WHERE IT WAS WELDED WHILE PULLING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE FAILURE INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURER ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/30/11 *BF UPDATED 3/01/2012 *LN

Visibility
Filed Apr 28, 201133,000 milesAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE A CLASS. THE WINDSHIELD SEPARATED AT THE DRIVERS UPPER LEFT SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GLASS SHOP WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE WINDSHIELD CONTINUED TO SEPARATE AT THE DRIVER UPPER LEFT SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,020.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 13, 2010NY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE MOTOR HOME WITH A WORKHORSE W22 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 09V217000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT THE PARTS HAS NOT COME IN AFTER MORE THAN 1 YEAR. HE STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN MAY 2009, DECEMBER 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 2010. THE CONTACT STATED HE CHECKED 2 DAYS AGO AND THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT IN FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 18, 200930,500 milesMI

A BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WERE BEGINNING TO GRAB AND NOT RELEASE. AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR THE BRAKES COOLED ENOUGH TO DRIVE TO CUMMINS-BRIDGEWAY, WHO ARE THE LOCAL WORKHORSE SERVICE GARAGE. THEY EXAMINED THE BRAKES, SAID THEY HAD OVERHEATED BUT THEY WERE OK TO DRIVE ON VACATION AND CHARGED $70.70 FOR THE INSPECTION. ON JUNE 26, IN LANCASTER, PA THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. KNOWING THE DIAGNOSIS WE JUST CANCELLED VACATION AND BROUGHT THE MOTORHOME BACK HOME. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 24, 200837,000 milesTX

RIGHT FRONTS BRAKE LOCK UP CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL PULLED ME INTO THE DITCH. SECOND PROBLEM 2000 THOUSAND MILES LATER, RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRAGGING AND OVER HEATING. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OVER HEATED AND CAUSED OIL TO BOIL OUT OF BEARING, TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP FOR FIX. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 13, 200822,500 milesWI

ABS BRAKE FAILURE AND LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL. HAPPENED DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CALIPERS HUNG UP AND OVER HEATED BRAKES BURNING OUT ABS SENSOR. SAME PROBLEM ON 2002, 2001 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED 2003 AS PROBLEM IS THE SAME. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME YEAR AND SAME SITUATION AS MINE. WORKHORSE SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED OWNERS TO LUBE CALIPER SLIDES IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Apr 5, 2005AL

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V084000 CONCERNING WORKHORSE-BOSCH ZOPS BRAKE CALIPERS: AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED, WITHIN 800 MILES OR LESS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND ALMOST CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE'S RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED. *AK THE FRONT BEARINGS KEPT LOSING FLUIDS. BOTH INNER WHEEL SEALS WERE LEAKING THEREFORE BOTH FRONT INNER AND OUTER SEALS ON THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *SC

Trailer Hitches
Filed Oct 15, 200427,272 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE TRAILER HITCH BROKE IN HALF WHILE THE TOWING A VEHICLE. THE TRAILER WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A HIDDEN HITCH, SERIAL 64-6100 , FIVE THOUSAND POUND WEIGHT. THE MOTOR HOME WAS DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS BEING PULLED.*AK *JB

10 of 10 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20230200Routine
20222500Routine
20210600Routine
20200700Routine
201941500Routine
201811600Routine
201701100Routine
20160800Routine
20151600Routine
20141900Routine
20130500Routine
20120500Routine
20110500Routine
20100200Routine
20090200Routine
20081400Routine
20071600Routine
20060300Routine
20054900Routine
200471100Routine
2003 — this page101310Routine
200281120Routine
20015700Routine
20007700Routine
19991400Routine
19982400Routine
19970400Routine
19962200Routine
19953200Routine
19940100Routine
19911100Routine

Compare every Mountain 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.