RoadVitals

1997 Newmar Dutch Star

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Mar 9, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Dec 9, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Newmar Dutch Star, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), brakes and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)250.0%
  • Brakes125.0%
  • Driver assistance125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
15V829000

STEERING

Dec 9, 2015
1,920 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Newmar CorporationManufacturer number 15V 633View on NHTSA.gov
08V025000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jan 24, 2008
5,575 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The 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)
NEWMAR CORPORATIONManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov
07V075000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mar 5, 2007
16,190 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
The 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.
NEWMAR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistance
Filed Mar 9, 2010

RUNAWAY MOTORHOME ON A 1997 FORD CHASSIS IN 2009 ON INTERSTATE 85. WHEN I REALIZED THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT TO NO AVAIL. I TOOK AN APPROACHING EXIT AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE MOTORHOME WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC LUBRICATED THE LINKAGE. WHEN THE PROBLEM CONTINUED I CALLED FORD AND THEY AUTHORIZED A FIX FOR A RECALL PROBLEM INVOLVING THE BRAKE IN WHICH A FIRE COULD START. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED AT LEAST 2 MORE TIMES IN THE SAME YEAR ON A TRIP FROM SOUTH CAROLINA TO CALIFORNIA. I REALIZED THAT THE ACCELERATION SEEMED TO OCCUR IF THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE GEAR TO DOWNSHIFT DUE TO HIGHWAY INCLINE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS FORD HAS HAD OTHER UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM. SOME DATES AND FIGURES ARE ONLY ESTIMATES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10318048
Incident
Feb 15, 2009
Mileage
22,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR RV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON A STEEP MOUNTAIN, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO LOCK INTO GEAR WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES, THE RV SLOWED DOWN. THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONAL UNTIL HE REACHED HIS DESTINATION. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS BURNING. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000. UPDATED 9/17/09 *CN THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RE-SET THE CRUISE CONTROL, HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR A HALF HOUR. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS USED IN HIS RV WAS NO LONGER BEING USED FOR HIS PARTICULAR RV DUE TO ITS SHORTCOMINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY.

NHTSA ID
10280374
Incident
Aug 4, 2009
Mileage
57,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 19, 2004

ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS REAR AXLE BOLT BROKE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 4-5 MPH. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN 20,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10067351
Mileage
20,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIB 494

EQUIPMENT

If the coach's HWH leveling system has intermittent issues when operating, check for corrosion or loose mounting bolts. Torque the mounting bolts (if needed) to 30 ft. pounds. A ground cable may also be installed to improve the overall grounding of the HWH pump assembly.

TSB 439

STEERING

NEWMAR CORPORATION HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN SPECIFIC MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN CHASSIS. THIS RECALL IS THE RESULT OF INFORMATION PROVIDED TO NEWMAR BY SPARTAN MOTORS. NHTSA # 15V 829 TC # 2015-587 THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET MAY CRACK AND BREAK, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Newmar Dutch Star by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025000—
2024000—
2023230—
2022090—
20216130—
20206100—
201923110—
201816150—
20176180—
20164110—
20155110—
20142140—
2013080—
2012060—
2011060—
2010060—
2009050—
2008270—
2007180—
2006440—
2005591—
20043100—
20034120—
20023100—
2001880—
20003380—
19992360—
19981060—
1997Viewing340—
1996010—
1995010—
1994110—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.