RoadVitals

1998 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.
10
Latest Aug 14, 2008
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.
6
Latest Dec 15, 2017
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 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Newmar Dutch Star, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, other / unspecified and brakes categories. 6 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

  • Tires & wheels444.4%
  • Other / unspecified333.3%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Transmission111.1%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
17V809000

EQUIPMENT

Dec 15, 2017
34,699 units potentially affected
The 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
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.
Newmar CorporationManufacturer number 17E-062View on NHTSA.gov
16V501000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

Jul 5, 2016
742 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: If hot exhaust gas contacts other components or materials, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Newmar CorporationManufacturer number 16V 313View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 10
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 14, 2008

DOMETIC RECALL FOR REFRIGERATOR IN 1998 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR RV. CONSUMER WANTS DOMETIC TO SUPPLY A NEW COOLING UNIT. *NJ THE RV HAD A CRACKED BOILER TUBE WHICH CAUSED AMMONIA TO LEAK OUT. THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL # 08E032000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10238273
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 4, 2008

TWO ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PRODUCT FAILURE RESULTED IN FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURE DENIED FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229933
Incident
May 3, 2006
Other / unspecified
Filed Jan 10, 2007

I HAVE MOTORHOME WITH A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR MODEL RW3862 THAT HAS A RECALL. YOUR WEBSITE WAS GIVEN TO ME TO FILE MY INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10178306
Incident
Jan 10, 2007
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 31, 2004

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR TIRE FAILURE. *MR THE TREAD SEVERED THE BRAKE LINE. THERE WAS ALSO A VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 65 MPH. RECALL# 04V037000. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10091521
Incident
Aug 22, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed May 10, 2004

THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE TIRE RECALL 04V037000 PERFORMED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL SEND THE REPLACEMENT TIRE TO A DEALERSHIP IN THEIR STATE. IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS AND THE DEALERSHIP HASN'T RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT TIRES AND THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RETURNING THE CONSUMER'S CALLS. *JB THE CONSUMER FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD CONTACT HIM TO SET UP A DATE TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER HASN'T RECEIVED THAT CALL YET. *NM

NHTSA ID
10073346
Incident
Feb 14, 2004
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 30, 2004

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE TIRE RECALL 04V037000 REPAIRED BECAUSE WHEN HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER THERE WAS A RECORDING THAT GAVE ANOTHER TELEPHONE NUMBER TO CALL. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE OTHER NUMBER IT CONNECTED HIM TO A FLOWER SHOP. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD BEEN TRYING FOR A MONTH TO CALL THE DEALER TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE DEALERS TELEPHONE NUMBER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10065234
Incident
Feb 18, 2004
Mileage
64,383 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 2003

CONSUMER HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE OWNING VEHICLE. AT 17000 MILES BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND CLEANED ALL AROUND. AT 42000 MILES BRAKE ROTORS/ PADS/ CALIPERS, AND MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD BRAKES COMPLETELY FROZE UP ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDE. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR THE SYSTEM HAD COOLED ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE TO MAKE THE JOURNEY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10034266
Incident
Jul 17, 2001
Mileage
17,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 23, 2001

CONVERTER IN TRANSMISSION IS SO LOOSE THAT WHEN YOU LET OFF THE THROTTLE IT IS JUST LIKE PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL, TRANSMISSION WITH LOCK-UP CONVERTERS AND OR WITH LESS SLIP.

NHTSA ID
9004792

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—
1998Viewing1060—
1997340—
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.