RoadVitals

2004 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 May 1, 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.
10
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Newmar Dutch Star, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, powertrain (other) and tires & wheels categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Other / unspecified250.0%
  • Powertrain (other)125.0%
  • Tires & wheels125.0%

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

10 campaigns cover this model year

View all 10

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

Other / unspecified
Filed May 1, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR RV. THE CONTACT AND HIS WIFE SMELLED AMMONIA IN THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHERE IT ORIGINATED. THE SMELL PERSISTED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, CAUSING THEM BOTH TO SUFFER SEVERE HEADACHES. HE INSPECTED THE UNIT AND NOTICED AMMONIA BLOWING OUT OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THE FAILURE CONTINUED UNTIL ALL OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS EMPTIED. THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR INFORMED HIM ABOUT THE POSSIBLE FAILURE WITH THE DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR IN THEIR VEHICLE BECAUSE A WEEK EARLIER, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE NEIGHBOR'S VEHICLE. DOMETIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE UNIT. EVEN THOUGH THE UNIT CAUGHT FIRE, DOMETIC WAS ONLY WILLING TO INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ID
10226370
Incident
Apr 22, 2008
Mileage
23,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Jan 24, 2005

MOTORHOME DOES NOT MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS OF FMCSA REGULATION 571.120 STANDARD 120. *MR THE VEHICLE HAD COME EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES (XZA-1 LRH 275X70X22.5 TIRES). PUBLISHED DATA BY MICHELIN SHOWED THAT THE CONSUMERS TIRES WERE RATED AT 6365 LBS AT 120 PSI. THE CERTIFICATION LABEL SHOWED THAT THE GAWR OF THE FRONT AXLE WAS 13200 LBS. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT HE'S AT RISK OF TIRE FAILURE IF HE LOADED THE VEHICLE TO THE PURCHASE GROSS WEIGHT OF 33,200 AND UNDER INFLATE THE TIRE TO 120 PSI. (NEWMAR WOULD HAVE TO AGREE TO A LAGER SIZE TIRE INSTALLATION) *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10089718
Incident
Aug 1, 2004
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 9, 2004

CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS TRAILER, ACCORDING TO THIS PUBLICATION. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FMCSA REGULATION 571.120, STANDARD 120, THE MAXIMUM SUM, NOT TO BE CERTIFICATION FOR 1300 POUNDS FOR AXLE. MICHELEN TIRE, 275/70221/2 LOAD RANGE H. *AK

NHTSA ID
10091715
Incident
Sep 9, 2004

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.

344

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

NEWMAR CORPORATION: ALL MOTORIZED EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFER. CHANGE COOLING UNIT HEATING ELEMENT VENDORS; THERE IS A NEW STYLE ELECTRIC HEATING ELEMENT THAT MUST BE USED IN CERTAIN NEW COOLING UNITS. *PE

343

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

NEWMAR CORPORATION: ALL MOTORIZED RV. A THERMAL LIMIT SWITCH IS ADDED TO CERTAIN 1200 LR, 1200 LRIM, AND 1201 LRIM REFRIGERATORS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE EXCESS OR OVERHEATING CONDITIONS IN THE HEATER AREA OF THE COOLING UNIT TO EXCEED A CERTAIN LEVEL. *PE

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—
2004Viewing3100—
20034120—
20023100—
2001880—
20003380—
19992360—
19981060—
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.