RoadVitals

2008 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.
2
Latest Aug 6, 2015
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.
7
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Newmar Dutch Star, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and other / unspecified categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 12 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

  • Electrical125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Other / unspecified125.0%
  • Suspension125.0%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
16V008000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jan 13, 2016
3,712 units potentially affected
The defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 Bay Star, Dutch Star, and Ventana, 2012-2014 Bay Star Sport and Ventana VL, 2008-2015 Canyon Star, 2009-2010 Dutch Aire and 2008 Kountry Star motorhomes manufactured May 29, 2007, to January 14, 2015, and equipped with certain Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps manufactured by Lippert Components. The bolt that attaches the fan gear assembly to the steps may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.
The risk: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791 or Lippert Customer service at 574-537-8900. Newmar's number for this recall is 15E 078.
Newmar CorporationManufacturer number 15E 078View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND GOING OVER A DIP, THE FRONT WHEELS FRACTURED AND DETACHED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PORTION OFF THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WAS UNDER RATED FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE COACH. AS A RESULT, THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,832. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10746729
Incident
Sep 6, 2014
Mileage
24,832 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 8, 2012

I OWN A 1998 NEWMAR DUTCHSTAR ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS WITH A 3126 CAT MOTOR. THE ISSUES OUTLINED BELOW BEGAN WHEN LOWERING THE JACKS. THEN SPREAD TO LOW SPEED RPMS AT DIFFERENT PERIODS OF OPERATION, CAUSING A TOTAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN, (TO INCLUDE LIGHTS, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ENGINE, A/C, RADIO, ETC), THUS CAUSING A UNSAFE OPERATING CONDITION. OVER TIME THE ISSUE BEGAN DURING DIFFERENT OPERATIONAL PERIODS WHEN DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL DRAWS WERE PRESENT (SUCH AS WHILE USING LIGHTS, DEFROST AND WIPERS, ENGINE FAN COMING ON, ETC.). THIS ISSUE HAS ALSO BEEN OBSERVED WHEN THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE OF 182 DEGREES OR HIGHER IS REACHED. IN ALL CASES, AFTER APPROX 90 TO 120 SECONDS, THE POWER WILL RETURN AND ALLOW THE ENGINE TO BE RESTARTED. THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE WITH NO KNOWN CAUSES, MINUS THE LISTED EXAMPLES OR ADDITIONAL UNKNOWN CAUSES. NONE OF THE 3 MAJOR MANUFACTURER'S OF THIS RV WILL ACCEPT OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM AND REQUEST THE VEHICLE BE TESTED FOR CAUSE FOR A UNKNOWN PERIOD OF TIME AT CURRENT CHARGE OF 100+ DOLLARS PER HOUR. DUE TO THIS BEING OF A MAJOR LIFE SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT APPEARS THAT ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING IS TIED INTO 1 COMMON CONNECTION, THUS IN IT'S OWN RIGHT, WOULD CREATE JUST THE UNSAFE CONDITION AS OUTLINED ABOVE. I AM REQUESTING THAT THE VEHICLE BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME AND THAT OWNERS OF THIS MAKE, MODEL BE NOTIFIED OF THIS REPORT THIS INCIDENT INFORMATION WAS NOT REPORTED PRIOR TO NOW DUE TO NOT BEING AWARE OF THIS REPORTING SITE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10454456
Incident
Apr 1, 2010
Mileage
32,000 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.

15V808

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mailing second notice on not corrected customer letters on NHTSA Recall: Newmar Corporation has decided that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in specific motor homes. Issue: Certain motorhomes may have a defective refrigerator travel latch that may activate without the user?s knowledge when the doors are closed. If the latch locks the door shut, the refrigerator cannot be opened from the inside. This could potentially cause entrapment/injury to an individual. This only applies to French door style refrigerators with a specific travel latch. Attached is a list of specific coaches affected.

RSB 460

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

SPARTAN MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN SPECIFIC MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN CHASSIS AND IN RESPONSE NEWMAR IS PUBLISHING RECALL NHTSA# 16V 501 TC# 2016-342. ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE EXHAUST FLEX TUBE MAY BE MISALIGNED CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR THE FLEX TUBE TO TEAR. IF THE EXHAUST TUBE TEARS, HOT EXHAUST GAS COULD BLOW AGAINST OTHER COMPONENTS OR MATERIALS. IF EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURES EXCEED THE FLASH POINT OF OTHER MATERIAL OR COMPONENTS, IT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF FIRE CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. THIS MAY OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

TSB 446

STRUCTURE

NEWMAR CORPORATION HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN SPECIFIC MOTOR HOMES. NHTSA#: 16V 008 TC#: 2016-018 NEWMAR CORPORATION HAS BEEN ADVISED BY LIPPERT COMPONENTS THAT ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES USING LCI COACHSTEP ELECTRIC DOUBLE OR TRIPLE ENTRANCE STEPS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF A STRUCTURAL FRACTURE WITHIN THE LIPPERT STEP ASSEMBLY. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF A STRUCTURAL FRACTURE OF THE CENTER BOLT OF THE FAN GEAR ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FAN GEAR ASSEMBLY TO DISENGAGE FROM THE STEPS. THIS ISSUE CREATES AN UNSTABLE PLATFORM, WHICH COULD CAUSE A PERSON TO FALL AND RESULT IN INJURY.

TSB 432

WHEELS

Spartan Motors USA, Inc. (Spartan) has decided a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain incomplete motor home chassis. Newmar Corp. has built on these chassis. The list of specific Newmar affected units is attached. Newmar NHTSA# 15v 654, TC# 2015-467 Tag axle wheel bearings may overheat. Overheating of the tag axle may be detected by distortion or melting of the Stemco cover or ABS lamp illumination. If the wheel bearings overheat, there may be an increased risk of a wheel end fire.

TSB 412

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:WATER HEATER

ON CERTAIN NEWMAR MOTORHOMES, THE REFRIGERATOR HEATED WATER LINE CIRCUIT BREAKER MAY HAVE THE WRONG SIZE AMPERAGE RATING AND THE 12 VOLT THERMOSTAT AND 12 VOLT HEATED WATER LINE COULD ALSO BE WIRED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING IT TO HAVE THE INCORRECT WIRING OR NO POWER. THE INCORRECT CIRCUIT BREAKER AMPERAGE RATING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A FIRE CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. NHTSA 14V-602, TC# 2014-425

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—
2008Viewing270—
2007180—
2006440—
2005591—
20043100—
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.