RoadVitals

2016 Newmar Dutch Star

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 16V414000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
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.
4
Latest Mar 12, 2026
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.
11
Latest Apr 18, 2018
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Newmar Dutch Star, most frequently naming the visibility, electrical and other / unspecified categories. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 27 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

  • Visibility250.0%
  • Electrical125.0%
  • Other / unspecified125.0%

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

11 campaigns cover this model year

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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Apr 18, 2018
2,038 units potentially affected
The defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Newmar Ventana, 2015-2016 Newmar London Aire, and 2013-2017 Newmar Dutch Star motorhomes. When switching from using the low beam headlights to the high beam headlights, the low beam headlights go out when the intention was to have both beams illuminate.
The risk: Without the low beams also illuminated when the high beams are on, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will correct the vehicles so that the low beam stays illuminated when the high beam is switched on, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Newmar CorporationView on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Mar 27, 2018
2,139 units potentially affected
The defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Newmar Ventana, 2011-2017 Newmar Dutch Star, and 2011-2014 Newmar Mountain Aire vehicles, built on Freightliner XBR chassis and equipped with Cummins ISL engines. The power steering hose on the affected vehicles may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on the starter motor, possibly causing electrical arcing and a power steering fluid leak.
The risk: If the power steering hose contacts the power stud causing a power steering fluid leak, additional steering effort may be needed increasing the risk of a crash or an electrical arc may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will reroute the power steering hose, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is FL-762.
Newmar CorporationManufacturer number FL-762View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Dec 19, 2017
2,915 units potentially affected
The defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2016-2018 Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, Essex, King Aire, London Aire, Mountain Aire, New Aire, Ventana and Ventana LE motorhomes. These vehicles may have a loose power connection at the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), possibly resulting in a build up of heat.
The risk: The build up of heat in the wiring from the loose power connection can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electrical connection at the ATS, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Newmar CorporationView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 12, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11723800
Incident
Jan 22, 2026
Visibility
Filed Oct 27, 2022

Windows constantly fogging causing view obstruction to rear view mirrors.

NHTSA ID
11491238
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
Visibility
Filed Mar 5, 2022

While driving on I-75 in the Venice, Florida area, the lower half of the window fell off our motorcoach. The window was located on the passenger side about 22 ft from the front. I have learned this morning that many reports of this continue being reported on windows made by Hehr, which is now owned by Lippert. We are so very thankful it did not hit the vehicle behind us.

NHTSA ID
11455299
Incident
Mar 4, 2022
Filed Nov 30, 2016

I HAVE A 2016 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR MOTOR HOME MODEL 4018. IT'S A 40 FT LONG DIESEL PUSHER ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS WITH TOYAL WEIGHT OF 39600 LBS. THE PROBLEM IS POTENTIAL OVERLOADING OF THE FRONT TIRES DUE TO WEIGHT. THE MOTOR HOME WAS JUST WEIGHED AT THE NEWMAR CORP. FACTORY AND THE WEIGHT ON THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WITHOUT PASSENGERS WAS 7355 LBS. THE FRONT TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE MICHELIN 305/70R22.5 LRL SERIES XRV. THEY HAVE A MAXIMUM LOAD RATING OF 7830 LBS.. ADDING THE WEIGHT OF A PASSENGER AND I SITTING IN THE TWO FRONT SEATS I ESTIMATE 7651 LBS. ON THE FL TIRE. THAT IS ONLY 179 LBS AWAY FROM THE MAXIMUM TIRE RATING WITHOUT ANY PASSENGERS SITTING ON THE SEAT BELT EQUIPPED SOFA. IT ALSO DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ROUGHLY 1000 LBS OF ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO INSTALL. WITH EQUIPMENT, PASSENGERS AND THEIR LUGGAGE, THE FL TIRE WEIGHT WOULD INCREASE TO 7976 LBS. OR 146 LBS OVER THE MAXIMUM LEFT TIRE LOAD RATING. NEWMAR ADJUSTED THE SIDE TO SIDE FRONT WEIGHT TO BALANCE WEIGHTS BETWEEN FRONT TIRES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BY FINELY ADJUSTING THE CHASSIS RIDE HEIGHT ON EACH SIDE. UNFORTUNATELY, THESE ADJUSTMENTS CHANGE AND I EARLIER HAD TO GET ONE LINKAGE RE-TIGHTENED. IF THE ADJUSTMENTS CHANGE, THE WEIGHT ON THE FRONT LEFT TIRE COULD INCREASE BY AT LEAST SEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM TIRE RATING EVEN WITHOUT ADDING ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT OR PASSENGERS ON THE SOFA. THIS CURRENTLY APPEARS TO BE A DANGEROUS CONDITION IF I CARRY PASSENGERS AND WILL ONLY GET WORSE IF I INSTALL THE ADDITIONAL PLANNED EQUIPMENT. NEWMAR REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THEY HAVE UPGRADED THE TIRE SIZE AND CAPACITY ON THE 2017 MODEL. AT THE PRESENT TIME, I AM FEELING UNSAFE ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH PASSENGERS AND I ALSO AM AFRAID TO ADD THE PLANNED ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10928890
Incident
Nov 9, 2016
Mileage
10,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB466Amended

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL

Check for proper torque of all mounting bolts on all electric slideout motors. If any bolt is under- torqued, remove the bolt, and add blue LOCTITE® thread sealant to the bolt threads. If there is no washer on the nut side of the bolt, add a flat washer. Reinstall and torque all 5/16” bolts to 19 ft. lbs. and all 3/8” bolts to 33 ft. lbs.

TSB472Amended

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL

Check for proper torque of all mounting bolts on all electric slideout motors. If any bolt is under- torqued, remove the bolt, and add blue LOCTITE® thread sealant to the bolt threads. If there is no washer on the nut side of the bolt, add a flat washer. Reinstall and torque all 5/16" bolts to 19 ft. lbs. and all 3/8" bolts to 33 ft. lbs.

PIB 538

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Newmar has made a change to the water pump circuit fuse on certain coaches to improve customer experience. In most cases, the 10 amp fuse installed by the factory is sufficient. However, some coaches equipped with a ShurFlo water pump (Newmar part # 127488) blow the 10 amp water pump fuse.

PIB 529

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

This bulletin was created to inform dealers and techs that an updated linkage is available that provides a remedy for binding linkages to the power actuator. This issue often creates difficulty when locking or unlocking the compartment door using the key and is only relevant on 2016 to early 2019 model year coaches equipped with power baggage locks.

TSB 486 Amended

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Newmar and MCD shade have determined that certain 2016 and 2017 Dutch Star coaches (all floorplans with remote-controlled power shades) and 2016 and 2017 Ventana coaches (4311 floorplan only) may experience remote-controlled power shade failures. MCD has created the attached troubleshooting instructions to diagnose the 14-channel remote and remote motors. If the original remote-controlled motor(s) failed and currently need replacing, the motors and remote(s) will be replaced with a 15-channel remote, new remote control motors, and a two-channel bedroom remote. The driver side ?Sway Shade? will also be replaced as a complete shade. Replace the bezel in the wall to ensure the proper fit of the new 15-channel remote.

RSB 506

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Newmar Corporation has decided that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in specific motorhomes. Issue: On certain motorhomes, there may be a loose electrical connection to the automatic transfer switch (ATS) that was not properly tightened. If the power connection is loose, it may result in a buildup of heat at the connection, which may increase the risk of fire 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
2016Viewing4110
20155110
20142140
2013080
2012060
2011060
2010060
2009050
2008270
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.