2019 Newmar Dutch Star Problems

The Freightliner chassis under this motorhome uses a Power Distribution Module (PDM) that is a fuse panel "block" that powers several coach items, from taillights, brake lights, engine cooling, air conditioning and several other components. The PDM intermittently fails as it can't support the amount of power it must distribute without overheating and shutting off several components as you drive. Especially dangerous is the lost of rear brake and taillights. The PDM was recalled by Freightliner and was replaced with the same item. I'm only guessing that they thought they had a bad batch and replacing it with another would solve the issue. The replacements failed and they recalled the product again. This time, they left the failed PDM in place and removed several circuits from the unit and ran them outside of the PDM with their own fuses. Again, I think the idea was to reduce how much amperage the unit had to handle. This bypass repair is still failing on some coaches, and Freightliner is refusing to cover the repair under the initial recall.

MY VEHICLE IS BUILD ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND HAS AN OPTIVIEW DIGITAL DASH. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE DASH DISPLAY LIGHTS CANNOT BE DIMMED.

The Freightliner chassis under this motorhome uses a Power Distribution Module (PDM) that is a fuse panel "block" that powers several coach items, from taillights, brake lights, engine cooling, air conditioning and several other components. The PDM intermittently fails as it can't support the amount of power it must distribute without overheating and shutting off several components as you drive. Especially dangerous is the lost of rear brake and taillights. The PDM was recalled by Freightliner and was replaced with the same item. I'm only guessing that they thought they had a bad batch and replacing it with another would solve the issue. The replacements failed and they recalled the product again. This time, they left the failed PDM in place and removed several circuits from the unit and ran them outside of the PDM with their own fuses. Again, I think the idea was to reduce how much amperage the unit had to handle. This bypass repair is still failing on some coaches, and Freightliner is refusing to cover the repair under the initial recall.

The contact owns a 2019 Newmar Dutch Star Spartan Motor Chassis RV. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The RV was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of the DEF head (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) failure. The dealer was able to clear the error code but stated that the failure recurred, and the engine degraded the speed on the RV. The mechanic recommended that the RV not be driven. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,409.

The digital dash is delaminating and makes it hard to see all of the safety items displayed on the dash. Everything is distorted, this is a SAFETY ISSUE. This is a know issue that occurs on many Freightliner products. ( The chassis is Freightliner ) Freightliner will not accept any responsibility beyond the normal warranty timeframe. Freightliner wants $ 7,000.00 ~ for the repair and then how long will this last?? I appears that this is a major issue for Freightliner chassis, and you have to do is google it and many posts come up discussing this problem. Apparently auto manufactures know how to make a digital dash that does not delaminate.

The Freightliner chassis under this motorhome uses a Power Distribution Module (PDM) that is a fuse panel "block" that powers several coach items, from taillights, brake lights, engine cooling, air conditioning and several other components. The PDM intermittently fails as it can't support the amount of power it must distribute without overheating and shutting off several components as you drive. Especially dangerous is the lost of rear brake and taillights. The PDM was recalled by Freightliner and was replaced with the same item. I'm only guessing that they thought they had a bad batch and replacing it with another would solve the issue. The replacements failed and they recalled the product again. This time, they left the failed PDM in place and removed several circuits from the unit and ran them outside of the PDM with their own fuses. Again, I think the idea was to reduce how much amperage the unit had to handle. This bypass repair is still failing on some coaches, and Freightliner is refusing to cover the repair under the initial recall.

The contact owns a 2019 Newmar Dutch Star RV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, he heard an abnormal clunking sound coming from the rear of the RV. No warning lights were illuminated. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the rear differential bolts had become loosened and required to be torqued back to specs. The RV was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 16,600.

Vehicle was operating normally when dash lights up with bars stating "check Engine and Low DEF." My dash (digital) locked up and I could not access any error codes. I checked my DEF tank and it was 80% full. I contacted Freightliner Custom Chassis who advised that it needed to go to a dealer. They gave me two dealers, one 30 miles away and the other was 60 miles. Contacted both. Neither on could say if the engine would go into de-rate mode and leave me stranded. I asked for a mobile tech and neither had one. I was five miles from my destination and made it there. I found a mobile tech on my own who came out and assessed that the def system indicated a malfunction. He worked with it for hours and finally got the codes to clear and I was able to make it home. This system has been problematic from the start. This failure of this system can leave the vehicle stranded on the side of the road, cause it to decelerate in traffic lanes creating a safety issue for other drivers and passengers in the vehicle. This is an industry wide known problem yet nothing has been done to resolve the issue.

Multiple double pane windows are fogging. The driver’s side window fogging between the double pane glass, is causing visibility problem’s creating a safety hazard.

WE EXPERIENCED A WINDOW FLY OFF OUR COACH WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 40 NEAR WEATHERFORD OK. IT NARROWLY MISSED A SUV BEHIND OUR COACH. WE HAVE HAD TWO OTHER WINDOWS THAT THE OUTER PANE HAS SEPARATED FROM THE INNER PANE. THE HALF BATH WINDOW AND WINDOW ABOVE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. IN COMMUNICATING WITH OTHER OWNERS, THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. MANY OTHERS HAVE CAUGHT IT BEFORE THERE WAS A COMPLETE SEPARATION. IT IS OBVIOUS THE ADHESIVE THAT LIPPERT (WINDOW MANUFACTURER) IS DEFECTIVE. JAYCO HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM: JAYCO, INC. (JAYCO) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2020 MOTORIZED ALANTE, GREYHAWK, MELBOURNE, PRECEPT, REDHAWK, SENECA, ACCOLADE, EMBLEM, ESTEEM, ODYSSEY, QWEST, AND VISION RVS. THE ADHESIVE BOND BETWEEN THE GLASS AND THE METAL HINGE FRAME OF THE FRAMELESS CRANK OUT VENT AND EGRESS WINDOWS MAY FAIL WHICH WOULD THEN ALLOW THE GLASS TO DETACH AND FALL OUT. *TR

Vehicle was operating normally when dash lights up with bars stating "check Engine and Low DEF." My dash (digital) locked up and I could not access any error codes. I checked my DEF tank and it was 80% full. I contacted Freightliner Custom Chassis who advised that it needed to go to a dealer. They gave me two dealers, one 30 miles away and the other was 60 miles. Contacted both. Neither on could say if the engine would go into de-rate mode and leave me stranded. I asked for a mobile tech and neither had one. I was five miles from my destination and made it there. I found a mobile tech on my own who came out and assessed that the def system indicated a malfunction. He worked with it for hours and finally got the codes to clear and I was able to make it home. This system has been problematic from the start. This failure of this system can leave the vehicle stranded on the side of the road, cause it to decelerate in traffic lanes creating a safety issue for other drivers and passengers in the vehicle. This is an industry wide known problem yet nothing has been done to resolve the issue.

DEF sensors failed and we had no assurance that we could drive safely to a repair center before the engine computer shut us down in the middle of nowhere. This DEF issue has resulted in untold waste of time and money. Also personal safety is of NO concern to the EPA. Please resolve this Safety issue now!

The seats that are installed on the front passenger side have I’ll positioned seatbelts. There is no adjustment for it. I’ve reported it to the dealership and they said they hear it all the time but there is nothing they can do. The seatbelt crosses the chest such that the seatbelt anchors at the top of the seat crossing the neck. Should an accident occur, the seatbelt will be across the neck. This could result in a devastating injury. If I were short, I could understand the positioning but I am 5’8”. I took photos and are attached.

WE EXPERIENCED A WINDOW FLY OFF OUR COACH WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 40 NEAR WEATHERFORD OK. IT NARROWLY MISSED A SUV BEHIND OUR COACH. WE HAVE HAD TWO OTHER WINDOWS THAT THE OUTER PANE HAS SEPARATED FROM THE INNER PANE. THE HALF BATH WINDOW AND WINDOW ABOVE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. IN COMMUNICATING WITH OTHER OWNERS, THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. MANY OTHERS HAVE CAUGHT IT BEFORE THERE WAS A COMPLETE SEPARATION. IT IS OBVIOUS THE ADHESIVE THAT LIPPERT (WINDOW MANUFACTURER) IS DEFECTIVE. JAYCO HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM: JAYCO, INC. (JAYCO) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2020 MOTORIZED ALANTE, GREYHAWK, MELBOURNE, PRECEPT, REDHAWK, SENECA, ACCOLADE, EMBLEM, ESTEEM, ODYSSEY, QWEST, AND VISION RVS. THE ADHESIVE BOND BETWEEN THE GLASS AND THE METAL HINGE FRAME OF THE FRAMELESS CRANK OUT VENT AND EGRESS WINDOWS MAY FAIL WHICH WOULD THEN ALLOW THE GLASS TO DETACH AND FALL OUT. *TR

The contact owns a 2019 Newmar Dutch Star RV. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, he heard an abnormally loud sound before the steering wheel seized. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to park safely on the side of the road. Upon inspecting the RV, he noticed the steering hose had separated from the fitting. The contact towed the RV to an independent mechanic where the RV was being serviced. The RV was not yet diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,140.