2023 Newmar Dutch Star

I experienced unintended collision braking with dash warnings flashing. I was trying to accelerate from a side street onto a two-lane state highway. The motorhome came to a complete stop after getting up to about 30-35 MPH. After an extraordinarily long minute or so I was able to accelerate a second time and the motorhome did unintended braking a second time! It was very scary because I was blocking a busy highway in one direction, and I was not sure what to do. I finally turned the engine off, turned the ignition key on, and waited to make sure the engine and dash system completely rebooted before starting the engine (this is what I normally do). I was then able to accelerate up to speed. The vehicles behind me had to brake hard to avoid running into my motorhome during the collision braking, they then had a challenging time passing me safely due to my generous size, and my stress level was extremely high. By coincidence I was taking the motorhome to be serviced for other items that morning. While on my way to the dealership a CMS Fault warning was displayed for the first time. I safely stopped the motorhome at a rest stop and restarted the engine. This turned the CMS Fault warning off. The Newmar dealer is to diagnosis the problem with Newmar's technical support. I have not picked up my motorhome as of July 5, 2024, so I do not know if the CMS Fault is fixed. I did not get any warnings before the unintended braking, only the CMS Fault warning afterwards. I do not know what fault codes the dealership may have read in the CMS control module, and I do not know if the dealership has replaced or adjusted any components at this time.

NHTSA ID

11599190

Incident

Jun 12, 2024

The 2023 Newmar Dutch Star 4326 with a Freightliner Custom Chassis was built without an exterior temperature gauge. This is the first vehicle I've seen like this in many years. I'm on our first trip with my family onboard and we're driving thru the NC mountains in a wintery mix with temperatures varying from above to below freezing. I'm very nervous not knowing when the roads will begin to ice over on treacherous roads. I've discussed with Newmar and Freightliner and they both just say they don't know why it's not there and that they cannot add it. I see this as a major safety issue and recommend a recall to have them installed. There are many people driving these 52,000 lb rigs who do not have much experience. Please help us save lives.

NHTSA ID

11506852

Incident

Feb 12, 2023

The Shyft Group Inc. (Spartan Chassis) has decided that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in specific motorhomes built on a Spartan chassis (NHTSA #24V 052). In response, Newmar Corporation is issuing recall TC # 2024-088.

Newmar Corporation Service Department was made aware of a Captain Chair Pedestal manufactured by Villa International that had the welds break at the pedestal-to-base plate connection. The weld breaking would cause the seat to no longer comply with FMVSS 207 and 210. Villa filed NHTSA recall # 23E098. In response, Newmar has filed NHTSA # 24V 019 and TC# 2024-016.

Xantrex solar controller

The dash interferes with full extension of the brake pedal assembly.

Due to ITR releasing a technical bulletin MTB-229-20, Newmar has released a recall bulletin NHTSA # 22V 583 and TC# 2022-436. On certain Newmar motorhomes equipped with International Thermal Research powered heaters, ITR may have installed an incorrect fuel line on the heater, which may leak fuel.