RoadVitals

2008 Newmar Grand Star Ca

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 19, 2009
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.
3
Latest Jul 31, 2012
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 Grand Star Ca, most frequently naming the body & structure and tires & wheels categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 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

  • Body & structure250.0%
  • Tires & wheels250.0%

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

3 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
12V371000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Jul 31, 2012
70 units potentially affected
The defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2009 Grand Star Class A motorhomes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis (FCCC) from January 25, 2007, through May 22, 2009. These motorhomes chassis are equipped with Bosch hydraulic disc brakes which, when exposed to long periods of time of non-driving, may experience diametrical brake caliper piston growth and reduced piston to bore clearance potentially leading to brake drag and overheating resulting in reduced brake performance.
The risk: Reduced brake performance may lead to a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Owners will be notified by Daimler Trucks/FCCC, and repairs will be performed by authorized FCCC dealers free of charge. An interim letter was mailed by DTNA on August 6, 2012. Owners may contact Newmar at 1-574-773-7791 or Daimler Trucks at 1-800-547-0712.
NEWMAR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
11V235000

EQUIPMENT

Apr 12, 2011
5,486 units potentially affected
The defect: NEWMAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1200 SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
The risk: THE SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH INSTALLED TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED DUE TO A POSSIBLE HYDROGEN GAS LEAK MAY NOT SHUT OFF IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREVENT A FIRE.
The remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT NORCOLD DEALERS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 10E-049 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101.
NEWMAR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
09V217000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Jun 11, 2009
2,578 units potentially affected
The defect: NEWMAR IS RECALLING 2,578 MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.
The risk: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.
NEWMAR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed Aug 19, 2009

INNER FENDER WALLS ON THE NEWMAR 2008 GRANDSTAR 3750 ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE REAR INSIDE DUAL TIRE, CAUSING BOLT RUBBING ON SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE, CAUSING THE BOLT TO WEAR INTO TIRE SIDEWALL SHEARING OFF THE RUBBER, COMPROMISING THE TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10281100
Incident
Aug 17, 2009
Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed May 11, 2009

DURING A SERVICE AT A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS CENTER, THEIR SAFETY INSPECTION REVEALED BOTH INNER TIRES ON THE REAR DUALS ARE COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE COACH FRAME. AT 5K MILES, ONE TIRE NEAR FAILURE, THE OTHER LESS SO. VISUAL INSPECTION SHOWS A TOO CLOSE GAP BETWEEN THE TIRE TREAD AND COACH BODY WHEN VEHICLE IS UNLOADED. APPROXIMATE 1/4" GAP ON LEFT, 1/2" ON RIGHT AT THE TREAD. AS THE SUSPENSION COMPRESSES OR THE VEHICLE IS LOADED, THE SIDEWALL , AS IT WIDENS TOWARDS THE WHEEL, IS IN CONSTANT, INCREASING CONTACT WITH A PIECE OF ANGLE IRON THAT IS BOLTED TO THE COACH FRAME ON BOTH SIDES. THE TIRE SIDEWALL IS THEN SLOWLY SHAVED OFF AND FRICTION CAUSES SIGNIFICANT HEAT INCREASES. DEFECT IS SO OBVIOUS IT IS DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND IT PASSING SAFETY AND QUALITY CONTROL, AND ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE FACTORY. NEWMAR SAYS THE FIX IS TO RE-WORK THE COACH BODY TO ACCOMMODATE ROOM FOR THE TIRES. MAY INVOLVE REPLACEMENT OF A HOLDING TANK, CUTTING OF THE FLOOR, ECT. VEHICLE AT THIS TIME COULD NOT PASS A MN DOT INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268379
Incident
May 1, 2009

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB-377

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

NEWMAR: WARRANTY CLAIM MAY BE DENIED BY EVANS TEMPCON, IF WARRANTY PARTS NOT REPLACED WITH ORIGINAL OEM PART. *PE

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

326

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

UNITS EQUIPPED WITH ATWOOD (LEVEL LEGS) ELECTRONIC LEVELING SYSTEM MAY NOT ALLOW THE JACKS TO RETRACT FULLY OR OPERATE AT ALL WITH THE MOTORHOME ENGINE RUNNING. THIS AFFECTS ONLY UNITS BUILT ON THE FORD CHASSIS. THIS TSB IS NOT APPLICABLE TO NEWMAR UNITS BUILT ON ANY OTHER CHASSIS. *NJ

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 Grand Star Ca by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009020—
2008Viewing230—

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.