RoadVitals

2005 Newmar Kountry 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.
3
Latest Aug 4, 2023
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.
8
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Newmar Kountry Star, most frequently naming the brakes, other / unspecified and visibility categories. 8 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

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Other / unspecified133.3%
  • Visibility133.3%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
10V434000

EQUIPMENT

Sep 22, 2010
435 units potentially affected
The defect: NEWMAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DIMPLEX ELECTRAFLAME, SYMPHONY, OR OPTIFLAME BRANDED ELECTRIC FIREPLACES, STOVES, AND FIREPLACE INSERTS. THE PLUG IN REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER FOR THE FIREPLACE CAN OVERHEAT.
The risk: AN OVERHEATED RECEIVER COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
The remedy: NEWMAR IS WORKING WITH DIMPLEX AND DIMPLEX WILL PROVIDE OWNERS A FREE REPLACEMENT PLUG-IN REMOTE CONTROL KIT. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-346-7539.
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

Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 4, 2023

Manufacturer-installed Hitch Receiver broke from the frame flanges while pulling away from a stoplight while towing vehicle, resulting in the detachment of the hitch crossbar, tow bars and causing the tow vehicle to cross one lane of traffic and into the grass median towards oncoming traffic. Tow vehicle stopped in median when attached tow equipment dug into soil just before striking a guardrail and on the verge of rolling into oncoming traffic. Had this failure of the hitch assembly occurred at highway speed, a catastrophic collision and death would have been the likely result. The resulting damage from the crossbar detachment resulted in approximately $7500 in damage to the RV, towing system and tow vehicle. Newmar purchased the W22 chassis from Workhorse and built the Kountry Star Motor Home onto that chassis. As part of the manufacturing process, Newmar installed Hidden Hitch part number 64-6100, a hitch receiver with a towing rating of 5000 lbs and a tongue weight rating of 500 lbs. The W22 chassis was used by Newmar over many years, with many of those vehicles still in operation. Inspection by an independent hitch shop indicates that the installed hitch was not designed strongly enough to withstand the stresses from its intended use, which is the flat towing of a passenger vehicle behind the motor home. Due to the height difference between the frame of the Motor Home where the hitch was installed and the attachment points of the towing equipment to the tow car, the Hidden Hitch 64-6100 should have been reinforced to compensate for angular torque from the towning equipment, or a hitch system designed to withstand these added stresses should have been specified and installed by Newmar. Since this was a manufacturer installed receiver hitch, it is likely that all other Workhorse Chassis gas powered RVs manufactured by Newmar in this era have the potential for similar catastrophic failure of the hitch system while flat towing with the Motor Homes.

NHTSA ID
11536482
Incident
Jul 30, 2023
Brakes
Filed Oct 25, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NEWMAR KOUNTRY STAR. AFTER STOPPING AND SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE THEN HAD TO HAVE BLOCKS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE WHEELS TO SECURE THE VEHICLE WHEN HE GOT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 39,000.

NHTSA ID
10362194
Incident
Sep 15, 2010
Mileage
39,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jun 18, 2006

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON 2005 NEWMAR MOTOR COACH HAVE NOT OPERATED SINCE PURCHASED NEW. BEEN TO AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT A PERMANENT FIX. DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR LAST FALL THAT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER, WHEN I NEEDED THEM IN A RAIN STORM RECENTLY THEY WOULD NOT WORK AND STILL DO NOT WORK. THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM THAT NEWMAR CAN'T FIX. I HAVE A VIRGINIA SAFETY INSPECTION DUE SOON AND IT WILL NOT PASS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10160098
Incident
Jun 16, 2006
Mileage
200 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB-372

SEAT BELTS

NEWMAR CORP.: FAILED AMSAFE SEAT BELTS BEING RETURNED TO NEWMAR FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT WHEN CHANGING OUT WARRANTY AMSAFE SEAT BELTS, BOTH HARNESS STRAP WITH CLIP AND BUCKLE PORTION WILL NEED TO BE RETURNED. ALL MOTORIZED MODELS AND ALL MODEL YEARS ARE INCLUDED. *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

306

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

OPTICAL WARNING DEVICES - TURN SIGNAL STALK OPERATION IS AWKWARD. SPARTAN CAMPAIGN TSB06-540-0002 MH586. *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 Kountry Star by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023010—
2022340—
2021160—
2020250—
2010000—
2009000—
2008020—
2007340—
2006150—
2005Viewing380—
2004690—
20036100—
2002780—
2001870—
2000350—
1999130—
1998030—
1997030—
1996120—
1995020—
1994010—

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.