RoadVitals

2003 Newmar Mountain Aire

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.
10
Latest Mar 6, 2017
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.
13
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, most frequently naming the brakes, other / unspecified and visibility categories. 13 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

  • Brakes666.7%
  • Other / unspecified222.2%
  • Visibility111.1%

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

13 campaigns cover this model year

View all 13

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
15V829000

STEERING

Dec 9, 2015
1,920 units potentially affected
The defect: Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 1997-2005 Dutch Star and Mountain Aire, 1998-1999 London Aire, 2004 Essex and 1997-1998 Kountry Aire motorhomes. The affected vehicles have a steering gear mounting bracket that may crack, causing a loss of steering ability.
The risk: A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will replace the steering gear mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Newmar's number for this recall is 15V 633.
Newmar CorporationManufacturer number 15V 633View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 10
Filed Mar 6, 2017
Fire reported

NORCOLD 1200 RECALL, BACK OF REFRIDGE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ON GAS SETTING IN DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME AFTER A RETURN TRIP TO FLA.

NHTSA ID
10958794
Incident
Feb 12, 2017
Mileage
35,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 2013

I DELIVERED OUR RV TO A CERTIFIED WORKHORSE REPAIR CENTER TO HAVE THE #51101-C BRAKE RECALL ADDRESSED. THE WORKMANSHIP WAS EXCELLENT. MY COMPLAINT IS WORKHORSE DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE COMPLETE REPAIR. THEIR ARGUMENT IS THAT THE RV WASN'T DRIVEN ENOUGH. I PURCHASED THIS RV USED AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL WHEN I REGISTERED IT WITH WORKHORSE.COM. WHEN YOU READ THE TROUBLE TREE, PARAGRAPH 1.3/A, ALL THESE PARTS WERE CHANGED AND COMPLETED IN STEPS 8 & 9. THE TROUBLE TREE SAYS IT IS COVERED BUT THE WORKHORSE SERVICE DEPT. DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE COMPLETE BILLING. IN MY OPINION, THEY SHOULD. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH YOUR RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10537041
Incident
Aug 19, 2013
Mileage
16,400 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 15, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE MOTORHOME 3778. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HITCH FRACTURED WHERE IT WAS WELDED WHILE PULLING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE FAILURE INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURER ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/30/11 *BF UPDATED 3/01/2012 *LN

NHTSA ID
10407011
Incident
Jun 13, 2011
Visibility
Filed Apr 28, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE A CLASS. THE WINDSHIELD SEPARATED AT THE DRIVERS UPPER LEFT SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GLASS SHOP WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE WINDSHIELD CONTINUED TO SEPARATE AT THE DRIVER UPPER LEFT SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,020.

NHTSA ID
10398108
Incident
Jun 1, 2008
Mileage
33,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE MOTOR HOME WITH A WORKHORSE W22 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 09V217000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT THE PARTS HAS NOT COME IN AFTER MORE THAN 1 YEAR. HE STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN MAY 2009, DECEMBER 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 2010. THE CONTACT STATED HE CHECKED 2 DAYS AGO AND THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT IN FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

NHTSA ID
10360294
Incident
May 15, 2009
Brakes
Filed Sep 18, 2009

A BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WERE BEGINNING TO GRAB AND NOT RELEASE. AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR THE BRAKES COOLED ENOUGH TO DRIVE TO CUMMINS-BRIDGEWAY, WHO ARE THE LOCAL WORKHORSE SERVICE GARAGE. THEY EXAMINED THE BRAKES, SAID THEY HAD OVERHEATED BUT THEY WERE OK TO DRIVE ON VACATION AND CHARGED $70.70 FOR THE INSPECTION. ON JUNE 26, IN LANCASTER, PA THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. KNOWING THE DIAGNOSIS WE JUST CANCELLED VACATION AND BROUGHT THE MOTORHOME BACK HOME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284499
Incident
Jun 23, 2009
Mileage
30,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 24, 2008

RIGHT FRONTS BRAKE LOCK UP CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL PULLED ME INTO THE DITCH. SECOND PROBLEM 2000 THOUSAND MILES LATER, RIGHT REAR BRAKE DRAGGING AND OVER HEATING. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OVER HEATED AND CAUSED OIL TO BOIL OUT OF BEARING, TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP FOR FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246619
Incident
Sep 2, 2008
Mileage
37,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 2008

ABS BRAKE FAILURE AND LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL. HAPPENED DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. CALIPERS HUNG UP AND OVER HEATED BRAKES BURNING OUT ABS SENSOR. SAME PROBLEM ON 2002, 2001 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED 2003 AS PROBLEM IS THE SAME. MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME YEAR AND SAME SITUATION AS MINE. WORKHORSE SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED OWNERS TO LUBE CALIPER SLIDES IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10238036
Incident
Dec 28, 2007
Mileage
22,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIB 494

EQUIPMENT

If the coach's HWH leveling system has intermittent issues when operating, check for corrosion or loose mounting bolts. Torque the mounting bolts (if needed) to 30 ft. pounds. A ground cable may also be installed to improve the overall grounding of the HWH pump assembly.

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

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 Mountain Aire by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026000—
2025000—
2024000—
2023020—
2022250—
2021060—
2020070—
20194150—
20181160—
20170110—
2016080—
2015160—
2014190—
2013050—
2012050—
2011050—
2010020—
2009020—
2008140—
2007160—
2006030—
2005490—
20047110—
2003Viewing10130—
20028110—
2001570—
2000770—
1999140—
1998240—
1997040—
1996220—
1995320—
1994010—
1991111—

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.