2018 Newmar Newaire Owner Complaints

During recent operation of the vehicle, the passenger-side front vent window failed to remain secure due to an apparent adhesive failure. The latch mechanism detached from the glass or frame, causing the window to become loose and unable to latch properly. This defect created a risk of the window fully detaching while driving, which could have led to a hazardous situation for vehicle occupants or other road users. No injuries or accidents occurred, but the issue significantly compromises vehicle safety. I am aware of NHTSA Recall 21V-571, issued in 2021, which addresses adhesive failure in Hehr 6400 series vent windows on 2019-2021 Newmar New Aire models, produced between October 1, 2018, and October 21, 2021. The symptoms observed in my 2018 model closely match those described in the recall, indicating that the same defect may affect earlier model years not currently included. To assist NHTSA’s investigation, I am prepared to provide additional documentation, such as photographs of the defective window, or facilitate an inspection of the vehicle if required. I respectfully request that NHTSA evaluate this complaint, collect reports from other 2018 Newmar New Aire owners who may have encountered similar issues, and expand Recall 21V-571 to cover the 2018 model year to mitigate potential safety risks. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please contact me at the provided contact information for any further details or clarification.

NHTSA ID

11677682

Incident

Jul 27, 2025

Dual Paine Window glass separating on Exterior Windows. Safety Hazard if the outside glass were to come off while traveling. Hehr is the manufacturer that Newmar used for the windows. Newmar is stating the Windows are not covered as the Vehicle is out of warranty. Reviewing many RV Forums it is evident that this problem with Hehr windows on Newmar Class A Motorhome is a common problem.

NHTSA ID

11507944

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

RV was included in 20V-404. DTNA tested my vehicle on 7/29/2019 and said it did not need a PDM. Received additional info last year saying a new campaign will be replacing all PDM's in the original group regardless of test results. I have inquired several times with the local Freightliner center and the service telephone line and am told no recall is listed. My 2018 Newaire currently has no brake lights, turn signals or parking lights in the rear. In addition the AC compressor clutch does not engage. I have recently returned from a cross country trip and had intermittent AC issues and now realize that my rear lights were also out during those incidents. There was no indication of all rear signal lights being defective in the cockpit other than the AC not working. Vehicle is parked until I get some resolution from Freightliner. I spoke with them today and they said I should take the vehicle to the service center and I explained that I did not feel it was safe to drive the Motorhome in that condition.

NHTSA ID

11426849

Incident

Jul 23, 2021

FOR THE 3RD OR 4TH TIME, WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENABLED, CLEAR SKIES, NO RAIN, THE COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM CAME ON FOR A SECOND OR TWO, WITHOUT ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO THROW US FORWARD INTO OUR SEATBELTS, SEEMED TO LOCK TIRES, AND DISENGAGED CRUISE. IF THE CARS BEHIND ME HAD BEEN CLOSER IT WAS ENOUGH OF A BRAKE THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS TO SWERVE OR ALSO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID ME. AFTER REALIZING WHAT HAPPENED I WAS ABLE TO GET A PICTURE OF THE COLLISION DETECTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE AT 65 MPH. I DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. I WITNESSED THE COLLISION LIGHT ILLUMINATE 2-3 TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, WITHOUT ANY OBSTRUCTION IN FRONT OF US. NO BUGS OR ANYTHING ELSE BLOCKING THE RADAR SENSOR ON THE FRONT OF THE MOTOR HOME. THIS OCCURRENCE WAS ON I77 SOUTH OF CANTON, OH. PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WERE ON I-71 E NEAR DAYTON, OH AND I71W NEAR COLUMBUS, OH. THE ATTACHED IMAGE SHOWS THE COLLISION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH WITHOUT OBSTRUCTION IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11344264

Incident

Aug 8, 2020

Mileage

12,700 mi

BLINDING INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. UNABLE TO REDUCE BRIGHTNESS TO A LESS THEN BLINDING OUTPUT AT NIGHT. DANGEROUS LOSS OF NIGHT VISION REQUIRES THE DISPLAY TO BE COVERED MAKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL UNSAFE CONDITION. THIS IS AT ALL OPERATING SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID

11322336

Incident

Jul 30, 2018

Mileage

1,000 mi

THE DASH LIGHTING IS NOT DIMMABLE TO ANY MEANINGFUL EXTENT. ALTHOUGH IT HAS A DIMMING FUNCTION, THIS ONLY OPERATES IN THE VERY BRIGHT END OF THE RANGE. (THAT IS TO SAY EVEN THE DIMMEST SETTING IS EXTREMELY BRIGHT.) NOW WREN I DRIVE AT NIGHT I PLACE A TINTED FILM OVER THE DASHBOARD SO THE BRIGHTNESS DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. (THIS TINTED FILM IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE, PRE-CUT TO MY VEHICLE, BECAUSE SO MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.) THIS PROBLEM IS ALWAYS PRESENT WHEN DRIVING AFTER DARK.

NHTSA ID

11321997

Incident

Feb 14, 2018

Mileage

1,000 mi

DIGITAL DASH DOES NOT DIM SUFFICIENTLY AT NIGHT. THE DASH IS SO BRIGHT THAT THE REFLECTED LIGHT FROM THE DASH BOUNCES OFF THE DRIVER AND BACK ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSES A GLARE THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE PLACED A DARK FILM OVER THE DISPLAY FOR NIGHT DRIVING AFTER A CLOSE CALL AT A INTERSECTION IN ARIZONA. STOPPED AT A FOUR WAY STOP WITH TWO LANES IN ALL DIRECTION AND VERY LITTLE OUTSIDE STREET LIGHTING. AS I MADE A LEFT TURN THE GLARE COMPLETELY BLOCKED THE LANES I WAS TURNING INTO. I NARROWLY MISSED A LIGHT POLE AND RAN OVER A LANE DIVIDER WHICH I COULD NOT SEE. LUCKILY NO DAMAGE BUT I DID NOT TAKE THE MOTORHOME OUT AT NIGHT AGAIN TILL I PLACED DARKENING FILM OVER THE SCREEN.

NHTSA ID

11321526

Incident

Jul 15, 2019

Mileage

4,000 mi

THE FREIGHTLINER DIGITAL DASH IS TOO BRIGHT FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING. THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN DOWN THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE DISPLAY ENOUGH TO SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE DISPLAY RUINS NIGHT VISION. IT CAN BE ADJUSTED, BUT NOT NEARLY DIM ENOUGH TO MAKE IT USABLE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11155759

Incident

Aug 3, 2018

Mileage

250 mi