I was backing my coach and trailer up when I heard a loud pop. I stopped to inspect overhead because I thought I hit a limb. Finding no damage I got back in and when I turned the wheel it freespun and I had no steering. I looked underneath to see the drag link dangling from the steering box and discovered a broken casting. The casting that broke is called the bell crank. In my case it was the front lobe that broke. The part that attaches the drag link to the steering box leaving me with a steering wheel that just spun around and no connection to the actual steering controls. Thankfully we were in a parking lot when it happened. 10 minutes earlier and we would've been on a mountain interstate with no control. This is not the same component that is listed in the recall. When I spoke to spartan they said they had never encountered anything like it.
The worst 2003 Newmar Dutch Star problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
Recalls 12
Equipment
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling various 1995-2018 motorhomes. A list of the affected vehicles available at: 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:
- Risk
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- 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.
Recall number 17V809000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 1998-2010 Dutch Star, 2008 Kountry Star, 2008-2009 All Star and Ventana, 2009-2010 Dutch Aire, 2014-2015 King Aire and 2015 Essex motorhomes, built on a Spartan Motors chassis. In the affected vehicles, the flexible exhaust tube may tear allowing hot exhaust to blow against other components or materials.
- Risk
- If hot exhaust gas contacts other components or materials, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will inspect the alignment of the tubes, correcting them and replacing any that are torn. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 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 16V 313.
Recall number 16V501000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 15V829000 · Recall details
Equipment
- What is wrong
- Newmar is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 motor homes and recreational vehicle trailers manufactured between march 5, 2002 and april 3, 2003, equipped with certain norcold refrigerators. The coolant solution in these cooling units can escape.
- Risk
- If a leak occurs and the unit continues to operate, hydrogen gas may be expelled and can be ignited, resulting in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Newmar is working with norcold to notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired free of charge. The remedy campaign will be conducted by norcold. The safety recall campaign began on october 19, 2009. Owners may contact norcold service center at 1‑800‑767‑9101 or newmar at 1‑574‑773‑7791.
Recall number 09V324000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain class a motor homes constructed on ford f-53ty1 and p131 motor home chassis and equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
- Risk
- Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar is working with ford in conducting this recall. Ford will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332 or newmar at 574‑773‑7791. (note: also see ford recalls 05v017, 05v388, and 06v286)
Recall number 08V025000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- Certain class a and diesel pusher motor homes and fifth wheel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, may have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.
- Risk
- Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar will be working with dometic in order to repair these refrigerators (please see 06e076). Dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. Dometic has retained stericycle inc. To manage this campaign. Stericycle will assist you in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling of appointments. Owners may contact dometic/stericycle at 1‑888‑446‑5157 or newmar at 1‑574‑773‑7791.
Recall number 07V075000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply
- What is wrong
- On certain motor homes equipped with ametek ngi gauges, the air gauges are not properly calibrated and the low air warning indicator may be activated when actual air reservoir pressure readings are below the federal motor vehicle safety standard required range of 60 to 65psi.
- Risk
- This may cause the parking brake to engage without warning, thus throwing the passenger forward, creating the potential for injury to occupants.
- Remedy
- Spartan is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will install a harness jumper cable to each air sender. Owners may contact spartan at 800‑543‑4277 or newmar at 574‑773‑7719.
Recall number 05V263000 · Recall details
Equipment
- What is wrong
- On certain class a motor homes equipped with vehicle systems' aqua-hot and hydro-hot water heaters, which are equipped with webasto burner tubes, the burner tubes do not meet specifications and could fail prematurely.
- Risk
- Should the burner tube fail, the coolant heater could overheat, possibly resulting in a fire.
- Remedy
- Vehicle systems is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners may contact vehicle systems at 1‑800‑685‑4298 or newmar at 574‑773‑7719.
Recall number 05V170000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: anchorage
- What is wrong
- On certain motor homes, during manufacturing, the seat belt shoulder harness attachment location for the passenger seat was not properly welded or attached.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the shoulder harness may become loose or unattached causing serious injury to anyone in the passenger seat.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new plate over existing by drilling four attachment holes on each side of new plate and add securing bolts. This recall began october 1, 2004. Owners may contact newmar at 1‑574‑773‑7791.
Recall number 04V403000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp
- What is wrong
- Certain motor home chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." the brake system warning indicator may not function as required by standard.
- Risk
- In some of the affected vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or for a low brake fluid condition, if the body builder relied solely upon ford's ivm compliance statement for the brake system warning indicator.
- Remedy
- Dealers will revise the brake warning lamp circuit. Owner notification began april 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact newmar at 1‑574‑773‑7791.
Recall number 03V064000 · Recall details
Unknown or other
- What is wrong
- On certain diesel pusher, and class a motorhomes, a bracket securing the tv in place in the front overhead cabinet above the driver may not support the weight of the tv.
- Risk
- The tv could become loose and fall out on the driver causing a loss of control of the vehicle and bodily injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the tv from the front overhead cabinet and replace the installation brackets. Owner notification began july 31, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact newmar at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 02V198000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain class a, diesel pusher, motor homes built on freightliner chassis, the wheel well liners being installed on the front tire wells, required the air line assembly on the ifs to be moved to allow the attachment of the liners to the chassis. During this process, it has been found that if the air bags are completely deflated, the tire could rub the air line supplying air to the brakes.
- Risk
- This could cause the line to fail resulting in a loss of brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will detach the support bracket for the air line that supplies the brake and move the bracket inboard 3" and reattach by welding. Owner notification began july 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact newmar at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 02V188000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Newmar Dutch Star 3
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2003 Newmar Dutch Star owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
This fall as in past falls I placed my motor coach in winter storage. At that time I turned off the engine batteries as well as the house batteries. Approximately four weeks later dec 6th 2015 I was called by an observer that my left super slide was extending and retracting all by itself. When I arrived at the coach it was overwhelming to see that the slide even though there no power being supplied to it has attempting to go in and out bending the heavy steel lock literally in two. I called newmar corp and they advised me to take my coach to a us authorized dealer in mount clements mic which was literally 500 miles closer than my cdn dealer. After week the the dealer rv general called me to inform me my coach had been repaired.I picked up the coach and paid the invoice of $775.00 in us currency. On dec 27 2015 I headed off to florida, my first and second night on the road the side did not function at all. On dec 229th 2015 I was on I 95 south bound near the orange florida cut off when the slide deployed itself as we drove down the free way. I was able to pull over and take the exit there with a great deal of difficulty. I disconnected the fuses and hand cranked in the slide and went to my destination. I contact newmar and they were quick to point out yet again this issue is not covered under warranty. To which has shocked me now three times, as my concerns was the major safety issue that this could present including the potential loss of life. I was also surprised that this is not an uncommon problem with newmar as there are numerous blogs on the net about it. I tried to resolve this with newmar but they simply kept referring to warranty and not safety. Thus I submit this complaint.
Our dometic refrigerator for our rv model#ndr1062 s/n24200040 leaked all of its coolant from a failure in the cooling tubes and dometic refuses to repair the leak - did not admit on phone that there was any fatigue in the weld and now we find there is a recall on this refrigerator due to weld fatigue but they fail to repair our refrigerator at their cost.
The valve attached to the cooling system leaked water. The part was camouflaged with bubble gum.
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Questions about the 2003 Newmar Dutch Star
Is the 2003 Newmar Dutch Star reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2003 Newmar Dutch Star, close to a typical Dutch Star model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Newmar Dutch Star?
Electrical system, with 1 complaint. Next is engine (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 Newmar Dutch Star have?
12 recalls, covering equipment, engine and engine cooling and steering.
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