Ball joints on the spartan chassis supplied by tuthill are defective. These companies are aware of this. I have approximately 30k miles on my 2004 kountry star diesel motor home and all upper and lower ball joints(rubber cups) are defective and splitting. I contacted both spartan and tuthill and was told, there are only a "hand" full of complaints about this issue and that I am no longer under warranty. Defective ball joints are safety issue that these companies are fully aware of this issue and have elected to disregard it. The defects are not noticed until the warranties are no longer in effect. Many rv owners don't know of this problem.
The worst 2004 Newmar Kountry Star problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Steering3
- Suspension3
- Engine1
- Seats1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering3
- Suspension3
- Engine1
- Seats1
Recalls 9
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
Equipment
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An overheated receiver could cause a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 10V434000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 09V217000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- Newmar is recalling 772 my 2004-2005 american star, kountry aire, mountain aire, my 2003-2006 kountry star, my 2007 x-aire fifth wheel trailers; my 2007 bay star, my 2004-2007 kountry star, my 2004-2006 mountain aire, my 2003-2005 scottsdale class a motor homes; and my 2004-2006 dutch star, my 2003-2006 kountry star, my 2004-2006 mountain aire diesel pusher motor homes equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. The refrigerator 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
- If this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar is working with dometic to repair these refrigerators (please see 08e032). 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 the owner 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 08V366000 · 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
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Certain class a motor homes built on workhorse chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 101, "controls and display" and standard no. 105 "hydraulic and electric brake systems." models with actia instrument cluster, the incorrect software programmed into the cluster such that certain warnings are not displayed.
- Risk
- Incorrect software may not have the ability to illuminate warning lamps indicating brake system failures. The standards require driver warning when brake failure codes are set.
- Remedy
- Workhorse is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners may contact workhorse at 1‑877‑294‑6773 or newmar at 574‑773‑7719.
Recall number 05V109000 · 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
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- Certain seat belt buckles on some motor homes fail to conform to the load requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
- Risk
- The seat belt buckle may unlatch in the event of a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury to the seat occupant.
- Remedy
- Amsafe will notify customers and replace the buckles. The recall began may 28, 2004. Owners should contact amsafe at 1‑574‑266‑8330 or newmar at 1‑574‑773‑7791.
Recall number 04V244000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- On certain motorhomes built on workhorse chassis and equipped with bosch zops brake calipers, the pads can drag on the rotor surface due to the pin slide.
- Risk
- A hang up or lock up may cause the calipers to over heat and not allow the driver to stop safely. This could cause overheating of the brake calipers which could result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Workhorse is notifying customers and will arrange to have the calipers and brake pads replaced on the affected vehicles. Owners should contact workhorse at 1‑877‑294‑6773 or newmar at 1‑574‑773‑5153.
Recall number 04V019000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Newmar Kountry Star 3
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2004 Newmar Kountry Star owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 newmar kountry star rv. While driving approximately 60 MPH on normal road conditions, smoke appeared from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and noticed smoke and flames in the engine compartment. The fire engulfed the entire vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the insurance company's storage facility. The cause of the failure has not been determined. The failure and current mileages were 38,000. Updated 12/02/08. *lj updated 12/03/08.
My 2004 kountry star has a dometic ref recall according to model and serial #. Newmar said my 04 was not affected. The newmar recall nhsta id 07v075000 is only for 1997-2003. I have not received a recall notice because my model is a 2004.
2004 newmar kountry star is not listed under the nhsta recall #03v‑488. I have tried to obtain the recall records from newmar, and the dealer since the mh was already at a dealership when notification were supposed to be sent out. But I am getting conflicting info concerning the recall records, since there is no record that the notices were sent out. Finally an independent mechanic corrected the recall at no cost to me on 02/06. But I am having additonal problems which I believe is a direct result of the recall and therefore my mh remains in the same unsafe condition as when the recall was made.
My previous complaint to odi # 10126325, I did not know that a the federal safety agency safety recall # 03v‑488 had been issued for my motorhome. I contacted newmar in may, 2005 that I was concerned about the safety of my motorhome as explained in previous complaint. Although, I have had my motorhome checked repeatedly, no one ever checked to determine if the recall had been done. I have no stickers on my motorhome that would show that the work had been done. But the paperwork from freightliner says that the work had been done. A mechanic in del rio texas, showed me the steering stop bolts were missing the nodule and were hitting the axle and the steering was decreased. I understand this in return effects the steering gear box. Also other steering components can be effected. I believe that this has happened. The recalled was 12/03 and was suppose to be corrected 01/04 before the motorhome was sold in florida to the original owner. I spoke with newmar customer relations. I understand that they do not know anything about the recall. Since I am not familiar with recall procedure, I do not know who the recall would go to if the motorhome was setting on the lot of independence rv dealer in florida.
Recreational vehicle's rear seats are not properly attached to the chassis. Consumer is concerned that in an event of a collision or roll over the seats would not stay in position.
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Questions about the 2004 Newmar Kountry Star
Is the 2004 Newmar Kountry Star reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2004 Newmar Kountry Star, 2.0 times a typical Kountry Star model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Newmar Kountry Star?
Steering, with 3 complaints. Next is suspension (3).
How many recalls does the 2004 Newmar Kountry Star have?
9 recalls, covering equipment, service brakes, hydraulic and service brakes, air.
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