These vehicles, built on a Spartan K3 chassis and powered by a Cummins ISX-12 engine are experiencing very high failure rates in the DEF system control head. When the control head fails, it sends error codes that result in derating engine power dramatically and/or immediate engine shut-down. This creates a very dangerous situation for anyone driving a motorhome that experiences this problem. In extreme cases, it may stop the vehicle in traffic lanes. Spartan Chassis says replacement DEF control heads are in extremely short supply and they will not provide one to a repair facility unless the affected vehicle has experienced a full derating; an initial warning message of a failing control head is deemed insufficient cause for them to provide a replacement part. Their official response is that “you must drive it until it fails before we will provide a replacement unit.” This means drivers of these motorhomes will either be subject to sudden (and, potentially very dangerous) engine shut-down, or they must cease using their expensive motorhome until such time as Spartan Chassis feels they again have a sufficient stock of replacement units. Many motorhome owners use their vehicles full time; they are their home. The inability to safely use them places a huge burden on those owners. I believe the federal safety agency needs to issue a recall on affected vehicles and direct Spartan Chassis to implement a software emergency bypass of the engine derating caused by a faulty DEF control head. It is my understanding that this software bypass solution already exists and is currently implemented on emergency vehicles (fire trucks) produced by Spartan Chassis.
The worst 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine1
Recalls 16
Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2019 Mountain Aire, 2020-2021 New Aire, 2020-2022 Super Star, 2018-2021 Ventana, and Dutch Star vehicles equipped with certain Cummins diesel engines. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot boreholes, allowing the high-pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Cummins service centers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300. Newmar's number for this recall is Cummins 21E-32.
Recall number 21V506000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Dutch Star, 2017-2019 Mountain Aire, 2019-2021 Ventana and 2021 New Aire motorhomes. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rail threads, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed to owners on July 16, 2021. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8000. Newmar's number for this recall is Cummins 21E-032.
Recall number 21V372000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: turn signal
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporaton (Newmar) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ventana LE, 2017-2020 Ventana, London Aire, Essex and Dutch Star, 2017-2019 Mountain Aire, 2018-2020 New Aire, and 2020 Kountry Star motorhomes that received the 'inspection-only' remedy from recall 19V‑426. The rear mounted Power Distribution Module (PDM) may have been damaged during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the rear marker lights, brake lights, or turn signals not functioning.
- Risk
- Non-functioning exterior marker lights can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks North America dealers will replace the PDM, free of charge. This recall began September 11, 2020. Owners may contact Newmar's customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 20V‑404.
Recall number 20V421000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Mountain Aire, Essex, and King Aire motorhomes. The bedroom fascia header may fall unexpectedly onto the bed.
- Risk
- If the fascia header falls while there is an occupant in the bed, it can increase the risk of an injury.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will add screws and brackets to properly secure the fascia header, free of charge. The recall began September 17, 2019. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 19V610000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ventana LE and 2017-2019 Dutch Star, Essex, London Aire, Mountain Aire and Ventana, and 2018-2019 New Aire motorhomes built on a Daimler trucks chassis. The rear mounted Power Distribution Module (PDM) may have been damaged during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the rear marker lights, brake lights, or turn signals not functioning.
- Risk
- Nonfunctioning lights can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks dealers will inspect and replace the rear PDM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 18, 2019. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 18V‑852.
Recall number 19V426000 · Recall details
Equipment: electrical
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Bay Star, Essex, New Aire, 2018 Bay Start Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, King Aire, Mountain Aire, Ventana LE, Ventana, and London Aire motorhomes. The power supply for the WiFiRanger may overheat.
- Risk
- An overheated power supply can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar has notified owners, and dealers will replace the power supply, free of charge. The recall began April 18, 2019. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 19V257000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Newmar Essex, Ventana LE, Ventana, London Aire, and Mountain Aire vehicles. The brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been sufficiently tightened.
- Risk
- Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Newmar has notified owners, and Daimler Trucks North America dealers will inspect and tighten the brake caliper mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 18V‑703.
Recall number 18V859000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Newmar Ventana LE, Mountain Aire, Essex, Ventana, Dutch Star, New Aire, London Aire and King Aire motorhomes. The affected vehicles have entry doors that have latch rods that may be improperly adjusted, allowing the door to open during transit.
- Risk
- If the door opens during transit, it can increase the risk of injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will readjust the door latch rod, free of charge. The recall began September 5, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 18V518000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Newmar Ventana LE and Ventana motorhomes, 2018 Mountain Aire and Essex motorhomes, and 2017-2018 London Aire motorhomes. The brake caliper mounting bolts on these vehicles may be insufficiently tightened, allowing the bolts to loosen.
- Risk
- If the brake caliper mounting bolts loosen, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and authorized Daimler Trucks service centers will inspect the caliper mounting bolts and tighten them to the proper specification, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 18V‑353.
Recall number 18V505000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018 Newmar Bay Star, King Aire, London Aire, Mountain Aire, Bay Star Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, Essex, New Aire, Ventana LE, and Ventana motorhomes. When the ignition key is in the off/accessory position and the battery disconnect is on, the slide-out rooms on these vehicles may move in or out unexpectedly.
- Risk
- If the slide-out room moves unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the slide-out room controller, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 18V438000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Newmar Mountain Aire, London Aire, Essex, and King Aire motorhomes. These vehicles are equipped with windshield wipers that may have an incorrect bend, possibly preventing the wiper arms from properly contacting the windshield. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
- Risk
- If the windshield wipers do not properly contact the windshield, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper arms, free of charge. The recall began on August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 18V387000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Newmar Mountain Aire motorhomes. The Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank bracket may contact the tag axle tire, possibly causing tire damage.
- Risk
- If the bracket damages the tire, it can cause tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan Motors dealers will move the DEF bracket away from the tire, free of charge. The recall began on June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 18V307000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018 Newmar Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, Canyon Star, Ventana LE, Ventana, Dutch Star, New Aire, Mountain Aire, London Aire, Essex, and King Aire motorhomes. The electrical connections in the breaker box may not be properly tightened, possibly causing the connections to overheat.
- Risk
- Overheating of the electrical connections can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the loose electrical connections, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 18V236000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2016-2018 Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, Essex, King Aire, London Aire, Mountain Aire, New Aire, Ventana and Ventana LE motorhomes. These vehicles may have a loose power connection at the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), possibly resulting in a build up of heat.
- Risk
- The build up of heat in the wiring from the loose power connection can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electrical connection at the ATS, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1‑800‑731‑8300.
Recall number 17V830000 · Recall details
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
Suspension: front: control arm
- What is wrong
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Dutch Star, 2016-2018 Mountain Aire and London Aire, and 2012-2018 Essex and King Aire motorhomes built on a Spartan Motors chassis. The ball joints on the independent front suspension (IFS) modules can loosen and separate, leading to a partial loss of steering.
- Risk
- A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan service centers will remove, clean, apply thread locker, reinstall and torqued the ball joints, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 3, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan at 1‑800‑543‑4277 to locate a qualified service center or contact Newmar customer service at 1‑574‑773‑7791. Newmar's number for this recall is 17004.
Recall number 17V195000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire 28
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Engine and engine cooling
- Engine and engine cooling
- Electrical system
- On certain motorhomes, the bedroom fascia header has the potential to fall unexpectedly on top of the bed...
- Exterior lighting
- Equipment
- Some coaches equipped with both the SilverLeaf system and a TRC transfer switch (model 40350RVC-40350RVC3)...
- The driver console USB port to the Xite G3 system may not function properly when plugged into the USB...
- Service brakes
- Newmar has made a change to the water pump circuit fuse on certain coaches to improve customer experience
What 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire
Other model years
199119951996199819992000200120022003200420052007200820142015201820192022
Questions about the 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire
Is the 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire, fewer than a typical Mountain Aire model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire?
Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire have?
16 recalls, covering fuel system, diesel, exterior lighting and equipment.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history