The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·16V721000·Announced 2016-10-07

Newmar Recalls 2015 Dutch Star Motorhomes Due to Brake Signal Defect

Newmar is recalling 2015 Dutch Star motorhomes because the brake signal to towed devices may not deactivate, causing dragging brakes, overheating, fire, or crashes.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source explicitly states the defect can result in a fire and increase the risk of a crash, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or structural vehicle defects leading to severe consequences.

Plain-English summary

Newmar Corporation is recalling certain model year 2015 Dutch Star motorhomes manufactured between July 24, 2014, and September 10, 2014. These vehicles were built on a Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) XCM, XCR, or XCL motorhome chassis. The recall affects vehicles equipped with a heavier, adjustable, straight foot pedal.

The defect involves the brake activation signal to certain towed devices, which may not deactivate when the motorhome's service brakes are released. If this occurs, the brakes on the towed device may remain engaged depending on the trailer's brake configuration. This can cause the brakes to drag and potentially overheat, resulting in a fire. Additionally, following drivers may be confused by the motorhome's actions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Newmar will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will modify the affected pedal assemblies free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 16V 654. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

The recalled product

Product
NEWMAR DUTCH STAR
Brand
NEWMAR
Manufacturer
Newmar Corporation
Category
Vehicle — Motorhome
Hazard
Affected units
7

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • DUTCH STAR

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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