2012 NEWMAR BAY STAR Complaints

Discovered an approximately 4" long crack in the hub plate of a rear wheel. The crack goes through the serial number stamp on the wheel (possible stress riser caused by the serial number stamp?). The wheel has been taken out of service and is available for inspection. No other agency has inspected the wheel. There were no symptoms of an issue (no abnormal tire wear was noticed and no vibration or unbalance issues were noticed). The crack was seen when I was doing a periodic lug nut torque check.

I WAS DRIVING N/B ON US-89 FROM JACKSON, WY AND ACCELERATING TO 55 MPH WHEN MY RV BEGAN TO SWAY APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 FEET FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING OUT OF CONTROL. I SLOWED AND THE SWAYING SUBSIDED BUT WHEN AT 40 MPH BEGAN AGAIN WHEN I DROVE OVER A DEFECT IN THE ROAD. I STOPPED AT A CAMPGROUND AND WHILE EXAMINING MY RV I DISCOVERED THE BRACKET THE HOLDS THE REAR SWAY BAR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AXLE HAD BROKEN. THIS IS THE SECOND DEFECT FROM THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE SWAY BAR TO THE REAR AXLE, THE FIRST TIME WAS REPORTED TO NHTSA ON 11-20-2012. THE FAILURE OF THE SWAY BAR BRACKET ON THE FORD MOTORHOME CHASSIS CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING ON A LESS THAN PERFECTLY SMOOTH ROAD.