ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN/FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN 255/80R22.5 XRV

Jan 28, 2004 — Recall Campaign #04V037000

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN/FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN 255/80R22.5 XRV TIRES, THE CORDS CAN FATIGUE IF THE TIRES ARE OVERLOADED OR UNDERINFLATED.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 3,589 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

04V037000

Manufacturer:	Newmar Corporation
Recall date:	January 28, 2004
NHTSA Campaign #:	04V037000
Units affected:	3,589

Description:: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON SPARTAN/FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN 255/80R22.5 XRV TIRES, THE CORDS CAN FATIGUE IF THE TIRES ARE OVERLOADED OR UNDERINFLATED.
Consequeces:: THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONLY THE FRONT TIRES. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE FRONT TIRES ARE NOT ROTATED TO THE REAR. A CERTIFICATION TAG DOCUMENTING THE NEW FRONT TIRES INSTALLATION AND SIMULTANEOUSLY INCREASING THE REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES TO 105 PSI WILL BE ISSUED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 9, 2004. 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 1-574-773-2381.
Notes:: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT.THE COMPANY HAS INFORMED NHTSA THAT IT WILL PROVIDE THE MODIFICATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE FREE OF CHARGE.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2000 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR Complaints
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2000 Newmar Dutch Star RV. After driving the RV on a road trip, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The RV was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the RV mileage was 102,000, and at the time it was taken to an independent mechanic, it was determined that the odometer had been disconnected. The contact contacted the State Enforcement Agency for odometer fraud and was referred to an attorney. The mileage remained 102,000. The contact was unable to determine the actual mileage.;
2002 NEWMAR KOUNTRY STAR Complaints
ON DECEMBER 29, 2008 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE NEWMAR CORP. CONCERNING MY DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR IN MY 2002 NEWMAR KOUNTRY STAR 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. I CONTACTED DOMETIC THE SAME DAY AND THEY SCHEDULE A LOCAL RV SERVICE COMPANY TO LOOK AT PERFORMING THIS RECALL AND INSTALLING A PART TO PREVENT FIRES. YESTERDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2009 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE RV DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND HE ADVISED ME THAT MY DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNIT HAS FAILED AND I NEED TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $700 TO AS HIGH AS $1000.00. I CONTACTED DOMETIC THIS MORNING (FEBRUARY 13, 2009) VIA TELEPHONE AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR/REPLACE THIS COOLING UNIT THAT IS NOT WORKING. DOMETIC HAS IN THE RECENT PAST REPLACED THESE COOLING UNITS IN CAMPERS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I FEEL DOMETIC KNOWS THEY HAVE A HUGE LIABILITY AND ARE NOW REFUSING TO FIX OR REPLACE THESE COOLING UNIT FAILURES BECAUSE OF THE COST INVOLVED. THEY ARE JUST FIXING THE UNITS WITH A SAFETY RECALL, BUT THOSE UNITS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED A FAILURE THEY ARE WASHING THEIR HANDS OF THIS PROBLEM AND PASSING THE COST ONTO THE CONSUMER. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER AND WHERE THERE HAS BEEN COOLING UNIT FAILURES BECAUSE OF THIS RECALL DOMETIC BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE COST OF THE COOLING UNIT REPLACEMENT. DOMETIC STATES THAT THE FAILURES ARE LESS THAN 1% OF THE TOTAL. BUT IN MY CAMPGROUND AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, VA WE HAVE ALREADY HAD 2 CAMPERS HAVE THIS TYPE OF COOLING UNIT FAILURE AND JUST YESTERDAY ANOTHER NEIGHBOR OF MINE ALSO HAD HIS COOLING UNIT FAIL. THERE ARE ONLY 83 CAMPSITES AT THE LAKE AND WE NOW HAVE FOUR (4) IDENTICAL FAILURES OF THESE DOMETIC COOLING UNITS.... I AM REQUESTING THAT DOMETIC BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS FAILURE TO MAKE A RELIABLE PRODUCT FOR THE CONSUMERS AND NOT ALLOW THEM TO HIDE BEHIND A WARRANTY PROGRAM WHEN THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THEY HAVE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM FOR THE COOLING UNIT FAILURES OR WORST CASE OF A FIRE INSIDE ONE OF THESE CAMPERS. *TR;