Newmar Corporation is recalling certain 2017-2019 Newmar Ventana LE and Ventana motorhomes

Aug 02, 2018 — Recall Campaign #18V505000

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.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 119 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

18V505000

Manufacturer:	Newmar Corporation
Recall date:	August 02, 2018
NHTSA Campaign #:	18V505000
Units affected:	119

Description:: 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.
Consequeces:: If the brake caliper mounting bolts loosen, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective action:: 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.
Notes:: 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.

Affects the following:

2018 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE Complaints
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 NHTSA 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.;
2019 NEWMAR VENTANA Complaints
On 5/23 I started getting a code "SPN3031 FMI9" which says the DEF temperature is rising too fast, no other codes were present in the fault list (the engine was running at the time I grabbed the fault list). Only the engine outline icon was lit. I had only driven 3 miles from my house to fill up the RV with fuel. I turned the engine off and restarted, getting the same code. After driving back home I pulled up the list again and it was the same. On 5/25 I contacted the local repair shop and they took my information. They called back on 5/26 saying that Spartan (chassis manufacturer) thought I should have more codes. Early on 5/27 I pulled the fault list from the RV with the key in accessory position and I got 2 fault codes, the SPN3031 and also a "SPN1761 FMI9" but it also showed different icons than the prior query, also showing the "check engine" and "Regen" lights. Since I had seen 2 different fault sets I decided to remove the key and try again. I only got the single engine outline icon and the SPN3031 code. I didn't receive the SPN1761. I provided this information to the repair shop shortly after they opened and about an hour later I got a call back from Spartan. They indicated that I would need a new DEF head, the one I had was failing and it was a very common problem this year such that they had none in stock. They also said they weren't sure when they could get me a new one or how many miles the RV could be driven before it would start to derate it's power. I fully support the DEF improvement in air quality, but it is not safe to have a vehicle that is going to start derating power potentially leaving it useless and no ability to get the warranty replacement parts quickly. Manufacturers should have to supply parts for warranty claims before they can sell new items when there is a shortage. The consumer shouldn't be left with an inoperable vehicle while they sell the limited supply to new consumers for a profit.;