The defect
Newmar is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dutch Star and 2009-2010 Dutch Aire motorhomes, built on a Spartan chassis equipped with a Hendrickson independent front suspension. The front brake chambers may contact the upper control arm of the independent front suspension. Continued contact may result in damage sufficient enough to prevent the full release of the brakes. If the brakes do not fully release, as they drag, heat could be generated causing the brakes to engage even further.
The risk
As the brakes heat up, they may self-engage, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Spartan Motors will notify owners and repair the vehicles. The manufacturer has not provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Newmar Corporation at 1-574-773-7791.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Newmar Dutch Aire DP | 2009, 2010 |
| Newmar Dutch Star | 2008, 2009, 2010 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:CHAMBER
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newmar Dutch Aire DP | 2009 | 1 | 9 |
| Newmar Dutch Aire DP | 2010 | 0 | 8 |
| Newmar Dutch Star | 2008 | 2 | 7 |
| Newmar Dutch Star | 2009 | 0 | 5 |
| Newmar Dutch Star | 2010 | 0 | 6 |
Other service brakes, air recalls in 2012
27 of the 583 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2012 concerned the service brakes, air; Newmar Corporation filed 120 campaigns in all.
| 12V565000 6 Dec 2012 | Spartan Chassis, Inc. |
| 12V530000 12 Oct 2012 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 12V483000 3 Oct 2012 | ALTEC INDUSTRIES INC. |
| 12V429000 4 Sept 2012 | SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC. |
| 12V425000 31 Aug 2012 | VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY |
| 12V403000 14 Aug 2012 | NAVISTAR, INC |
| 12V298000 26 Jun 2012 | UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY |
| 12V252000 4 Jun 2012 | UD TRUCKS CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2012