2018 Newmar New Aire problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 10 recalls and 8 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Newmar New Aire. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 4 recalls, 1 complaint
Recall 20V509000 (27/08/2020): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Essex and New Aire, 2019 Dutch Star, London Aire, Mountain Aire, and Ventana motorhomes. The instrument panel brightness cannot be adjusted, possibly causing glare when driving at night. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Fix: Newmar will notify owner, and dealers will update the software and processor, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2020. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Recall 18V236000 (13/04/2018): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018 Newmar Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, Canyon Star, Ventana LE, Ventana, Dutch Star, New Aire, Mountain Aire, London Aire, Essex, and King Aire motorhomes. The electrical connections in the breaker box may not be properly tightened, possibly causing the connections to overheat.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the loose electrical connections, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Recall 19V257000 (29/03/2019): EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Bay Star, Essex, New Aire, 2018 Bay Start Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, King Aire, Mountain Aire, Ventana LE, Ventana, and London Aire motorhomes. The power supply for the WiFiRanger may overheat.
Fix: Newmar has notified owners, and dealers will replace the power supply, free of charge. The recall began April 18, 2019. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Recall 17V830000 (19/12/2017): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2016-2018 Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, Essex, King Aire, London Aire, Mountain Aire, New Aire, Ventana and Ventana LE motorhomes. These vehicles may have a loose power connection at the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), possibly resulting in a build up of heat.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electrical connection at the ATS, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
What a tech checks: Voltage drop, grounds, the converter and the transfer switch. Melted shore-cord plugs and bad grounds cause most of the electrical complaints techs actually see. Before you buy: Battery at rest, converter output on shore power, GFCI test, every outlet.
12 V electrical lessons · 120 V and generator lessons · Wiring diagrams
Other: 3 recalls, 1 complaint
Recall 18V518000 (06/08/2018): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Newmar Ventana LE, Mountain Aire, Essex, Ventana, Dutch Star, New Aire, London Aire and King Aire motorhomes. The affected vehicles have entry doors that have latch rods that may be improperly adjusted, allowing the door to open during transit.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will readjust the door latch rod, free of charge. The recall began September 5, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Recall 18V438000 (28/06/2018): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018 Newmar Bay Star, King Aire, London Aire, Mountain Aire, Bay Star Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, Essex, New Aire, Ventana LE, and Ventana motorhomes. When the ignition key is in the off/accessory position and the battery disconnect is on, the slide-out rooms on these vehicles may move in or out unexpectedly.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the slide-out room controller, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Recall 17V809000 (15/12/2017): EQUIPMENT
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling various 1995-2018 motorhomes. A list of the affected vehicles available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V809-2309.pdf. These motorhomes are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on February 7, 2018. Owners may contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information or owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791. Newmar's number for this recall is 17E-062.
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 recall, 6 complaints
Recall 19V426000 (07/06/2019): EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ventana LE and 2017-2019 Dutch Star, Essex, London Aire, Mountain Aire and Ventana, and 2018-2019 New Aire motorhomes built on a Daimler trucks chassis. The rear mounted Power Distribution Module (PDM) may have been damaged during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the rear marker lights, brake lights, or turn signals not functioning.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks dealers will inspect and replace the rear PDM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 18, 2019. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 18V-852.
What a tech checks: Mostly adjustments and wear: steps that stop halfway on a bad switch, doors out of alignment after a slide shifted, exterior lights with a corroded ground. Before you buy: Every door, lock, window and light.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 recall, 1 complaint
Recall 20V421000 (21/07/2020): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Newmar Corporaton (Newmar) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ventana LE, 2017-2020 Ventana, London Aire, Essex and Dutch Star, 2017-2019 Mountain Aire, 2018-2020 New Aire, and 2020 Kountry Star motorhomes that received the 'inspection-only' remedy from recall 19V-426. The rear mounted Power Distribution Module (PDM) may have been damaged during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the rear marker lights, brake lights, or turn signals not functioning.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks North America dealers will replace the PDM, free of charge. This recall began September 11, 2020. Owners may contact Newmar's customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 20V-404.
What a tech checks: Bearings, brake magnets, worn shackle bolts and bent axles. A trailer that wears tires on the inside edge or pulls to one side usually has an axle or suspension problem. Before you buy: Bolts tight, springs not flat, brakes apply with the breakaway pin pulled.
Chassis and towing lessons · Trailer guide
Tires: 1 recall
Recall 18V219000 (05/04/2018): TIRES:VALVE
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Newmar New Aire motorhomes built on Daimler Trucks FCCC XCS chassis equipped with wheels that have Freightliner-logo shaped holes. These wheels have a valve stem stabilizer that may dislodge and damage the valve stem.
Fix: Newmar will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks dealers will inspect and replace the inner wheel valve stem stabilizer, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2018. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 18V-194.
What a tech checks: Age, load range and pressure. RV tires age out before they wear out, and an underrated tire on a heavy trailer is a blowout waiting to happen. Before you buy: Read the DOT date and the load range on the sidewall.
Chassis, towing and tires lessons · Trailer guide
Structure, roof and leaks: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: Roof sealant, seams, window and slide seals, and the frame. Water intrusion shows up as delamination, soft floors and stained ceilings months after the leak started. Before you buy: Press the sidewalls and walk the floor; look at every seam and seal.
Roof, leaks and body lessons · Seals and leaks guide
What owners reported to NHTSA
12/03/2018, EXTERIOR LIGHTING: THE FREIGHTLINER DIGITAL DASH IS TOO BRIGHT FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING. THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN DOWN THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE DISPLAY ENOUGH TO SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE DISPLAY RUINS NIGHT VISION. IT CAN BE ADJUSTED, BUT NOT NEARLY DIM ENOUGH TO MAKE IT USABLE AT NIGHT.
08/10/2020, SERVICE BRAKES: FOR THE 3RD OR 4TH TIME, WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENABLED, CLEAR SKIES, NO RAIN, THE COLLISION DETECTION SYSTEM CAME ON FOR A SECOND OR TWO, WITHOUT ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO THROW US FORWARD INTO OUR SEATBELTS, SEEMED TO LOCK TIRES, AND DISENGAGED CRUISE. IF THE CARS BEHIND ME HAD BEEN CL
07/31/2025, VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: During recent operation of the vehicle, the passenger-side front vent window failed to remain secure due to an apparent adhesive failure. The latch mechanism detached from the glass or frame, causing the window to become loose and unable to latch properly. This defect created a risk of the window fully detaching while driving, which could have led to a hazardous situation for vehicle occupants or other road users. No
07/28/2021, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: RV was included in 20V-404. DTNA tested my vehicle on 7/29/2019 and said it did not need a PDM. Received additional info last year saying a new campaign will be replacing all PDM's in the original group regardless of test results. I have inquired several times with the local Freightliner center and the service telephone line and am told no recall is listed. My 2018 Newaire currently has no brake lights, turn signals
04/27/2020, EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BLINDING INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. UNABLE TO REDUCE BRIGHTNESS TO A LESS THEN BLINDING OUTPUT AT NIGHT. DANGEROUS LOSS OF NIGHT VISION REQUIRES THE DISPLAY TO BE COVERED MAKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL UNSAFE CONDITION. THIS IS AT ALL OPERATING SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS.
04/23/2020, EXTERIOR LIGHTING: THE DASH LIGHTING IS NOT DIMMABLE TO ANY MEANINGFUL EXTENT. ALTHOUGH IT HAS A DIMMING FUNCTION, THIS ONLY OPERATES IN THE VERY BRIGHT END OF THE RANGE. (THAT IS TO SAY EVEN THE DIMMEST SETTING IS EXTREMELY BRIGHT.) NOW WREN I DRIVE AT NIGHT I PLACE A TINTED FILM OVER THE DASHBOARD SO THE BRIGHTNESS DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. (THIS TINTED FILM IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE, PRE-CUT TO MY VEHICL
Looking at a 2018 Newmar New Aire?
The Buyer's Check walks you through it on your phone: what to ask, the outside walk-around, water damage, every system on every power source, with the recalls above built in. You get a report that says what's a walk-away and what to negotiate on.
Checked against NHTSA 2026-10-23. Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer. Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA and are not verified.