2000 Newmar Dutch Star: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2000 Newmar Dutch Star
On the 2000 Newmar Dutch Star, the failure owners report most often is other wheel or tire problem, with 12 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 20,000 miles. Overall it scores 81 out of 100, severe risk for a 2000.
Severe risk for a 2000 — 8th riskiest of the 327 2000 vehicles we can rate. 39 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 16 named failure modes on the 2000 Newmar Dutch Star, and the three most-reported carry 54% of everything filed.
Other wheel or tire problem leads with 12 reports and about 20 per 1,000 vehicles.
Tire blowout or tread separation follows with 7 reports, median 20,000 miles.
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure follows with 2 reports, median 45,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into wheels (19), steering (4) and suspension (3).
The mileage the reports cluster at
21 of the reports on the 2000 Newmar Dutch Star came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 20,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 95% by 50,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 20,000 and 30,000 miles, which alone holds 43% of the dated reports.
76% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 16. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 1 mentions a crash. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.33, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other wheel or tire problem at $200–$1,500, tire blowout or tread separation at $200–$1,500, steering rack, gear or tie rod failure at $700–$2,600 and other steering problem at $350–$2,400. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
5% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 12 | 5 | — | 27k | — | 20.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 7 | 7 | — | 21k | — | 11.7 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 43k | — | 3.3 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 16k | — | 3.3 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 2 | 1 | — | 22k | — | 3.3 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 2 | 2 | — | 21k | — | 3.3 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin | emissions | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $250–$2,000 | High |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other engine problem | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 39k | — | 1.7 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 39k | — | 1.7 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Unclassified problem | other | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 3.3 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2000 Newmar Dutch Star draws about 65 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 97th percentile of complaint rates among 2000 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 598 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2000 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other wheel or tire problem
I have a newmar motorhome with michelin tires. It has 25000 miles on it. In the last 1400 miles I have blown three tires of the 6 on the vehicle. I had the vehicle weighed and it is not over the rated maximum weights on either axel. I have blown two front and one rear tire so far. (your list of michelin tires does not nclude the xrv so I will choose another type just to be able to proceed) this should interest you: two michelin dealers who serviced me when the first two tires blew sid that the xrv tires that michelin makes for motorhomes are "a piece of crap". One of them told that to michelin hq in my presence in a phone call. Michelin gave me one replacement tire after I had blown two in a week. My tires are not old and the dealers did not suggest that there was anything I did that made them blow. I believe that I have tries from a bad batch of tires. To have three of them blow within 1400 miles suggests that they all have the same defect. I am convinced they are unsafe and I am replacing the three that have not yet blown with other tires tomorrow. I am replacing them with the same type of tire that michelin gave me as a…
Recall notice on my 2000 dutch star motorhome w/michelin 255/80r22.5 tires. Just notified by ltr dated 1-26-04 from newmar corp. I have attempted 3 times to contact them, and they refuse to return calls or answer their phone other than automated.tires failed w/less than 27,000 miles in oct 2002.*ak
Tire blowout or tread separation
While driving a 2000 newmar dutch star diesel pusher the right front tire blew out with approximately 18,000 miles on the vehicle. A michelin dealer, after a cursory examination, claimed the tire damage was caused by low tire pressure. The dealer's assertion was not accurate as the tire pressure was maintained in accordance with the tire load/inflation specifications provided by michelin to the chassis manufacturer. *la
While driving a 2000 newmar dutch star diesel pusher the right rear inside tire blew out with approximately 29,000 miles on the vehicle. I contacted michelin's consumer call center to inform them that this was the second blowout I experienced on this vehicle, and that both tires had the same manufacturing date code. They responded by asserting that the tire damage must have been caused by low tire pressure. When I maintained that pressure had never been low, they then responded that the tire must have been overloaded. I removed all six michelin tires from this motorhome and replaced them with goodyear tires. I have since driven this vehicle almost 40,000 additional miles without incident. *la
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 newmar dutch star rv trailer. He replaced the tie rod parts 16 times the ball joint components were replaced 8 times in a nine years which are all a part of the steering front suspension. The contact was only required to pay for labor. The manufacturer confirmed that the parts are were replaced due to normal wear and tear and were not defective. The parts are not related to a recall or warranty. The failure mileage was 43,000 and the current mileage is 64,000. Updated 12/10/09. *lj the consumer stated he discovered the tie rod ends and ball joint on the rv had not protective rubber or very little rubber left. The rubber was for safety, it keeps the grease in and dirt, sand and water from wearing down the tie rod ends and ball joints. The consumer stated in four years the problem resurfaced. Updated 12/10/09
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 newmar dutch star rv trailer. He replaced the tie rod parts 16 times the ball joint components were replaced 8 times in a nine years which are all a part of the steering front suspension. The contact was only required to pay for labor. The manufacturer confirmed that the parts are were replaced due to normal wear and tear and were not defective. The parts are not related to a recall or warranty. The failure mileage was 43,000 and the current mileage is 64,000. Updated 12/10/09. *lj the consumer stated he discovered the tie rod ends and ball joint on the rv had not protective rubber or very little rubber left. The rubber was for safety, it keeps the grease in and dirt, sand and water from wearing down the tie rod ends and ball joints. The consumer stated in four years the problem resurfaced. Updated 12/10/09
Recalls on the 2000 model year
NHTSA has issued 8 recall campaigns covering the 2000 Newmar Dutch Star, affecting an estimated 1,501 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover equipment, engine and engine cooling:exhaust system, steering and vehicle speed control. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
EQUIPMENT
34,699 vehicles 2017-12-15- Defect
- 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…
- Consequence
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
742 vehicles 2016-07-05- Defect
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 1998-2010 Dutch Star, 2008 Kountry Star, 2008-2009 All Star and Ventana, 2009-2010 Dutch Aire, 2014-2015 King Aire and 2015 Essex motorhomes, built on a Spartan Motors chassis. In the affected vehicles, the flexible exhaust tube may tear allowing hot exhaust to blow against other components or materials.
- Consequence
- If hot exhaust gas contacts other components or materials, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will inspect the alignment of the tubes, correcting them and replacing any that are torn. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Newmar's number for this recall is 16V 313.
STEERING
1,920 vehicles 2015-12-09- Defect
- Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 1997-2005 Dutch Star and Mountain Aire, 1998-1999 London Aire, 2004 Essex and 1997-1998 Kountry Aire motorhomes. The affected vehicles have a steering gear mounting bracket that may crack, causing a loss of steering ability.
- Consequence
- A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Newmar will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will replace the steering gear mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2016. Owners may contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Newmar's number for this recall is 15V 633.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5,575 vehicles 2008-01-24- Defect
- On certain class a motor homes constructed on ford f-53ty1 and p131 motor home chassis and equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
- Consequence
- Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar is working with ford in conducting this recall. Ford will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332 or newmar at 574-773-7791. (note: also see ford recalls 05v017, 05v388, and 06v286)
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
16,190 vehicles 2007-03-05- Defect
- Certain class a and diesel pusher motor homes and fifth wheel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, may have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.
- Consequence
- Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Newmar will be working with dometic in order to repair these refrigerators (please see 06e076). Dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. Dometic has retained stericycle inc. To manage this campaign. Stericycle will assist you in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling of appointments. Owners may contact dometic/stericycle at 1-888-446-5157 or newmar at 1-574-773-7791.
TIRES
3,589 vehicles 2004-01-28- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- This may result in a loss of control and could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
1,227 vehicles 2003-03-26- Defect
- Certain motor home chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." the brake system warning indicator may not function as required by standard.
- Consequence
- In some of the affected vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or for a low brake fluid condition, if the body builder relied solely upon ford's ivm compliance statement for the brake system warning indicator.
- Remedy
- Dealers will revise the brake warning lamp circuit. Owner notification began april 14, 2003. 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 1-574-773-7791.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1,263 vehicles 2000-10-07- Defect
- Vehicle description: front and rear engine motor homes built on ford, spartan and workhorse chassis. All front engine class a motor homes built on ford and workhorse chassis were manufactured from january 1, through august 31, 2000. All rear engine motor homes built on spartan chassis were built from february 23 through august 31, 2000. These vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." an incorrect vent hose was installed on the fill nozzle to the fuel tank. The hose can break down allowing fuel leakage.
- Consequence
- Fuel leakage in the presence to an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel vent hose.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2000 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2000 compares with the other years
Severe risk for a 2000 — 8th riskiest of the 327 2000 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 4 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1999 comes out best at 74 and 2018 worst at 85, with 2000 itself at 81.
If the model year is negotiable, 1999 scores lower than 2000 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 1999–2002 generation specifically, 1999 is the strongest year at 74 and 2000 the weakest at 81.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 1999-2002 generation, 1999 Newmar Dutch Star scores best at 74 and 2000 Newmar Dutch Star worst at 81.
What this page cannot tell you
39 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 39 reports, 21 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 54% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Newmar Dutch Star?
The most-reported failures are other wheel or tire problem (12 reports, median 25,000 miles), tire blowout or tread separation (7 reports, median 20,000 miles) and steering rack, gear or tie rod failure (2 reports, median 45,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2000 Newmar Dutch Star reliable?
It scores 81 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 8th riskiest of the 327 2000 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2000 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Newmar Dutch Star is best?
Within the 1999–2002 generation, 1999 scores best at 74 out of 100 and 2000 worst at 81. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed