2002 Newmar Dutch Star: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2002 Newmar Dutch Star
Only 4 defect reports have been filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Newmar Dutch Star, which is too few to compute mileage percentiles or a risk score. The reports reported other brake problem.
When each failure gets reported
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
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
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other brake problem | brakes | 2 | 2 | — | 37k | — | 7.8 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 3.9 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 1 | 1 | — | 123k | — | 3.9 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
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.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other brake problem
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 newmar dutch star. While driving 55 MPH, the front passenger brake calipers failed to release and pulled the vehicle to the right. The contact pulled off the road for a few minutes and the brake calipers automatically released. He notified workhorse and they stated that the caliper pins needed to be lubed once a year. The failure mileage was 36,713 and current mileage was 36,721. Updated 03-06-09 *bf
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 newmar dutch star. While driving 55 MPH, the front passenger brake calipers failed to release and pulled the vehicle to the right. The contact pulled off the road for a few minutes and the brake calipers automatically released. He notified workhorse and they stated that the caliper pins needed to be lubed once a year. The failure mileage was 36,713 and current mileage was 36,721. Updated 03-06-09 *bf
Tire blowout or tread separation
Driving north on I-15 in baker, ca, at just under 60 MPH when the passenger front tire blew out causing the motor home to leave the pavement to the right. We stopped safely. We have a TPMS that was working properly on all tires. No alarm warning sounded. Had filled tire to 115 psi the morning before and TPMS reflected that pressure. I had checked all tires for temperature about 45 miles prior to the blow out and also read the pressure indicated on the TPMS. Ambient temperature was about 106 f. The tire was a hercules h902 225-70-22.5 on an alcoa aluminum rim. Tire DOT stamp 5379 sl3612 and serial # 234130568. Current vehicle mileage 123343. Tire purchased on 12/10/2012 at 111100 miles. I contacted hercules tires representative and was told that with no tire carcass to send them they are not responsible at all for any damages. Pictures will not suffice.
Recalls on the 2002 model year
NHTSA has issued 10 recall campaigns covering the 2002 Newmar Dutch Star, affecting an estimated 977 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 service brakes, hydraulic. 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2,578 vehicles 2009-06-11- Defect
- Newmar is recalling 2,578 motorhomes equipped with axles that include bosch zops or zoht pin slide hydraulic disc brakes. When combined with occasional or seasonal vehicle operation may experience calipers sticking in the applied position. This can result in abnormal heat generation at the wheel end causing brake drag. The driver would normally have warning of the brake drag if undetected by the driver.
- Consequence
- The driver would normally detect the brake drag but if undetected the temperature increase at the wheel end can eventually lead to soft pedal conditions due to brake fluid boil, and possible extended stopping distance increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the necessary components free of charge. Workhorse is handling the remedy and owner notification for this campaign please see 09v-110. Owners may contact workhorse at 1-877-246-7731.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
37 vehicles 2004-01-09- Defect
- On certain motorhomes built on workhorse chassis and equipped with bosch zops brake calipers, the pads can drag on the rotor surface due to the pin slide.
- Consequence
- A hang up or lock up may cause the calipers to over heat and not allow the driver to stop safely. This could cause overheating of the brake calipers which could result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Workhorse is notifying customers and will arrange to have the calipers and brake pads replaced on the affected vehicles. Owners should contact workhorse at 1-877-294-6773 or newmar at 1-574-773-5153.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
196 vehicles 2002-08-15- Defect
- On certain motorhomes equipped with arvinmeritor wabco pneumatic anitlock brake system (ABS) valve packages, the assembly bolts on these valve packages were not tightened correctly.
- Consequence
- Bolts torqued below specification will not reliably prevent air leakage at the affected ABS valve package interface joints once the component begins normal vehicle operation. If air leaks develop at any of the ABS valve package interface joints, brake system pressure reductions could occur during braking or normal operation with units equipped with the traction control option, potentially extending stopping distances, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will tighten the fasteners to the proper specification. 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 arvinmeritor wabco at 1-859-746-5956 or newmar at 574-773-7791.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
31 vehicles 2001-09-24- Defect
- Vehicle description: motor homes built on gasoline engine chassis. There is an improper seal at the front dash area on the passenger side.
- Consequence
- The location may not be sealed and could allow carbon monoxide fumes into the occupant compartment.
- Remedy
- Dealers will have new foam installed under dash trim and "a" pillar on the passenger side of the vehicle. Owner notification is expected to begin during october 2001. 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 1-800-731-8300.
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.
Every year of the Newmar Dutch Star
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 the reports on file say
The complaints recorded against the 2002 Newmar Dutch Star are other brake problem (2 reports, around 37k miles), fuel pump failure (1 report) and tire blowout or tread separation (1 report, around 123k miles). With a sample this size these are anecdotes rather than a pattern, and they are shown because somebody looking at this exact car would rather see them than nothing.
Why this page is short
A model year needs about 8 reports before percentiles mean anything, and this one does not have them. Complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road, so a thin page usually means a rare car, a new car, or a car whose owners do not file.
Other years of the same model do have enough: 1999, 2000, 2018 and 2019. The mechanical parts are often shared across those years, so their pages are the better guide to what this one is likely to do, with the caveat that a shared part is not a shared production line.
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