2019 Newmar Dutch Star

23 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Nov 6, 2025Failure Jul 10, 2025Hot Springs National Park, ARInstrument cluster/panel, Unknown or other

   The digital dash is delaminating and makes it hard to see all of the safety items displayed on the dash. Everything is distorted, this is a SAFETY ISSUE. This is a know issue that occurs on many Freightliner products. ( The chassis is Freightliner ) Freightliner will not accept any responsibility beyond the normal warranty timeframe. Freightliner wants $ 7,000.00 ~ for the repair and then how long will this last?? I appears that this is a major issue for Freightliner chassis, and you have to do is google it and many posts come up discussing this problem. Apparently auto manufactures know how to make a digital dash that does not delaminate.

   NHTSA complaint 11697973
2. Filed Oct 18, 2024Failure Oct 18, 2021Moorpark, CAElectrical system, Engine, Exterior lighting

   The Freightliner chassis under this motorhome uses a Power Distribution Module (PDM) that is a fuse panel "block" that powers several coach items, from taillights, brake lights, engine cooling, air conditioning and several other components. The PDM intermittently fails as it can't support the amount of power it must distribute without overheating and shutting off several components as you drive. Especially dangerous is the lost of rear brake and taillights. The PDM was recalled by Freightliner and was replaced with the same item. I'm only guessing that they thought they had a bad batch and replacing it with another would solve the issue. The replacements failed and they recalled the product again. This time, they left the failed PDM in place and removed several circuits from the unit and ran them outside of the PDM with their own fuses. Again, I think the idea was to reduce how much amperage the unit had to handle. This bypass repair is still failing on some coaches, and Freightliner is refusing to cover the repair under the initial recall.

   NHTSA complaint 11620605
3. Filed Aug 27, 2024Failure Aug 1, 2024Newbury Park, CAInstrument cluster/panel, Unknown or other

   The area on the dash where you read all the gauges is delaminating. This is a hazard as the gauges are hard to see and affected

   NHTSA complaint 11611246
4. Filed Jul 18, 2024Failure Jul 3, 2023Manassas, VAElectrical system, Instrument cluster/panel

   The Freightliner instrument cluster (ICU) screen delaminates and makes it difficult to read the gauges. This issue appears to happen with a lot of 2019 models. Freighter refuses to assist and the cost is $5700 for the cluster + labor.

   NHTSA complaint 11603226
5. Filed Oct 5, 2023Failure Sep 22, 202316,600 milesPortland, ORPower train

   The contact owns a 2019 Newmar Dutch Star RV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, he heard an abnormal clunking sound coming from the rear of the RV. No warning lights were illuminated. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the rear differential bolts had become loosened and required to be torqued back to specs. The RV was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 16,600.

   NHTSA complaint 11548416
6. Filed Feb 23, 2023Failure Sep 20, 2022Tigard, ORUnknown or other, Visibility/wiper

   Multiple double pane windows are fogging. The driver’s side window fogging between the double pane glass, is causing visibility problem’s creating a safety hazard.

   NHTSA complaint 11508791
7. Filed Aug 26, 2022Failure Aug 25, 202219,140 milesGirdwood, AKHose, Piping, And connections

   The contact owns a 2019 Newmar Dutch Star RV. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, he heard an abnormally loud sound before the steering wheel seized. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to park safely on the side of the road. Upon inspecting the RV, he noticed the steering hose had separated from the fitting. The contact towed the RV to an independent mechanic where the RV was being serviced. The RV was not yet diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,140.

   NHTSA complaint 11481429
8. Filed Jul 30, 2022Failure Jul 18, 2022Fairfield, OHFuel/propulsion system, Power train

   Vehicle was operating normally when dash lights up with bars stating "check Engine and Low DEF." My dash (digital) locked up and I could not access any error codes. I checked my DEF tank and it was 80% full. I contacted Freightliner Custom Chassis who advised that it needed to go to a dealer. They gave me two dealers, one 30 miles away and the other was 60 miles. Contacted both. Neither on could say if the engine would go into de-rate mode and leave me stranded. I asked for a mobile tech and neither had one. I was five miles from my destination and made it there. I found a mobile tech on my own who came out and assessed that the def system indicated a malfunction. He worked with it for hours and finally got the codes to clear and I was able to make it home. This system has been problematic from the start. This failure of this system can leave the vehicle stranded on the side of the road, cause it to decelerate in traffic lanes creating a safety issue for other drivers and passengers in the vehicle. This is an industry wide known problem yet nothing has been done to resolve the issue.

   NHTSA complaint 11476652
9. Filed Aug 1, 2021Failure Jun 10, 2020Crestview, FLFuel/propulsion system

   DEF sensors failed and we had no assurance that we could drive safely to a repair center before the engine computer shut us down in the middle of nowhere. This DEF issue has resulted in untold waste of time and money. Also personal safety is of NO concern to the EPA. Please resolve this Safety issue now!

   NHTSA complaint 11427356
10. Filed Jul 23, 2021Failure Jul 21, 20215,409 milesHome, PAEngine

    The contact owns a 2019 Newmar Dutch Star Spartan Motor Chassis RV. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The RV was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of the DEF head (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) failure. The dealer was able to clear the error code but stated that the failure recurred, and the engine degraded the speed on the RV. The mechanic recommended that the RV not be driven. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,409.

    NHTSA complaint 11426115
11. Filed Jul 19, 2021Failure Oct 8, 2020Loomis, CAEngine

    The Shaw DEF head failed. Started engine and received MIL light - Emissions. Checked codes and saw "SPN 3031 FMI 9-Abnorm. Update Rate" - "Aftertreatment 1 Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank Temperature". It should be noted that the motorhome was in my enclosed shop, no excessive temperature. It was started in the morning after setting overnight. Knowing that this could potentially derate engine, I contacted Spartan & a local repair facility. Was able to get DEF Head replaced. I am the original owner of the motorhome. Fortunately this happened while preparing for 3-week trip (at home) and not on road.

    NHTSA complaint 11425564
12. Filed May 22, 2021Failure May 22, 2021Robert, LASeats

    The seats that are installed on the front passenger side have I’ll positioned seatbelts. There is no adjustment for it. I’ve reported it to the dealership and they said they hear it all the time but there is nothing they can do. The seatbelt crosses the chest such that the seatbelt anchors at the top of the seat crossing the neck. Should an accident occur, the seatbelt will be across the neck. This could result in a devastating injury. If I were short, I could understand the positioning but I am 5’8”. I took photos and are attached.

    NHTSA complaint 11418126
13. Filed Oct 5, 2020Failure Jul 4, 20203,000 milesMission, TXEngine

    WHILE DRIVING MOTORHOME GOT FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND DEF WARNING MESSAGE. STOPPED VEHICLE AND CALLED SPARTAN (THE CHASSIS MANUFACTURE) WAS TOLD TO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE AS THE DEF HEAD HAD FAILED AND A REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED. SCHEDULED REPLACEMENT WORK. VEHICLE HAD 3,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE LIMITED TO 5MPH IS I ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT FURTHER.

    NHTSA complaint 11362911
14. Filed Sep 15, 2020Failure Aug 30, 2018300 milesFairfield, OHExterior lighting

    MY VEHICLE IS BUILD ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND HAS AN OPTIVIEW DIGITAL DASH. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE DASH DISPLAY LIGHTS CANNOT BE DIMMED.

    NHTSA complaint 11355180
15. Filed Sep 10, 2020Failure Aug 31, 20204,345 milesMartinsville, VAEngine

    WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MOMENTS LATER, ANOTHER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEF GAUGE WENT FROM F TO E AND TURNED RED WITH AN ALARM. WE WERE ABOUT 5 MILES FROM OUR DESTINATION. I CALLED NEWMAR WHO PUT SPARTAN ON THE PHONE. IT WAS THE DEF SENSOR. I WAS ASKED TO DRIVE ONE HOUR AWAY ON A TWO LANE ROAD TO A DEALER. I REFUSED. WE EXTENDED OUR STAY BY ONE WEEK UNTIL THE PART CAME IN (BACK ORDERED). MOBILE TECHNICIANS CAME AND INSTALLED THE PART. I ASKED IF I SHOULD HAVE A SPARE SENSOR... JUST IN CASE...AND WAS TOLD NO. THE.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT AND IT APPEARS TO BE FIXED.

    NHTSA complaint 11354120
16. Filed Jun 15, 2020Failure Jul 22, 20192,000 milesLake Wales, FLStructure, Unknown or other, Visibility

    WE EXPERIENCED A WINDOW FLY OFF OUR COACH WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 40 NEAR WEATHERFORD OK. IT NARROWLY MISSED A SUV BEHIND OUR COACH. WE HAVE HAD TWO OTHER WINDOWS THAT THE OUTER PANE HAS SEPARATED FROM THE INNER PANE. THE HALF BATH WINDOW AND WINDOW ABOVE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. IN COMMUNICATING WITH OTHER OWNERS, THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. MANY OTHERS HAVE CAUGHT IT BEFORE THERE WAS A COMPLETE SEPARATION. IT IS OBVIOUS THE ADHESIVE THAT LIPPERT (WINDOW MANUFACTURER) IS DEFECTIVE. JAYCO HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM: JAYCO, INC. (JAYCO) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2020 MOTORIZED ALANTE, GREYHAWK, MELBOURNE, PRECEPT, REDHAWK, SENECA, ACCOLADE, EMBLEM, ESTEEM, ODYSSEY, QWEST, AND VISION RVS. THE ADHESIVE BOND BETWEEN THE GLASS AND THE METAL HINGE FRAME OF THE FRAMELESS CRANK OUT VENT AND EGRESS WINDOWS MAY FAIL WHICH WOULD THEN ALLOW THE GLASS TO DETACH AND FALL OUT. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11328838
17. Filed May 6, 2020Failure May 1, 2020ST. George, UTExterior lighting

    LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL WAY TO BRIGHT AT NIGHT..I HAVE TO COVER TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT DUE TO THE GLARE. HEAD LIGHTS PUT OUT VERY LITTLE LIGHT. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11323519
18. Filed Apr 26, 2020Failure Nov 6, 2019Moorpark, CAExterior lighting

    I HAVE A 2019 NEWMAR DUTCH STAR DIESEL POWERED MOTOR HOME ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. IN 2019, THEY WENT TO A DIGITAL DASH. THE DASH DOES NOT DIM DOWN LOW ENOUGH AT NIGHT, WHILE DRIVING. CONSEQUENTLY IT CAN BE BLINDING. SOME HAVE HAD TO BUY A TINTED PANEL TO REDUCE THE BRIGHTNESS WHILE OTHERS ARE COVERING IT WITH A TOWEL. I'VE SUBMITTED A PHOTO OF THE ACTUAL DASH, BUT I DO NOT HAVE ONE SHOWING IT AT NIGHT, AS THE VEHICLE IS IN STORAGE.

    NHTSA complaint 11322249
19. Filed Apr 18, 2020Failure Dec 8, 2018Charlotte, NCElectrical system, Exterior lighting

    THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT PANEL (OPTIVIEW) DOES NOT DIM ENOUGH AND IS TOO BRIGHT AT NIGHT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. ON A DARK RAINY NIGHT THE GLARE FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAKES FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. MY COMPLAINT TO NEWMAR IN APRIL 2019 WAS DEFERRED TO FREIGHTLINER. NOVEMBER OF 2019 FREIGHTLINER SENT TWO TECHNICIANS TO MY HOME WHO SPENT A COUPLE OF HOURS DIAGNOSING AND TAKING PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM. THEY CONCLUDED THE BRIGHTNESS LEVEL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID DIM IN RESPONSE TO THE SWITCH BUT MAY NOT BE CALIBRATED CORRECTLY. THEY CONCLUDED THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SOFTWARE FROM THE OPTIVIEW VENDOR AND THAT THEY WOULD RESEARCH A SOFTWARE UPDATE WITH THEM AND GET BACK TO ME. THEY NEVER GOT BACK TO ME, WOULD NOT RETURN MY CALLS AND SUBSEQUENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRIGHTNESS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN OFF AS " THIS IS NORMAL". MY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TO AVOID NIGHT DRIVING AND WHEN I MUST DRIVE AT NIGHT I COVER THE PANEL WITH A PAPER TOWEL OR SUN SCREEN. I BELIEVE A SIMPLE SOFTWARE UPDATE WOULD ALLEVIATE THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11321477
20. Filed Feb 26, 2020Failure Jan 25, 20206,000 milesSmithville, TNUnknown or other

    LOCKED ENTRY DOOR POPS OPEN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS ON SMOOTH ROADS, DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A BUMPY ROAD. RV IS AT KNOXVILLE DEALER NOW AND THEY SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH DOOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES; WE TIE THE DOOR SHUT NOW.

    NHTSA complaint 11311651