Vehicle recall 08V015000 · January 11, 2008
Newmar Dutch Star, Essex and 1 more model
Certain motor home chassis built on freightliner vcl or xc chassis and equipped with zf model 8018 steering gears, these gears may have been assembled with the incorrect…
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Certain motor home chassis built on freightliner vcl or xc chassis and equipped with zf model 8018 steering gears, these gears may have been assembled with the incorrect recirculating ball spacer. This could potentially allow the recirculating balls to escape from the recirculating ball circuit resulting in a loss of steering.
- Consequence
- The operator may notice higher required steering wheel inputs, or the need for more steering wheel adjustments while driving in a straight line in combination with metallic cracking noises prior to a loss of steering. Loss of steering could result in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Freightliner is conducting this recall (please see 07V-343) and will replace the steering gear free of charge. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712 or newmar at 574-773-7791.
- Notes
- Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 08V015000
- Reported to NHTSA
- January 11, 2008
- Filed by
- NEWMAR CORPORATION
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 126
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Newmar Dutch Star (2004-2005): 2005, 2004
- Newmar Essex (2004-2005): 2005, 2004
- Newmar Mountain Aire (2004-2005): 2005, 2004
Has your Newmar been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Newmar dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.