Newmar Dutch Star Engine problems by year

Premier Truck Group, Fort Worth told me that 04-37616-000 was the correct part verified by VIN, and that it was backordered with no available release date. Their parts department confirmed this. Since we were traveling to a wedding in Ohio and had time constraints I called FCCC in Gaffney and spoke to a parts specialist who also confirmed that the latest DEF head 04-37616-00 was on backorder with a 30-60 day waiting period for shipment. He then checked backward and advised that the prior iteration 04-36004-000 was a valid replacement and was still available. On [[redacted]], the Fort Worth Freightliner dealer replaced the DEF head with 04-36004-000. The cost of this repair was $1,474.89 parts and $1,425.89 labor totaling $ 2,900.78 (see attached). Coach mileage at this time was 51,986. Fast forward to [[redacted]], (14.5 months) mileage 60220 while traveling to Corpus Christi Texas I experienced another DEF Head Failure. I managed to get to my destination and contacted Corpus Christi Freightliner who ordered the part [[redacted]]. On [[redacted]] they installed the latest DEF head and corrected the problem. Cost of this repair was parts $1,070.98, labor $1295 with tax totaling $2,619.61 (see attached). When the DEF head fails the motorhome derates and speed is reduced as you know. DEF head failures are a very common problem on these Freightliner motorhomes and they are not standing behind the failures or standing behind replacement parts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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.

failure. So Cummins is aware of problem. The fuel is spraying all over the engine compartment and straight on the exhaust. This is dangerous and people will die, or at the very least cause extensive damage. I tried to reach out to Cummins and received no response. Thanks for your time.

available. I was told by Spartan "August or September" for parts. I am unable to move the coach for fear that it is in fact debated to 5% so will need to have a mobile mechanic dispatched to replace. I understand the need for emission controls, but to derate the engine because we might have a little bit dirtier tailpipe until its fixed.... Major safety issue as there is NO workaround.

And even though there was nothing actually wrong with engine or the DEF (we had a full tank) there was no work around. Because we were in West Yellowstone where there was no diesel engine service nor a place we could leave the coach for several months. We decided to drive the coach to our next destination, Lander Wyoming which had two Cummins engine shops. We made it there, but then got the "stop engine" code - SPN 5246 FMI 16. The coach derated and we could no longer drive it. The Cummins service shop was able to clear the "stop engine" code, so we could drive it. But the check engine codes would remain until the DEF header was replaced. And countdown would restart to "stop engine". On the irv2.com RV blog forum, Spartan chassis owners, with Shaw DEF headers have reported the DEF header failure. A number have had multiple failures. Since it seems as though it may be months before a supply of DEF headers will be readily available and there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the engine, it would be tremendously helpful for Cummins or Spartan to design a workaround while the parts supply is rebuilt and it seems likely that Shaw needs to redesign their DEF Header to reduce the failure rate or Spartan needs to find a new supplier.

stranded in a remote location. The component required for replacement is not available till late Aug or Sept. As we live full time in the RV we are now stranded unable to travel until the part is available. Although our example appears to be an inconvenience we have dozens of other RVers experiencing this same problem and unaware of being stranded until the failure occurs. Whatever is causing the failure of these DEF sensors, owners should be notified and a general recall for replacement should be issued.

motors, the manufacturer of my chassis, and was told that this is a known problem with diesel engines, and that there is a worldwide problem with the DEF failures compounded by a worldwide shortage in functioning replacement parts. The DEF sensors regulation was passed by EPA in 2016, stating the DEF concentration be measured in the DEF tanks of vehicles. I believe that Shaw Development is currently at the sixth generation of the DEF sensor which are still failing regularly on brand new 2021 motorhomes. That is six attempts to make a part that continues to leave people on long trips stranded. As a female driving my coach, this is a major problem. First, because I cannot even drive my brand-new coach anywhere but also because the prospect of getting stranded on the side of the road, as a female, is too frightening to risk. And there is no prediction when I will get the part needed to repair the failure, or whether that part will be defective too.

Michigan, and was told the codes indicated the vehicle's Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) head was defective and needed to be replaced. The gentleman told me not to drive the motorhome and to remain in a safe haven off the road, which in my case is the RV park. He said the limited number of DEF heads in Spartan's inventory are being held for customers whose engines have displayed red stop-engine lights, gone into limp mode and stranded the customers on the side of a road. Those customers receive a new DEF head by overnight mail, are back on the road within a couple days and are able to continue their normal travels. The limited inventory does not allow for customers like me who are not broken down somewhere to receive the DEF head quickly. Spartan's inventory is not anticipated to be replenished until sometime in August 2021. Therefore, if I choose to follow Spartan's recommendation, which I plan to do, I have to cancel campground reservations and summer travel plans and stay in place for at least two months. I'm on a waiting list to receive the part. This is a well-known, long-term problem on motorhomes manufactured by Spartan and other companies, and is supposedly affecting the trucking industry. It has been much discussed on online forums. Spartan's DEF head is produced by Shaw Development LLC in Bonita Springs, Florida. The problem has not been confirmed by a local dealer or independent service center. The vehicle is available for inspection.