The problem
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain model year 2012 Essex and King Aire motor homes manufactured December 15, 2010, through August 15, 2011 on a Spartan Motors chassis. These vehicles are equipped with Ametek air pressure gauges that may exceed the air brake pressure accuracy requirements of plus or minus 7 percent. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."
The risk
A low air pressure condition may appear safe to the driver, leaving the operator ignorant of the true condition of the vehicle's air brake system, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Spartan Motors will notify the affected owners on behalf of Newmar Corporation. Spartan Motors dealers will replace the air pressure gauge. The recall began during November 2013. Owners may contact Newmar Corporation at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan Motors at 1-800-582-3454.
Contacts
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Newmar dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 13V438000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.