The problem
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Essex, and 2015 Mountain Aire and London Aire motorhomes manufactured from May 20, 2013, through April 09, 2015. These vehicles are built on Freightliner rear engine chassis that have 18,000lb or 20,000lb-capacity front axles. In these motorhomes, the power steering fluid temperature may exceed the power steering hose material rating, subsequently causing the hoses to fail, resulting in a sudden loss of power steering.
The risk
Loss of power steering assist would result in increased difficulty to steer the vehicle in either direction at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Newmar will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will replace the power steering hose with a higher temperature rated one, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2016. Owners may contact Freightliner customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300. Newmar's number for this recall is 16V-121.
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 16V280000.
- 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.