Recall 12V203 covers 2 2012 Newmar Kountry Star Fw and Kountry Aire Fw trailers for brake actuator failure. Repair will be free.
Newmar is recalling 2 2012 Kountry Star Fw and Kountry Aire Fw fifth wheel trailers because Dexter electric/hydraulic brake actuator pumps have a heat-treatment defect that can wear critical pump parts early and make the actuator stop working. If the actuator fails, the trailer can lose braking effort and raise crash risk; the Newmar dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2012 Newmar Kountry Star Fw and Kountry Aire Fw fifth wheel trailers use a Dexter electric over hydraulic brake actuator pump in the trailer brake system. It takes the electrical brake signal from the tow vehicle and runs a hydraulic pump that builds fluid pressure for the trailer brakes. That pressure lets the brake components at the trailer wheels clamp and slow the trailer.
On affected trailers, some actuator pumps were not properly heat treated. Heat treatment is controlled heating and cooling that gives metal parts the hardness they need to survive repeated use. Without that treatment, critical pump parts wear out early. Once those parts wear far enough, the actuator pump stops working and the brake system loses the pump that creates hydraulic pressure.
There is no warning sign before failure. The pump can wear internally until the unit becomes inoperable, so a normal-looking trailer does not prove the actuator is still protected from this defect.
Who's affected?
The scope is narrow: two fifth-wheel models with the same equipment component listed for each.
| 2012 Newmar Kountry Star Fw | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2012 Newmar Kountry Aire Fw | Equipment |
| Units affected | 2 |
A matching 2012 Newmar Kountry Star Fw or Kountry Aire Fw does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
The brake actuator supplies braking power to the trailer brakes. If it fails, the trailer can lose braking effort, which increases the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously, leave extra stopping distance, and contact a Newmar dealer for recall service. Repair will be free at any franchised Newmar dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Newmar Kountry Star Fw or Kountry Aire Fw is included in this recall.
- Contact Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-2007 to confirm the current repair path and ask when the free Dexter brake-actuator replacement is available for your trailer.
- Reference recall number 12V203 when you call Newmar or a servicing dealer.
- Avoid towing the trailer until Newmar or the servicing dealer confirms the brake actuator repair status.
- Bring the recall notice if Newmar has mailed one, plus any service records tied to the trailer brakes.
What happens at the repair
Newmar's filing says owners will be notified before the repair process opens. Once available, the dealer repair will be free. At the dealer, a Newmar technician coordinates replacement of the Dexter electric/hydraulic brake actuator pumps, the parts that build hydraulic braking force for the trailer. Dexter supplies the replacement actuators, and parts and labor are covered under the recall. The filing does not list a repair time, so ask the service desk how long the trailer needs to stay at the dealer.
Timeline
| May 1, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| May 9, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V203?
Recall 12V203 covers 2 2012 Newmar Kountry Star Fw and Kountry Aire Fw fifth wheel trailers equipped with Dexter electric/hydraulic brake actuator pumps. The pumps were not properly heat treated, which can wear critical components and make the actuator inoperable.
What should I do if my 2012 Newmar Kountry Star Fw or Kountry Aire Fw is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 12V203. If it is, contact a franchised Newmar dealer or Newmar at 1-574-773-2007 and ask about the Dexter brake actuator replacement. Reference recall 12V203 when you call.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost, and the remedy states that Dexter will replace the brake actuators free of charge. Ask the Newmar dealer to confirm parts availability before bringing in the trailer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is loss of trailer braking effort. The electric/hydraulic actuator provides braking power to the trailer brakes, and actuator failure can leave the trailer without that braking support, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free actuator replacement if your trailer is included.
What if I bought this Newmar trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Newmar Kountry Star Fw or Kountry Aire Fw is included, then contact a franchised Newmar dealer with recall 12V203.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V203000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-574-773-2007 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V203 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V203000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →