Recall 15V803 covers 1,085 2014-2015 Newmar Ventana, Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, and Essex motorhomes for overheating door-lock actuators. Franchised Newmar dealers repair it free.
Newmar is recalling 1,085 2014-2015 Ventana, Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, and Essex motorhomes because cargo door lock actuators can overheat and melt their housings. An overheated actuator increases the risk of a fire, and Newmar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The cargo door lock actuator on these 2014-2015 Newmar Ventana, Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, and Essex motorhomes is the small electric motor that locks and unlocks a baggage door. It works through the keyless entry system, which sends power through wiring to move the latch when you command the door to lock or unlock.
On affected motorhomes, the wiring setup lets power feed back through the standard non-networked Tri/Mark keyless entry module when battery voltage drops below 9.5VDC. That back feed makes the door actuator chatter instead of moving cleanly. If the chatter lasts long enough, the actuator overheats and melts its housing, along with nearby inner door material.
There is no warning sign before failure. After the overheating happens, the affected cargo door actuator no longer works, so the baggage door lock stops responding as designed.
Who's affected?
The recall spans four Newmar motorhome lines across the 2014 and 2015 model years, with latches, locks, linkages, and wiring listed for each included year and model pairing.
| 2015 Newmar Ventana | Latches/locks/linkages |
|---|---|
| 2015 Newmar Ventana | wiring |
| 2015 Newmar Dutch Star | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2015 Newmar Dutch Star | wiring |
| 2014 Newmar Dutch Star | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2014 Newmar Dutch Star | wiring |
| 2014 Newmar Mountain Aire | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2014 Newmar Mountain Aire | wiring |
| 2014 Newmar Ventana | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2014 Newmar Ventana | wiring |
| 2014 Newmar Essex | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2014 Newmar Essex | wiring |
| Units affected | 1,085 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific motorhome.
What's the safety risk?
An overheating door lock actuator can increase the risk of fire. If your VIN is included, schedule the dealer repair soon and avoid putting off the fix because the lock still works. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2015 Newmar Ventana, Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, or Essex motorhome is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free low-voltage disconnect module and wire-harness repair that protects the cargo door lock actuator from overheating.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 15V803 when you call.
- Call Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 with questions about the door-lock repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Newmar technician installs a new low voltage disconnect module and wire harness for the cargo door lock actuator. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Newmar has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall work was completed. Contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 with your repair documents and ask how the reimbursement plan applies to your prior payment.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 30, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 4, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 23, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| January 23, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V803?
Recall 15V803 covers 1,085 2014-2015 Newmar Ventana, Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, and Essex motorhomes with cargo door lock actuators that can overheat and melt the actuator housing, increasing fire risk. Newmar dealers will install a new low voltage disconnect module and wire harness for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2015 Newmar Ventana, Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, or Essex is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 15V803. If it is, contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the door lock actuator repair. Reference recall number 15V803 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Newmar's remedy says dealers will install the new low voltage disconnect module and wire harness free of charge.
Is it safe to drive my Newmar motorhome with recall 15V803 open?
Newmar did not tell owners to stop driving, but the defect raises fire risk when the cargo door lock actuator overheats. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair. If you smell burning or see melted actuator housing, stop using the affected lock and call Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
What if I bought my Newmar motorhome used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor open safety recalls regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2014-2015 Newmar motorhome is included, then call a franchised Newmar dealer with recall number 15V803.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V803000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-731-8300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V803 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V803000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →