Recall 16V414 affects 510 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star motorhomes for steering-box play. Do not drive until inspected. Dealer repair is free.
The steering wheel connection to the front axle can fail, causing a sudden loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. Do not drive, even for short trips, until the vehicle has been inspected. Arrange towing if it must move. Repair will be free at any franchised Newmar dealer once available.
Newmar is recalling 510 2014-2016 Dutch Star motorhomes built on Freightliner chassis because the steering box can have an incorrect spacer that creates too much play and wears the connection between the steering wheel and front axle. Do not drive if your VIN is included; Newmar will provide the dealer repair free once it is available.
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What's wrong?
The steering box in 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star motorhomes built on a Freightliner chassis is part of the steering system between the steering wheel and the front axle. When it is built correctly, it transfers the driver's steering input to the front axle with controlled movement, so the front wheels respond as intended.
On these motorhomes, the steering box type 8018 was built with the wrong spacer from steering box type 8016. That spacer does not have enough height. The wrong spacer leaves too much play inside the steering connection, and that extra movement lets the connection wear between the steering wheel and the front axle over time.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not wait for a light, sound, or smell to confirm this problem, because the recall is tied to the steering box build itself.
Who's affected?
Covers the Dutch Star across the 2014, 2015, and 2016 model years, all tied to the steering system.
| 2014 Newmar Dutch Star | steering system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Newmar Dutch Star | steering system |
| 2015 Newmar Dutch Star | steering system |
| Units affected | 510 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
The steering wheel connection to the front axle can fail, causing a sudden loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. Do not drive, even for short trips, until the vehicle has been inspected. Arrange towing if it must move. Repair will be free at any franchised Newmar dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the motorhome until the steering-box inspection is complete.
- Contact Newmar customer service or a franchised Newmar dealer for inspection guidance before moving the motorhome.
- Arrange a tow if the motorhome has to be moved for inspection; do not drive it there yourself.
- Reference recall number 16V414 when you call, and ask whether the steering-box repair that fixes excess steering play is available for your VIN.
What happens at the repair
Before any repair decision, the motorhome needs the steering-box inspection described in recall 16V414. Do not drive the vehicle until that inspection is complete. At the dealer, the technician checks the steering box for the incorrect spacer and excess play between the steering wheel and the front axle. If the steering box is affected, the dealer replaces it. The dealer repair will be free once available, and Newmar directed owners to contact customer service for recall handling.
Timeline
| June 8, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 14, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 5, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| August 5, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 5, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 5, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V414?
Recall 16V414 covers 510 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star motorhomes built on a Freightliner chassis. The steering box has an incorrect spacer that creates too much play and wears the connection between the steering wheel and front axle, increasing crash risk. Freightliner dealers inspect and replace the steering box for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 16V414. If it is, Do not drive it until the steering box has been inspected. Call Freightliner customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or Newmar customer service to arrange inspection and repair.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost. For recall 16V414, Freightliner dealers inspect the steering box and replace it if needed, free of charge.
What does do not drive mean for this Newmar Dutch Star recall?
Do not drive the motorhome until the steering box has been inspected. The recall warns that the steering wheel connection to the front axle can fail and cause sudden loss of steering control. If the vehicle has to move, ask customer service about towing or another safe transport option.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V414000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V414 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V414000 |
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 →