Recall 16V478 affects 1,243 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, and Essex motorhomes for throttle-pedal sensor failure. Free dealer repair.
Newmar is recalling 1,243 2014-2016 Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, and Essex motorhomes because the throttle pedal position sensor can fail to return to zero. That loss of engine braking can reduce brake capacity and raise crash risk, and Newmar dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
On affected 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, and Essex motorhomes, the throttle pedal position sensor reads how far the accelerator pedal is pressed. When the driver releases the pedal, the sensor is supposed to return to zero. That zero reading tells the engine controls that the driver is off the accelerator, so the engine brake can help slow the motorhome.
On these motorhomes, the defect is that the sensor does not return to zero after the throttle pedal is released. The engine controls still read throttle input, and the engine brake does not activate as expected. In a large motorhome, losing that engine-brake assistance reduces deceleration ability and leaves the service brakes doing more of the work.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver notices the problem when the engine brake suddenly does not slow the motorhome after the accelerator is released, reducing brake capacity and increasing crash risk.
Who's affected?
Spans Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, and Essex motorhomes across the 2014-2016 model years, with accelerator pedal and engine components included.
| 2015 Newmar Dutch Star | Accelerator pedal |
|---|---|
| 2015 Newmar Dutch Star | Engine |
| 2016 Newmar Mountain Aire | Accelerator pedal |
| 2016 Newmar Mountain Aire | Engine |
| 2015 Newmar London Aire | Accelerator pedal |
| 2015 Newmar London Aire | Engine |
| 2015 Newmar Mountain Aire | Accelerator pedal |
| 2015 Newmar Mountain Aire | Engine |
| 2014 Newmar Mountain Aire | Accelerator pedal |
| 2014 Newmar Mountain Aire | Engine |
| 2016 Newmar Essex | Accelerator pedal |
| 2016 Newmar Essex | Engine |
| 2014 Newmar Dutch Star | Accelerator pedal |
| 2014 Newmar Dutch Star | Engine |
| 2016 Newmar Dutch Star | Accelerator pedal |
| 2016 Newmar Dutch Star | Engine |
| 2015 Newmar Essex | Accelerator pedal |
| 2015 Newmar Essex | Engine |
| 2016 Newmar London Aire | Accelerator pedal |
| 2016 Newmar London Aire | Engine |
| Units affected | 1,243 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
A sudden loss of the engine brake leaves the motorhome with reduced brake capacity and increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the engine brake drops out, so drive cautiously and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, or Essex motorhome is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free throttle-pedal replacement that restores expected engine-brake activation.
- Bring the recall notice if Newmar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V478 when you call.
- Avoid relying on the engine brake alone until the throttle-pedal repair is complete, and leave extra stopping distance.
- Call Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 with questions about scheduling or dealer instructions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Newmar technician replaces the throttle pedal assembly so the pedal position sensor returns properly and the engine brake activates as expected. The replacement parts and labor are covered under the recall. Newmar has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for related throttle pedal repairs before the recall work. Bring repair orders, proof of payment, and any dealer notes to the service desk so Newmar can review the claim under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 28, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 5, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 23, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| August 23, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 23, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V478?
Recall 16V478 covers 1,243 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, and Essex motorhomes built on a DTNA chassis. The throttle pedal position sensor can fail to return to zero, stopping the engine brake from activating as expected.
What should I do if my 2014-2016 Newmar Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, or Essex is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 16V478. If it is, contact a Newmar dealer or DTNA service location to schedule throttle pedal replacement. Reference recall number 16V478 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 16V478, DTNA dealers replace the throttle pedal free of charge, and Newmar directs owners through its customer service department for recall support.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V478?
The safety risk is reduced braking help from the engine brake. If the throttle pedal position sensor does not return to zero, the engine brake can fail to activate without warning, reducing deceleration ability and increasing crash risk in an affected motorhome.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before the engine brake fails to activate as expected. Treat the VIN result as the deciding factor. If your VIN is included, arrange the free throttle pedal replacement before relying on the engine brake during downhill driving or heavy braking.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V478000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-731-8300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V478 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V478000 |
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 →