Recall 17V195 affects 595 2012-2018 Newmar motorhomes for loose front suspension ball joints. Repair is free at a qualified Spartan service center.
Newmar is recalling 595 2012-2018 Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, Essex, and King Aire motorhomes built on Spartan Motors chassis because front suspension ball joints can loosen and separate. A separated ball joint can cause loss of steering control and raise crash risk; Newmar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2012-2018 Newmar Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, Essex, and King Aire motorhomes use ball joints in the independent front suspension. A ball joint is a pivot point that lets the front suspension move while keeping the steering parts connected. On these motorhomes, that joint helps hold the wheel assembly in the correct position as the coach steers and rides over bumps.
Spartan Motors reported that the ball joints on the front suspension modules were loose. When a ball joint is not held tightly in place, movement and road load can work it farther out of position. If it separates from its mating part, the front suspension loses part of its steering connection, leading to partial loss of steering control.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the looseness is inside the front suspension joint, an owner should not count on a sound, light, or obvious steering change before the joint separates.
Who's affected?
Spans five Newmar motorhome models across the 2012-2018 model years, all tied to the front control arm.
| 2018 Newmar London Aire | control arm |
|---|---|
| 2012 Newmar King Aire | control arm |
| 2016 Newmar Essex | control arm |
| 2018 Newmar Essex | control arm |
| 2018 Newmar Dutch Star | control arm |
| 2013 Newmar King Aire | control arm |
| 2014 Newmar King Aire | control arm |
| 2015 Newmar King Aire | control arm |
| 2016 Newmar King Aire | control arm |
| 2017 Newmar London Aire | control arm |
| 2018 Newmar King Aire | control arm |
| 2017 Newmar Essex | control arm |
| 2017 Newmar Dutch Star | control arm |
| 2013 Newmar Essex | control arm |
| 2016 Newmar Mountain Aire | control arm |
| 2012 Newmar Essex | control arm |
| 2017 Newmar Mountain Aire | control arm |
| 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire | control arm |
| 2017 Newmar King Aire | control arm |
| 2014 Newmar Essex | control arm |
| 2015 Newmar Essex | control arm |
| 2016 Newmar London Aire | control arm |
| Units affected | 595 |
| 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?
A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. The recall does not list a warning sign before separation, so schedule the recall repair soon and avoid unnecessary trips until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2018 Newmar London Aire, King Aire, Essex, Dutch Star, or Mountain Aire motorhome is included in this recall.
- Contact Newmar customer service or Spartan at 1-800-543-4277 to locate a qualified service center and schedule the free repair.
- Schedule the ball-joint thread-locker and torque service that re-secures the independent front suspension ball joints.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 17V195 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary trips until the repair is complete, and stop driving if the steering feels loose or abnormal.
What happens at the repair
At the qualified service center, a technician removes the front suspension ball joints, cleans them, applies thread locker, reinstalls them, and torques them to the proper specification when the inspection shows that work is needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Newmar's general reimbursement plan covers qualifying out-of-pocket repairs tied to this recall. If you already paid for a related ball-joint or front-suspension repair, ask Newmar customer service how to submit repair documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 22, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 3, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 21, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| May 21, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 21, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 21, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V195?
Recall 17V195 covers 595 2012-2018 Newmar Dutch Star, Mountain Aire, London Aire, Essex, and King Aire motorhomes built on a Spartan Motors chassis. The front suspension ball joints can loosen and separate, leading to partial steering loss and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2012-2018 Newmar motorhome is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 17V195. If it is, contact Spartan at 1-800-543-4277 to locate a qualified service center, or call Newmar customer service at 1-574-773-7791. Reference Newmar recall number 17004.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair to be completed at no cost, and Newmar's remedy says Spartan service centers will remove, clean, apply thread locker, reinstall, and torque the affected ball joints as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. If a front suspension ball joint separates, the motorhome can lose steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free repair through a qualified Spartan service center.
What if I bought the Newmar motorhome used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received the 2017 owner notice, check your VIN and use recall 17V195 or Newmar recall number 17004 when you contact Spartan or Newmar.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V195000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-543-4277 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V195 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V195000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →