Recall 17V378 covers 210 2012-2015 Newmar Essex and King Aire motorhomes for starter overheating. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
Newmar is recalling 210 2012-2015 Newmar Essex and King Aire motorhomes built on Spartan Motors chassis because a starter motor component can break and make the starter overheat or draw excessive current. An overheated starter raises the risk of a fire, and Newmar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The starter motor on the 2012-2015 Newmar Essex and King Aire motorhomes is the electric motor that turns the engine so it can start. These motorhomes use a starter assembly on a Spartan Motors chassis. Inside that starter, a retaining ring holds the starter shaft in the correct position while the motor engages.
On affected motorhomes, the retaining ring on the starter shaft can break. When that happens, the shaft extends beyond the starter motor instead of staying contained. The starter motor can keep receiving power after it should stop, which makes it overheat or draw excessive current. That heat or overcurrent condition raises the risk of a fire.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not expect a dashboard light, sound, or change in starting behavior before the retaining ring breaks.
Who's affected?
The Essex and King Aire span the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years, with the same starter assembly electrical system named for each one.
| 2014 Newmar Essex | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2015 Newmar Essex | electrical system |
| 2015 Newmar King Aire | electrical system |
| 2013 Newmar King Aire | electrical system |
| 2012 Newmar King Aire | electrical system |
| 2014 Newmar King Aire | electrical system |
| 2012 Newmar Essex | electrical system |
| 2013 Newmar Essex | electrical system |
| Units affected | 210 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
A starter motor that overheats can increase the risk of a fire. There is no warning sign before the overheating, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon if it is. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2015 Newmar Essex or King Aire is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free starter replacement that addresses the overheating starter motor.
- Bring the recall notice if Newmar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V378 when you call.
- Avoid repeated start attempts before the repair if the starter does not operate normally.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Newmar technician replaces the starter on the Spartan Motors chassis. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 17V378. The repair addresses a starter component that can break, overheat, or draw excessive current. Newmar has a general reimbursement plan on file for this recall, so documented out-of-pocket starter repairs paid before the recall notice can be submitted under that plan. Bring repair invoices, payment records, and any related service paperwork to the dealer or contact Newmar customer service for the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 14, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 28, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 13, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| August 13, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 13, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V378?
Recall 17V378 covers 210 2012-2015 Newmar Essex and King Aire motorhomes built on a Spartan Motors chassis. A starter motor component can break, which can make the starter overheat or draw excessive current. Newmar says Spartan Motors dealers will replace the starter for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2015 Newmar Essex or King Aire is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 17V378. If it is, contact Newmar customer service or Spartan Motors to arrange the free starter replacement. Reference recall number 17V378 and Newmar recall number 17012 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Newmar's remedy states that Spartan Motors dealers will replace the starter free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included motorhomes.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. NHTSA campaign 17V378 says a starter motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, arrange the free starter replacement before relying on the motorhome for travel.
What if I bought my Newmar motorhome used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Essex or King Aire is included, then give the dealer recall number 17V378 when scheduling the starter replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V378000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-543-4277 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V378 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V378000 |
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 →