Recall 17V497 affects 1,167 2014-2017 Newmar Dutch Star and Mountain Aire RVs for battery-cable chafing. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
Newmar is recalling 1,167 2014-2017 Dutch Star and Mountain Aire motorhomes because a battery cable on the Freightliner XCR chassis was routed or clipped incorrectly. The cable can chafe against the frame rail, short circuit, and raise the risk of a fire; Newmar dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The battery cable on 2014-2017 Newmar Dutch Star and Mountain Aire motorhomes built on Freightliner XCR chassis carries electrical current from the battery to the coach systems. A mounting bracket is supposed to hold that heavy cable in the right path, keeping it secured away from the frame rail and other hard metal edges.
On affected motorhomes, the battery cable mounting bracket was not installed correctly at the plant. That leaves the cable routed or clipped too close to the frame rail. As the motorhome moves, the cable can rub against the rail until the insulation wears through. Once bare cable contacts metal, it can short circuit and increase the risk of a fire.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is hidden near the chassis, so an owner should not rely on a dashboard light, noise, or visible symptom to know whether the cable is routed safely.
Who's affected?
Covers Dutch Star motorhomes across 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, plus Mountain Aire motorhomes for 2014; all are tied to the battery-cable component.
| 2017 Newmar Dutch Star | battery |
|---|---|
| 2015 Newmar Dutch Star | battery |
| 2016 Newmar Dutch Star | battery |
| 2014 Newmar Dutch Star | battery |
| 2014 Newmar Mountain Aire | battery |
| Units affected | 1,167 |
| 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 battery cable short circuit increases the risk of a fire. There is no listed warning sign before the short circuit, so confirm your VIN and schedule the recall repair promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 Newmar Dutch Star or Mountain Aire is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free battery-cable inspection and repair that corrects the bracket and routing so the cable does not chafe against the frame rail.
- Bring the recall notice if Newmar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V497 when you call.
- Call Newmar customer service with questions about dealer routing, especially if the dealer needs to coordinate the Freightliner XCR chassis inspection.
- Stop driving and contact the dealer if you smell burning, see electrical arcing, or notice signs of a battery-cable short before the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Newmar technician inspects the battery cable mounting bracket and the cable routing on the affected chassis. If the bracket or cable path is wrong, the technician revises the bracket and reroutes or secures the cable so it no longer contacts the frame rail. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Newmar has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for a related battery cable routing repair before the recall notice, ask Newmar customer service how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 9, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 20, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 8, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| October 8, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 8, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 8, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V497?
Recall 17V497 covers 1,167 2014-2017 Newmar Dutch Star and 2014 Newmar Mountain Aire recreational vehicles built on Freightliner XCR chassis. An incorrectly installed battery cable mounting bracket can let the cable contact the frame rail, chafe, and short circuit. The dealer repair is free.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 Newmar Dutch Star or 2014 Newmar Mountain Aire is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific RV is included in recall 17V497. If it is, contact Newmar or the servicing dealer to schedule inspection of the battery cable bracket and routing. Reference recall 17V497 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost. For recall 17V497, the servicing dealer will inspect and revise the battery cable mounting bracket and cable routing for free.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire from a battery cable short circuit. If the cable rubs against the frame rail, it can chafe and short. Newmar's remedy is to inspect the bracket and revise the cable routing so the cable is secured correctly.
What if I bought this Newmar RV used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received a Newmar notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your Dutch Star or Mountain Aire is included, then reference recall 17V497 when you call for service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V497000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V497 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V497000 |
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 →