Recall 17V797 affects 194 2018 Newmar Bay Star Sport and Bay Star motorhomes for exterior-lighting wiring defects. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
Newmar is recalling 194 2018 Bay Star Sport and Bay Star motorhomes because the front side marker lights can be disconnected from the wiring harness, and the low beams can fail to illuminate when high beams are activated. Reduced lighting visibility increases crash risk for the driver and other traffic; Newmar dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The exterior lighting on the 2018 Newmar Bay Star Sport and Bay Star motorhomes includes front side marker lights and headlamp circuits. The side marker lights help show the width and position of the motorhome to other drivers at night. The headlamps are wired so the low beam bulbs stay on when the high beams are selected, giving the driver more forward road illumination.
On affected motorhomes, the front side marker lights are not connected to the wiring harness, so they do not turn on as required. A separate headlamp wiring issue means that selecting high beams lights only the high beam bulbs instead of lighting both high and low beam bulbs together. That leaves the motorhome with less exterior visibility than the lighting system was designed to provide.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners can check for the problem by turning on the exterior lights and confirming that the front side marker lights and both headlamp functions illuminate correctly.
Who's affected?
The scope is split between the Bay Star Sport and Bay Star, with the same exterior lighting component listed for both models.
| 2018 Newmar Bay Star Sport | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2018 Newmar Bay Star | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 194 |
| 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?
Unconnected front side marker lights and low beams that do not illuminate with the high beams reduce what you can see and how well other drivers see the motorhome. That visibility loss increases the risk of a crash, especially in low light. Schedule the lighting repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Newmar Bay Star Sport or Bay Star is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free lighting repair that connects the front side marker lights and restores low-beam illumination with high beams.
- Bring the recall notice if Newmar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V797 when you call.
- Use extra caution until the repair is complete because the lighting defect reduces visibility for you and other drivers.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Newmar technician connects the front side marker lights to the wiring harness, then checks the headlamp setup so the low beams illuminate when the high beams are activated. The recall repair is free. Parts and labor are covered for the affected 2018 Bay Star and Bay Star Sport motorhomes. If your VIN is included, ask the service desk to confirm the marker lights and high beam function before the motorhome is returned.
Timeline
| December 12, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 16, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 10, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 10, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 10, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 10, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V797?
Recall 17V797 covers 194 2018 Newmar Bay Star Sport and Bay Star motorhomes with an exterior lighting defect. The front side marker lights are not connected to the wiring harness, and the low beams do not illuminate as intended when the high beams are on. Newmar dealers will fix the lighting for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Newmar Bay Star Sport or Bay Star is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 17V797. If it is, contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the exterior lighting repair. Reference recall 17V797 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Newmar dealers will connect the front side marker lights to the wiring harness and confirm the low beams illuminate with high beam activation free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The lighting defect can reduce visibility for the driver and for other road users, increasing crash risk. The issue involves the front side marker lights and low beam operation with the high beams on. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V797000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-731-8300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V797 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V797000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
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 →