Recall 18V061 covers 11 2018 Newmar Essex motorhomes because low beams do not stay on with high beams. Free reprogramming at authorized service facilities.
Newmar is recalling 11 2018 Essex motorhomes because the low beam headlights do not stay illuminated as intended when the high beams are activated, reducing the driver's visibility. Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash, and Newmar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The headlight system on the 2018 Newmar Essex is supposed to light the road with separate low-beam and high-beam bulbs. Low beams give steady forward lighting for normal driving, while high beams add longer-range light on darker roads. On this motorhome, the high-beam setting is intended to keep the low beams on at the same time.
The defect is in how the headlights operate when high beams are selected. Instead of lighting both bulbs, the system turns on the high-beam bulbs without also illuminating the low-beam bulbs. That leaves less road illumination than intended by the headlight manufacturer and the federal lighting standard, which reduces the driver's visibility and increases crash risk.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner would notice the problem by switching on the high beams and seeing that the low-beam bulbs do not stay lit with them.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Newmar Essex | Headlights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 11 |
| 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?
Reduced driver visibility increases crash risk because the driver has less information about the road and nearby traffic. Use extra caution, keep mirrors and glass clear, and schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Newmar Essex is included in this recall.
- Contact Newmar customer service or a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free Freightliner chassis-module reprogramming that fixes the low-beam headlight issue when high beams are on.
- Bring the recall notice if Newmar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V061 when you call.
- Use extra caution at night until the repair is complete, especially when switching between low beams and high beams.
What happens at the repair
At an authorized service facility, a technician reprograms the Freightliner chassis module so the low beam headlights work as intended when the high beams are activated. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Newmar has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall notice. Contact Newmar customer service with documentation of the prior repair so the service team can explain the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 19, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 9, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 20, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| March 20, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 20, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 20, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V061?
Recall 18V061 covers 11 2018 Newmar Essex motorhomes built on a Freightliner chassis. The low beam headlights do not illuminate as intended when the high beams are activated, reducing driver visibility. Newmar will have the Freightliner chassis module reprogrammed for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Newmar Essex is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 18V061. If it is, contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or an authorized Daimler Trucks North America service facility to schedule the Freightliner chassis module reprogramming.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Newmar's remedy says authorized Daimler Trucks North America service facilities will reprogram the Freightliner chassis module free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced driver visibility when high beam headlights are activated. The recall says the low beams do not illuminate as intended with the high beams, and reduced visibility increases crash risk.
What if I bought my Newmar Essex used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2018 Newmar Essex is included, then reference recall 18V061 when you contact Newmar or the service facility.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V061000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-731-8300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V061 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V061000 |
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 →