Recall 18V144 affects 33 2018 Newmar Essex motorhomes because taillights can loosen and detach. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
Newmar is recalling 33 2018 Essex motorhomes because the taillights can loosen and detach while driving. If a taillight comes off, other drivers lose a clear signal for braking or turning, which raises the risk of a crash; the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The taillights on the 2018 Newmar Essex are the rear lamps that tell other drivers when the motorhome is braking, turning, or traveling at night. They sit at the back of the coach and need firm mounting so the lights stay aligned, visible, and attached while the vehicle is moving.
On affected Essex motorhomes, the taillight mounting is not secured with the correct anchorage hardware. The lamps can loosen over time and separate from the motorhome while driving. Once a taillight is loose or missing, drivers behind the coach do not get a clear signal about braking or turning, which increases the risk of a crash, injury, or property damage.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner who sees a loose taillight, a gap around the lamp, or movement in the housing should treat that as a visible problem and have the taillight secured with the correct longer self tapping screws.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Newmar Essex | Tail lights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 33 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Newmar Essex motorhome is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
Detached taillights prevent other drivers from seeing clear signals for braking or turning, which increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the taillights detach, so schedule the dealer 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 a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free taillight hardware repair that keeps the lights secured while driving.
- Bring the recall notice, or reference recall number 18V144 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and confirm the taillights are secure before each trip.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Newmar technician secures the taillights with new hardware so they stay attached to the motorhome while driving. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you already paid for a related taillight hardware repair before the recall notice, Newmar's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring prior repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk, or contact Newmar customer service for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 2, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 23, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 1, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| May 1, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 1, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 1, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V144?
Recall 18V144 covers 33 2018 Newmar Essex motorhomes with taillights that can loosen and detach while driving. If the lights detach, other drivers lose rear lighting cues, which increases crash risk. Newmar dealers will secure the taillights with new hardware 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 18V144. If it is, contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the taillight hardware repair. Reference recall number 18V144 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Newmar dealers will secure the taillights with new hardware free of charge. Newmar customer service can be reached at 1-800-731-8300.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that a loose taillight can detach while the motorhome is being driven. If that happens, the driver loses an important way to signal driving intentions to traffic behind the vehicle, which increases crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V144000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-731-8300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V144 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V144000 |
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 →