Recall 18V438 affects 930 2018 Newmar motorhomes because slide-out rooms can move unexpectedly. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
Newmar is recalling 930 2018 motorhomes, including Dutch Star and Essex, because the slide-out rooms can move unexpectedly when the ignition key is in off or accessory and the battery disconnect is on. That movement can increase the risk of injury, and Newmar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The slide-out room controller in these 2018 Newmar motorhomes is the electrical control unit that runs the slide-out rooms. Those rooms are the movable sections that extend outward when the coach is parked and retract before travel. The controller is supposed to respond only when the slide-out system is being operated, so the rooms stay fixed when the ignition key is in the off/accessory position.
On affected motorhomes, the controller is defective. After the battery disconnect is turned on, it can command the slide-out rooms to move in or out unexpectedly while the ignition key is still off or in accessory. A moving room can strike a person nearby or damage property around the coach.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is the controller behavior itself, so owners should not count on a light, sound, or other advance signal before the slide-out rooms move.
Who's affected?
Scope spans the 2018 Newmar motorhome lineup in this recall, with recreational vehicle/trailer equipment and electrical system components named for each model.
| 2018 Newmar Dutch Star | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2018 Newmar Dutch Star | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar Essex | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar Essex | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar Bay Star | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar Bay Star | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar Bay Star Sport | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar Bay Star Sport | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar London Aire | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar London Aire | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar Ventana Le | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar Ventana Le | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar Ventana | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar Ventana | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar New Aire | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar New Aire | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar King Aire | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar King Aire | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar Canyon Star | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar Canyon Star | electrical system |
| 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2018 Newmar Mountain Aire | electrical system |
| Units affected | 930 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2018 Newmar model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected slide-out room movement can injure someone standing near or using the room. Keep people clear of the slide-out area until the controller is replaced, and treat any unintended movement as a reason to stop using that room. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Newmar Dutch Star, Essex, Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, London Aire, Ventana Le, Ventana, New Aire, King Aire, Canyon Star, or Mountain Aire motorhome is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free slide-out room controller replacement that addresses unexpected slide-out room movement.
- Keep people clear of the slide-out rooms until the controller replacement is complete.
- Bring the recall notice from Newmar, or reference recall number 18V438 when you call the dealer.
- Call Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 with questions about scheduling or the recall repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Newmar technician replaces the slide-out room controller covered by recall 18V438. The controller is the part that commands the slide-out rooms to move, so replacing it addresses the unexpected in-or-out movement described in the filing. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Newmar's standard reimbursement plan covers documented out-of-pocket costs for owners who already paid for a related controller repair before the recall notice. Bring repair invoices and payment records to the service desk, or contact Newmar customer service if the dealer asks for documentation before processing the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 28, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 24, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 27, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| August 27, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 27, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V438?
Recall 18V438 covers 930 2018 Newmar motorhomes with slide-out rooms that can move in or out unexpectedly when the ignition key is off or in accessory position and the battery disconnect is on. Newmar dealers will replace the slide-out room controller for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Newmar Dutch Star, Essex, Bay Star, Bay Star Sport, London Aire, Ventana Le, Ventana, New Aire, King Aire, Canyon Star, or Mountain Aire is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 18V438. If it is, contact a franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the slide-out room controller replacement. Reference recall number 18V438 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Newmar dealers will replace the slide-out room controller free of charge. Newmar customer service can be reached at 1-800-731-8300 for recall scheduling questions.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury from an unexpected slide-out room movement. The issue happens when the ignition key is off or in accessory position and the battery disconnect is on. Keep people clear of the slide-out room area until the dealer completes the free controller replacement.
What if I bought my Newmar motorhome used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor open safety recalls regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2018 Newmar motorhome is included, then reference recall number 18V438 when you call a Newmar dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V438000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-731-8300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V438 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V438000 |
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 →