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Campaign 18V518 Posted August 6, 2018 239 units

2018-2019 Newmar Motorhomes Recall 18V518: Door Latch

Recall 18V518 affects 239 2018-2019 Newmar motorhomes with entry-door latch rods that can let doors open in transit. Free repair at any franchised Newmar dealer.

Newmar is recalling 239 2018-2019 motorhomes, including the Ventana, Dutch Star, New Aire, and London Aire, because entry door latch rods can be improperly adjusted and allow the door to open during transit. If the door opens on the road, it increases the risk of injury or a crash, and Newmar dealers will adjust the latch rods free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The entry door latch on 2018-2019 Newmar motorhomes is the lock-and-rod assembly that holds the entrance door shut while the coach is moving. The latch rods are metal links inside the door that line up the lock with the door frame, so a locked door stays seated against the body.

In recall 18V518, those latch rods are out of adjustment on affected motorhomes. The door lock still turns, but the latch does not fully secure the entrance door against the frame. That allows the door to open during transit, increasing the risk of injury or property damage.

There is no warning sign before failure. A door that looks closed and locked still needs the dealer adjustment if the VIN is included.

Who's affected?

Spans Newmar motorhome lines across the 2018 and 2019 model years, all under the same recreational vehicle/trailer equipment component.

2019 Newmar New Aire Recreational vehicle/trailer
2019 Newmar Dutch Star Recreational vehicle/trailer
2019 Newmar Ventana Le Recreational vehicle/trailer
2019 Newmar Ventana Recreational vehicle/trailer
2019 Newmar Essex Recreational vehicle/trailer
Units affected239
Field incidentsNHTSA 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?

An entry door that opens during transit increases the risk of injury or a crash. There is no warning sign listed for this recall, so confirm the door is fully latched before travel and schedule the latch rod adjustment soon. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Newmar New Aire, Dutch Star, Ventana Le, Ventana, Essex, King Aire, Mountain Aire, or London Aire is included in this recall.
  2. Contact your nearest franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free door-latch-rod adjustment that keeps the entry door from opening during transit.
  3. Bring the recall notice if you have it, or reference recall number 18V518 when you call.
  4. Confirm the entry door is fully latched before driving, and stop in a secure place if the door opens or feels loose.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Newmar technician readjusts the entry door latch rod so the door closes and latches as intended during travel. 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 this door latch repair before the recall work was completed. Bring prior repair invoices or payment records to the service desk, or contact Newmar customer service, so the claim can be reviewed under that plan.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

August 6, 2018 NHTSA published the recall
September 5, 2018 Owner notification mailed
October 5, 2018 Dealer notification began
October 5, 2018 Dealer notification ended
October 5, 2018 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 18V518?

Recall 18V518 covers 239 2018-2019 Newmar New Aire, Dutch Star, Ventana Le, Ventana, Essex, King Aire, Mountain Aire, and London Aire motorhomes with entry door latch rods that were improperly adjusted. The door can open during travel, increasing injury or crash risk. Newmar dealers will readjust the latch rod for free.

What should I do if my 2018-2019 Newmar motorhome is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 18V518. If it is, contact a Newmar dealer to schedule the entry door latch rod adjustment. Reference recall number 18V518 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, and Newmar dealers will readjust the affected entry door latch rod free of charge. Newmar customer service is available at 1-800-731-8300 for recall questions.

What is the safety risk?

The risk is that the entry door can open while the motorhome is moving. If that happens during transit, it increases the risk of injury or a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the free latch rod adjustment with a Newmar dealer.

What if I bought this Newmar motorhome used?

The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2018-2019 Newmar motorhome is included, then call a Newmar dealer and reference recall number 18V518.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V518000
Newmar customer service1-800-731-8300
NHTSA recall #18V518
NHTSA recall # (full)18V518000

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 →