Recall 19V381 affects 40 2019-2020 Newmar motorhomes for a brake relay valve defect that extends stopping distance. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
Newmar is recalling 40 motorhomes under recall 19V381, including 2019 Essex, King Aire, London Aire, and Mountain Aire models along with 2020 Dutch Star coaches, because a partially blocked orifice in the brake relay valve can restrict air flow and lengthen stopping distance without warning. Newmar dealers will inspect and repair the brake system free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake relay valve on these Newmar motorhomes is part of the air brake system on the Spartan chassis. When the driver presses the brake pedal, compressed air travels through this valve and into the brake chambers at each wheel, which clamps the brakes and slows the coach down. A small internal passage called an orifice controls how fast that air moves through.
On the affected King Aire, London Aire, Essex, Mountain Aire, and Dutch Star motorhomes, the orifice inside the brake relay valve is partially blocked. That restriction slows the air flow into the brake chambers, so the brakes take longer to reach full clamping force. The result is a longer stopping distance than the air brake standard allows, and on a vehicle this heavy, those extra feet matter.
There is no warning sign before failure. The longer stopping distance can show up on the first hard brake application, without a dashboard light or pedal change to tip the driver off.
Who's affected?
Covers five Newmar Class A motorhome lines (King Aire, London Aire, Essex, Mountain Aire, and Dutch Star) built in a three-month production window from December 2018 to March 2019.
| 2019 Newmar King Aire | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Newmar London Aire | brake system |
| 2019 Newmar Essex | brake system |
| 2020 Newmar Dutch Star | brake system |
| 2019 Newmar Mountain Aire | brake system |
| Units affected | 40 |
| 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 your specific motorhome is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A longer stopping distance raises the risk of a crash, and the source says it can happen without warning. Treat any change in brake response as a reason to stop driving the coach and call the dealer to schedule the inspection. Drive cautiously until the brake relay valve is checked and replaced if needed. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Newmar motorhome is included in this recall.
- Contact a Spartan dealer to schedule the brake-relay-valve inspection and replacement that fixes the extended stopping distance.
- Reference recall number 19V381 (Newmar recall 19012) when you call the dealer or customer service.
- Call Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 with questions about the repair.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid situations that require hard braking.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician inspects the brake relay valve and replaces it if a partially blocked orifice is found. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Newmar opened the repair on June 20, 2019, so you can schedule service now. If you have questions about the process, Newmar customer service is at 1-800-731-8300 and Spartan customer service is at 1-800-543-5008. Reference Newmar's recall number 19012 when you call or arrive at the service desk.
Timeline
| May 20, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 20, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 19, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| July 19, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 19, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V381?
Recall 19V381 covers 40 Newmar motorhomes, including 2019 Essex, King Aire, London Aire, and Mountain Aire models and 2020 Dutch Star models. The brake relay valve has a partially blocked orifice that restricts air flow and can extend stopping distance, a failure to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Newmar motorhome is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 19V381. If it is, contact a Spartan dealer to schedule the brake relay valve inspection and replacement. Reference Newmar's recall number 19012 when you call. You can also reach Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost. Spartan dealers will inspect the brake relay valve and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Parts and labor are covered regardless of where the motorhome was originally purchased.
What is the safety risk?
The brake relay valve restriction can extend stopping distance without warning, which raises the risk of a crash. The defect also puts the vehicle out of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121 for air brake systems. Schedule the inspection promptly once your VIN is confirmed.
What if I bought my Newmar motorhome used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Newmar never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your motorhome is included in recall 19V381, then contact a Spartan dealer and reference Newmar recall number 19012.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V381000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-731-8300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V381 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V381000 |
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 →