Recall 20V509 affects 732 2018-2019 Newmar motorhomes for an instrument panel that cannot dim, causing nighttime glare. Repair is free at a franchised Newmar dealer.
Newmar is recalling 732 2018-2019 Essex, New Aire, Mountain Aire, Dutch Star, Ventana, and London Aire motorhomes under recall 20V509 because the instrument panel brightness cannot be adjusted, which can create glare at night. Reduced visibility of the road raises the risk of a crash, and Newmar dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The instrument panel on these Newmar motorhomes is the lit cluster of gauges and readouts in front of the driver. It shows speed, fuel level, warning lights, and other information the driver needs while the coach is moving. A dimmer control lets the driver lower the brightness of that panel at night, so the lit display does not wash out the view of the road ahead.
On affected 2018-2019 Newmar coaches built on a Freightliner chassis, the instrument panel cannot be dimmed far enough. Even at its lowest setting, the panel stays brighter than the federal standard allows. At night, that extra brightness can throw glare onto the windshield and into the driver's eyes, which reduces how well the driver sees the road and raises the risk of a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. The panel works as designed, but the lowest brightness setting is higher than it should be.
Who's affected?
Covers six Newmar motorhome lines (Mountain Aire, Essex, Ventana, Dutch Star, New Aire, London Aire) across the 2018 and 2019 model years, all running the same electrical-system software.
| 2019 Newmar Mountain Aire | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2019 Newmar Essex | electrical system software |
| 2019 Newmar Ventana | electrical system software |
| 2019 Newmar Dutch Star | electrical system software |
| 2019 Newmar New Aire | electrical system software |
| 2019 Newmar London Aire | electrical system software |
| 2018 Newmar New Aire | electrical system software |
| 2018 Newmar Essex | electrical system software |
| Units affected | 732 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 6 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?
Headlight glare reduces how well the driver sees the road ahead and raises the risk of a crash. If oncoming drivers flash their high beams or the road looks washed out at night, schedule the repair soon and avoid heavy nighttime driving until the software update is installed. Repair is free at any franchised Newmar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Newmar motorhome is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Newmar dealer to schedule the free instrument-panel software and processor update that restores brightness control and reduces nighttime glare.
- Reference recall number 20V509 when you call the dealer, and bring the owner notice from Newmar if one has arrived.
- Call Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 with questions about the repair or your VIN status.
- Avoid night driving until the software update is complete, since the instrument panel cannot be dimmed and the glare can reduce road visibility.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Newmar technician updates the instrument panel software and reflashes the processor as needed so the panel brightness adjusts correctly. The work is a software update, and parts and labor are free under the recall. Reimbursement information is not listed for this campaign, so contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300 if you previously paid for related work and want to ask about coverage before your service appointment.
Timeline
| August 27, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 21, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 25, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| October 25, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 25, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V509?
Recall 20V509 covers 732 2018-2019 Newmar Essex and New Aire motorhomes, plus 2019 Dutch Star, London Aire, Mountain Aire, and Ventana motorhomes with an instrument panel brightness defect. The panel cannot be dimmed, which can cause glare at night. Newmar dealers will update the software and processor as needed at no cost.
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 20V509. If it is, contact a Newmar dealer to schedule the instrument panel software and processor update. Reference recall number 20V509 when you call. The repair is free. Owners with questions can also reach Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform the recall repair at no cost to the owner. Newmar dealers will update the instrument panel software and processor as necessary free of charge, regardless of where the motorhome was originally purchased.
Is it safe to drive my Newmar motorhome before the repair?
Newmar has not issued a do-not-drive instruction for this recall. The defect affects instrument panel brightness, which can cause glare during night driving and reduce visibility of the road. Until the repair is complete, limit night driving where practical and contact a Newmar dealer to schedule the software and processor update.
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 specific motorhome is included in recall 20V509, then contact a Newmar dealer to schedule the instrument panel update.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V509000 |
|---|---|
| Newmar customer service | 1-800-731-8300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V509 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V509000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →