2021 Newmar Bay Star Recalls & Complaints

Incident: September 4, 2026 · Filed: October 29, 2026

1. Component failure and availability: My 2021 Newmar Bay Star 3626 motorhome, with a Ford 7.3L Godzilla V8 on an [XXX] chassis, suffered serious internal engine damage at approximately 15,000 miles. Metal was found in the oil and filter, and engine replacement was deemed necessary. Camshaft/lifter failure is suspected, but the engine was not disassembled to confirm the exact cause. Photographs and service records may be available; availability of failed parts must be confirmed. 2. Safety risk: The engine developed a persistent misfire while traveling. We drove approximately 200 miles before the problem was fully evaluated. Sudden engine failure in a large motorhome can cause loss of propulsion at highway speed, inability to accelerate in traffic, or a dangerous roadside breakdown, risking occupants and other motorists. 3. Confirmation: Ford diagnostic testing confirmed a persistent cylinder 3 misfire. Codes included P0300, P0303, P0304, P0308 and P0316. Swapping the spark plug and ignition coil/wire with another cylinder did not move the misfire. Metal was found in the oil and filter. Engine replacement was recommended. 4. Inspection: A Ford dealership/service facility inspected the vehicle and performed diagnostic testing. The engine was not disassembled for a complete internal inspection. 5. Warnings and symptoms: A flashing check-engine light and cylinder 3 misfire appeared before the engine damage was fully evaluated. The misfire persisted despite swapping ignition components. The problem occurred during travel from [XXX] to [XXX]. Metal was subsequently found in the oil and filter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: August 17, 2026 · Filed: August 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Newmar Bay Star RV built on a 2020 Ford F-53 Chassis. The contact stated that after parking the RV, there was an abnormal propane odor outside the vehicle coming from the storage tank. The contact stated that after turning the propane fuel regulator off, the odor was no longer present. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V584000 (EQUIPMENT). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Incident: June 11, 2025 · Filed: June 11, 2025

When opening my hood, one of the hood hinges came loose from the hood. It appears to be epoxied on from the factory. I called factory support and was told to take it to their authorized repair shop at my expense. The risks of these hoods only being secured to the vehicles posses a huge safety risk to the driver and other vehicles. It could break loose and fly off the vehicle while driving down the interstate.

Incident: May 10, 2025 · Filed: May 22, 2025

Wheel bearings and hubs failed on both front wheels of our RV. Our current mileage is 38500. According to maintenance service is not required on the bearings until 60,000 miles. At that time bearings are to be regreased. At 150,000 miles bearings are to be replaced. The mechanic that did the repair work informed us that we were lucky the front passenger wheel didn't fall off. I understand that the Ford F53 chassis has encountered this wheel bearing issue. We have filed a complaint with Ford with pictures and detailed information of the work that was done to both of the front wheels. The only indication we had of this issue was intermittent vibration in the front end (as if you were riding over a rumble strip). Also, the ABS light came on and then went off. We were driving from Maryland to Texas and on the last day of our trip about 100 miles from our destination is when the vibration first occurred. Upon arrival we tried to contact Ford dealerships in the Abilene, Texas area. None of the dealerships contacted would service our RV. We then contacted an independent truck repair shop who diagnosed and fixed our RV. Total cost was just under $8,900. The parts were very difficult to find from Ford. Ford said that many of the parts needed were on back order and wouldn't be available for more than a month. According to the maintenance schedule this issue should not have happened. We feel there is a major issue with the Ford F53 chassis wheel bearings and a recall should be issued by Ford due to the dangerous conditions it creates.

Incident: April 20, 2021 · Filed: March 8, 2024

The factory installed tire pressure monitoring system does not work properly-even after a performed recall. The tpms system usually shows all tire pressures properly after initial start up and driving and then after a period of time it will start losing tire pressure signals from one to all tires and does not give any alarm or notification that this is happening. Additionally, it will also give over temperature and over pressure alarms at various times as well even though a back up tpms system that I installed indicates that there is no issue. You have to acknowledge the alarm or it will keep going off and then it will reoccur at subsequent random times. I consider this an important safety issue because this safety system as installed by the manufacturer does not perform its proper function and cannot be relied upon. Apparently, the manufacturer (Freightliner) is aware of these issues because the newer models have a different system. I have had my Freightliner in for service at various times and have asked them if this issue is being addressed after the initial recall and they have indicated that they are not aware of any updates but they admit that many owners are having the same issue.

Incident: May 17, 2022 · Filed: June 23, 2022

Anti-Skid light on, Hill Start Assist Not Available Light on and Cruise Control inoperable. Come to a stop, turn engine off. Restart engine, Anti-Skid light still on, drive away and within 100 yards Skid light will turn off and cruise control will work. Within 5 miles Anti- Skid light back on and cruise control cuts out. Repeat procedure again. Same results. At times, no problem for 150 miles. At times, light will not shut off. This is a serious problem as anti lock braking might be affected in wet conditions, also no cruise control and no Anti skid available.

Incident: April 27, 2022 · Filed: April 27, 2022

My dual pane windows are delaminating causing foggy windows. All windows seem to be defective accept front windshield.

Incident: July 6, 2021 · Filed: December 11, 2021

IT ALL STARTED WITH THE ADVANCE TRACTION CONTROL. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH WIND GUST DISABILIES THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN THE ABS. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. YOUR HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE RV TO RESET THE ABS. ON THE LONG TRIP WE WERE PULLING OVER ABOUT EVERY 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO RESET THE SYSTEM. WE TOOK OUR FORD V8 RV INTO SHOP FOR REPAIR. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIR DONE. WE TOOK A TRIP AND IMMEDIATELY IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT WAS NOT FIXED. WE WERE TOLD THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIXABLE FROM FORD AFTER SPENDING $581 FOR NOTHING. AND TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. PURCHASED IN JUNE 30 2021. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A MAIN PROBLEM DUE TO YOUR SPEED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKING OFF THE ABS, DISABLING THE ABS, ESPECIALY IN TRAFFIC. NEWMAR AND FORD, BOTH DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSILIBITY AND WE ARE LEFT HANGING WITH THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL 2021 OR OLDER V53 CHASSIC ON RV'S THAT DOES NOT HAVE A FIX ON NUMEROUS RV MANUFACTURERS. EVERYONE THAT USES THAT PLATFORM

Incident: March 18, 2021 · Filed: September 28, 2021

RV was purchased March 2021, 700 miles on it when purchased. First time using it not 100 miles from home Service Advance Trac warning comes on, we lose cruise control when it comes on. Call Ford Service they tell us it is ok to drive that way, but should have it checked. Then ABS warning and check engine light comes on. Have had them worked many times and they still come on. (Not fixed) Brake handle comes off in three pieces (fixed), Hood latch does not work (took three months to fix), Recall on rear bearings (took a month to fix) Leveling jack leaking fluid (fixed), wheel seal leaking (fixed) water heater leaking, ruined cabinets, (fixed), awning does not work (waiting to get fixed) Every trip we have taking something has gone wrong. This is a 3 ring circus trying to get things fixed. there are more receipts but do not have copies.

Incident: December 7, 2020 · Filed: June 12, 2021

2021 NEWMAR BAYSTAR W/ FORD F53 CHASSIS. ABS & TRACTION CONTROL (ADVANCETRAC) LIGHTS CAME ON 10 MINUTES AFTER WE TOOK DELIVERY OF RV. 32 DAYS IN FORD SERVICE DEPT. REPLACED ABS SENSOR. REPLACED ECBM. PERFORMED WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY (FIRST PARTIAL, THEN COMPLETE). REPLACED O-RING + WHEEL HUB + BRAKE ROTOR ASSEMBLY. WARNING LIGHTS WENT OUT, BUT CAME ON AGAIN ABOUT 250 MILES LATER. CRUISE CONTROL & HILL ASSIST DISABLED. 11 DAYS IN 2ND FORD SERVICE DEPT. REMOVED & REPLACED ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY. WARNING LIGHTS WENT OUT. NOT SURE FOR HOW LONG. WAS TOLD FORD MAKES THE WIRING HARNESS AS PART OF CHASSIS BUT NEWMAR MODIFIES IT WHEN COACH PUT ON.