Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Tires. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
76,000 miles · Apr 25, 2018
EngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR AMERICAN STAR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NEWMAR MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR AMERICAN STAR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NEWMAR MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA ODI #11090015
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2007
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR AMERICAN STAR RV (TOW BEHIND). THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL GENERAL, SIZE 29575R225 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR, PASSENGER SIDE FRONT, AND REAR TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. NEWMAR INFORMED THE CONTACT TO GO TO SEARS. SEARS STATED THAT TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NEWMAR AMERICAN STAR RV (TOW BEHIND). THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL GENERAL, SIZE 29575R225 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR, PASSENGER SIDE FRONT, AND REAR TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. NEWMAR INFORMED THE CONTACT TO GO TO SEARS. SEARS STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT RATED FOR A TOW TRAILER. NO OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT THE APPROPRIATE SIZE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER. UPDATED *JB
NHTSA ODI #10206570
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2007
Tires
2003 AMERICAN STAR TRAILER. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. CUSTOMER STATES THE TREAD SEPARATED 3 TIMES ON DIFFERENT TIRES. THE THIRD TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT THE APPROPRIATE SIZE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER.*JB
CERTAIN CLASS A AND DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOMES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: NEWMAR WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR NEWMAR AT 1-574-773-7791.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Newmar American Star Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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