While I do not have a Newmar I do have the Lippert/HEHR dual pane windows. My VIN is covered by the recall and per some info from Forest River this defect only affects the dual pane windows. Which I special-ordered as an option, of course.
While washing the motorhome a few days ago I saw one of the vent windows move as the brush went across. I went inside and assured it was fully closed. I then opened the window and to my horror I could see the ground between the two panes of glass.
I put a ladder up to the window. That vent window is 25.25" wide and 10.5" tall.
The entire bottom is debonded and just over 7" on each side, starting from the bottom, is also debonded.
So the only part still hanging on is the top adhesive and barely 3" on each side at the top. I could move the bottom of the window out about 1/4"
I went around to each vent window and pulled gently outwards on the sides and bottom while running my finger along the inside edge of the frameless window. I found one more window where the lower rear corner definitely moved.
I then opened each window and carefully examined the sides and bottom on each one. On one window I found two small holes next to each other, about 1/64" in size, as if there was not enough adhesive and it shrunk. There was no moisture in that window (yet) so I filled the holes with silicone.
On the window where the corner moved, I could see a definite separation between the outer pane and the adhesive when pulled gently outward, maybe 1/3rd of the bottom edge. It, too is 25.25" wide and the same height as the other one. When there is no outward pressure on the glass I still could see a definite distortion in the adhesive between where it was still bonded and not bonded.
On that window I pulled it gently outward, slipped an alcohol prep in the gap and tried to clean it. Later I applied silicone adhesive/sealant to try and keep it from getting worse.
The first window was not safe to drive that way. I cleaned the gap with alcohol, applied (a lot) of silicone adhesive/sealant into the gap and along the edge. I then used packing tape at several places along the window perimeter to keep pressure on the two panes of glass while the silicone cured for 24 hours.
The next day both windows felt solid.
When I contacted the dealer as soon as I found the first one they said they are currently scheduling service appointments in January. They had just received the Lippert feeler gauge five days ago. They are primarily a Jayco dealer and were unaware of the recall. I told the dealer by email what I was doing for a temporary repair and sent them pictures and a video of the two defective ones I found.
I'm trying to get into them so they can officially run the feeler gauge around and order some windows for me. I have almost no doubt that the parts will come in after we've left for Florida for the winter, though, if even then.
I see Newmar is recalling over 4,000 motorhomes. I know the Forest River recall goes back to ones manufactured in 2014. I even saw that Newell is recalling vehicles for this problem, the P50 model, and all the way back to 2008.
So if I were you folks, I'd be getting a ladder and tugging gently outward on each vent window to see if there is any movement at all and also opening each window and looking closely at the adhesive on the sides and bottom. (I cannot see the top of mine due to the mid-hinge design).
I have no doubt that the one window would have fallen completely off on our next trip and I found it by accident. Our motorhome was manufactured in May 2019.
Per the attached Lippert PDF, windows manufactured prior to August 13,
2020 but on or after October 1, 2018 can exhibit the defect.
Lippert bought HEHR in February 2018.
But...those dates for the defective units do not explain why some manufacturers are recalling units built well before Oct. 1, 2018. Lippert also is recalling some 3000 series windows so maybe it's those.
EDIT: I just attached the Newmar defect notice to the NHTSA for your reference.
FWIW,
Ray
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