2022 3543 New Aire

[llambert]

We bought a 2022 Newmar 3543 New Aire April 2022. It has been in the shop three different time,. for various repairs. The largest repair was a 60 hour job. They removed the rear half of the roof to repair the ducting to the rear bedroom. It is currently in the shop, and has been there since January 9, 2023. I am considering trying to lemon law the coach. Has anyone gone through the lemon law proccss with a motorhome?
Thanks, Larry

[Newmar2856]

You will need check your state laws regarding the ability to go after Newmar via the lemon law process. Most states don’t cover RV’s and if they do, it is generally only the chassis itself and not the house.

You need to find out why it’s taking the dealer so long and you may want to contact Newmar directly to see what information has been provided to them by the dealer. Often times dealers use the manufacturer as an excuse for how long it’s taking to get parts. Also, if the build issues are that extensive, maybe ask Newmar to send someone out to drive it back to the factory for repairs and bring it back to you.

[llambert]

Originally Posted by Newmar2856

You will need check your state laws regarding the ability to go after Newmar via the lemon law process. Most states don’t cover RV’s and if they do, it is generally only the chassis itself and not the house.

You need to find out why it’s taking the dealer so long and you may want to contact Newmar directly to see what information has been provided to them by the dealer. Often times dealers use the manufacturer as an excuse for how long it’s taking to get parts. Also, if the build issues are that extensive, maybe ask Newmar to send someone out to drive it back to the factory for repairs and bring it back to you.

Thanks fot your reply. There are many different problems with this coach. The biggest one was the ducting in the rear of the coach. That job was done by factory techs that Newmar sent to the dealer. There is also problems with the tile floor, that requires the replacement of ten tiles. There was also problems with the awnings not being mounted properly, GPS shutting down, AC's popping breakers, paint issues. With sooo many problems, that is why I am considering lemon law the coach.

[jacwjames]

I would be talking to the State Commerce dept about your problems and what options you have. From what you describe if a rig qualified for a lemon law return I would think yours does.
At the same time I would call Newmar, keep requesting a higher authority until you get to someone who can actually provide resolution to your problems. Do not assume they will treat you right, demand action.








FWIW My lessons learned!!!!
Completely different level of RV but I bought a new Class C in 1997.

1. It was still under warranty when the passenger side exhaust manifold failed, took 4 months to repair because Ford was having a huge problems with the manifold. I sent a letter to Ford asking for at minimum an extension of warranty but was denied.
2. Within ~5 month of getting it back the drivers side manifold failed, I was out of warranty so replaced it myself.
3. Within ~1 year of the passenger side replacement by Ford it failed again, it warped. Out of warranty so I opted to have it machined flat and reinstalled.
4. About 3 years after buying the Class C three of the Firestone tires failed all on one trip, tread peeled right off. I consider this a Ford issue as these were OEM but Firestone was going through the big tire fiasco at the time.
5. The transmission started to leak oil, a big stream, was sudden and I caught it before damage was done. Had it towed to a shop and they pulled the transmission, they could only find the output seal bad so they ordered a replacement. The replacement came with a TSB stating that the original seal was not meant for heavy duty applications, DUH????
6. Last but not least, I started to see my oil pressure fluctuate. Not trusting the gauge I installed a second gauge and confirmed I had a problem. Shop thought it was the oil pump but when they pulled the pump they found that the flange that connected the pickup tube to the oil pump had cracked letting it suck oil. Changed the pump and the pickup tube, luckily not damage done.

Note that I sent letters to Ford for each of the above issues. I sent them to the address listed in the Chassis Owners Manual. Never got a response so on the last issue I sent a REGISTERED letter to HENRY CLAY FORD JR. who was CEO at the time. Finally got a call but they did nothing to assist in anything other then insinuate that all the issues were my fault for lack of maintenance. I played dumb for a little while but thin I let loose and I put that guy in his place real fast. Explained I was an engineer in Mining, a Masters in Industrial Engineering, and an MBA. Also told him I had been involved in heavy equipment maintenance in the mining industry. As Operations Manager the maintenance department reported to me. I'll admit I do not know everything but I believe I am well above average. I told him the issues that I had with my Ford chassis blew their Six Sigma quality program right out of the water. I also told him that a satisfied customer tells maybe 10 people but an unsatisfied customer will tell 100. By the time I was done talking to the idiot he was stuttering and apologizing and I felt somewhat better

But they did not do a thing for me other then say I should have reported my problems to a higher authority earlier and they could have helped. DUH!!!!

And as many times I have posted about my experience with a FORD product I am probably up to 10K people reading about my issues.



So my advice again is to work your way up the ladder. Be stern and polite until it's time to go to the dark side, then let loose until you get satisfaction.



Good Luck

[Gary RVRoamer]

Even if your state's Lemon Law applies to RVs and the "house" portion of it (few do), most LL remedies give the manufacturer plenty of time to make repairs and allow for multiple repairs of different problems. In other words, as long as the manufacturer is diligently fixing things and the same problem is not recurring, he is doing what the law expects. However, there may be a clause that deals with time out of service.


In any case, you need to contact your state authorities or an Lemon Law attorney in your state. It doesn't make any difference what other states do - just the one where you bought the coach.

[RayJo]

Have broached this conversation with the dealership? I’d begin by asking if the vehicle has been in any collisions wherein damages may have been estimated at $2k or more. Just starting this conversation can begin to get attention. I had this issue with Lazydays and it was a total about face in getting things handled and resolved.

[2cyber71]

Originally Posted by llambert

We bought a 2022 Newmar 3543 New Aire April 2022. It has been in the shop three different time,. for various repairs. The largest repair was a 60 hour job. They removed the rear half of the roof to repair the ducting to the rear bedroom. It is currently in the shop, and has been there since January 9, 2023. I am considering trying to lemon law the coach. Has anyone gone through the lemon law proccss with a motorhome?
Thanks, Larry

I feel bad that you had this happen to you. It’s a large investment.
All I know is I walked thru a few Newmars at Hershey and the fit and finish reminded me of Winnebago’s fit and finish. I had several fit and finish items that Winnebago factory service fixed for me in less than 5 days 6 months after I bought my 2020 Horizon. Built Pre-Covid. Since then everything they fixed is working perfectly, 3 yrs and 43,500 miles later. So I guess I would just take it to the factory service for any warranty issue.

[JohnP88]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

I would be talking to the State Commerce dept about your problems and what options you have. From what you describe if a rig qualified for a lemon law return I would think yours does.
At the same time I would call Newmar, keep requesting a higher authority until you get to someone who can actually provide resolution to your problems. Do not assume they will treat you right, demand action.








FWIW My lessons learned!!!!
Completely different level of RV but I bought a new Class C in 1997.

1. It was still under warranty when the passenger side exhaust manifold failed, took 4 months to repair because Ford was having a huge problems with the manifold. I sent a letter to Ford asking for at minimum an extension of warranty but was denied.
2. Within ~5 month of getting it back the drivers side manifold failed, I was out of warranty so replaced it myself.
3. Within ~1 year of the passenger side replacement by Ford it failed again, it warped. Out of warranty so I opted to have it machined flat and reinstalled.
4. About 3 years after buying the Class C three of the Firestone tires failed all on one trip, tread peeled right off. I consider this a Ford issue as these were OEM but Firestone was going through the big tire fiasco at the time.
5. The transmission started to leak oil, a big stream, was sudden and I caught it before damage was done. Had it towed to a shop and they pulled the transmission, they could only find the output seal bad so they ordered a replacement. The replacement came with a TSB stating that the original seal was not meant for heavy duty applications, DUH????
6. Last but not least, I started to see my oil pressure fluctuate. Not trusting the gauge I installed a second gauge and confirmed I had a problem. Shop thought it was the oil pump but when they pulled the pump they found that the flange that connected the pickup tube to the oil pump had cracked letting it suck oil. Changed the pump and the pickup tube, luckily not damage done.

Note that I sent letters to Ford for each of the above issues. I sent them to the address listed in the Chassis Owners Manual. Never got a response so on the last issue I sent a REGISTERED letter to HENRY CLAY FORD JR. who was CEO at the time. Finally got a call but they did nothing to assist in anything other then insinuate that all the issues were my fault for lack of maintenance. I played dumb for a little while but thin I let loose and I put that guy in his place real fast. Explained I was an engineer in Mining, a Masters in Industrial Engineering, and an MBA. Also told him I had been involved in heavy equipment maintenance in the mining industry. As Operations Manager the maintenance department reported to me. I'll admit I do not know everything but I believe I am well above average. I told him the issues that I had with my Ford chassis blew their Six Sigma quality program right out of the water. I also told him that a satisfied customer tells maybe 10 people but an unsatisfied customer will tell 100. By the time I was done talking to the idiot he was stuttering and apologizing and I felt somewhat better

But they did not do a thing for me other then say I should have reported my problems to a higher authority earlier and they could have helped. DUH!!!!

And as many times I have posted about my experience with a FORD product I am probably up to 10K people reading about my issues.



So my advice again is to work your way up the ladder. Be stern and polite until it's time to go to the dark side, then let loose until you get satisfaction.



Good Luck

Reading this post is exactly why I’m gun shy about buying an RV! I’ve owned airplanes and boats, and dealt with the normal first year or so of issues. But, the RV world just seems so different.

I’ve been looking at coaches and I’m shocked that they only have a 12 month warranty, and that the warranty is not transferable. I’m not sure if this is normal practice or not.

[2cyber71]

Originally Posted by JohnP88

Reading this post is exactly why I’m gun shy about buying an RV! I’ve owned airplanes and boats, and dealt with the normal first year or so of issues. But, the RV world just seems so different.

I’ve been looking at coaches and I’m shocked that they only have a 12 month warranty, and that the warranty is not transferable. I’m not sure if this is normal practice or not.

Not all manufacturers have a 1 yr warranty.
Winnebago has a 3 yr warranty on anything they do. The Freightliner chassis has a 3 yr warranty. The Cummins has a 5 yr warranty. The appliances have all their own warranty. AC - 2 yrs, Samsung Fridge - 10 yr, Aquahot - 2 yrs
TruInduction cooktop - 2 yrs, etc.

[chuckftboy]

I t.hink its commendable that Newmar is making that much effort to make thing right. It always takes a long time to get anything done at the dealer. Even if your state has a Lemon Law it will be up to you to prove its a lemon and not just some manufacturing defects.

[8.3Oilbuner]

Hi Larry; Sorry to hear about the problems you are having with your New Aire. As an owner of an 01 Monaco Windsor, the New Aire was one of the newer coaches I liked. Ohers here have given you great feedback and I am sure you will use the info to get this situation corrected. I have not checked here in Washinton state lately, but at one time part of the lemon law was an attempted repair of 3 times that did not solve the problem or out of service for 30 days waiting for repair. As others stated you need to dive into the law in where you bought the coach. It is a shame on Newmar for this situation. Hope others do not have to deal with this after putting tens of thousands of dollars. Just not worth dealing with crap like you are experiencing.

On an added note on your 2022 year model. The AZ expert the other day did an inspection on a 2019 Newmar. I think it was a Dutch Star. He mentioned in his video that it was a, pre covid coach and might not have the problems of rv's being built from 2020 thru 2022. If this stigma takes hold, owners of those years might have problems selling or trading their rv's. Just my observation. It seems to apply also to a lot of vehicles manufactured in those years also. Hope you get some resolution soon and good luck!

[NCC-1701A]

Ron Burge is an attorney that writes for RV publications on RVs and lemon laws.

I have no personal experience with his services.

Says free assessment.

https://rvlemonlaw.com/

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by llambert

We bought a 2022 Newmar 3543 New Aire April 2022. It has been in the shop three different time,. for various repairs. The largest repair was a 60 hour job. They removed the rear half of the roof to repair the ducting to the rear bedroom. It is currently in the shop, and has been there since January 9, 2023. I am considering trying to lemon law the coach. Has anyone gone through the lemon law proccss with a motorhome?

Thanks, Larry

It just show’s quality or brand doesn’t care how much you pay. My best advise is start at the top, if they are trying to fix not much better you can do. In 2004 I purchased a new MH it was so bad it had to go back to factory. In shop for 3 months the first year of purchase. It’s my opinion lemon law want do you much good especially if it not a recurring safety issue.

[moisheh]

The post mentioning Samsung must be a joke. They make the worlds worst home appliances. Hard to get warranty work. Thousands of law suits. The 20 year warranty is only on parts that do not fail.