2021 NEWMAR BAY STAR SPORT Safety Overview

Component: STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

"The contact owns a 2021 Newmar Bay Star Sport RV. The contact stated while driving the RV, the overhead bunk detached. The contact stated that the failure impaired his vision while driving. The RV was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was a fix for the failure. The dealer installed two straps, one on each side to catch the overhead bunk in the event of another failure. The RV was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000."

Component: STRUCTURE

"So I just had my oil changed. And when they shut the hood, the hood stop fell out the bottom. They really just glued the hood stop on? This is allowed? And they didn't even do it properly. And I'd know. I'm a former ASE Certified Master Tech. First, they used the adhesive as a spacer to make the square bracket sit 90 degrees to the ground on a curved panel. Unnecessary since you can't see the bracket with the hood closed. Second, they didn't rough up either surface for adhesion and, they didn't put any adhesive BETWEEN the bracket and the body, (except for where they used the adhesive as a wedge spacer). They just put the panel bond over the bracket. Looks like they used half a tube on each one. The bracket has 2 holes in it for #8 screws. Why didn't they use those? The panel adhesive costs like $80-$100 bucks a tube. 4 bolts with washers and nyloc nuts are about $2.  Imagine if that had fallen off while driving and bounced up and punctured the LP line, or fuel line, or tire, or G*d forbid a BRAKE LINE. Or even worse. What about when that chunk of steel come bounding out from under my vehicle and goes right through the car windshield behind me. And you just know it would have happened at the worst possible time like going down hill in a construction zone at night in the rain. Now those things did not happen this time. But have they? I pulled the remaining adhesive off BY HAND with very little effort. How many other parts have they just “glued on”? They make a lot of motorhomes. Is this their normal practice? How many accidents have they caused they don’t even know about? Please investigate this company’s production practices."

Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

"We had Ford recall #21S17 performed on our 2021 Bay Star Sport. Upon leaving the Ford dealership to return to our camp I started receiving warning lights and an error message on my console. Message was “hill assist disabled”, warning lights were for ABS , TCS operations. We called the dealership and we’re told to return to them. The motorhome was not hoisted, they used my stabilizing jacks and a manual jack to examine the rear. Upon talking to the technician, it was diagnosed as a passenger rear tone ring failure. The parts aren’t available to dealers, they are still manufacturing new chassis assemblies with the tone ring I require.I was sent away to drive with standard brakes and no conclusions. I had to return to the dealer to get any paperwork stating there was an issue after the recall fix. Ford’s owners manual states “this is a malfunction , have your vehicle checked as soon as possible. This is a common occurrence to the recall fix per the dealership. Driving such a large vehicle without the safety components that it is equipped with would be my liability and I need assistance. We have reached out to Ford Customer Service,Ford Fleet Service, and Ford RV Assistance. They have been poor in follow up to us, giving us no resolution. Any assistance would be appreciated."

Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES

"On this 2021 Bay Star Sport 2702 motorhome from August 3 through September 15, the "Brake Applied - Power Reduced" light on the unit's console came on 42 times. This is a sporadic occurrence which is a very safety hazard and an accident is going to happen causing death to others. When slowing down or stopping completely and ready to accelerate, the Brake Applied - Power Reduced comes on locking all wheels and you are only able to go a maximum of 5 mph. You need to hit the brakes hard to release the locked wheels and continue. This does not help the person behind you when you are suddenly hitting the brakes to release this Brake Applied - Power Reduced". This may happen numerous times regardless if you are slowing down, stopping, turning right or left. There was a recall NHTSA #21V202/Manufacturers Recall #21S17 which was corrected due to not enough grease in rear end. Shortly after that the Brake Applied - Power Reduced light occurred of which an entire new rear end was installed into the unit. At Wallwork Ford Truck Center they hooked up the IDS and scanned all modules for codes; all modules passed. They also removed, reset and reinstalled a brake lamp switch after contacting the Ford hotline contact ID #118372635, but the test drive showed the Brake Applied - Power Reduced light came back on. They hooked the IDS computer back on the unit which came back as 'all modules passed'. We are stumped and frustrated as this unit in brand new and cannot be driven anywhere without this "Brake Applied-Power Reduced" light coming on. There is only 2616 miles on the unit."

Component: SUSPENSION

"The mounting brackets for the rear axel sway bar was missing a bolt in each bracket. Passenger side bracket was hanging below sway bar, driver's side had top bolt missing and was loose. Talked to Ford tech and was told to install a grade 8 bolt with a lock washer and nut. These bolts are M16s, grade 10.9, can I replace them with 5/8 inch grade 8 bolts?"