Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 21, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

11 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
1

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11757454 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
1

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11420711 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
5

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 4premature wear 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11470667 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11576203 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11666322 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11662658 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 11 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2021 and 2026, roughly 2 a year, which is about the same as the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.