NHTSA Complaint #11583626 — 2021 NEWMAR VENTANA

The Motorhome is equipped with a computer controlled Comfort Drive steering system ( also known as ReAX-C and other names) that is supposed to keep the vehicle going straight at all times with low steering efforts in side winds, pot holes or against the crown of the road. The Comfort Drive is supposed offer consistent steering feel and allow the driver to concentrate on driving with reduced fatigue. This system appears to only be working part of the time - and that is only when driving on a perfectly flat road with little or no wind. On a recent 4,000 mile cross country trip on Interstate highways in this vehicle with crowned roads, pot holes, construction zones and windy conditions it was a literal “white knuckle” fight to maintain steering in my lane. It was very dangerous situation every day never knowing when a gust of wind was going to blow the vehicle off the road or into another lane. I had to fight every minute to try keep this vehicle under control. I had a previous motorhome with a Comfort Drive system that was totally under control at all times. However, I have been told that this current model has a brand new totally redesigned Comfort Drive system. I have been to the Spartan Factory Service in Charlotte, MI on two separate occasions to have this Comfort Drive fixed. The first time they test drove it and said it was fine. The second time they said they used a test machine and it showed “ no faults” so it is fine. They stated they buy the “Comfort Drive” from ZF- TRW and they simply install it per Newmar request. They said it is not of their manufacture and they don’t really know much about it. I also called Newmar to see if they could help, but they say they have nothing to do with the Spartan Chassis, I need to talk to Spartan. It is “not fine”. I feel this is a serious safety situation waiting for a serious accident waiting to happen.