NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF FEBRUARY RECALLS

Topics:  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
April 9, 1997

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Apri 9, 1997
NHTSA 20-97
Contact:  Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in February and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly.

The list identifies the make and model of the vehicle or equipment involved, with a brief description of the safety problem.

NHTSA said it is publicizing the recalls to alert consumers about safety problems and encourages them to take action. Under Federal law, safety problems must be remedied without cost to consumers. Currently, 70 percent of the owners of vehicles with safety problems have the recall work performed.

NHTSA said manufacturers are required to mail a recall notice to all purchasers, owners and dealers when a safety defect or noncompliance with Federal safety standards is found. The agency urges owners to wait until they receive notification from the manufacturer before contacting their dealers to schedule the repair work. Not all vehicles of a particular make and model may be subject to the recall.

Consumers can get up-to-the-minute information on safety recall campaigns, or even information on the recall history of a particular make and model of car, truck, motorcycle or child safety seat, by calling the agency's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at (800) 424-9393, or (202) 366-0123 in the Washington, D.C. area. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS
FEBRUARY 1997

VEHICLES: CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, AND MOTORCYCLES

Buell Motorcycle Company

Model:

Buell M-2 Cyclone Year: 1997

Number Involved: 505

Dates of Manufacture: June 1996 - January 1997

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V022000

Buell Campaign No. : 0806

Vehicle Description: Motorcycles.

Description of Defect: The front brake line hose can kink during braking action.

Consequence of Defect: This condition can reduce front brake performance by impeding the return brake fluid flow and prohibit the immediate release of the front brake caliper pistons, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect and readjust the front brake line guide.

Owner Notification: Owner notification began February 27, 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buell at 1-414-935-0400.

Chrysler Corporation

Model:

Chrysler Sebring Year: 1996

Number Involved: 39,000

Dates of Manufacture: August 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V015000 Chrysler Campaign No. 717

Vehicle Description: Convertible passenger vehicles.

Description of Defect: The electrical contacts of the power mirror switch can accumulate road salt due to water entering the switch.

Consequence of Defect: This can result in a high resistance short circuit and possibly cause a vehicle fire.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the power mirror switch with a newly designed switch.

Owner Notification: Owner notification began in late February 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Ferrari North America, Inc.

Model:

Ferrari F355 Years: 1996-1997
Ferrari F456 Year: 1997

Number Involved: 346

Dates of Manufacture: January - August 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V013000 Ferrari Campaign No. 156

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.

Description of Defect: The electric motor which drives the anti-lock brake system (ABS) hydraulic pump does not function after a period of operation.

Consequence of Defect: Brake performance will deteriorate from loss of brake boost, resulting in increased risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the electric motor 5 digit production date code or the 12 digit serial number of the ABS hydraulic pump/motor assembly to determine if replacement is required. If necessary, the ABS hydraulic pump electric motor will be replaced.

Owner Notification: Owner notification began during February 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2651.

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Ford Tempo Years: 1992-1994
Mercury Topaz Years: 1992-1994
Ford Taurus Years: 1992-1995
Mercury Sable Years: 1992-1995
Lincoln Continental Years: 1992-1994

Number Involved: 75,200

Dates of Manufacture:

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V019000

Ford Campaign No. 97S66

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles equipped with 3.0L, 2.3L, and 3.8L engines and registered in one of the following states: Alaska, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Description of Defect: During high winds, heavy, drifting snow, and low temperatures, the engine cooling fan can become blocked or frozen with snow. The fan motor may not rotate and could overheat.

Consequence of Defect: This condition can cause smoke or flames from the fan and/or shroud, the fan electrical wiring, or the fan motor resulting in a vehicle fire.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.

Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin April 15, 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Lincoln Continental Years: 1991-1994
Ford Taurus Years: 1991-1995
Mercury Sable Years: 1991-1995

Number Involved: 212,700

Dates of Manufacture: July 1990 - November 1994

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V025000

Ford Campaign No. 97S65

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles equipped with 3.8L engines and registered in one of the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Description of Defect: Water can accumulate within the speed control cable conduit. If enough water accumulates, it could freeze within a low area of the cable routing when exposed to below freezing temperatures.

Consequence of Defect: If the driver activates the speed control and the cable has frozen, the throttle can stick and not return to idle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable to prevent water intrusion..

Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin April 7, 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

General Motors Corporation

Models:

Chevrolet Lumina Years: 1994-1995
Chevrolet Monte Carlo Years: 1994-1995
Buick Regal Years: 1994-1995
Oldsmobile Cutlass Years: 1994-1995
Pontiac Grand Prix Years: 1994-1995

Number Involved: 349,331

Dates of Manufacture: March 1993 - September 1994

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V017000

GM Campaign No. 97003

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.

Description of Defect: Some of these vehicles have a strained or separated windshield washer/wiper switch wire.

Consequence of Defect: This can cause the windshield washer/wiper to work intermittently and could ultimately result in inoperative wipers. If this were to occur in a severe weather situation, driver visibility would be reduced, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect and replace the old washer/wiper switches with a newly designed switch to reduce the wire strain.

Owner Notification: Owner notification will begin during March 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Buick at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

Hyundai Motor Corporation

Models:

Hyundai Accent Years: 1996-1997
Hyundai Elantra Years: 1996-1997
Hyundai Sonata Years: 1996-1997
Hyundai Tiburon Year: 1997

Number Involved: 74,965

Dates of Manufacture: April 1995 - October 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V026000

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.

Description of Defect: The windshield wiper motor circuit breaker electrical contacts were contaminated during assembly.

Consequence of Defect: This condition reduces the electrical continuity, particularly at low amperage, and can prevent the windshield wiper motor from operating. Inoperative windshield wipers can contribute to reduced visibility during inclement weather, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Dealers will remove the contaminants from the windshield wiper motor circuit breaker contacts.

Owner Notification: Owner notification will begin during March 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Hyundai at 1-800-829-9956.

MOTOR HOMES

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Model:

Volkswagen EuroVan Year: 1997

Number Involved: 201

Dates of Manufacture: August - November 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V016001

Volkswagen Campaign No. SL

Vehicle Description: Unfinished campers produced by Volkswagen and completed by Winnebago Industries.

Description of Defect: During the installation of the camper equipment, an improperly adjusted power tool drill bit punctured the fuel tank vapor canister.

Consequence of Defect: Fuel vapors can escape, which could cause a vehicle fire.

Corrective Action: Volkswagen dealers, on behalf of Winnebago, will check the fuel vapor container for the defect and, if a defect is present, the fuel tank will be replaced.

Owner Notification: Volkswagen has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Winnebago Industries

Models:

Itasca Sunflyer Years: 1989-1993
Winnebago/Itasca Elandan Year: 1991
Winnebago/Itasca Adventurer Years: 1992-1997
Winnebago Elante Years: 1992-1994
Winnebago Minnie-Winnie Years: 1993-1994
Winnebago Shell Year: 1993
Itasca Suncruiser Years: 1993-1995 & 1997
Itasca Sundancer Years: 1993-1994
Winnebago Vectra Years: 1993-1997
Winnebago Chieftain Year: 1994
Winnebago Brave Years: 1995-1996
Itasca Sunrise Years: 1995-1996

Number Involved: 10,590

Dates of Manufacture: July 1988 - September 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V012000

Winnebago Campaign No. 66

Vehicle Description: Motor homes.

Description of Defect: The spare tire carrier hoist components can become loose while traveling and allow the spare tire to move from its stored position to the road surface.

Consequence of Defect: The spare tire can contact the road surface, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash or property damage to following vehicles.

Corrective Action: Dealers will add a primary spare tire support bracket.

Owner Notification: Owner notification began February 14, 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Winnebago at 1-515-582-6939.

Winnebago Industries

Model:

Volkswagen EuroVan Year: 1997

Number Involved: 201

Dates of Manufacture: August - November 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V016000

Volkswagen Campaign No. SL

Vehicle Description: Unfinished campers produced by Volkswagen and completed by Winnebago Industries.

Description of Defect: During the installation of the camper equipment, an improperly adjusted power tool drill bit punctured the fuel tank vapor canister.

Consequence of Defect: Fuel vapors can escape which could cause a vehicle fire.

Corrective Action: Volkswagen dealers, on behalf of Winnebago, will check the fuel vapor container for the defect and, if a defect is present, the fuel tank will be replaced.

Owner Notification: Volkswagen has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

BUSES, HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS AND TRAILERS

AmTran Corporation

Models:

AmTran Volunteer Years: 1991-1997
Ward Volunteer Years: 1991-1997

Number Involved: 2,480

Dates of Manufacture: January 1991 - January 1997

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V014000

AmTran Campaign No. 97301

Vehicle Description: School buses.

Description of Defect: Certain clothing articles such as draw strings can become lodged in the forward handrails at the bus doors when a person is exiting the bus.

Consequence of Defect: If the driver is unaware of the situation, the entrance door may be closed, capturing the item in the door. Death or injury can occur to the person exiting the bus.

Corrective Action: Dealers will remove this handrail. Provisions will be made for buses operating in states that mandate a forward mounted handrail to offer the owners a free repair kit containing a rubber spacer.

Owner Notification: Owner notification began February 28, 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact AmTran at 1-501-327-7761.

Capacity of Texas, Inc.

Model:

Capacity Trailer Jockey Years: 1996-1997

Number Involved: 160

Dates of Manufacture: Not yet available.

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V021000

Vehicle Description: Trailer jockeys manufactured for the U.S. Postal Service.

Description of Defect: The control switch for the back-up lights were omitted during assembly.

Consequence of Defect: Vehicles following or pedestrians walking behind these vehicles may not be aware that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk for property damage or injury to pedestrians.

Corrective Action: Postal Service repair shops will be provided with a switch and wiring to connect these lights.

Owner Notification: Capacity has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Capacity at 1-800-323-0135.

Crane Carrier Company

Models:

Crane Chassis Years: 1987-1996
Crane Integrated Side Loader Years: 1988-1996
Crane Integrated Front Loader Years: 1992-1996
Crane Integrated Rear Loader Years: 1990-1994

Number Involved: 891

Dates of Manufacture: Not yet available.

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V011000

Crane Campaign No. 73-0942104

Vehicle Description: Trucks equipped with Allison electronic transmissions.

Description of Defect: The transmission range selector pad will indicate a drive range when the transmission is actually in neutral.

Consequence of Defect: This condition can allow the vehicle to roll when the brakes are released increasing the risk of a vehicle crash or property damage.

Corrective Action: Crane Carrier will provide owners with a warning label to be placed by the transmission shift pad.

Owner Notification: Owner notification began February 28, 1997.

Note: Owners who do not receive a free warning label and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact Crane at 1-918-836-1651.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc.

Model:

Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP-EF Years: 1994-1996

Number Involved: 1,800

Dates of Manufacture: November 1994 - November 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V018000

Vehicle Description: School buses.

Description of Defect: The nut that secures the vehicle's main power supply can loosen causing loss of contact.

Consequence of Defect: This condition can result in a loss of vehicle power increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Thomas Built will ship repair parts and a detailed repair procedure to the bus owners. The repair will consist of removing the original nut, located at the electrical panel that secures the vehicle's main power supply, and replacing it with a flat washer and locking nut.

Owner Notification: Thomas Built has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

Note: Owners who do not receive the free repair parts and a detailed repair procedure within a reasonable time should contact Thomas Built at 1-910-841-5708.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc.

Model:

Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP-ER Years: 1995-1997

Number Involved: 55

Dates of Manufacture: July 1995 - April 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V020000

Vehicle Description: School Buses.

Description of Noncompliance: Buses with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 36,200 pounds do not meet the brake size and power requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence of Noncompliance: Brake performance is reduced because the bus may have a diminished stopping distance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Thomas Built will provide owners with repair parts and a detailed repair procedure. The repair will consist of changing the original rear slack adjusters and front brake chambers and increasing the air reservoir volume.

Owner Notification: Thomas Built has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

Note: Owners who do not receive the free repair parts and detailed repair procedures within a reasonable time should contact Thomas Built at 1-910-841-5708.

Utilimaster

Model:

Utilimaster Walk-in Van Years: 1996-1997

Number Involved: 656

Dates of Manufacture: January - October 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V027000

Vehicle Description: Walk-in vans with lift-up hoods and reaction injection molded (RIM) fenders.

Description of Defect: When the vehicle is being driven, the force of the wind against the hood can force the hood behind the hood bumper, allowing the hood to drop. This reduces the tension on the two rubber hold-downs which then become loose.

Consequence of Defect: If both tie downs come loose, the hood can separate during vehicle operation leading to a possible broken windshield and/or blocking of the driver's vision, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Dealers will add a metal bracket and a second hood bumper above and behind the original bumper so that the hood cannot be pushed or slip behind the original (bottom) hood bumper.

Owner Notification: Utilimaster has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Utilimaster at 1-800-582-3454.

Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation

Model:

Volvo WCA Years: 1996-1997
Volvo WG Years: 1996-1997
Volvo WIA Years: 1996-1997

Number Involved: 1,928

Dates of Manufacture: November 1996 - January 1997

NHTSA Recall No.: 97V023000

Volvo Truck Campaign No. RVXX9798

Vehicle Description: Class 8 heavy duty trucks.

Description of Defect: Warning labels identifying the climbing sequence during cab entry or exit were omitted.

Consequence of Defect: Persons not using the sequence and process during cab entry or exit or when using the optional back of cab access can slip and/or fall, causing personal injury.

Corrective Action: Volvo Heavy Duty Truck will be providing warning labels to be installed by owners on their trucks.

Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin March 18, 1997.

Note: Owners who do not receive the free warning labels within a reasonable time should contact Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation at 1-910-393-2000.

EQUIPMENT

Carraro North America

Model:

Carraro 607

Number Involved: 182

Dates of Manufacture: Not yet available.

NHTSA Recall No.: 97E004000

Equipment Description: Axles used as replacement equipment for Marmon-Herrington all wheel drive conversion kits and also as original equipment in certain ElDorado National buses.

Description of Defect: An incorrect welding material was used to join the axle tube to the axle yoke.

Consequence of Defect: Failure of the weld can cause the axle to push the wheel from its mounting, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace these axles with replacement axles.

Owner Notification: Marmon-Herrington will begin owner notification by March 14, 1997. ElDorado National began owner notification on February 28, 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Marmon-Herrington at 1-800-227-0727 or ElDorado National at 1-

Directed Electronics, Inc.

Models:

DEI Model 551
DEI Model 552
DEI Model 553

Number Involved: 200,000

Dates of Manufacture: Not yet available.

NHTSA Recall No.: 97E005000

Equipment Description: Aftermarket remote start units. Models 551 and 552 are also known as Your Valet®, and Models 553 are also known as Python® 1500HF, Sidewinder® 6500HF, and Viper® 550HF.

Description of Defect: Improperly installed remote start units can permit remote engine start while the vehicle is in gear.

Consequence of Defect: If the vehicle is started in gear, the vehicle can move forward, unexpectedly causing property damage or personal injury.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect vehicles having the remote start units and, if necessary, correctly connect the remote start unit to prevent remote starting in gear.

Owner Notification: DEI has notified their distributors of this recall, but has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DEI at 1-619-598-6200.

Rostra Precision Controls, Inc.

Model:

Rostra Cruise Control Devices

Number Involved: 25,108

Dates of Manufacture: July - December 1996

NHTSA Recall No.: 97E003000

Equipment Description: Aftermarket cruise control devices sold by Audiovox, Moss Motors, S&S Automotive, and Warshawsky.

Description of Defect: These aftermarket cruise control units can accelerate above the intended set speed.

Consequence of Defect: Unintended vehicle acceleration can occur, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace these units with newly designed cruise control units.

Owner Notification: Owner notification began February 3, 1997.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Rostra Precision at 1-910-276-4853.