NHTSA Publishes List of July 2001 Recalls |
|---|
Topics: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
|
NHTSA
October 4, 2001
NHTSA 48-01
Thursday, October 4, 2001
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 July 2001 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, 72 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 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 1-800-424-9393, or by accessing NHTSA on the Internet at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.
SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS
July 2001
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
Bayerische Motoren Werke
Models: BMW M3 Year: 2001
Number Involved: 2,438
Dates of Manufacture: October 2000 - May 2001
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, two screws that secure the parking brake cable mounting bracket to the backing plate on one or both sides of the vehicle were not tightened properly. As a result, the screws could loosen and eventually fall into the parking brake drum. If this were to happen, the cable mounting bracket would no longer be fixed to the backing plate and the parking brake could no longer be applied on that side of the vehicle. It is also possible that a screw could lodge within the parking brake drum, impairing the free movement of the drum. This would produce noise and could cause the parking brake on that side to lock up while driving.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the parking brake cable attaching screws and securing them with the proper torque. The manufacturer reported that owner notification would begin during August 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V245]
Bayerische Motoren Werke
Models: BMW R1150GS Years: 2000-2002
Number Involved: 2,997
Dates of Manufacture: May 1999 - June 2001
Defect: On certain motorcycles, the distance between the brake line and the speedometer drive cable could be too small. Due to compression and rebound of the fork, the speedometer cable could contact and chafe the brake line. Brake fluid leakage could occur, resulting in a loss of front braking capability. If this happened, depending on traffic conditions and the rider's reactions, a crash could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will measure the distance between the front brake line and speedometer cable. The brake line will be replaced if the distance to the speedometer cable is found to be too small or if it is damaged. A new protective sleeve will be installed on the speedometer cable near the front fender.
The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117, Option #5.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V246]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Dodge Dakota Truck Years: 1989-1990
Number Involved: 4,000
Dates of Manufacture: October 1988 - June 1990
Defect: On certain 4x2 convertible pickup trucks equipped with V6 engines and 4x2 pickup trucks equipped with an optional Shelby package, the steering gear could potentially separate from the vehicle frame. Should this happen, there could be a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will add reinforcements to the frame and have the steering gear mounting bolts replaced. If the frame is already cracked, the steering gear weld nuts will also be replaced. The manufacturer reported that owner notification would begin during August 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V232/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 988]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Dodge Dakota Quad Truck Year: 2001
Number Involved: 104,252
Dates of Manufacture: March 2001
Defect: On certain Quad Cab pickup trucks, the front outboard lower seat belt anchor bolts may not be tightened correctly. An improperly tightened seat belt anchor may not provide the anticipated level of occupant restraint in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the driver and passenger side lower seat belt anchor bolts. The manufacturer reported that owner notification would begin during August 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V233/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 989]
Ford Motor Company
| Models: | Ford Crown Victoria | Year: 2001 |
| Ford Excursion | Year: 2001 | |
| Ford Expedition | Year: 2001 | |
| Ford F150 | Year: 2001 | |
| Ford F250 | Year: 2001 | |
| Ford F350 | Year: 2001 | |
| Ford F450 | Year: 2001 | |
| Ford F550 | Year: 2001 | |
| Ford Windstar | Year: 2001 | |
| Ford Ranger | Year: 2001 | |
| Mercury Grand Marquis | Year: 2001 | |
| Lincoln Town Car | Year: 2001 | |
| Lincoln Navigator | Year: 2001 |
Ford Motor Company
| Models: | Ford Contour | Years: 1996-1998 |
| Mercury Mystique | Years: 1996-1998 | |
| Mercury Cougar | Year: 1999 |
Saab Cars USA, Inc.
Models: Saab 900 Year: 1998
Number Involved: 12,036
Dates of Manufacture: July - December 1997
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, static electricity can build up within the passenger-side air bag module and create enough of a charge to cause an inadvertent air bag deployment. Most of these inadvertent deployments have occurred in cooler, dry weather, and have generally been triggered by dusting or wiping of the dashboard, starting the car, or closing the door.
Remedy: Dealers will install a front passenger-side air bag module grounding strap. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V222/Saab Recall No. 15002]
Toyota Motor Company, Ltd.
Models: Toyota Highlander Year: 2001
Number Involved: 41,169
Dates of Manufacture: August 2000 - May 2001
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the reservoir filler cap of the brake master cylinder may induce a vacuum, introducing some air into the brake master cylinder reservoir. This could cause abnormal brake noise and increased pedal stroke when the brakes are applied. The increased pedal stroke will lengthen the stopping distance of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will bleed the air from the brake lines and replace the reservoir filler cap. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began July 30, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V228/Toyota Recall No. SSC 10G]
MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES
American Transportation Company
| Models: | AmTran FE | Years: 1998-2001 |
| AmTran RE | Years: 1998-2001 |
Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
Models: Thomas Conventional Years: 1999-2001
Number Involved: 16,165
Dates of Manufacture: January 1999 - May 2001
Defect: On certain school buses, the main body power supply wire from the chassis can chafe on the chassis (cowl) sheet metal panel, causing arcing and could result in a fire.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with inspection and remedy procedures to be used in correcting this condition. The manufacturer reported that owner notification began Sept. 14, 2001. Owners should contact Thomas Built at 1-336-889-4871.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V214]
Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
Models: Volvo VHD Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 584
Dates of Manufacture: March 2000 - June 2001
Defect: On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks, non-uniform steering wheel efforts can occur when turning the steering wheel. In addition, once the steering wheel turn is initiated, the vehicle may continue turning without returning to the straight ahead position, creating the potential for loss of steering.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower steering shaft. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began July 19, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volvo Trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V226/Volvo Trucks Recall No. RVXX0105]
Winnebago Industries, Inc.
| Models: | Winnebago Brave | Year: 2001 |
| Winnebago Sunrise | Year: 2001 |
EQUIPMENT
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Models: Ignition Modules and Kits
Number Involved:
Dates of Sale: July 2000 - May 2001
Defect: Certain ignition modules and ignition module kits used on 1999 and later model Twin-Cam 88 Screamin' Eagle motorcycles and sold as dealer-installed accessory items were manufactured with a software fault that could allow the module to shut off without warning. Module and kit part numbers included are: 31710-01, 32721-01, 31713-01, 32724-01, 31775-01, 32810-01, 32748-99A, 32749-99A, 31781-00, 32719-01, 32720-01, 31778-01, 32750-99A, and 31782-00. A sudden loss of power could cause a loss of control of the motorcycle and result in a crash, possibly resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition module. The manufacturer reported that owner notification would begin during August 2001. Owners who do not receive the free replacement seat within a reasonable time should contact Harley-Davidson at 414-342-4080.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E040/Harley-Davidson Recall No. 0103]
Tekonsha Engineering Company
Models: Tekonsha Trailer Hitch Receiver
Number Involved: 10,026
Dates of Sale: September 1994 - June 2001
Defect: Certain Tekonsha/SurePull Towing Systems' trailer hitch receivers sold for use on certain Chevrolet Blazer, Oldsmobile Bravada, and GMC Jimmy sport utility vehicles were mislabeled as to their weight distributing capabilities. These hitches could fail if overloaded, causing the support arms to break without warning. This could allow the towed vehicle to disengage from the towing vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Tekonsha is notifying distributors and original equipment manufacturers and will replace the defective hitches free of charge. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began July 30, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free replacement seat within a reasonable time should contact Tekonsha Towing Systems at 1-888-422-8060.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E036]
TIRES
Cooper Tire and Rubber Company
| Models: | Cooper Trendsetter A/W |
| Cooper Trendsetter SE | |
|
| Cooper Radial XL |
|
| Cooper Durasteel |
|
| Dean Galaxie GT |
|
| Dean Alpha IV Season |
|
| Trailcat All Season |
|
| Falls Roadmaster IV |
|
| Starfire Flite-line A/S |
|
| Laramie Tempra Year Round |
|
| Sentry Deluxe Classic LX |
|
| Premier II All Season |
|
| Cordovan Centron |
|
| Merit Four Season 75 |
###