NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF MAY RECALLS |
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Topics: NHTSA
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NHTSA
June 30, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 40-97
Monday, June 30, 1997
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550
NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF MAY RECALLS
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in May 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 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
MAY 1997
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
Chrysler Corporation
Model:
Dodge Colt Years: 1992-1993
Plymouth Colt Years: 1992-1993
Eagle Summit Years: 1992-1993
Number Involved: 46,000
Dates of Manufacture: March 1991 - November 1992
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V063002
Chrysler Campaign No. 728
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: Excess lubrication can cause the rubber door latch switch cover to deform, and the door latch switch to malfunction. Because this switch controls the automatic shoulder belt anchorage, the anchorage may remain at the A-pillar when the door is closed.
Consequence of Defect: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the door latch switch.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin Aug. 1, 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.
Chrysler Corporation
Model:
Dodge Colt Year: 1993
Plymouth Colt Year: 1993
Eagle Summit Year: 1993
Number Involved: 24,000
Dates of Manufacture: April 1992 - June 1993
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V073002
Chrysler Campaign No. 728
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles and light duty trucks.
Description of Defect: The guide rail for the shoulder belt on the driver's side contains a covered cable and also an angled belt guide at the top end of the webbing. These factors plus the abrading force of the moving cable, over time, on the lower edges of the cable's chamber may be sufficient to allow the cable to drop out of the chamber. Also, the abrasion may be causing the shoulder belt anchorage to become stuck.
Consequence of Defect: If this occurs, the seat occupant will not be properly restrained in a crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install a new replacement guide rail.
Owner Notification: Chrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.
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.
Chrysler Corporation
Model:
Dodge Shadow Years: 1991-1992
Plymouth Sundance Years: 1991-1992
Number Involved: 148,000
Dates of Manufacture: July 1990-June 1992
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V078
Chrysler Campaign No. 729
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: The lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver's seat can fail and separate.
Consequence of Defect: If the bolt fails while the vehicle is being driven, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the lower seat back attaching bolt on the driver's seat with a higher strength bolt that includes a self-locking nylon patch.
Owner Notification: Chrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.
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.
Chrysler Corporation
Model:
Dodge Caravan Year: 1992
Dodge Grand Caravan Year: 1992
Plymouth Voyager Year: 1992
Plymouth Grand Voyager Year: 1992
Number Involved: 436,000
Dates of Manufacture: July 1991 - June 1992
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V079
Chrysler Campaign No. 730
Vehicle Description: Passenger minivans.
Description of Defect: The bolts used to attach the gas strut to the body and the rear liftgate can accumulate fatigue damage if the bolt is loose. The gas strut is over-pressurized and frequent opening and closing of the liftgate will accelerate the fatigue failure.
Consequence of Defect: Personal injury could occur if the bolts break allowing the liftgate to fall suddenly.
Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect for loose fasteners. If the fasteners are loose, the strut (and integral bolts) will be replaced. If the bolt shows evidence of incorrect torque, the bolt and washer will be removed. A new bolt and a larger washer will be installed and hand tightened to the proper torque.
Owner Notification: Chrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.
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.
Chrysler Corporation
Model:
Jeep Grand Cherokee Year: 1997
Jeep Wrangler Year: 1997
Dodge Dakota Truck Year: 1997
Dodge Neon Year: 1997
Plymouth Neon Year: 1997
Dodge Viper Year: 1997
Number Involved: 125,000
Dates of Manufacture: July - September 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V080
Chrysler Campaign No. 731
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles and light duty trucks.
Description of Defect: The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment when the vehicle's ignition is turned off.
Consequence of Defect: Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.
Owner Notification: Chrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.
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.
Chrysler Corporation
Model:
Eagle Talon Year: 1997
Dodge Avenger Year: 1997
Chrysler Sebring Year: 1997
Number Involved: 1,083
Dates of Manufacture: March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V081002
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: The head restraint guide bracket was improperly welded to the seat back frame on the passenger side seat back assemblies.
Consequence of Defect: The head restraint support bracket can break, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the passenger seat back assembly with a new assembly.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during July 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.
Chrysler Corporation
Model:
Dodge Ram Years: 1994-1997
Number Involved: 96,000
Dates of Manufacture: January 1994-February 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V084
Chrysler Campaign No. 722
Vehicle Description: Light duty trucks.
Description of Defect: Under certain high load operating conditions, the transmission fluid temperature can exceed the melting point of the material used in the connector that connects the fluid line to the transmission.
Consequence of Defect: When these temperatures occur, the fluid line will not stay connected to the transmission, and fluid can spray onto the exhaust manifold, resulting in smoke or fire.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the high temperature side of the transmission fluid cooler line connector fittings with connectors that incorporate a stainless steel retainer.
Owner Notification: Chrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.
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.
Ford Motor Company
Model:
Ford Explorer Years: 1992-1994
Number Involved: 61,000
Dates of Manufacture: August 1992-November 1994
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V083
Ford Campaign No. 97S70
Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: A short circuit can occur in the remote power mirror control switch circuit board as a result of a separated part of the contact assembly that bridges the positive battery pad switch and the adjacent chassis ground pad.
Consequence of Defect: The current can overheat the printed circuit board and other plastic and elastomeric components of the switch assembly, resulting in smoke or fire.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install an in-line 10-amp fuse in the positive battery feed to the remote power mirror control switch assembly.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began May 19, 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.
Mitsubishi Motor Sales, Inc.
Model:
Mitsubishi Eclipse Year: 1997
Number Involved: 119
Dates of Manufacture: March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V081001
Mitsubishi Campaign No. 97XWNS0062
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: The head restraint guide bracket was improperly welded to the seat back frame on the passenger side seat back assemblies.
Consequence of Defect: The head restraint support bracket can break, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the passenger seat back assembly with a new assembly.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during July 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 Mitsubishi at 1-800-222- 0037.
SCHOOL BUSES, HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, TRAILERS,
AMBULANCES AND MOTOR HOMES
Carpenter Manufacturing
Model:
Carpenter Counselor Years: 1995-1997
Carpenter Classic Years: 1995-1997
Number Involved: 4,037
Dates of Manufacture: May 1995-April 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V077
Carpenter Campaign No. 97001
Vehicle Description: School buses.
Description of Noncompliance: Side emergency push-out windows may not open properly due to interference with exterior bow cap. Emergency doors may not have required operating instructions located adjacent to the interior door handle. This does not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, "Bus Window Retention and Release."
Consequence of Noncompliance: Exit windows may not open properly during an emergency.
Corrective Action: Owners will be provided with modification instructions, or they can contact an authorized dealer for assistance.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was to begin May 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 Carpenter at 1-317-965- 4000.
Charles Machine Works, Inc.
Model:
Ditch Witch S5A Years: 1996-1997
Ditch Witch T14AE Years: 1996-1997
Ditch Witch T14-1 Years: 1996-1997
Number Involved: 88
Dates of Manufacture: November 1996 - January 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V076
Charles Machine Campaign No. 052-277C- 2
Vehicle Description: Trailers.
Description of Defect: Incorrect seals were installed in the wheel assemblies.
Consequence of Defect: The incorrect seal can allow grease to leak onto the brakes, reducing the braking capability of the trailer, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install the correct seals in the wheel assemblies.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began May 27, 1997.
Note: Owners who take their trailers to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Charles Machine at 1-405-336- 3591.
Ford Motor Company
Model:
Ford F700 Year: 1998
Ford F800 Year: 1998
Ford B800 School Bus Chassis Year: 1998
Number Involved: 2,400
Dates of Manufacture: March - April 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V091
Ford Campaign No. 97S74
Vehicle Description: Medium duty gasoline and diesel trucks and diesel school bus chassis vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Description of Defect: The shift tube welds at the top of the steering-column-mounted automatic transmission shift linkage may be inadequate, allowing the transmission to be in a gear other than that indicated on the "PRNDL," or in some cases, "RNDL."
Consequence of Defect: The Domestic Special Order (DSO) park brake may not engage when the shift lever is placed in the park position, or the vehicle could move in an unintended direction when the accelerator is pressed. In some vehicles the DSO parking brake mechanism may not be properly adjusted, which can result in the park brake not engaging when the shift lever is placed in the park position, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the steering column shift tube and, if so equipped, will have the DSO park brake linkage adjusted.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was expected to begin June 16, 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
Model:
GMC W4 Year: 1997
Chevrolet Tiltmaster Truck Year: 1997
Number Involved: 266
Dates of Manufacture: September 1996-January 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V087002
GM Campaign No. 97027
Vehicle Description: Medium duty trucks.
Description of Defect: The front axle brake hoses were damaged during transportation.
Consequence of Defect: This damage could result in brake fluid leakage, reducing the braking effectiveness and increasing the stopping distances.
Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the front axle brake hoses (right and left), and any hose showing damage will be replaced.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was expected to begin June 2, 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 GMC at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.
Isuzu Motor, Limited
Model:
Isuzu NPR Year: 1997
Number Involved: 464
Dates of Manufacture: September 1996-January 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V087001
Isuzu Campaign No. SB97-09-C0
Vehicle Description: Medium duty trucks.
Description of Defect: The front axle brake hoses were damaged during transportation.
Consequence of Defect: This damage could result in brake fluid leakage, reducing the braking effectiveness and increasing the stopping distances.
Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the front axle brake hoses (right and left), and any hose showing damage will be replaced.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was expected to begin June 2, 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 Isuzu at 1-800-643-4070.
Navistar International Transportation Corporation
Model:
Navistar 1652 SC Years: 1991-1996
Navistar 3400 Years: 1991-1996
Navistar 3800 Years: 1991-1996
Navistar 4600 Years: 1991-1996
Navistar 4700 Years: 1991-1996
Navistar 3000 RE Years: 1991-1996
Number Involved: 3,833
Dates of Manufacture: January 1991-June 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V090
Navistar Campaign No. 97502
Vehicle Description: Heavy duty trucks and school bus and transit buses built with a Bendix 9X3 power apply park brake system.
Description of Defect: The cam lever linkage of the power apply parking brake can move forward because a hole in the transmission mounting boss was drilled too deep.
Consequence of Defect: This can allow the linkage to become disengaged from the parking brake shoes. The operator would have no warning that the parking brake was not applied, allowing the vehicle to move unexpectedly.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install shims in the drilled area of the automatic transmission park brake pivot pin hole.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin July 8, 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 Navistar at 1-800-448-7825.
Paccar, Incorporated
Model:
Kenworth T2000 Year: 1997
Number Involved: 131
Dates of Manufacture: April 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V085
Kenworth Campaign No. 97KW1
Vehicle Description: Heavy duty trucks.
Description of Defect: A secondary bend operation was not performed during assembly of the door latch, which could cause the door latch to jam when locked.
Consequence of Defect: The door latch will not release from either the inside or the outside of the vehicle.
Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the door latches for certain date codes and replace suspect latches with new latches.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during June 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 Kenworth at 1-206-455- 7356.
Rexworks, Incorporated
Model:
Rex RHM Years: 1994-1997
Rex RHZ Years: 1994-1997
Rex RHK Years: 1994-1997
Number Involved: 421
Dates of Manufacture: July 1994-January 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V086
Vehicle Description: Truck Mixers.
Description of Defect: The booster tab axle has an air brake system which works along with the truck's vehicle brake system. Nylon air tubing used to operate the mixer tag axle air brakes can fail.
Consequence of Defect: Failure of the air brake tubing can cause a reduced capability of the braking system, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the black, semi-stiff, -inch tubing with 5/8-inch black tubing which bends easily and has a soft outer jacket.
Owner Notification: Rexworks has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.
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 Rexworks at 1-414-747- 7361.
Safari Motor Coaches, Incorporated
Model:
Safari Saf-C 2400 Years: 1997
Number Involved: 10
Dates of Manufacture: January - May 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V089
Vehicle Description: Class C mini motor homes.
Description of Defect: The propane water heater is located less than 3 feet from the gasoline filler spout.
Consequence of Defect: There is the potential for an explosion while the vehicle is being fueled.
Corrective Action: Dealers will move the propane water heater 36 inches forward of the fuel filler spout. Until the water heater can be moved, owners are being advised to turn off both the water heater switch and the 12-volt kill switch before fueling the vehicle.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began May 20, 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 Safari at 1-541-995-2371.
EQUIPMENT
Draw-Tite, Incorporated
Model:
Draw-Tite 6601
Draw-Tite 6602
Draw-Tite 6603
Draw-Tite 6623
Draw-Tite 6679
Number Involved: 1,652
Dates of Manufacture: March - April 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97E014
Equipment Description: Cast head trunnion weight-distributing trailer hitches.
Description of Defect: The cast head can fracture causing the ball platform to break away.
Consequence of Defect: If this occurs, a trailer under tow can separate from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace these head assemblies.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was expected to begin June 16, 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 Draw-Tite at 1-888-521-0510.