NHTSA Publishes List of January 2002 Recalls |
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
March 13, 2002
NHTSA 15-02
Wednesday, March 13, 2002
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 January 2002 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, 1-888-327-4236, or by accessing NHTSA on the Internet at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov./ . The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.
Buell Motorcycle Company
| Models: | Buell M2L | Year: 2002 |
| Buell S3T | Year: 2002 | |
| Buell M2 | Year: 2002 | |
| Buell X1 | Year: 2002 |
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Jeep Grand Cherokee Year: 2002
Number Involved: 71,677
Dates of Manufacture: July - December 2001
Noncompliance: Those sport utility vehicles equipped with a fuel tank brush guard could fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 301, "Fuel System Integrity." The onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) control valve can become detached during a crash, allowing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will either replace the fuel tank brush guard with a skid plate or reinforce the existing fuel tank brush guard with a reinforcement bracket. DaimlerChrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V032/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. A10]
Ford Motor Company
Models: Ford F650 Truck Years: 2000-2002
Ford F750 Truck Years: 2000-2002
Number Involved: 546
Dates of Manufacture: May 2000 - December 2001
Noncompliance: Certain medium duty pickup trucks equipped with air brakes which include an optional trailer package fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems." The air brake lines connected to the tractor protection valve are misrouted. A leak in the primary air circuit or secondary air circuit could result in a reduction or loss of the trailer brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will re-route the air lines connected to the tractor protection valve. The manufacturer reported that owner notification was expected to begin during February 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-248-0186.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V024/Ford Recall No. 02S31]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Saturn S-Series Sedan Year: 2002
Number Involved: 790
Dates of Manufacture: January 2002
Noncompliance: Certain sedans fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages," and No. 214, "Side Impact Protection." These vehicles were manufactured with welds between the door striker and belt-line that do not meet Saturn specifications. If the seat belt anchorage on the pillar failed in a crash, the driver could be injured more seriously. In a side impact, occupants could also be injured more seriously because of greater intrusion or reduced performance of the optional side curtain air bag.
Remedy: Dealers will install additional structural fasteners to the driver's side door pillar. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Jan. 15, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, Prompt #3.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V020/GM Recall No. 02002/Saturn Recall No. 02C05]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Pontiac Montana Year: 1999
Number Involved: 814
Dates of Manufacture: August - September 1998
Defect: On certain of these minivans, the driver's air bag inflator modules could produce excessive internal pressure. In the event of a crash that would trigger a driver's air bag deployment, the increased internal pressure can cause the inflator module to explode. Metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver air bag module. The manufacturer reported that owner notification was expected to begin during February 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V027/GM Recall No. 01052]
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company
| Models: | Harley Davidson Shrine | Years: 2001-2002 |
| Harley Davidson FLHTCU-1 Shrine | Years: 2001-2002 | |
| Harley Davidson FLHTP-1 | Years: 2001-2002 | |
| Harley Davidson FLHPE-1 | Years: 2001-2002 | |
| Harley Davidson FLHP-1 | Years: 2001-2002 | |
| Harley Davidson FLHTCU-1 | Years: 2001-2002 | |
| Harley Davidson FLHTC-1 | Years: 2001-2002 | |
| Harley Davidson FLHTC | Years: 2001-2002 | |
| Harley Davidson FLHT | Years: 2001-2002 | |
| Harley Davidson FLHR-1 | Years: 2001-2002 | |
| Harley Davidson FLHR | Years: 2001-2002 |
Number Involved: 26,949
Dates of Manufacture: October - November 2001
Defect: On certain motorcycles, the clips that retain the wiring for the front fender tip light can become detached from the fender, causing the wires to fray and short. This could cause the lighting system fuse to blow, leaving the vehicle without an operational front fender tip light, headlight, taillight, running lights, and passing lamps (if equipped).
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fender tip light wiring harness retention clips, and inspect and replace, if necessary, any damaged wiring harnesses. The manufacturer reported that owner notification was expected to begin during February 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-342-4680.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V002/Harley-Davidson Recall No. 0105]
Land Rover North America, Inc.
Qvale Automotive Group
Models: QAG Mangusta Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 300
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with Visteon air bag control modules, the modules were produced with an incorrect deployment calibration setting. In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment could result, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control unit. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during February 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact QAG at 1-800-390-9606.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V023]
Saab Cars USA, Inc.
Models: Saab 9-5 Year: 2002
Number Involved: 2,601
Dates of Manufacture: September - November 2001
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the steering knuckle castings may have been contaminated during the casting process. These knuckles can break, resulting in possible loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering knuckle for the casting number. If the knuckle was in the defective batch, the steering knuckle will be replaced. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Jan. 18, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V006/Saab Recall No. 15007]
Toyota Motor Company, Ltd.
Models: Toyota 4Runner Years: 1996-1998
Number Involved: 273,743
Dates of Manufacture: November 1995 - February 1998
Defect: A combination of heavy loading (simultaneous loading to rear gross axle weight rating and gross vehicle weight rating) and severe steering maneuvers could cause the 2WD 4Runner to lose directional stability. Although the 4WD 4Runners do not exhibit the handling condition, Toyota will recall these vehicles to avoid any public confusion as to which vehicles should receive the replacement parts.
Remedy: Dealers will replace rear suspension parts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during February 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V021]
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Models: Volkswagen Passat Years: 1998-2000
Volkswagen Jetta Years: 1997-1999
Number Involved: 311,047
Dates of Manufacture: August 1996 - December 1999
Defect: On these passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire disintegrates. Fuel leakage can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will fit the Passat vehicles with a new wheelhouse liner that will better protect the car's filler neck. The Jetta vehicles will be fitted with a different metal shield designed to enhance abrasion protection in the event of tire disintegration. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during May 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V026]
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Models: Volkswagen New Beetle Years: 2001-2002
Volkswagen Jetta Years: 2001-2002
Volkswagen Golf Years: 2001-2002
Number Involved: 55,000
Dates of Manufacture: October 2000 - September 2001
Defect: On these passenger vehicles, short circuits within the Electronic Control Unit of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) can result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS control unit. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during late-February 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V031/VWoA Recall No. WJ]
Coachmen RV Company
Models: Coachmen Shasta Year: 2002
Coachmen Captiva Year: 2002
Number Involved: 226
Dates of Manufacture: August - December 2001
Defect: On certain travel trailers equipped with optional underslung spare tire carriers, the locking pin for the carrier may not have been installed. If the release bolt that secures the spare tire carrier to the frame at the drop down end of the carrier were to become loose and fall off, a portion of the carrier assembly itself could detach and fall off if there is no locking pin. If the spare tire carrier were to separate from the unit during travel, there is the potential for a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install an improved carrier release bolt and locking pin. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during February 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Coachmen at 1-800-453-6064.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V009]
Mack Trucks, Incorporated
Models: Mack CX Years: 2000-2001
Mack CH Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 869
Dates of Manufacture: September 2000 - December 2001
Defect: On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with R. H. Sheppard M90 steering gears, an incorrect hose was used for the high-pressure line between the power steering pump and the steering gear. The hose is rated at 2000 psi, while it should be rated at 3000 psi. This hose could develop a leak or burst while in service. Should the line burst, steering control would still be maintained, but a loss of power assist will be experienced.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering hose. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mack at 1-610-709-3011.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V019/Mack Recall No. SC0272]
Monaco Coach Corporation
Models: Monaco Diplomat LE Year: 2001
Monaco Windsor Year: 2001
Monaco Scepter Year: 2001
Monaco Knight Year: 2001
Monaco Diplomat Year: 2001
Holiday Rambler Ambassador Year: 2001
Holiday Rambler Endeavor Year: 2001
Holiday Rambler Imperial Year: 2001
Safari Marquis Years: 2001-2002
Safari Solitaire Years: 2001-2002
Safari Patriot Year: 2002
Number Involved: 3,146
Dates of Manufacture: October 2000 - March 2001
Defect: On certain Class A motor homes equipped with Meritor Wabco brake valves, part number 9738980050, part number 9732980010, or part number 9732980130, the brake valve may stick open when a high-pressure brake application is released. When the valve sticks open, it can result in a total loss of air from either the service or the park brake system. The driver may lose braking ability under a service application, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Meritor Wabco will contact the vehicle owners to have the affected relay valves replaced or rebuilt free of charge. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during February or March 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Meritor Wabco at 1-800-535-5560 or Monaco at 1-877-466-6226.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V013001]
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