NHTSA Publishes List of March 2003 Recalls |
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
April 29, 2003
NHTSA 15-03
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
Contact: Tim Hurd
Telephone: (202) 366-9550
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in March 2003 and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly.
This 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 www.nhtsa.gov. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.
American Isuzu Motors Inc.
Models: Isuzu Axiom Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 11,855
Dates of Manufacture: January 2001 - February 2002
Problem: Information obtained from a NHTSA head impact test conducted to evaluate compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," indicates that there is a possibility of an increased risk of head injury in a crash.
Remedy: These vehicles will be modified to enhance the head impact crash protection for front seat occupants. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 7, 2003. Owners may contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V113]
Bayerische Motoren Werke
Models: Mini Cooper Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 5,110
Dates of Manufacture: September - November 2002
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, due to a production problem with the lower screw connection of the rear struts to the chassis, the head (top) of the screw securing this connection may break. The remaining portion of the screw will still hold the strut in place for some time. However, if left unattended over a longer period of time, and depending on driving conditions, the remaining portion of the screw may break. If it breaks, the chassis could lean directly on the tire, diminishing the driver's ability to control the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower screw connection of the rear struts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V086]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Chrysler PT Cruiser Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 816
Dates of Manufacture: October - December 2002
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles built with manual transmissions, a welded pin internal to the dual-mass flywheel (DMF) assembly can unseat and become lodged between the flywheel and the clutch disc. If this occurs, the clutch may not disengage when the clutch pedal is depressed.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the flywheel and clutch assemblies with the updated design parts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 14, 2003. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V076/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. C09]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Plymouth Ram Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 195,500
Dates of Manufacture: January 1997 - March 2002
Defect: On certain pickup trucks, the detent system on the exterior mirror housings may break, potentially affecting the rearward field of vision.
Remedy: Dealers will install a mirror detent retainer kit to correct this condition. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 7, 2003. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V077/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. C10]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Dodge Ram Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 287,725
Dates of Manufacture: July 2001 - July 2002
Defect: On certain pickup trucks, the electrical connector at the bottom of the steering column contains an under-sized terminal for the HVAC blower motor circuit. Localized heating from current flow with the blower speed set on high may cause the terminal contacts to relax and lose electrical contact. This can cause the HVAC blower motor to become inoperative. This condition could cause poor defroster performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a wiring harness overlay to correct this condition. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 7, 2003. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V078/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. C11]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Jeep Grand Cherokee Year: 2004
Number Potentially Involved: 286
Dates of Manufacture: January 2003
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the power steering gear may contain an improperly formed spacer clip that could become dislodged, resulting in increased steering effort.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear assemblies. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began March 12, 2003. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V079/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. C12]
Ford Motor Company
Models: Ford Taurus Year: 2002-2003
Mercury Sable Year: 2002-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 67,894
Dates of Manufacture: October 2001 - April 2002
Noncompliance: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 212, "Windshield Mounting." The windshields may exhibit increased wind noise, water leakage, squeaks and rattles. Loss of windshield retention may also reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these windshields. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began March 31, 2003. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V087/Ford Recall No. 03C03]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Chevrolet TrailBlazer/TrailBlazer EXT Year: 2002-2003
GMC Envoy/Envoy XL Year: 2002-2003
Oldsmobile Bravada Year: 2002-2003
Hummer H2 Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 511,167
Dates of Manufacture: October 2000 - September 2002
Noncompliance: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 114, "Theft Protection." These vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than PARK. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of PARK with the ignition in the OFF position. These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Remedy: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V075/GM Recall No. 03012]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Chevrolet Blazer Year: 1997
GMC Jimmy Year: 1997
Chevrolet Astro Year: 1998
GMC Safari Year: 1998
Chevrolet C/K Series Year: 1998
GMC C/K Series Year: 1998
Chevrolet Suburban Year: 1997-1998
GMC Suburban Year: 1997-1998
Number Potentially Involved: 507,171
Dates of Manufacture: March 1996 - May 1998
Defect: Under certain conditions, some sport utility vehicles, mini vans, and pickup trucks, may develop a short circuit in the electric outside rearview mirror switch. If this happens, it could result in an inoperative switch, heat damage to the driver's door, and/or ignition of components in the driver's door and a subsequent vehicle fire without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused jumper harness to the electric outside rearview mirror switch. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC at 1-800-462-8782.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V093/GM Recall No. 03006]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Chevrolet TrailBlazer/TrailBlazer EXT Year: 2002
GMC Envoy/Envoy XL Year: 2002
Oldsmobile Bravada Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 314,300
Dates of Manufacture: October 2000 - March 2003
Noncompliance: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 101, "Control Location, Identification, and Illumination" and No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." These vehicles have an intermittent condition during vehicle start-up in which the instrument panel cluster may not properly power up, resulting in most of the displays, telltale lights, and functions being inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V096/GM Recall No. 03013]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Cadillac CTS Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 47,835
Dates of Manufacture: October 2001 - February 2003
Defect: Some passenger vehicles have a condition in which the intermediate steering shaft bolt may be loose. An improperly tightened bolt could loosen, resulting in separation of the upper and lower steering shafts and causing a loss of vehicle control. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the presence of the intermediate steering shaft bolt and ensure that it is tightened to the proper specification. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began March 20, 2003. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V115/GM Recall No. 03017]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Chevrolet Blazer Year: 1997
GMC Jimmy Year: 1997
Oldsmobile Bravada Year: 1997
Number Potentially Involved: 312,715
Dates of Manufacture: March 1996 - June 1997
Defect: These sport utility vehicles were built with a driver's seat belt buckle assembly that contains an energy-absorbing loop. Sustained loads of sufficient magnitude and duration on the belt in severe crashes could fully deploy the buckle energy-absorbing loop, introducing a total of 10 additional inches of webbing into the seat belt system. The free falling latch plate used in this system may allow webbing to dynamically distribute between the lap and shoulder belt as the driver's position changes during a multiple rollover event. If the energy-absorbing loop fully deploys in a severe multiple rollover crash, it is possible that a belted driver may experience partial or even complete ejection from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the energy-absorbing seat belt assemblies. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V117/GM Recall No. 03020]
Hyundai Motor Company
Models: Hyundai Sonata Year: 2002-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 29,531
Dates of Manufacture: February - December 2002
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a traction control system (TCS), if the T125/70D-15 compact spare tire is installed on a front wheel position, the TCS may inadvertently activate beginning at speeds of 20 mph. Inadvertent activation of the TCS will cause automatic application of the brake at the wheel where the compact spare tire is installed. Inadvertent brake application could cause overheating and damage to the brake, and may prevent the vehicle from being driven at speeds above 20 mph, which could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spare tire with a new larger diameter T125/80R-15 compact spare tire. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2003. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V097/Hyundai Recall No. 059]
Kia Motors Corporation
Models: Kia Optima Year: 2001-2002
Number Potentially Involved: 11,501
Dates of Manufacture: September 2000 - August 2001
Defect: On certain vehicles equipped with 2.5 and 2.7-liter V6 engines, the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) cases did not meet dimensional specifications. Internal gaps within the cases allowed epoxy to contact the printed circuit board, which resulted in cracking of the circuit board capacitor. A damaged CKP capacitor could result in engine stalling.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the CKP. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-222-5500.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V067]
Nissan North America, Inc.
Models: Nissan Altima Year: 2002-2003
Nissan Sentra Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 268,000
Dates of Manufacture: August 2001 - February 2003
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5-liter engines, the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road that could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the protruding portion of the exhaust pipe hanger pin. In addition to the corrective action, in order to reduce the risk of fire in the event of poor or improper maintenance that could result in oil spillage, heat shield(s) will be installed on the pre-catalyst and exhaust tube. Also on 2002 Altima and Sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate. If substrate particles enter the combustion chamber, they could score the cylinder walls, resulting in increased oil consumption. If the engine oil level is not checked on a periodic basis and drops below the low level, and the driver continues to operate the vehicle ignoring noticeable engine noise, engine damage may occur that could result in a fire. Nissan is developing a remedy for the pre-catalyst problem. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during May 2003. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V084]
Nissan North America, Inc.
Models: Infiniti Q45 Year: 2000-2001
Number Potentially Involved: 3,600
Dates of Manufacture: November 1999 - November 2000
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, the wheels may have a casting defect from which cracks could propagate as the vehicle is being driven. If a sufficient number of cracks develop, the wheel could fail and separate from the mounting hub, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these wheels. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 28, 2003. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V098]
Polaris Industries, Inc.
Models: Victory Standard Cruiser Year: 2002
Victory Deluxe Cruiser Year: 2002
Victory Touring Cruiser Year: 2002
Victory Deluxe Touring Cruiser Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 1,786
Dates of Manufacture: December 2000 - May 2002
Defect: On certain motorcycles, under certain conditions, the outlet port of the fuel pump may dislodge from the pressure regulator housing, reducing fuel pressure at the fuel rail and causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will rework the fuel pumps. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact Victory at 1-763-417-8650.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V111/Polaris/Victory Recall No. V-02-06]
Southern Comfort Conversions
Models: Chevrolet G-Van Year: 2002-2003
Chevrolet Tahoe Year: 2002-2003
Chevrolet Suburban Year: 2002-2003
Chevrolet C/K Series Year: 2002-2003
GMC G-Van Year: 2002-2003
GMC Yukon Year: 2002-2003
GMC Suburban Year: 2002-2003
GMC C/K Series Year: 2002-2003
Ford E Van Year: 2002-2003
Ford F Series Year: 2002-2003
Ford Explorer Year: 2002-2003
Ford Expedition Year: 2002-2003
Dodge Minivan Year: 2002-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 3,674
Dates of Manufacture: August 2000 - March 2003
Defect: Some sport utility vehicle, pickup truck, and minivan conversions equipped with running boards manufactured by Southern Comfort, which include courtesy lights manufactured by American Technology Components, Inc., might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt. This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began March 7, 2003. Owners may contact Southern Comfort at 1- 800-745-6096.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V094]
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Models: Toyota Celica Year: 2002-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 15,048
Dates of Manufacture: March - November 2002
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tank check valve, located in the fuel tank inlet pipe, may become separated from the inlet pipe and fall into the fuel tank. If the check valve falls into the tank, fuel may spill from the fuel inlet pipe when the fuel pump automatically shuts off during fueling. This condition may result a fire in the presence of an ignition source. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the fuel tank check valve. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April or May 2003. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V074]
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Models: Lexus GX470 Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 3,666
Dates of Manufacture: March - November 2002
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with the Lexus Link System (LLS), it may be difficult to lock one of the two latches on the bottom of the middle row left rear seat (larger side of the bench seat directly behind the driver). Due to the thickness of the Lexus Link System storage case, the stopper on the bottom of the seat is slightly elevated. This elevated position misaligns the latch to the striker. If the vehicle is operated with only one latch locked, the occupant of the seat may be improperly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the LLS case panels around the seat stopper. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact Lexus at 1-888-333-9376.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V088]
IC Corporation
Models: AmTran CE Year: 2002-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 159
Dates of Manufacture: June 2001 - May 2002
Noncompliance: Certain school buses fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release." Seats with seat belts were bolted to the floor without the use of required reinforcements under the floor as required by the standard. During a crash, this condition may allow the seat to become loose, which could cause personal injury or death to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will add reinforcements to the seat mounting at the floor. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact IC at 1-800-843-5615.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V118/IC Recall No. 03301]
International Truck and Engine Corporation
Models: International 4700 Year: 1995-1999
Number Potentially Involved: 2,418
Dates of Manufacture: December 1994 - September 1998
Defect: On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with Bostrom driver seat models 910, 910SC, or 914 and International's parking brake code 04036, if someone outside the cab adjusts or slides the driver's seat to its most forward position, with the parking brake set, the seat will contact and release the parking brake lever. If the parking brake is accidentally released, the vehicle could move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a stop-bracket on the seat track to limit the travel of the seat so that the seat cannot release the parking brake lever. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began March 31, 2003. Owners may contact International at 1-800-448-7825.
[NHTSA Recall No. 03V083/International Recall No. 03503]
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