NHTSA Publishes List of February 2003 Recalls

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
March 26, 2003

NHTSA 08-03
Wednesday, March 26, 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 February 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 at 1-888-327-4236 or by accessing NHTSA on the Internet at http://www.nhtsa.gov/. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS
February 2003

 

VEHICLES:

CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES

 

Bayerische Motoren Werke
Models: BMW X5                                                     Year: 2002
                 BMW Z4                                                      Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 2,635
Dates of Manufacture: June - September 2002
Defect: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the connection of the safety belt buckle to the steel rope of the tensioner does not meet BMW specifications. In severe frontal crashes, this connection can detach. If the connection detaches, the protection provided by the safety belt is likely to be impaired, and serious injuries to the driver and/or front passenger could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front safety belt tensioner and buckle assemblies, and if necessary, replace these parts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began during March 2003. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V032]

 

DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Dodge Ram (2500/3500)                           Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 19,500
Dates of Manufacture: August - December 2002
Defect: Certain pickup trucks equipped with Cummins diesel engines and manual transmissions may experience an elevated idle speed after extended cruise control use. This can result in unintended acceleration and a reduction in braking effectiveness.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the software in the Cummins engine controller. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during March 2003. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V033/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. C02]

DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Plymouth Prowler                         Years: 1997-2002
Number Potentially Involved: 11,698
Dates of Manufacture: January 1997 - March 2002
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the lower control arm ball joints may experience a loss of lubrication that can result in accelerated wear and possible separation from the steering knuckle. A ball joint that has separated may result in loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front lower control arm ball joints with modified assemblies. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during March 2003. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V034/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. C03]

 

DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Dodge Intrepid                               Years: 1998-2002
                 Chrysler Concorde                        Years: 1998-2002
                 Chrysler 300M                                Years: 1998-2002
                 Chrysler LHS                                  Years: 1998-2001
Number Potentially Involved: 1,066,000
Dates of Manufacture: September 1997 - April 2002
Defect: Seat back recliner bolt breakage can occur on certain passenger vehicles, resulting in the seat back reclining unexpectedly. If the seat back unexpectedly reclines while the car is being driven, it could result in loss of vehicle control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the recliner bolts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during April 2003. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at
1-800-853-1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V035/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. C04]

 

General Motors Corporation
Models: Chevrolet Express                                    Year: 2003
                 GMC Savana                                             Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 18,327
Dates of Manufacture: April 2002 - January 2003
Defect: On certain vans with a gross vehicle weight of less than 8,500 pounds, during a crash sufficient to deploy the safety belt pretensioner, the front safety belt buckles may not release after a crash, or may cause the buckle to unlatch in a crash, resulting in an increased risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front driver and passenger side safety belt buckle. 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. 03V050/GM Recall No. 03007]

General Motors Corporation
Models: Buick Rendezvous                                    Year: 2003
                 Pontiac Aztek                                            Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 4,512
Dates of Manufacture: January - February 2003
Defect: In some of these sport utility vehicles, the diameter of the steering column intermediate shaft is too small. This condition could allow the intermediate shaft to spin inside the steering column coupling, resulting in loss of steering control of the vehicle. If this were to happen while the vehicle is moving, a crash could result.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the steering column intermediate shaft. The manufacturer has reported that owners were notified by telephone on Feb. 7, 2003, with a follow-up letter on Feb. 11, 2003. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V052/GM Recall No. 03009]

 

Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Models: Harley 1200 Custom Sportster                 Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 11,952
Dates of Manufacture: July 2001 - June 2002
Defect: On certain motorcycles, the mirror stem could fracture and the mirror could fall. The loss of rearward vision could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the mirrors. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during March 2003. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at
1-414-342-4580.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V058/Harley-Davidson Recall No. 0108]

 

Indian Motorcycle Corporation
Models: Indian Chief                                      Years: 1999-2001
                 Indian Spirit                                      Years: 1999-2001
                 Indian Scout                                      Years: 1999-2001
                 Indian Scout Centennial                 Years: 1999-2001
                 Indian Chief Centennial                 Years: 1999-2001
Number Potentially Involved: 7,947
Dates of Manufacture: March 1999 - May 2001
Defect: On certain motorcycles equipped with Compufire brand voltage regulators, the voltage regulator can become stuck, allowing battery current to flow through the regulator, potentially causing a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the motorcycle and, if necessary, replace the regulator. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during February 2003. Owners may contact Indian at 1- 888-899-2997.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V039]

Mazda (North America), Inc.
Models: Mazda MPV                                    Years: 2002-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 5,400
Dates of Manufacture: November 2001 - January 2003
Defect: On certain minivans equipped with front fog lights, the fog light bulb socket may have been installed improperly. The bulb socket and the wiring harness may separate from the fog light housing and drop inside the bumper. Should this occur, the heat from the fog light may cause a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the installation condition of the fog light bulb assembly and repair it when necessary. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during March 2003. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V053/Mazda Recall No. 0903C]

 

Nissan North America, Inc.
Models: Nissan Xterra                                              Year: 2002
                 Nissan Altima                                              Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 64,562
Dates of Manufacture: June - November 2001
Defect: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the clock spring electrical connector may not be fully secured to the driver air bag module squib pin connector. If the connector comes loose, the driver air bag will not deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will install a retaining clip on the clock spring electrical connector. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin April 28, 2003. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V061]

 

Subaru of America, Inc.
Models: Subaru Forester                                          Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 500
Dates of Manufacture: December 2000
Noncompliance: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies." In the event of a crash, the front seat belts could unlatch, which could result in injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right front seat belt buckle/latch assemblies. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Feb. 24, 2003. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V047/Subaru Recall No. WWL-95]

 

MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES

 

PACCAR, Inc.
Models: Kenworth C500                               Years: 2002-2003
                 Kenworth K100E                             Years: 2002-2003
                 Kenworth T2000                              Years: 2002-2003
                 Kenworth T300                                Years: 2002-2003
                 Kenworth T600                                Years: 2002-2003
                 Kenworth t800                                 Years: 2002-2003
                 Kenworth w900                               Years: 2002-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 7,750
Dates of Manufacture: May 2002 - February 2003
Noncompliance: Certain heavy duty trucks equipped with trailer connections fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 121, "Air Brake Systems," and No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The supplier removed a rubber grommet from the trailer light line connector, and the vehicles are now experiencing corrosion at the 7-way trailer connection. The missing grommet can cause significantly more corrosion in the connection, which may cause intermittent flashing/flickering of the trailer lights as well as an electrical short, the loss of trailer antilock brake system power, or a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install the missing grommet on each affected chassis. If a connector is found defective, it will be replaced with a new connector. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during March 2003. Owners may contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-5418.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V045/Kenworth Recall No. 03KW1]

 

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
Models: Volvo VNL                                                     Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 2,435
Dates of Manufacture: August - November 2002
Defect: On certain heavy duty Class 8 trucks, the sleeper section upper side window glass may de-bond from the window opening slide track mechanism. If the window is open and this occurs, the window glass could separate from the window frame and become a hazard to an oncoming vehicle and/or person.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the window. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during March 2003. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03V038/Volvo Trucks Recall No. RVXX0302]

 

TIRES:

 

Michelin North America, Inc.
Models: Michelin X Radial LT 285/75R16
Number Potentially Involved: 650
Dates of Manufacture: December 2002 - February 2003
Noncompliance: These tires do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 119, "New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars." The tires were produced with the pound and kilogram values for the maximum tire load reversed. This marking misstates the maximum tire load rating for the tires.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tires. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during March 2003. Owners may contact Michelin at 1-800-847-3435.

[NHTSA Recall No. 03T001]

 

 

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