NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF APRIL RECALLS |
|---|
|
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
June 9, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 9, 1997
NHTSA 35-97
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550
NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST
OF APRIL RECALLS
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in April 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
APRIL 1997
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
Chrysler Corporation
Model:
| Dodge Ram Truck | Years: 1995-1996 |
Number Involved: 58,000
Dates of Manufacture: June 1995 - June 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V068 Chrysler Campaign No. 720
Vehicle Description: Light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines.
Description of Defect: The engine-driven vacuum pump can allow engine oil into the vacuum hoses due to the absence of an internal check valve. The oil can cause the hose to deteriorate and partially collapse, reducing the vacuum supply to the brake booster.
Consequence of Defect: Reduced power brake assist might result, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Corrective Action: Dealers will add a vacuum pump check valve to the vacuum pump. In addition, the vacuum hose connected to the vacuum pump will be replaced with a hose that is engine oil resistance.
Owner Notification: Chrysler has not yet provided an owner-notification schedule for this campaign.
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 Cherokee | Years: 1993-1996 |
Number Involved: 2,500
Dates of Manufacture: July 1992-October 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V069 Chrysler Campaign No. 723
Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: During assembly of the frame, a fillet weld that joins the inner steering gear attachment reinforcement to the frame rail was omitted.
Consequence of Defect: Without the reinforcement, high steering loads can cause the steering gear attaching bolts to break or the frame rail to crack at the steering gear attaching point, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for cracks in the frame rail. Vehicles that show cracks will be equipped with reinforcement plates. Vehicles that are found to be free of cracks will have a slot cut in the cross member and the fillet weld will be added.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during May 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
| Dodge Caravan | Year: 1997 |
| Plymouth Voyager | Year: 1997 |
Number Involved: 60
Dates of Manufacture: March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V070 Chrysler Campaign No. 724
Vehicle Description: Minivans.
Description of Defect: The steel road wheels were damaged by the equipment used to mount the wheel to the tire.
Consequence of Defect: A score mark was made on the wheel, affecting the durability of the wheel.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace all road wheels (and full size spare tires) with new wheels.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during May 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.
Ford Motor Company
Models:
| Ford Explorer | Years: 1996-1997 |
| Mercury Mountaineer | Years: 1996-1997 |
Number Involved: 23,000
Dates of Manufacture: February 1996-February 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V074 Ford Campaign No. 97S67
Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles registered in the States of Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan (Upper Peninsula only), Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Description of Defect: The engines in these vehicles, when operated for a period of time at highway speeds and at temperatures below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, do not return to idle because of ice in the throttle body.
Consequence of Defect: Although the vehicle can be controlled by either applying the service brakes or shifting the transmission to neutral, increased brake pedal efforts or some increase in stopping distance can result.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install a revised positive crank ventilation (PCV) system with water heated vacuum source.
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.
General Motors Corporation
Model:
| Chevrolet G20 Vans | Year: 1997 |
| GMC G20 Vans | Year: 1997 |
Number Involved: 8
Dates of Manufacture: October 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V054 GM Campaign No. 97012
Vehicle Description: G Series vans equipped with 6.5-liter turbo-charged diesel engines.
Description of Defect: The front left-hand brake pipe can be contacted by the lower engine oil cooler hose causing a hole to be worn in the brake pipe.
Consequence of Defect: A hole in the brake pipe can cause loss of front brake performance, increased stopping distances, and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install an engine oil cooler hose bracket to prevent the lower engine oil cooler hose from contacting the brake pipe and also inspect the brake pipe for wear. If necessary, the brake pipe will be replaced.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during April 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 Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC at 1-800-462-8782.
General Motors Corporation
Model:
| Saturn Z | Year: 1997 |
Number Involved: 319
Dates of Manufacture: January - February 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V055 GM Campaign No. 97C02
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Noncompliance: It is possible to remove the ignition key while the cylinder is in the run position. This does not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection."
Consequence of Noncompliance: The ignition key must be reinserted in the ignition cylinder to turn the engine off.
Corrective Action: Dealers will perform a function check of the ignition cylinder and, if necessary, have the vehicle's ignition code re-coded. Owners will be provided with instructions to perform this function check themselves if they so desire.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during April 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 Saturn at 1-800-553-6000.
General Motors Corporation
Models:
| GMC Safari | Years: 1996-1997 |
| Chevrolet Astro | Years: 1996-1997 |
Number Involved: 18,972
Dates of Manufacture: July 1995-June 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V057 GM Campaign No. 978013
Vehicle Description: Minivans.
Description of Defect: The outboard safety belt webbing on the right-hand rear bucket seat can separate during a vehicle crash.
Consequence of Defect: In the event of a crash, the vehicle occupant would not be properly restrained and personal injury could result.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install a protector on the rear seat cushion frame.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during April 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 Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC at 1-800-462-8782.
General Motors Corporation
Models:
| Buick Regal | Years: 1988-1991 |
| Chevrolet Lumina | Years: 1990-1991 |
| Chevrolet Monte Carlo | Years: 1990-1991 |
| Oldsmobile Cutlass | Years: 1988-1991 |
| Pontiac Grand Prix | Years: 1988-1991 |
| Chevrolet Lumina APV | Years: 1990-1991 |
| Oldsmobile Silhouette | Years: 1990-1991 |
| Pontiac Trans Sport | Years: 1990-1991 |
Number Involved: 676,535
Dates of Manufacture: May 1987-July 1988
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V058 GM Campaign No. 97016
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles and minivans.
Description of Defect: The rear cradle bolts of the vehicle's front subframe can pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer. If both bolts pull through, the rear cradle would no longer be supported at these mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft could separate from the steering gear.
Consequence of Defect: If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during May 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 Buick at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
General Motors Corporation
Models:
| Oldsmobile Achieva | Year: 1997 |
| Buick Skylark | Year: 1997 |
| Pontiac Grand Am | Year: 1997 |
Number Involved: 3,464
Dates of Manufacture: December 1996-January 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V059 GM Campaign No. 97018
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: The protective cover for the underhood fuse center was omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed and can contact the insulated negative battery cable. If the insulation on the negative cable becomes sufficiently worn, an electrical short circuit can occur between the positive terminal and negative cable resulting in extremely high current flow.
Consequence of Defect: This high current flow can cause arcing and result in an underhood fire.
Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during April 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 Buick at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
General Motors Corporation
Models:
| Buick Park Avenue | Years: 1997 |
| Cadillac Seville | Years: 1997 |
| Cadillac Deville | Years: 1997 |
| Cadillac ElDorado | Years: 1997 |
Number Involved: 77,449
Dates of Manufacture: April-December 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V064 GM Campaign No. 97020
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: The Electronic Brake Control Module or the Electronic Brake and Traction Control Module can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to cycle during a non-ABS brake application.
Consequence of Defect: This condition can result in an increase in vehicle stopping distance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the electronic brake control module or the electronic brake and traction control module.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was to begin during May 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 Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.
General Motors Corporation
Models:
| Buick Regal | Year: 1995 |
| Chevrolet Lumina | Year: 1995 |
| Chevrolet Monte Carlo | Year: 1995 |
| Oldsmobile Cutlass | Year: 1995 |
| Pontiac Grand Prix | Year: 1995 |
Number Involved: 50,709
Dates of Manufacture: February 1995
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V065 GM Campaign No. 97023
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: There are stress cracks in the center rear seat belt anchor plate.
Consequence of Defect: In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat belt anchor can fracture and fail to properly restrain the seat occupant.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the center rear seat belt system.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was to begin during May 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 Buick at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442,6537, or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Glaval Corporation
Models:
| Chevrolet G20 Van | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Chevrolet Blazer | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Chevrolet Suburban | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Chevrolet C10 Truck | Years: 1995-1997 |
| GMC G25 Van | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Jeep Cherokee | Years: 1993-1996 |
| Jeep Cherokee | Years: 1993-1996 |
| GMC Suburban | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Ford E150 Van | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Ford F150 Truck | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Dodge B250 Van | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Dodge D250 Truck | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Jeep Cherokee | Year: 1996 |
Number Involved: 2,121
Dates of Manufacture: August 1995-December 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V066 Glaval Campaign No. SR9701
Vehicle Description: Conversion vans and pickup trucks.
Description of Defect: The retainer clips were not removed from the rear brake drum wheel stud bolts prior to the installation of a custom wheel.
Consequence of Defect: The wheel is, or can become, out of balance causing cracking in the lug nut area, increasing the risk of a wheel separation and vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the wheels and remove the retainer clips if still in place and also inspect wheels for cracks (including the front wheels, if the tires have been rotated). If the wheels are cracked in the lug nut area, the wheels will be replaced.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was to begin during May 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 Glaval at 1-800-348-3708.
Mitsubishi Motor Sales, Incorporated
Models:
| Mitsubishi Expo | Years: 1992-1993 |
| Mitsubishi Expo LRV | Years: 1992-1993 |
| Mitsubishi Mirage | Years: 1992-1993 |
Number Involved: 38,948
Dates of Manufacture: March 1991-November 1992
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V063
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles and light duty trucks.
Description of Defect: Excess lubrication can cause the rubber door latch switch cover to deform, and the door latch switch to malfunction, so that the automatic safety belts system's shoulder belt anchorage remains forward at the A-pillar when the door is closed, instead of moving back, over the shoulder of the occupant.
Consequence of Defect: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant would 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 Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Mitsubishi Motor Sales, Incorporated
Model:
| Mitsubishi Mirage | Year: 1993 |
Number Involved: 15,405
Dates of Manufacture: April-November 1992
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V073
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: The shoulder belt guide rail on the driver's side contains a covered cable and also an angled belt guide at the top end of the webbing. This combination and the cable's movement can lead, over time, to abrading on the lower edges of the cable's chamber, sufficient to cause the cable to drop out of the chamber so that the shoulder belt anchorage becomes stuck.
Consequence of Defect: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant would not be properly restrained.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install a new replacement guide rail.
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 Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Nissan Motors Corporation
Models:
| Nissan NX | Years: 1991-1992 |
| Infiniti G20 | Years: 1991-1992 |
Number Involved: 36,000
Dates of Manufacture: October 1990-December 1991
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V071
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: The release button used in the rear seat belt buckles was not made according to specifications. In hot weather, the plastic welds securing the release bottom to the spring can fail resulting in partial engagement of the seat belt tongue in the buckle or not being able to latch the seat belt.
Consequence of Defect: If a partial engagement occurs, this can cause the seat belt tongue to come out of the buckle during a crash or hard breaking of the vehicle.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace all rear seat belt buckles with new seat belt buckles.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin 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 Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Nissan Motors Corporation
Model:
| Infiniti G20 | Years: 1991-1996 |
Number Involved: 85,000
Dates of Manufacture: July 1990-May 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V072
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: Corrosion of the fuel filler tube assembly can occur, especially in those vehicles operated in the "salt belt," where salt is used on icy roads. Corroded fuel filler tube assemblies could result in fuel leakage.
Consequence of Defect: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the fuel filler tube and replace the tube with a new one. Any other components of the fuel filler tube assembly which are damaged or deteriorated will also be replaced.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to being 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 Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Toyota Motor Company, Ltd.
Model:
| Toyota Previa | Year: 1997 |
Number Involved: 707
Dates of Manufacture: September 1996-January 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V056
Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles.
Description of Defect: Due to a clearance between the oil separator plate and the differential housing of the front differential unit, oil leakage at the air breather plug can occur when the vehicle is operated continuously above 75 miles per hour.
Consequence of Defect: Oil leakage will reduce the oil supply sufficiently to cause bearing damage to the front differential unit. This can lead to eventual seizure of the unit, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install a modified air breather plug to prevent such oil loss.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began in April 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 Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Triumph Motorcycles
Models:
| T595 Daytona | Year:1997 |
| T509 Speed Triple | Year: 1997 |
Number Involved: 375
Dates of Manufacture: November 1996-March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V060
Vehicle Description: Motorcycles.
Description of Defect: The fuel pump mounting plate does not fully seal the fuel tank allowing fuel leakage onto the engine.
Consequence of Defect: If an ignition source is present, fuel leakage onto the engine can result in a fire.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the original rubber seal with a revised seal that has metal inserts so the plate cannot be over torqued, and the load is more evenly spread across the face of the seal.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began May 10, 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 Triumph at 1-770-631-9500.
BUSES, HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, MOTOR HOMES AND TRAILERS
Freightliner Corporation
Models:
| Freightliner FL-70 | Years: 1995-1997 |
| Freightliner MT45 | Years: 1995-1997 |
Number Involved: 5,997
Dates of Manufacture: August 1995-March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V052 Freightliner Campaign No. FL-210A
Vehicle Description: Medium duty vans and trucks equipped with an optional automatic transmission shift lever that includes a park brake position.
Description of Defect: The transmission shifter/park brake lever can bind before fully engaging in the park brake position causing a false park condition.
Consequence of Defect: The vehicle can move after being placed in park, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install a spacer plate in the shifter and inspect for inadequate spacing in the shifter mechanism.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began May 6, 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 Freightliner at 1-503-735-8662.
Jayco, Incorporated
Models:
| Jayco Eagle | Year: 1997 |
| Jayco Designer | Year: 1997 |
Number Involved: 445
Dates of Manufacture: November 1996-January 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V062
Vehicle Description: Motor homes.
Description of Defect: An in-line fuse to the auxiliary battery was omitted.
Consequence of Defect: If a short occurs in the power line from the battery without the presence of over-current protection, the 12-volt line can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install an in-line fuse to the auxiliary battery.
Owner Notification: Jayco has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.
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 Jayco at 1-210-825-0670.
Motor Coach Industries, Incorporated
Models:
| MCI 102D3 | Years: 1994-1997 |
| MCI 102DL3 | Years: 1993-1997 |
Number Involved: 3,300
Dates of Manufacture: October 1992-March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V053
Vehicle Description: Buses equipped with 4-stroke cycle engines.
Description of Defect: Engine compartment fires have occurred at or near the Webasto diesel- fueled auxiliary heater.
Consequence of Defect: Personal injury and property damage can occur due to an engine compartment fire.
Corrective Action: MCI is asking coach operators to disable the Webasto heater by disconnecting the appropriate fuses until a more precise determination of the cause of the fires is made.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began May 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 MCI at 1-701-825-6234.
Western Star Trucks, Incorporated
Model:
| Western Star Constellation | Years: 1995-1997 |
Number Involved: 37
Dates of Manufacture: November 1995-March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V075 Western Star Campaign No. W-9701
Vehicle Description: Conventional trucks and truck/tractors equipped with a firewall adapter plate for the steering shaft boot.
Description of Defect: Insufficient clearance between the top of the steering shaft and the top of the opening in the adapter plate can cause the steering shaft to contact the top of the firewall adapter opening wearing a groove in the steering shaft. If the groove is allowed to wear deep enough, the shaft can fail.
Consequence of Defect: If the steering shaft fails, steering control will be lost, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the firewall adapter plate on the affected vehicles.
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 Western Star at 1-250-660-3319.
Winnebago Industries, Incorporated
Model:
| Winnebago Rialta | Year: 1997 |
Number Involved: 110
Dates of Manufacture: August 1996-January 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V061 Winnebago Campaign No. 69
Vehicle Description: Motor homes.
Description of Defect: A spacer was omitted at the lower seat belt anchor point of the driver and front passenger seat.
Consequence of Defect: The missing spacer can cause the seat belt anchor system to fail in the event of a crash increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install the seat belt anchor spacer.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began April 25, 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 Winnebago at 1-515-582-6939.
EQUIPMENT:
Britax Child Safety, Incorporated
Brand:
| Britax Freeway |
Number Involved: 8,000
Dates of Manufacture: Not yet available.
NHTSA Recall No.: 97E012
Equipment Description: Child safety seats.
Description of Noncompliance: The minimum force required to release the belt buckle could be less than the minimum buckle force required in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems." A child could have an easier time opening the buckle than allowed by the standard.
Consequence of Noncompliance: If a child releases the buckle and then the vehicle is involved in a crash, the child would not be protected by the restraint system and could be injured.
Corrective Action: Owners will be provided with a new buckle button and installation instructions.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during May 1997.
Note: Owners who do not receive the free buckle and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact Britax at 1-888-683-2045.
John Deere
Brand:
| Deere Engine |
Number Involved: 198
Dates of Manufacture: November 1995-February 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97E010
Equipment Description: 8.1-liter compressed natural gas (CNG) engines.
Description of Defect: The electronic control module (ECM) in these engines contains a manufacturing defect which results in intermittent electrical contact and causes incorrect electronic signals to be sent to the engine throttle control.
Consequence of Defect: This condition can create the potential for sudden acceleration or deceleration of the engine, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action: John Deere has not yet provided a remedy for this campaign. However, because of the potential serious consequences, all buses powered by these CNG engines must be immediately removed from service.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began April 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 Deere at 1-319-292-5226.
Moog Automotive
Brand:
| Moog K9643 |
Number Involved: 2,950
Dates of Manufacture: September 1996-March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97E011 Moog Campaign No. K9643
Equipment Description: Aftermarket ball joints, Moog Part No. K9643, ""Made in Korea," for use on 1990-1993 Honda Accord model vehicles.
Description of Defect: Premature wear of the stud ball socket of the ball joint can result in looseness of the joint.
Consequence of Defect: The worn sockets can deteriorate rapidly resulting in ball joint stud separation from the socket which will reduce vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action: Moog will replace these ball joints with either Original Equipment Manufactured (OEM) parts or replacement parts from another supplier.
Owner Notification: Moog has already notified their warehouse/distributors in order to obtain a customer list. Owner notification will begin after the customer list has been developed.
Note: Owners who do not obtain free replacement parts within a reasonable time should contact Moog at 1-314-385-3400. After receiving the new ball joints, owners should make arrangements with their dealers to have the ball joints installed.
Weld Racing, Incorporated
Brand:
| Aluma Dual III |
Aluma Dual Typhoon
Aluma Dual Roadhawk
Number Involved: 616
Dates of Manufacture: June 1995-June 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97E013
Equipment Description: Aluma dual truck wheels.
Description of Defect: These wheels have a circumferential weld that is used in the wheel assembly. During the welding process, extra heat caused the outer ring to enlarge resulting in a slight gap under the ring. Cracking can occur at this gap.
Consequence of Defect: The wheel can experience a slow leak resulting in a loss of tire pressure and possible tire failure.
Corrective Action: Dealers will add a second weld to these wheels or replace the wheels with wheels using a different manufacturing/welding method.
Owner Notification: Weld Racing has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.
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 Weld Racing at 1-816-421-8040.
TIRES:
Continental General Tire Company
Brand:
| Continental LT225/75R16 |
Number Involved: 404
Dates of Manufacture: February 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97T003 Continental Campaign No. PS-97-58
Tire Description: Apache All Season light truck tires, LT225/75R16 M+S LR "D" tires, DOT Serial Numbers AD1L9KN057, AD1L9KN067, and AD1L9KN077.
Description of Noncompliance: A soft spot along the lower sidewall can affect the long term service life of the tire. The tire may display sporadic surface cracking in the area affected which can extend around the lower sidewall. This does not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 119, "New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars."
Consequence of Noncompliance: This condition can affect the long term service life of the tire.
Corrective Action: Continental General Tire?? dealers will replace these tires with a tire of the same type or comparable Continental General tire.
Owner Notification: Continental has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.
Note: Owners who take their tires to an authorized dealer and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Continental General at 1-800-847-3349.
Fidelity Tire Manufacturing
Brands:
| Fidelity 7.00-15 |
Number Involved: 5,070
Dates of Manufacture: October 1996-March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97T004
Tire Description: Century Rib 7.00-15 LT Load Range "C" bearing item number FO6745 or Gateway Highway Light Truck 7.00-15 LT Load Range "C" bearing item number K06745, manufactured the 43rd week of 1996 and ending in the 10th week of 1997. Serial numbers for these tires are: FONVKD3436, FONVKD3446, FONVKD3456, FONVKD3466, FONVKD3476, FONVKD3486, FONVKD3496, FONVKD3506, FONVKD3516, FONVKD3526, FONVKD3017, FONVKD3027, FONVKD3037, FONVKD3047, FONVKD3057, FONVKD3067, FONVKD3077, FONVKD3087, FONVKD3097, and FONVKD3107.
Description of Noncompliance: The tire carcass fails to meet certain durability requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles other than Passenger Cars."
Consequence of Noncompliance: In encountering a severe road hazard, the tire carcass could puncture, causing a loss of air and increasing the potential for loss of vehicle control.
Corrective Action: Tire dealers will replace these tires, mounting and balancing the new tires.
Owner Notification: Fidelity has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.
Note: Owners who take their tires to an authorized dealer and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Fidelity at 1-601-445-2550.
Cooper Tire and Rubber Company
Brand:
| Eldorado P155/80R13 |
Number Involved: 889
Dates of Manufacture: March 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97T005 Cooper Campaign No. 100
Tire Description: Eldorado Bravada steel radial P155/80R13 tubeless radial standard load tires manufactured from March 12 through March 15, 1997(U9E4EJ9107), March 16 through 22, 1997(9U9E4EJ9117) and March 23 through March 29, 1997 (U9E4EJ9127).
Description of Defect: An aluminum pin was found to be protruding into the mold cavity. The damaged area of the tire appears on the side opposite the DOT serial number in the upper sidewall.
Consequence of Defect: This condition can cause the tire to leak air. If the air loss is not detected, the loss of the air could result in loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace these tires as well as mount and balance the new tires.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began May 5, 1997.
Note: Owners who take their tires to an authorized dealer and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Eldorado Tire at 1-800-854-6288.