NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF JANUARY RECALLS |
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
March 18, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 18, 1997
NHTSA 15-97
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 and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly. The list identifies the makes and models of the vehicles 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 encourage them to take action. Under federal law, certain safety problems must be remedied without cost to consumers. Currently, 70 percent of the owners of recalled vehicles with safety problems have the recall work performed.
NHTSA said manufacturers are required to mail a recall notice to all affected 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 even 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
JANUARY 1997
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCK, AND MOTORCYCLES
Cagiva North America
Model:
Ducati 900S Year: 1996
Number Involved: 120
Dates of Manufacture: October - November 1995
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V005000
Vehicle Description: Motorcycles.
Description of Noncompliance: These motorcycles were produced with incorrect certification labels. Incorrect tire rim data is printed on these labels. Tire sizes of 120/70 ZR 17 MT 3.5x17 rim at 32.7 pounds per square inch cold and 170/60 ZR 17 MT 5.50x17 rim at 36.9 psi cold were listed on the label. The proper rim sizes are MT 3.50x17 and MT 4.50x17.
Consequence of Noncompliance: Incorrect tire inflation could occur, increasing the risk of a tire failure and possible vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: New certification labels will be mailed to owners for installation on their motorcycles. If the owners desire, a Ducati dealer will install the label for them.
Owner Notification: Ducati 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 Ducati at 1-201-839-2600, ext. 17.
General Motors Corporation
Models:
Chevrolet S10 Year: 1996
GMC Sonoma Year: 1996
Number Involved: 55
Dates of Manufacture: February - April 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V008000 GM Campaign No.: 97001
Vehicle Description: Light duty passenger vehicles.
Description of Noncompliance: The top coat of paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the top coat paint and adhesive adhere to the windshield primer on the windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with FMVSS No. 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Consequence of Noncompliance: In the event of a vehicle crash, the windshield may not stay in place as required by FMVSS No. 212.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the truck with a comparably equipped truck or refund the purchase price of the vehicle if the vehicle was returned to the dealer by Feb. 28, 1997. After Feb. 28, the vehicle will be repurchased or replaced less a reasonable depreciation allowance of 10 cents for each accrued mile on the vehicle.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Jan. 30, 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.
Isuzu Motors
Model:
Isuzu Hombre Year: 1996
Number Involved: 8
Dates of Manufacture: February - April 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V008002
Vehicle Description: Light duty passenger vehicles.
Description of Noncompliance: The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the top coat paint and adhesive adhere to the windshield primer on the windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with FMVSS No. 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Consequence of Noncompliance: In the event of a vehicle crash, the windshield may not stay in place as required by FMVSS No. 212.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the truck with a comparably equipped truck or refund the purchase price of the vehicle if the vehicle was returned to the dealer by Feb. 28, 1997. After Feb. 28, the vehicle will be repurchased or replaced less a reasonable depreciation allowance of 10 cents for each accrued mile on the vehicle.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Jan. 30, 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 1-800-255-6727.
Kawasaki Motors Corporation
Models:
Kawasaki VN1500 Years: 1996-1997
Kawasaki Vulcan Classic Years: 1996-1997
Number Involved: 5,208
Dates of Manufacture: November 1995 - January 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V007000
Vehicle Description: Motorcycles.
Description of Defect: Pressure on the battery ground lead (the crimped and soldered termination of the battery cable) from the base of the operator's seat can cause the battery terminal to short out inside the battery.
Consequence of Defect: This condition could disable the battery and the motorcycle's electrical system, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the existing battery cables with newly designed cables and inspect each battery to verify that no damage has occurred.
Owner Notification: Kawasaki 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 Kawasaki at 1-714-770-0400.
Nissan Motors Corporation
Model:
Nissan Quest Year: 1995
Number Involved: 25,000
Dates of Manufacture: April 1995 - September 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 96V253002
Vehicle Description: Passenger minivans.
Description of Defect: The rear lamp socket may not illuminate because the metal socket inside the lamp assembly moves or separates from the plastic housing.
Consequence of Defect: This condition can result in malfunction of the stop or rear running lamps. Rear lamp malfunction can prevent following drivers from being aware of the subject vehicle's presence or intended actions, particularly when both lamps have malfunctioned. The center high mount stop lamp function is unaffected.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install a revised rear lamp sockets and wiring assemblies.
Owner Notification: Nissan 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 Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
MOTOR HOMES
Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.
Model:
Fleetwood Prowler Year: 1997
Fleetwood Wilderness Year: 1997
Number Involved: 30
Dates of Manufacture: July 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V003000 Fleetwood Campaign No. 61216
Vehicle Description: Travel trailers.
Description of Defect: The rear bumper mounting brackets have been improperly installed. The mounting holes were cut oversized and can allow the mounting bolts to pull through the brackets on the chassis.
Consequence of Defect: This condition can cause the bumper to loosen and fall off the trailer, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash or property damage.
Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect and repair these trailers.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Jan. 24, 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 Fleetwood at 1-800-445-3307.
HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS AND BUSES
Freightliner Corporation
Model:
Freightliner Century Year: 1996
Number Involved: 121
Dates of Manufacture: April - December 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V006000 Freightliner Campaign No. FL-208A
Vehicle Description: Heavy duty trucks.
Description of Noncompliance: Due to undersized rivets and oversized holes, the B-pillar anchorage will not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Consequence of Noncompliance: In the event of a crash, the affected seat belt assembly anchorage will not hold an occupant, increasing the risk of personal injury or death.
Corrective Action: Dealers will make the necessary repairs to the seat belt assembly anchorages.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began begin Feb. 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 Freightliner at 1-503-735-8078.
Freightliner Corporation
Model:
Freightliner FLD Year: 1996
Number Involved: 13,565
Dates of Manufacture: October 1993 - February 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 96V009000 Freightliner Campaign No. FL-209A
Vehicle Description: Heavy duty trucks.
Description of Defect: Water intrusion inside the foot brake valve assembly can cause corrosion and binding.
Consequence of Defect: Accumulated corrosion and water intrusion can result in the plunger sticking, especially during extremely cold weather.
Corrective Action: Dealers will remove and replace the brake valve adapter with an improved design to prevent the water intrusion.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was expected to begin March 3, 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 1-503-735-8682.
Orion Industries, Inc.
Models:
Orion II Years: 1995-1996
Orion V Years: 1995-1996
Orion VI Years: 1995-1996
Number Involved: 578
Dates of Manufacture: June 1995 - December 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V002000
Vehicle Description: Transit buses.
Description of Defect: The wheelchair barriers in these vehicles are attached to the floor structure with a bolt threaded into the floor structure. In the case of a frontal crash at more than 20 miles per hour with the wheelchair position occupied, it is possible that the bolt threads will strip, allowing movement of the wheelchair barrier.
Consequence of Defect: Failure of the hardware attachment allows movement of the wheelchair barrier which could cause injuries or death of the disabled person or other passengers in a crash.
Corrective Action: The existing wheelchair barrier leg mounting bolts will be replaced with new bolts, washers, and nuts.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Jan. 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 Orion at 1-905-625-9510.
Pierce Manufacturing, Inc.
Model:
Pierce Fire Truck Year: 1996
Number Involved: 16
Dates of Manufacture: Not yet available.
NHTSA Recall No.: 97V010000
Vehicle Description: Fire trucks.
Description of Noncompliance: These fire trucks do not have at least two throttle return sources as required by FMVSS No. 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
Consequence of Noncompliance: The engine throttle can stick because the throttle has only one return source. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Corrective Action: Owners will retrofit the throttle assembly with a newly designed assembly.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to be completed by April 1, 1997.
Note: Owners who do not receive the free installation instructions and retrofit parts within a reasonable time should contact Pierce at 1-888-974-3723.
EQUIPMENT
Evenflo Juvenile Furniture Company
Models:
Evenflo Champion
Evenflo Scout
Number Involved: Not available.
Dates of Manufacture: June 1993 - December 1996
NHTSA Recall No.: 97E001000
Equipment Description: Champion child safety seats were manufactured from June 1, 1993, through Nov. 22, 1996, and have model numbers with "224" as the first three digits. Scout child safety seats were manufactured from June 1, 1993, through Dec. 16, 1996, and have model numbers with "229" as the first three digits.
Description of Noncompliance: These child safety seats do not meet the thorax acceleration requirements of FMVSS No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems."
Consequence of Noncompliance: In the event of a vehicle crash, the child seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Corrective Action: Evenflo will send instructions and tools for consumers to repair these child seats. Meanwhile, consumers are advised to use the seats only in its reclined position until they receive the free remedy kit.
Owner Notification: Notification is expected to begin during March 1997.
Note: Owners who do not receive the free remedy kit within a reasonable time should contact Evenflo at 1-800-490-7497.