The Crittenden Automotive Library

NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF AUGUST RECALLS

Topics: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF AUGUST RECALLS

NHTSA
October 6, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 67-98
October 6, 1998
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 August 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 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS

AUGUST 1998

VEHICLES:

CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES

American Honda Motor Company

Models:

Acura SLX

Years: 1998

Number Involved: 1,117
Dates of Manufacture: April 1997 - January 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V180.002
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The transfer gearbox flange nuts were not properly installed, causing the nuts to loosen. If the flange nuts loosen, the propeller shaft can separate, resulting in sudden loss of drive to the wheels, and the shaft could damage critical underbody components.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect front and rear flange nuts and, if found loose, tighten to specified torque and securely stake the nuts at two places.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Aug. 24, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Acura at 1-800-382-2238.

Buell Motorcycle Company

Models:

X1	Years: 1999
M2	Years: 1999
S3	Years: 1999

Number Involved: 136
Dates of Manufacture: February - August 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V199
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The swing arm on these motorcycles was improperly manufactured. This condition can cause the rear suspension to fail without warning, leading to loss of control of the motorcycle.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the swing arm.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was expected to begin during September 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buell at 1-414-342-8400.

BMW

Models:

318i, 318iA, 318is, 318iSA, 318C, 318iCA	Years: 1992-1995
325i, 325iA, 325is, 325isA, 325ic, 325iCA	Years: 1992-1995
M3	Years: 1992-1995
525i, 525iA, 525iTA	Years: 1989-1995
535i, 535iA	Years: 1989-1995
530i, 530iA, 530iTA	Years: 1989-1995
540i, 540iA	Years: 1989-1995
M5	Years: 1989-1995
M5	Years: 1988-1995
735i, 735iA, 735iLA	Years: 1988-1995
740iA, 740iLA	Years: 1988-1995
750iLA	Years: 1988-1995
840CiA	Years: 1988-1995
850i, 850iA, 850Ci, 850CiA, 850CSi	Years: 1988-1995

Number Involved: 340,000
Dates of Manufacture: January 1988 - November 1994
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V178
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by the driver, it is possible a coolant system component could be damaged or fail. If a crack were to form or a seam were to separate in the heater core end piece, hot coolant could suddenly be expelled, increasing the risk of personal injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during October 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Chrysler Corporation

Models:

Dodge Ram Truck

Years: 1998

Number Involved: 8,144
Dates of Manufacture: August 1997 - February 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V182
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: Light duty trucks equipped with either a 8.0-liter V-10 engine or a 5.9-liter V-8 heavy duty gasoline engine. An exhaust system heat shield attaching screw is too close to the underbody fuel line. The line can rub against the screw, possibly causing fuel leakage. In the presence of an ignition source, fuel leakage can result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the underbody heat shield attaching screw and replace it with rubber adhesive. The chassis fuel line will be inspected for signs of wear and any tubes indicating wear will be replaced.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Aug. 17, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

Chrysler Corporation

Models:

Chrysler Cirrus	Years: 1995-1998
Dodge Stratus	Years: 1995-1998
Plymouth Breeze	Years: 1996-1998
Chrysler Sebring	Years: 1996-1998

Number Involved: 685,000
Dates of Manufacture: July 1994 - January 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V183
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: Passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. If the cable connecting the console shifter mechanism to the ignition key is improperly adjusted and the operator applies pressure to the release button on the console shifter to shift out of Park with the key in the locked position, the connecting pin in the shifter can break. If this happens, the "ignition-park" interlock system will be nonfunctional, and the vehicle can roll away if the parking brake is not set.
Remedy: Dealers will test and inspect for proper operation of the system. Any vehicles that are not functional after the inspection will have the shift mechanism and cable replaced with a "self-adjusting" design.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during December 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

Chrysler Corporation

Models:

Chrysler Town & Country	Years: 1996-1997
Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan	Years: 1996-1997
Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager	Years: 1996-1997

Number Involved: 157,000
Dates of Manufacture: January 1995 - July 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V185
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: Minivans equipped with integrated child seats. The shoulder harness restraint on the integrated child seat can become difficult to release when the safety belt latch plate becomes contaminated. This can cause difficulty in removing a child from the restraint.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the latch mechanism. An extender will be added to the emergency release anchor for the child seat safety belts so that the release clips are more visible and accessible to the operator in the event that the retractor mechanism can not be unlocked. In addition, an instructional owner's manual supplement card will be provided.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during November 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Ford Aerostar

Years: 1988-1990

Number Involved: 140,000
Dates of Manufacture: October 1987 - November 1989
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V190
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: Minivans registered in the following states or portions of states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California (10 southern counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Imperial, and Kern Counties), Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada (Clark County), Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas, and in the U.S. Territories covered by the federal statutes. The upper portion of the fuel tank can develop cracks due to extended exposure to high ambient temperatures. Fuel vapor or leakage could occur at these cracks. If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank, regardless of mileage, through March 31, 2002. This coverage will be only for structural cracks at the top of the tank and will not include other damage caused by a crash or road debris.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin Oct. 26, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Mercury Sable	Years: 1998-1999
Ford Taurus	Years: 1998-1999

Number Involved: 7,000
Dates of Manufacture:July - August 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V198
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: Passenger vehicles equipped with manual seat tracks. The front seat belt buckle attaching stud may have been improperly heat treated. This heat treatment may have resulted in cracks developing in the stud. If the stud is cracked, in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle mounting bracket and stud assembly.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Sept. 4, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

General Motors Corporation

Models:

Chevrolet C10	Years: 1995-1998
GMC C15	Years: 1995-1998

Number Involved: 55,272
Dates of Manufacture: September 1994 - September 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V187
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: On these crew cab pickup trucks, the front inner corner of the fuel tank can contact the body sill either intermittently or constantly. This movement can wear a hole in or crack the fuel tank at the point of contact. This condition can result in fuel leakage if the tank is filled above the level of the hole or crack. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could result.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank for wear and either install a spacer between the fuel tank and the front crossmember or, if necessary, replace the fuel tank.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during August 1998. Owners who 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 Motor, Limited

Models:

Isuzu Trooper

Years: 1998

Number Involved: 1,945
Dates of Manufacture: April 1997 - January 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V180.001
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The transfer gearbox flange nuts were not properly installed, causing the nuts to loosen. If the flange nuts loosen, the propeller shaft can separate, resulting in sudden loss of drive to the wheels, and the shaft could damage critical underbody components.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect front and rear flange nuts and, if found loose, tighten to specified torque and securely stake the nuts at two places.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Aug. 24, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Isuzu at 1-800-643-4070, ext. 300.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Models:

VW Jetta	Years: 1993-1995
VW Golf	Years: 1993-1995
VW GTI	Years: 1993-1995

Number Involved: 153,000
Dates of Manufacture: February 1992 - June 1995
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V195
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The rear brake line on the passenger side was routed too close to the corner of the fuel tank. The line could be damaged by chafing against the fuel tank. Repeated chafing could eventually result in a leaking brake line causing diminished braking in one brake circuit, increasing the vehicle's stopping distance.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the routing of the right rear brake line, correct the routing if necessary, and replace any damaged lines.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was expected to begin during September 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact VW at 1-800-822-8987.

SCHOOL BUSES, MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS

TRAILERS, AND MOTOR HOMES

AmTran

Models:

AmTran Conventional

Years: 1997-1999

Number Involved: 2,293
Dates of Manufacture: February 1997 - August 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V200
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: School buses built with Code G47AODM outward opening service door and Code G47ACDC or G47A5DC manual door control. Certain clothing articles such as draw strings can become lodged between the door control rod clevis attachment as a person is exiting the bus. If the driver is unaware of this situation, the entrance door may be closed, capturing the item in the door. Death or injury could occur to the person exiting the bus.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a repair kit and installation instructions.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during September 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact AmTran at 1-800-843-5615.

Coachmen Industries, Inc.

Models:

Viking Legend

Years: 1998-1999

Number Involved: 2,000
Dates of Manufacture:
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V196
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The fan-light appliance can fail (most commonly involving a failure of the fan motor), which can result in an overload in the coiled power supply wires, which could melt the wires. This condition can cause an electrical short, and possibly a fire.
Remedy: The fan-light appliance will be replaced. However, the exact nature of the replacement is yet to be determined.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during September 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Coach men at 1-219-825-5821.

ElDorado National

Models:

ElDorado Aerotech

Years: 1997-1998

Number Involved: 35
Dates of Manufacture: November 1997 - July 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V193
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: Buses built on a Chevrolet GMT 600 cutaway chassis with a Granning tag axle added. When the wheels were installed on the tag axle, the retaining ring that goes between the wheel and the lug nuts was inadvertently left off. These rings provide the dished surface for the flared nuts to contact to provide proper mounting. Without the retaining clip, the nuts can loosen causing fatigue of the wheel studs and separation of the wheel.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with two retainer rings with installation instructions.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Aug. 12, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ElDorado at 1-800-850-1287.

Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.

Models:

Fleetwood Prowler	Years: 1998-1999
Fleetwood Wilderness	Years: 1998-1999
Fleetwood Terry	Years: 1998-1999

Number Involved: 735
Dates of Manufacture: October 1997 - June 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V191
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: Travel trailers (only Models 26A and 24B are affected and further identified by the characters "7A26" or "7B24" in the fourth through seventh positions of the VIN). The battery cables were routed too close to the generator exhaust. This condition can result in heat damage to the battery cable insulation, leading to an electrical short and possibly a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the battery cables, replacing any damaged wiring or other vehicular components, if necessary, and the battery cables will be correctly routed.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during August 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Fleetwood at 1-800-445-3307.

Marque, Inc.

Models:

Marque Type I

Years: 1991-1998

Number Involved: 125
Dates of Manufacture: January 1991 - July 1998
NHTSA Recall No.:
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: On these modular ambulances, rescue trucks, and speciality vehicles, the bolts used to secure lateral supports to a Type I chassis rail have partially, or completely, pulled through the mounting slot. This results in the lateral support being less than securely fastened to the chassis. The ambulance body is not adequately secured to the chassis and, in the event of a crash, could separate.
Remedy: Dealers will retrieve, inspect, and remedy as needed the vehicles involved and will return these vehicles to owners. Where necessary, supplementary steel plating, new retainer washers, or entirely new lateral supports will be added.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began Aug. 20, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact 1-219-534-9501, ext. 17.

Orion Industries, Inc.

Models:

Orion II

Years: 1997-1998

Number Involved: 45
Dates of Manufacture: May 1997 - June 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V189
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: Transit buses equipped with North Power Challenger 2000 Model 170 Series alternators. The positive power stud may not be properly seated in place, causing a loose connection. This loose connection causes an overheat condition when the alternator is under a load. Also the material used to insulate the power stud from the rectifier can tear and cause the positive power stud to ground to the alternator case. The alternator can get hot enough to catch fire, which could spread to other areas of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these alternators.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during August 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Orion at 1-905-403-1111 or North Power LLC at 1-716-492-2278.

Ottawa Truck Corporation

Models:

Ottawa CYT30	Years: 1984-1998
Ottawa CYT50	Years: 1984-1998
Ottawa CYT60	Years: 1984-1998

Number Involved: 2,040
Dates of Manufacture: September 1984 - July 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V197
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: On these yard tractors, an air line from the rear brake reservoir to the front supply port on the dual brake valve and the air line from the front reservoir to the rear supply port on the dual brake valve were incorrectly routed. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 121, "Air Brake Systems." Diminished braking effectiveness could result due to the incorrect routing.
Remedy: Dealers will re-route the air lines.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during September 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ottawa at 1-785-242-2200.

EQUIPMENT

Atwood Mobile Products

Models:

Wedgewood Range

Years: 1996-1998

Number Involved: 1,418
Dates of Manufacture: November 1996 - May 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98E024
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The manifold assembly on these liquid propane gas operated ranges can, under certain operating conditions, allow for gas leakage at the gasket surface between the oven control and manifold. If an ignition source is present, fuel leakage can result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new manifold assembly.
Owner Notification: Owner notification was expected to begin during September 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Atwood at 1-800-780-6685.