NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF APRIL RECALLS |
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NHTSA
June 9, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 27-99
Wednesday, June 9, 1999
Contact: NHTSA, Tim Hurd, (202) 366-9550
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 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.
SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS
APRIL 1999
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
Buell Motorcycle Company
Models: Buell S1 Lightning Years: 1996-1998
Number Involved: 3,878
Dates of Manufacture: January 1995 - June 1998
Defect: On certain motorcycles, motion of the battery cable can lead to breakage of the battery terminal. This condition can cause the engine to stall or quit when riding.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the negative battery cable, as necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buell at 1-414-343-8400.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V095/Buell Recall No. 0811]
Buell Motorcycle Company
Models:
Buell S1 Lightning Years: 1997-1998
Buell S1 White Lightning Years: 1997-1998
Buell M2 Cyclone Years: 1997-1998
Buell S3 Thunderbolt Years: 1997-1998
Buell S3T Thunderbolt Years: 1997-1998
Number Involved: 5,208
Dates of Manufacture: January 1996 - June 1998
Defect: On certain motorcycles, the rear brake line can chafe, resulting in loss of brake fluid. Should this occur, the rider could experience loss of rear braking capabilities.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake line. Owner notification is expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buell at 1-414-343-8400.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V096/Buell Recall No. 0812]
Buell Motorcycle Company
Models:
Buell S1 Lightning Years: 1996-1998
Buell M2 Cyclone Years: 1997-1999
Buell S3 Thunderbolt Years: 1997-1998
Buell S3T Thunderbolt Years: 1998-1999
Buell S1 White Lightning Year: 1998
Buell X1 Lightning Year: 1999
Number Involved: 10,255
Dates of Manufacture: January 1995 - April 1999
Defect: These motorcycles were built with a sidestand switch that could become inoperative, causing the engine to stall or quit when riding.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sidestand switch. Owner notification is expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buell at 1-414-343-8400.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V097/Buell Recall No. 0813]
Chrysler Corporation
Models:
Chrysler Sebring Years: 1995-1996
Dodge Avenger Years: 1995-1996
Eagle Talon Years: 1995-1996
Number Involved: 170,000
Dates of Manufacture: June 1994 - June 1996
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joint can become damaged, allowing dirt and water intrusion, which can cause excessive wear of the ball joint. The ball joint could then separate.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball joint boots and, if cut or damaged, the lower lateral arm will be replaced. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V066003]
Daewoo Motor Company, Ltd.
Models: Daewoo Lanos Years: 1998-1999
Number Involved: 2,929
Dates of Manufacture: October 1997 - March 1999
Noncompliance: These cars do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Door Strength." The side impact pad was incorrectly located to the rear of the door assembly, instead of the middle.
Remedy: Dealers will properly locate the position of the side impact protection pad. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Daewoo at 1-877-GO-DAEWOO (1-877-463-2396).
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V090/Daewoo Recall No. RSB-001-99]
Ford Motor Company
Models: Ford Aerostar Year: 1992
Number Involved: 11,000
Dates of Manufacture: August 1991 - December 1991
Defect: On certain all-wheel-drive mini vans (not previously included in safety recall 97V-204/97S83), the vehicles can develop powertrain bending resonance or transfer case output shaft bushing displacement. The powertrain bending resonance or the output shaft bushing displacement can result in structural failure of the transmission and/or transfer case. Fluid expulsion, driveshaft separation, or loss of vehicle drive can result. This condition can cause a loss of vehicle control and, if the expelled fluid contacts the exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new transfer case rear output shaft bushing and an aluminum driveshaft. Owner notification is expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V094/Ford Recall No. 99S13]
Ford Motor Company
Models:
Ford Expedition Year: 1999
Lincoln Navigator Year: 1999
Number Involved: 50,000
Dates of Manufacture: July 1998 - April 1999
Noncompliance: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with four-wheel-drive (4x4) and 17-inch chrome steel wheels, the clamp load can be lost on the wheel lugs due to insufficient wheel contact area with the hub. In some cases, the contact area can deform, resulting in a loss of lug nut torque. Loss of lug nut torque can cause vibration or separation of a wheel and tire from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will re-torque the wheel lugs to proper specifications and also install a label that specifies that the wheel lugs be torqued to 110 pound-feet any time the wheel is removed. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V099/Ford Recall No. 99S12]
General Motors Corporation
Models:
Buick LeSabre Year: 1999
Oldsmobile 88 Year: 1999
Pontiac Bonneville Year: 1999
Number Involved: 99,269
Dates of Manufacture: August 1998 - January 1999
Noncompliance: These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence." A retaining clip, which secures the linkage of the transmission detent lever, can become loose under a combination of possible driver shifting maneuvers and allow the link to become disconnected from the manual valve. If the link disconnects, the indicated gear on the transmission lever (PRNDL) may differ from the actual hydraulic state of the transmission. If the driver selects "drive" and the transmission is actually in "reverse," a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual valve/link assembly with a replacement manual valve/link kit, featuring a spring-type retainer. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who 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.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V089/GM Recall No. 99011]
Kawasaki Motors Corporation
Models: Kawasaki VN1500 Drifter Year: 1999
Number Involved: 2,474
Dates of Manufacture: Not yet available.
Defect: These motorcycles (VN1500-J1/L) are equipped with a Digital Fuel Injection System and a vehicle-down sensor. This feature is designed to prevent the fuel injection system from continuing to pump fuel by shutting off the ignition and fuel injection pump if the motorcycle falls over. During battery maintenance, the vehicle-down sensor can be dislodged from its normal mounting position. If the sensor is out of position, the motorcycle may not start or may stall during certain driving maneuvers.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for proper mounting of the sensor and re-install the sensor if it is not in the correct position. Dealers will also affix to the motorcycle frame, a warning label that provides instructions on repositioning the vehicle-down sensor after servicing the battery. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Kawasaki at 1-949-770-0400.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V067]
Mitsubishi Motors Sales, America
Models:
Mitsubishi Galant Years: 1995-1996
Mitsubishi Eclipse Years: 1995-1996
Mitsubishi Spyder Year: 1996
Number Involved: 294,000
Dates of Manufacture: March 1993 - June 1996
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joint can become damaged, allowing dirt and water intrusion, which can cause excessive wear of the ball joint. The ball joint could then separate.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball joint boots and, if cut or damaged, the lower lateral arm will be replaced. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V066001]
Triumph Motorcycles
Models:
Triumph Thunderbird Sport Year: 1999
Triumph Daytona 955I Year: 1999
Triumph Speed Triple Year: 1999
Triumph Spring ST Year: 1999
Triumph Tiger Year: 1999
Triumph Legend Year: 1999
Triumph Trophy 900 Year: 1999
Triumph Trophy 1200 Year: 1999
Number Involved: 1,198
Dates of Manufacture: November 1998 - March 1999
Defect: On certain motorcycles, oil can leak from between the crankcase halves. This can result in oil spillage forward of the rear tire and could, in some cases, cause vehicle instability.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower crankcase bolts. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Triumph at 1-770-631-9500, ext. 3120.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V083]
SCHOOL BUSES, MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS,
TRAILERS AND MOTOR HOMES
Freightliner Corporation
Models:
Freightliner FL-50 Years: 1997-1998
Freightliner FL-60 Years: 1997-1998
Freightliner FL-70 Years: 1997-1998
Number Involved: 1,200
Dates of Manufacture: July 1997 - May 1998
Defect: On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with a driveline parking brake, the fasteners that connect the end of the transmission companion flange to the park drum and driveline may loosen. If this is undetected, the fasteners can fatigue and eventually shear off, allowing the driveline to separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the flange fasteners for proper torque. Of any fasteners are found loose, the fasteners will be replaced, and Permalock will be added to each new fastener. If the fasteners are found to be properly torqued, the nuts will be removed, PermaLock will be added, and then re-torqued to proper specifications. Owner notification was expected to begin during late May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V085/Freightliner Recall No. FL-230]
Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
Models: Thomas MVP Years: 1997-1998
Number Involved: 2,302
Dates of Manufacture: November 1997 - December 1998
Defect: On certain school and transit buses, the mounting bolt for the upper front shock absorber bracket can loosen in service due to the omission of a frame reinforcement from the upper shock absorber mount. The loosened bolt can result in hairline cracking and fracture of the frame rail in the shock absorber mounting area and possible fracture of the shock absorber mounting eye as well.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with repair parts and detailed repair procedures. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free repair kits within a reasonable time should contact Thomas Built at 1-336-889-4871.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V075]
EQUIPMENT
Toyota Motor Company, Ltd.
Models:
Toyota Towing Hitch Kit
Toyota Trailer Harness
Number Involved: 20,613
Dates of Manufacture: January 1998 - April 1999
Defect: These towing hitch kits and aftermarket trailer towing wire harness converters are manufactured for use on 1998-1999 Lexus LX470 and Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles. Due to inadequate performance of the waterproofing and improper location of the installed converter, which is mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, an electrical short circuit could occur if water enters the converter housing. The short circuit can cause a failure of the converter, and if a trailer is being towed at the time, this can also cause failure of the trailer lights.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the converter. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99E012]
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