NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF JUNE RECALLS |
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Topics: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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NHTSA
August 4, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 37-99
Wednesday, August 4, 1999
Contact: NHTSA, Tim Hurd, (202) 366-9550
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in June 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
JUNE 1999
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
American Honda Motor Company
Models: Honda Odyssey Year: 1999
Number Involved: 25,064
Dates of Manufacture: August 1998 - April 1999
Defect: On certain LX and EX model vehicles, in cold, wet weather, ice can form in the throttle body preventing the throttle's return to the idle position. This could cause the throttle to remain open even though the driver has removed his or her foot from the accelerator pedal. If the vehicle continues to maintain speed when the driver is expecting the vehicle to slow, a crash could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will drill two additional drain holes in the bottom of the air intake resonator. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V157]
American Honda Motor Company
Models: Honda Odyssey Year: 1999
Number Involved: 21,098
Dates of Manufacture: August 1998 - March 1999
Defect: On certain LX and EX model vehicles, the sliding doors may not latch properly. An improperly latched door could open unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. Under certain circumstances, a door could open completely, allowing an unrestrained rear seat passenger to fall out of an open door of a moving vehicle and be seriously injured or killed.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the door latch assembly. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V158]
American Honda Motor Company
Models: Honda Odyssey Year: 1999
Number Involved: 4,937
Dates of Manufacture: August 1998 - January 1999
Defect: On EX model vehicles, the power door lock remote control actuator unlatches the door in response to input from the remote transmitter. Excessive grease in the actuator could cause a slow return of the activation lever to the proper latching position. If the activation lever has not returned to the proper latching position by the time the sliding door closes, the door will not latch.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power door lock remote control assembly. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V159]
Buell Motorcycle Company
Models: Buell M2 Cyclone Year: 1999
Number Involved: 1,177
Dates of Manufacture: January 1998 - April 1999
Defect: Certain motorcycles were manufactured with an incorrect air cleaner component. This component could restrict air flow into the float bowl of the carburetor, causing fuel to overflow, which could result in a fire. This could also prevent sufficient fuel flow, which could cause the engine to misfire or stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the float bowl vent assembly for proper venting and correct this condition if necessary. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buell at 1-414-343-8400.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V140/Buell Recall No. 0815]
Ducati North America, Inc.
Models: Ducati ST2 Year: 1998
Number Involved: 800
Dates of Manufacture: N/A
Defect: On certain motorcycles, the front sprocket stop plate can come off, damaging the chain and causing a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front sprocket stop plate. Owner notification began May 26, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ducati at 1-973-839-2600.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V137]
Ferrari North America, Inc.
Models: Ferrari 550 Maranello Years: 1997-1998
Number Involved: 118
Dates of Manufacture: January - September 1997
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the steering may become stiff due to overheating of the power steering fluid, causing damage to the hydraulic seals in the steering box and steering pump. This could cause decreased steering ability during parking procedures.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering cooling coil, oil tank, oil lines, pump, and box. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2651.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V166/ Ferrari Recall No. 166]
Ferrari North America, Inc.
Models:
Ferrari 456 GT Years: 1995-1998
Ferrari 456 GTA Years: 1995-1998
Number Involved: 268
Dates of Manufacture: May 1994 - December 1997
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel supply and return lines can leak if the aluminum barrel nut attaching the lines is tightened in excess of the required torque. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel supply and return lines with new updated lines, which have the barrel nut made of steel. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2651.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V167/ Ferrari Recall No. 167]
Ferrari North America, Inc.
Models:
Ferrari 456 GT Years: 1995-1998
Ferrari 456 GTA Years: 1995-1998
Number Involved: 248
Dates of Manufacture: May 1994 - June 1997
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the heater hoses are exposed to the driver's side foot well. Should a leak occur, the driver's foot could get scalded.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective panel over the heater hoses. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2651.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V168/ Ferrari Recall No. 168]
Ford Motor Company
Models: Ford Windstar Years: 1996-1999
Number Involved: 790,000
Dates of Manufacture: June 1996 - May 1999
Noncompliance: On certain minivans, the brake fluid master cylinder is recessed and oriented in the engine compartment so that the brake fluid warning statement embossed on both the top of the filler cap and the side of the reservoir body are not entirely visible by direct view. These vehicles may not fully comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 135, "Passenger Car Brake Systems."
Remedy: Owners will be provided with new labels and installation instructions. Owner notification was to begin in July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V147/Ford Recall No. 99S17]
Ford Motor Company
Models:
Ford Explorer Years: 1998-1999
Mercury Mountaineer Years: 1998-1999
Number Involved: 845,000
Dates of Manufacture: April 1997 - May 1999
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position. If this occurs and the primary hood latch is either not engaged or is released, a hood fly-up could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V164/Ford Recall No. 99S18]
Jaguar Cars
Models:
Jaguar XK8 Sports Years: 1998-1999
Jaguar XJV8 Years: 1998-1999
Number Involved: 189
Dates of Manufacture: August 1998 - March 1999
Defect: On certain passenger cars, fine cracks in one or more of the gear teeth in the gear train, inside the automatic transmission gearbox, can result in breakage of the gear teeth. This can cause the transmission to "lock up" at speeds below 15 mph.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission gear box. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Jaguar at 1-201-818-8500.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V138/Jaguar Recall No. R478]
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Models:
Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph Years: 1999
Rolls-Royce Bentley Arnage Years: 1999
Number Involved: 639
Dates of Manufacture: January 1998 - May 1999
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the thermostat regulating the temperature of the heated seats was incorrectly positioned during assembly. This incorrect positioning creates potential for the surface of the heated seat to reach unacceptably high temperatures. In extreme cases, this could damage objects in contact with the seat cushion.
Remedy: Dealers will install an additional temperature control for each seat equipped with heating elements. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Rolls-Royce at 1-248-340-5000.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V139/Rolls-Royce Recall No. 730000B0001]
Suzuki Motor Corporation
Models: Suzuki Vitara Year: 1999
Number Involved: 1,273
Dates of Manufacture: Prior to June 1999
Defect: During port installation of rear stereo speakers, the vehicle's wiring harness could have been pinched between the rear stereo speaker and speaker retaining plate. An electrical short could occur due to the pinched wires, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the position/condition of the rear wiring harness and repair the wiring harness, if necessary. Owner notification began June 28, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V154/Suzuki Recall No. SE]
Suzuki Motor Corporation
Models: Suzuki Vitara Year: 1999
Number Involved: 1,273
Dates of Manufacture: Prior to June 1999
Defect: During port installation of rear stereo speakers, the front seat belt lower anchor bolts were removed to facilitate the rear speaker installation and may not have been torqued to specification after installation of the speakers. In the event of a crash, the seat belts may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Dealers will retorque both of the front seat belt lower anchor bolts to specification. Owner notification began June 28, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V155/Suzuki Recall No. SE]
SCHOOL BUSES, MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS,
TRAILERS, AND MOTOR HOMES
Blue Bird Body Company
Models:
Blue Bird Wanderlodge Years: 1996-1999
Blue Bird LTC 40 Coach Years: 1996-1999
Number Involved: 203
Dates of Manufacture: May 1996 - May 1999
Defect: On certain motor homes equipped with Ridewell tag axles, some of the tag axle and suspension assemblies have the brake S-cams incorrectly installed. This condition could increase the stopping distance of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with instructions for inspecting the brake S-cam and if found incorrect, instructions for correction of the S-cam installation. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 1-912-822-2242.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V162/Blue Bird Recall No. R99DA]
Fleetwood Entreprises, Inc.
Models: Fleetwood Tioga Year: 2000
Number Involved: 191
Dates of Manufacture: April 1999
Defect: On certain motorhomes, a generator battery cable may have been routed too close to a notch in the heat shield, resulting in damage to the battery cable insulation, which could lead to an electrical short and possibly a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, including replacement of any damaged wiring or other vehicular components, if necessary. Owner notification began June 2, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Fleetwood at 1-800-445-3307.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V142/Fleetwood Recall No. 90602]
Fleetwood Entreprises, Inc.
Models: Fleetwood Flair Year: 1998
Number Involved: 417
Dates of Manufacture: July 1997 - July 1998
Defect: On certain motorhomes, the bolts holding the trailer hitch to the motorhome frame are two short in length. These bolts can loosen resulting in separation of the trailer hitch from the motor home.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the existing bolts and replace with correct nuts, lock washers, and bolts. Owner notification was expected to begin the middle of July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Fleetwood at 1-800-445-3307.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V156/Fleetwood Recall No. 90611]
Freightliner Corporation
Models:
Freightliner FLN Years: 1997-1999
Freightliner Cargo Years: 1997-1999
Number Involved: 604
Dates of Manufacture: November 1997 - May 1999
Defect: On heavy duty trucks equipped with dual steering, the steering column pinch bolts may be under-torqued or missing.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the presence of the required fasteners, installing fasteners that are missing, and retorque to specifications. Owner notification was expected to begin July 19, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V143/Freightliner Recall No. FL-238]
Freightliner Corporation
Models: Freightliner Argosy Years: 1998-1999
Number Involved: 538
Dates of Manufacture: July 1998 - May 1999
Defect: On certain heavy duty trucks, the cigarette lighter is located close to the floorboard where an object on the floor could accidentally hold the cigarette lighter in. The lighter circuit breaker protects the circuit only on the first event. Subsequent events could result in overheating with the possibility of a dash fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cigarette lighter element with one that has a peripheral ring and pushbutton that prevents inadvertent activation. The circuit protection will also be changed from a breaker to a fuse. Owner notification was expected to begin July 19, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V144/Freightliner Recall No. FL-239]
Glendale Recreational Vehicles
Models:
Glendale Golden Falcon Years: 1998-1999
Glendale Travelaire Years: 1998-1999
Number Involved: 239
Dates of Manufacture: May 1997 - February 1999
Defect: On certain fifth wheel travel trailers, the brake wires may be pinched between the frame and the underbelly which could cause chafing of the wire and possibly an electrical short or brake failure.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the trailers and trim the underbelly back and protect the wire from any sharp edges. If the wire is chafed in any way, it will be replaced. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Glendale at 1-519-245-1600.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V152]
Ottawa Truck Division, Kalmar Industries USA Inc.
Models:
Ottawa CYT30 Years: 1997-1999
Ottawa CYT50 Years: 1997-1999
Ottawa CYT60 Years: 1997-1999
Number Involved: 842
Dates of Manufacture: March 1997 - May 1999
Defect: On certain yard tractors equipped with ABS (anti-lock) braking systems, the wires for the "hold" and "exhaust" functions in the air brake modulator valve are reversed in the electrical connector. In an anti-lock braking situation, this could cause the brakes to malfunction.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with the required parts and installation instructions to correct the wiring harness along with the customer notice. Owner notification was expected to begin during July 1999. Owners who do not receive the free parts and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact Ottawa at 1-785-242-2200.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V160]
EQUIPMENT
Caterpillar, Inc.
Models: Caterpillar 3116 Diesel Engines
Number Involved: 33,700
Dates of Manufacture: April 1996 - March 1998
Defect: On certain mechanically injected diesel engines, the injector governor controls the fuel by way of a control assembly. In this assembly, a link to the governor is joined to the control rod using a rivet. This rivet can loosen and then wear, resulting in engine speed instability, and if not identified and corrected, could result in loss of engine speed control due to rivet disengagement. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the control assembly and replaced if necessary. Owner notification began July 2, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Caterpillar at 1-309-675-5658.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99E021]
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