NHTSA Publishes List of September Recalls |
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NHTSA
December 6, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 60-99
Monday, December 6, 1999
NHTSA, Tim Hurd, (202) 366-9550
The U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in September 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, 72 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
SEPTEMBER 1999
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
DaimlerChrysler
Models:
Chrysler Town and Country Years: 1991 and 1993-1994
Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Years: 1991 and 1993-1994
Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager Years: 1991 and 1993-1994
Number Involved: 1,800,000
Dates of Manufacture: August 1990 - June 1994
Defect: The liftgate support attaching bolts can break resulting in the liftgate falling unexpectedly, which could cause personal injury to someone standing under it.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the liftgate support attaching bolts and install larger washers on the attaching bolts. Owner notification began during August 1999 with the 1991 model year vehicles and will be phased over the next several months for the 1993 and 1994 model year vehicles. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V213/Chrysler Recall No. 730]
DaimlerChrysler
Models:
Dodge Stratus Years: 1998-1999
Plymouth Breeze Years: 1998-1999
Chrysler Cirrus Years: 1998-1999
Number Involved: 367,000
Dates of Manufacture: June 1997 - May 1999
Defect: The right rear brake tube can contact the exhaust system clamp and wear a hole in it. If this happens, the tube could leak, reducing the effectiveness of one-half of the diagonally split braking system, and result in longer stopping distances.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake tubes for visible evidence of contact with the exhaust system clamp. If the tube shows evidence of contact, it will be replaced. If no evidence of contact exists, the tube will be fastened with a clip. Owner notification is expected to begin during November 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V244/Chrysler Recall No. 843]
DaimlerChrysler
Models: Plymouth Prowler Year: 1999
Number Involved: 3,102
Dates of Manufacture: January 1998 - June 1999
Noncompliance: The brake indicator lamp circuit does not contain the required ground circuit to illuminate the lamp in the event of a brake system hydraulic malfunction. Therefore, the brake system on these vehicles does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard ( FMVSS) No. 105, "Hydraulic Brake Systems."
Remedy: Dealers will attach a wiring jumper to the brake system pressure differential switch. Owner notification began Oct. 27, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V245/Chrysler Recall No. 844]
Ford Motor Company
Models:
Ford Contour Year: 1998
Mercury Mystique Year: 1998
Number Involved: 280,000
Dates of Manufacture: January 1997 - August 1998
Defect: The air bag sensor wiring insulation can become brittle and crack over time due to environmental stress cracking of the insulation. In some cases, it can cause the air bag warning light to illuminate and disable the air bag supplemental restraint system.
Remedy: Dealers will install air bag sensors with revised wiring insulation. In addition, vehicles which have the air bag warning light illuminated will have a new air bag diagnostic monitor installed. Owner notification began Sept. 27, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V243/Ford Recall No. 99S23]
Ford Motor Company
Models:
Ford Contour Year: 1996
Mercury Mystique Year: 1996
Number Involved: 22,000
Dates of Manufacture: February 1996 - March 1996
Defect: The fuel filler pipe vent hose may have less than the intended level of ozone resistance, which could result in the hose becoming brittle and cracking. A cracked hose could result in fuel leakage during vehicle refueling.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel filler vent hose contacting the appropriate blend of PVC and nitrile rubber. Owner notification began Oct. 29, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V247/Ford Recall No. 99S25]
Ford Motor Company
Models:
Mercury Sable Year: 1999
Ford Taurus Year: 1999
Lincoln Continental Year: 2000
Ford Mustang Years: 1999-2000
Number Involved: 29,000
Dates of Manufacture: July - August 1999
Defect: The seat belt retractor may have a pin shaft that is incorrectly formed. In some circumstances, the switching mechanism could become nonfunctional, preventing the seat belt webbing from being extracted from the retractor. If the mechanism malfunctions and does not allow the webbing to be extracted, the lap and shoulder belt could not be worn by a vehicle occupant. Also, the operator may be unable to properly install a child seat in that seating position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the lap and shoulder belt assemblies. Assemblies with date codes of 200 through 223 are suspect and will be replaced. Owner notification began Oct. 19, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. [NHTSA Recall No. 99V250/Ford Recall No. 99S26]
Ford Motor Company
Models: Ford F Super Duty Truck Years: 1999-2000
Number Involved: 17,000
Dates of Manufacture: January 1998 - August 1999
Defect: On certain trucks and chassis-cabs equipped with 5.4 liter manual transmission power trains, the accelerator cable core wire can wear the cable conduit end fitting. This could also lead to wear or separation of strands of the core wire, which could prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position. A "stuck" throttle could adversely affect vehicle control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable and throttle body. Owner notification will begin November 9, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V265/Ford Recall No. 99S27]
Saab Cars USA, Inc.
Models: Saab 9-3 Year: 1999
Number Involved: 5,132
Dates of Manufacture: March - October 1998
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with manual front seats and manufactured from March 4 through Oct.17, 1998, failures of the "Easy Entry" cable in the front driver or passenger manual seats can cause the seat fore/aft adjustable mechanism to be unlocked. Since the anchor points for the lap portion of the front safety belts are attached to the seat assembly, release of the fore/aft locking mechanism reduces the restraint capability of the safety belts in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new cable and spring assembly. Owner notification began Oct. 15, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saab at 1-770-279-0100.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V246/Saab Recall No. 710]
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Models:
Volkswagen Passat Years: 1998-1999
Audi A4 Years: 1998-1999
Audi A6 Years: 1998-1999
Audi A8 Years: 1998-1999
Number Involved: 51,900
Dates of Manufacture: January - July 1998
Defect: The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly. If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time, diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rods. Owner notification began Oct. 15, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987 or Audi at 1-800-822-2834.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V248/VWoA Recall No. UL/Audi Recall No. KW]
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Models: Volkswagen Jetta Year: 1999
Number Involved: 67,076
Dates of Manufacture: January - July 1999
Noncompliance: Some of these vehicles do not comply with the head injury criterion requirements of FMVSS No. 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact." This could increase the risk of head injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the trim cover from each of the B pillars and install a new cover. Owner notification is expected to begin during December 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V251]
SCHOOL BUSES, MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, TRAILERS AND MOTOR HOMES
Freightliner Corporation
Models:
Freightliner MT45 Years: 1995-1999
Freightliner MT55 Years: 1995-1999
Number Involved: 14,000
Dates of Manufacture: February 1995 - April 1999
Defect: The throttle cable can bind due to misalignment with the fuel pump lever.
Remedy: Dealers will realign the cable bracket and inspect/replace the throttle cable and ball joint. Owner notification began Oct. 27, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V255/Freightliner Recall No. FL-244]
Jayco, Inc.
Models: Kiwi JA Year: 2000
Number Involved: 152
Dates of Manufacture: March - May 1999
Defect: On certain 5 th wheel travel trailers, the liquid propane (LP) line was routed between the holding tank and the axle instead of between the frame and the holding tank. The LP line could be smashed or broken by contact with the axle during travel, causing loss of gas pressure and/or release of the LP gas.
Remedy: Dealers will reroute the LP line. Owner notification began Sept. 22, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Jayco at 1-219-296-6000.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V241]
Navistar International Transportation Corporation
Models: Navistar 4000 Years: 1997-1999
Number Involved: 2,497
Dates of Manufacture: June 1997 - September 1999
Defect: The parking brake hose chafes at various points through the routing of the hoses to and from the hand control valve. If this occurs, the parking brake will automatically if pressure is lost due to a ruptured park brake hose increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a hose routing kit to prevent chafing and replace all chafed hoses. Owner notification began Oct. 11, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Navistar at 1-800-448-7825.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V261/Navistar Recall No. 99507]
Navistar International Transportation Corporation
Models:
Navistar 3400 Year: 1999
Navistar 3800 Year: 1999
Navistar 4700 Year: 1999
Navistar 4900 Year: 1999
Number Involved: 4,495
Dates of Manufacture: December 1998 - May 1999
Defect: The rear hydraulic hoses may be an improper length on certain heavy duty trucks built with rear leaf spring suspensions and manufactured from Feb. 28 through April 14, 1999; Models 4700 built with rear leaf suspensions and manufactured from Dec. 9, through December 16, 1998; Models 3400 and 3800 built with 14SBK rear leaf spring suspensions and built April 14 through May 10, 1999; and Models 3400 and 3800 built with rear leaf spring suspensions and manufactured from May 10 through May 18, 1999. Where the frame to axle hose length is too long, a chafing condition can occur on suspension components, which could result in hose rupture. On vehicles where the hoses are too short, a hose separation could occur with severe suspension articulation.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the short hoses and the long hoses will have a hose routing kit installed to prevent any chafing problems. Owner notification began Oct.11, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Navistar at 1-800-448-7825.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99V262/Navistar Recall No. 99508]
EQUIPMENT
Castrol Industrial North America, Inc.
Models: Castrol Air Conditioning Recharge Kit, Models 26055-BTEA and 26055-ATCS
Number Involved: 65,000
Defect: The 9.5 oz. container of R-134A freon supplied with the air conditioning recharge kit can rupture unexpectedly when left in a vehicle during summer conditions where the interior temperature could exceed 130 Fahrenheit. This rupture could cause physical damage to the interior of a vehicle.
Remedy: Owners are being asked not to use this product and to return it for a full refund plus 10% of the purchase price. Owner notification began during October 1999. Owners should contact Castrol at 1-800-636-5823 concerning reimbursement for this product.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99E031]
Pennzoil-Quaker State Company
Models: Axius 6" Deluxe Fan
Number Involved: 450,000
Dates of Manufacture: December 1997 - July 1999
Defect: Certain Axius 6" deluxe fans used in automotive vehicle interiors can overheat, potentially causing a fire inside the car.
Remedy: Consumers are being asked to return the fans to Axius and will receive a coupon good for a new fan or other Axius products. Consumers are asked not to use these fans. Retailer were notified on Aug. 18, 1999. Owners are requested to contact Axius at 1-888-511-4158 concerning these fans.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99E026]
TIRES
Continental General Tire, Inc.
Models: General 295/75R225
Number Involved: 4,750
Dates of Manufacture: December 1998 - February 1999
Defect: Certain S380A 295/75R22.5 LR G tires, manufactured from December 1998 February 1999, Serial Nos. A3371E5488 through A3371E5089, are experiencing deflation as a result of stress splits or cracks beginning at the point of attachment of the sidewall to the square bead wire bundle, with resulting damage to the tire ply.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these tires. Owner notification began during September 1999. Owners who do not receive the free replacement tires within a reasonable time should contact Continental General at 1-800-726-7113.
[NHTSA Recall No. 99T008]