NHTSA Publishes List of February 2000 Recalls |
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NHTSA
April 7, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 13-00
Friday, April 7, 2000
Contact: NHTSA, Tim Hurd, (202) 366-9550
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in February 2000 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), or by accessing NHTSA on the Internet at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.
Safety Recall Campaigns
February 2000
Vehicles:
Cars, Vans, Light Duty Trucks and Motorcycles
American Honda Motor Company
Models: Honda Odyssey Years: 1999-2000
Number Involved: 77,695
Dates of Manufacture: August 1998 - August 1999
Defect: On certain minivans, a wire harness, located within the engine compartment, could be damaged by contact with a metal pipe, possibly resulting in a blown fuse. If a fuse blows, engine power, or operation of any or all electrical components, can be lost, including lights, windshield wipers, horn, and the anti-lock function of the brakes. A sudden loss of power or lighting, or a failure of the windshield wipers or anti-lock brake feature in bad weather, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective covering over the wire harness and metal pipe to prevent this problem. If any wires are damaged, the dealer will make the necessary repairs, and then install the protective covering. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V030]
Bayerische Motoren Werke
Models:
BMW 323i Year: 2000
BMW 328i Year: 2000
BMW 528i Year: 2000
BMW 528iT Year: 2000
BMW 540i Year: 2000
BMW 540iT Year: 2000
BMW M5 Year: 2000
BMW 740i Year: 2000
BMW 740iL Year: 2000
BMW 750iL Year: 2000
Number Involved: 17,700
Dates of Manufacture: September - October 1999
Defect: The brake lamps in these vehicles are controlled by a switch activated by the movement of the brake pedal. This switch could fail internally, causing it to remain either in the "brake lamps off" position or in the "brake lamps on" position. If this happens, the brake lamps either will not operate or will be continuously illuminated, regardless of brake pedal position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the existing brake lamp switch with an improved switch. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V048]
Buell Motorcycle Company
Models: Buell S3 Thunderbolt Year: 1999
Number Involved: 839
Dates of Manufacture: March 1998 - April 1999
Defect: On certain motorcycles, the location of the rear brake line can cause it to become damaged and leak fluid. A loss of rear wheel braking capabilities could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake line. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buell at 1-414-343-8400.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V037/Buell Recall No. 0818]
Buell Motorcycle Company
Models:
Buell S3 Thunderbolt Year: 1999
Buell X1 Lightning Year: 1999
Number Involved: 839
Dates of Manufacture: January 1998 - April 1999
Defect: On some motorcycles, the fuel filter can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filter. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buell at 1-414-343-8400.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V038/Buell Recall No. 0819]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models:
Chrysler Concorde Year: 2000
Chrysler 300M Year: 2000
Chrysler LHS Year: 2000
Dodge Intrepid Year: 2000
Number Involved: 7,580
Dates of Manufacture: October 1999
Defect: A manufacturing molding error can prevent the operation of the G-lock and tilt lock functions on some of the driver's side seat belt retractors. If this occurs in a frontal crash situation, driver protection from the seat belt may be reduced, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left front seat belt retractor assemblies. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V033/Chrysler Recall No. 863]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models:
Dodge Intrepid Years: 1999 -2000
Chrysler Concorde Years: 1999 -2000
Chrysler 300M Years: 1999 -2000
Chrysler LHS Years: 1999 -2000
Jeep Grand Cherokee Years: 1999 -2000
Number Involved: 204,000
Dates of Manufacture: August 1999
Defect: The seat belt shoulder height adjustable turning loop (ATL) top mounting bolt was inadequately manufactured. The affected mounting bolts may not withstand sufficient force to function properly in certain impact situations, increasing the risk of injury to a belted occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper ATL bolt. Owner notification began March 13, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V034/Chrysler Recall No. 866]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Oldsmobile Intrigue Years: 1998-1999
Number Involved: 135,475
Dates of Manufacture: November 1996 - February 1999
Defect: Some of these passenger vehicles were built with rear seat shoulder belts that could twist, allowing the webbing to be jammed in the retractor. When the shoulder belt webbing becomes jammed in the retractor, the seat belt becomes unusable. This could prevent a person from using the seat belt system, and the risk of injury to an unbelted person in a crash would increase.
Remedy: Dealers will remove any twists from the rear shoulder belts and install clips to the belt web guide to prevent future twisting. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during April 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V044/GM Recall No. 00011]
General Motors Corporation
Models:
Chevrolet S10 Year: 2000
Chevrolet Silverado Year: 2000
GMC Sonoma Year: 2000
GMC Sierra Year: 2000
Number Involved: 10,674
Dates of Manufacture: August 1999
Defect: On certain light duty trucks equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) motor contains an out-of-specification spring clip. This clip could allow the motor bearing to become misaligned. If misalignment occurs, eventually the ABS would be non-functional. The base brakes would remain fully functional, but the Dynamic Rear Proportioning (DRP) system, which optimizes front to rear brake balance, would become inoperative, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake pressure module valve assembly. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during April 2000. 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.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V055/GM Recall No. 00013]
Land Rover North America, Incorporated
Models: Land Rover Discovery II Years: 1999-2000
Number Involved: 2,838
Dates of Manufacture: June - December 1999
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE), the high-pressure hydraulic pipe that runs from the ACE pump to the ACE valve block could fracture at the connection to the pump. This will result in a loss of hydraulic fluid. A low fluid level can subsequently result in system pump failure which will throw off the auxiliary drive belt, resulting in a loss of engine auxiliary functions (power steering assist, water pump, alternator, and air conditioning). In extreme circumstances, there is a possibility that the hydraulic fluid could ignite, resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install new hydraulic tubing. Owner notification began in late-February 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Land Rover at 1-800-637-6837.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V036/Land Rover Recall No. D203]
Mazda (North America), Incorporated
Models: Mazda Miata Year: 1999
Number Involved: 22,000
Dates of Manufacture: November 1997 - November 1998
Defect: On certain passenger cars, the non-return valve installed at the lower end of the fuel filler pipe can stick due to insufficient clearance between the valve case and the valve shutter combined with the material properties of the fuel hose between the filler pipe and the fuel tank. This can cause a "hard to refuel" condition, and in some instances, a "fuel spit back" during refueling.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the non-return valve with a modified valve. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during April 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V032/Mazda Recall No. 88004]
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Models: Volkswagen Eurovan Year: 1993
Number Involved: 11,400
Dates of Manufacture: August 1992 - June 1993
Defect: The connecting ends of the fuel feed and return hoses in the engine compartment can "settle" over time, which could cause the fastening clamps to lose their tight fit and permit fuel to seep out at the hose connection. This could lead to a fire if an ignition source is present.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel feed and return hoses. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during April 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact VWoA at 1-800-822-8987.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V039/VWoA Recall No. UN]
School Buses and Motor Homes
Blue Bird Body Company
Models:
Blue Bird All American Years: 1998-2000
Blue Bird TC2000 Years: 1998-2000
Blue Bird Q-Bus Years: 1998-2000
Blue Bird Commercial Years: 1998-2000
Number Involved: 3,113
Dates of Manufacture: March 1998 - February 2000
Defect: On certain rear engine school and transit buses and All American front engine school and transit buses equipped with Bendix ABS anti-lock braking system, the primary and secondary brake treadle valve air lines were installed incorrectly at the Bendix R12DC relay valve.
Remedy: Dealers will correct the air line plumbing at the Bendix R12DC relay valve. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 1-912-825-2021.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V051/Blue Bird Recall No. R00DR]
Dutchmen Manufacturing, Inc.
Models:
Dutchmen Zephyr Year: 2000
Dutchmen Breeze Year: 2000
Number Involved: 105
Dates of Manufacture: August 1999 - January 2000
Defect: On certain travel trailers, wooden boards were mounted between the axle brackets and the frame. The boards could deteriorate and/or compress sufficiently to allow the metal bracket of the axle mount to press downward against the bracket side mounting bolts. This downward contact could create a shearing force across the bolts, allowing the axles to separate from the travel trailer.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wood with a steel tube section. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Dutchmen at 1-219-534-1224.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V049]
General Motors Corporation
Models:
Chevrolet C3500HD Year: 2000
GMC C3500HD Year: 2000
Number Involved: 1,462
Dates of Manufacture: August - September 1999
Defect: On certain chassis cabs, the tapered hole in the drag link end that attaches to the pitman arm tapered ball stud may be machined too deep, causing the hole to be oversized. A drag link with an oversized hole may not "seat" the pitman arm tapered ball when assembled. This could cause higher than normal friction between components during operation, and possibly result in joint separation or a broken ball stud. If the joint separated or the ball stud broke, steering control would be lost.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering linkage assembly and, if necessary, replace the drag link and the pitman arm. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. 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.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V054/GM Recall No. 00008]
PACCAR, Incorporated
Models: Peterbilt Years: 1997-1998
Number Involved: 9,750
Dates of Manufacture: December 1997 - December 1998
Defect: On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 1998 Caterpillar 3406E engines, the routing of the Caterpillar fuel lines and Peterbilt engine wiring can cause rubbing on the fuel line, which can result in a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and, if there is evidence of rubbing, the electrical harness and/or fuel lines will be replaced and routed correctly. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Peterbilt at 1-510-790-4013.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V029/Peterbilt Recall No. 200-C]
Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
Models: Thomas Built MVP Years: 1995-1999
Number Involved: 757
Dates of Manufacture: October 1995 - August 1999
Defect: On certain school buses equipped with Neway AD 200 rear air suspensions, there is interference between the suspension U-bolt and the rear axle, which can cause the U-bolt to crack and fall off.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a detailed repair procedure and free parts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Thomas Built at 1-336-881-9986.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00V041]
Equipment
Cosco, Inc.
Models: Cosco Touriva Convertible Safe T Shield
Number Involved: 206,353
Dates of Manufacture: May 1996 - November 1997
Noncompliance: Certain Touriva Convertible Safe T Shield child restrains, Model 02-084 (full wrap fabric cover), Model 02-094 (partial wrap fabric cover), Model 02-096 (full wrap fabric cover with pillow), Model 02404 (partial wrap vinyl cover),) Model 02-821 (partial wrap fabric cover) fail to fully comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems." The buckle release force exceeds the requirements of federal regulations. In the event of a crash, an adult may not be able to easily release the belt buckle.
Remedy: Consumers will be sent a free remedy kit along with installation instructions. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy kit with installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact Cosco at 1-800-221-6736.
[NHTSA Recall No. 00E007]
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