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NHTSA Publishes List of April 2001 Recalls

Topics:  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA Publishes List of April 2001 Recalls

NHTSA
June 28, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 32-01
Friday, June 28, 2001
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No.: (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 April 2001 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) 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
APRIL 2001

 

VEHICLES:

CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES

American Honda Motor Company
Models:   Honda GL1800       Year:   2001
Number Involved:  8,107
Dates of Manufacture:  October 2000 - March 2001
Defect:  On certain motorcycles, the crankshaft pulse rotor, a device used for ignition timing, could fail, causing the engine to stall. This sudden loss of engine power could lead to a crash.
Remedy:  Dealers will install a redesigned pulse rotor. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 4, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V133]

American Suzuki Motor Corporation
Models:   Suzuki Grand Vitara       Years:  1999-2001
Number Involved:  59,888
Dates of Manufacture:  June 1998 - June 2000
Defect:  On certain sport utility vehicles, when temperatures are below minus 25 degrees Celsius (minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit), moisture can freeze in the fuel pressure regulator. Fuel system pressure could increase at the time of engine start up, causing fuel loss at the fuel pipe/fuel hose connection. Fuel loss in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy:  Dealers will install a redesigned intake manifold vacuum union and a new fuel pressure regulator. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 23, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V146/Suzuki Recall No. X4]

DaimlerChrysler Corporation

Models:	Dodge Dakota	Year:   1999
	Dodge Durango	Year:   1999
	Dodge Ram	Year:   1999
	Dodge Intrepid	Year:   1999
	Dodge Caravan	Year:   1999
	Chrysler Concorde	Year:   1999
	Chrysler LHS	Year:   1999
	Chrysler Town and Country	Year:   1999
	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Year:   1999

Number Involved:  161,682
Dates of Manufacture:  December 1998 - January 1999
Noncompliance:   Certain van, wagon, passenger, light trucks, and sport utility vehicles, fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, ASeat Belt Assemblies.@ The front seat belt retractor does not comply with the requirements of the standard. If the retractor does not work properly, it will not adequately protect occupants in the event of a crash.
Remedy:   Dealers will replace the seat belt retractor. The manufacturer has not yet provided NHTSA with an owner notification schedule.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V119/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 978]

Ford Motor Company

Models:	Ford E150	Years:   1997-2001
	Ford E250	Years:   1997-2001
	Ford E350	Years:   1997-2001

Number Involved:  151,000
Dates of Manufacture:  April 1996 - November 2000
Defect:  On certain vans with ambulance packages or other severe-duty applications involving operation at or near the gross vehicle weight with frequent twisting of the vehicle body, such as off-road, rough road or speed bump events, the 35-gallon mid-ship fuel tank could develop a crack where it contacts the frame cross member. If the fuel tank cracks, fuel leakage could occur. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and, if cracked, will replace the tank. Insulator pads will be installed on all vehicles to reduce the stress levels in the fuel tank. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began on April 19, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V114/Ford Recall No. 01S14]

Ford Motor Company

Models:	Ford Mustang Cobra	Years:   1999-2000
	Ford Mustang Cobra R	Year:   2000

Number Involved:  8,100
Dates of Manufacture:  November 1998 - August 2000
Defect:  If the ball joint assembly where the lower control arm attaches in the rear knuckle on certainof these cars moves forward or backward from its installed position, greater stress will be placed on the knuckle casting. If this occurs, the casting could fracture, allowing the corner of the vehicle to drop, and the lower control arm could contact the inside of the rear wheel. In some cases, steering of the vehicle could be reduced.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace both rear suspension knuckles. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began on April 19, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V121/Ford Recall No. 01S15]

General Motors Corporation
Models:   Geo Tracker       Year:   2001
Number Involved:  1,016
Dates of Manufacture:  January 2001
Defect:  On certain 4-door sport utility vehicles, mislabeled seat belts intended for 2-door model vehicles were installed in the 4-door front passenger seat belt location. For the passenger seat safety belt, if the child seat mode has been engaged or the belt is extended during normal use and then retracted, the belt cannot be extended again and is unusable. The reset function to normal emergency mode does not work because the 2-door belt webbing is shorter. In a crash, an unbelted occupant could receive severe injuries.
Remedy:  Dealers will inspect and replace incorrect seat belt assemblies. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 3, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V124/GM Recall No. 01020]

General Motors Corporation

Models:	GMC C15	Year:   2001
	GMC C25	Year:   2001
	Chevrolet C10	Year:   2001
	Chevrolet C20	Year:   2001

Number Involved:  77,485
Dates of Manufacture:  November 2000 - January 2001
Noncompliance:  Certain 2-wheel drive pickup trucks fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles other than Passenger Cars." The problem was caused by a computer error that resulted in the certification label listing tire size and inflation pressure information that differ from the tire size and the inflation pressure information for the tires on the vehicle. If the vehicle owner or someone servicing the vehicle inflates the tires according to the pressure specified on the label versus the appropriate pressure for the tires, the tires could be under-inflated or over-inflated depending on the tires mounted on the vehicle. If the tires are under-inflated, it could reduce the tread life of the tire, and the tire could degrade to a point of allowing sudden air loss. If the tires are over-inflated, it could reduce the tread life of the tire and increase susceptibility to road hazard damage. If sudden air loss or a road hazard causes damage to a tire, control of the vehicle could be adversely affected and could result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy:  Owners will be provided with a new label and installation instructions. However, a dealer can install the label if the owner so desires. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during May 2001. Owners who do not receive the free label within a reasonable time should contact GMC at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V125/GM Recall No. 01021]

General Motors Corporation

Models:	Oldsmobile Bravada	Year:   2002
	GMC Envoy	Year:   2002
	Chevrolet Trailblazer	Year:   2002

Number Involved:  30,476
Dates of Manufacture:  July 1999 - October 1999
Defect:  On certain sport utility vehicles, under certain circumstances, the front lower control arm brackets may fracture. This fracture could result in separation of the front lower control arm from the frame. A separation could result in loss of vehicle control, resulting in a crash.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace the left and right front lower control arm brackets. The manufacturer has reported owner notification began by telephone on April 4, 2001. A follow-up letter to consumers was mailed May 3, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V126/GM Recall No. 01034]

Rolls-Royce Motors, Inc.

Models:	Rolls Royce Corniche	Years:   2000-2001
	Bentley Continental T	Years:   2000-2001
	Bentley Continental R	Years:   2000-2001
	Bentley Continental SC	Years:   2000-2001
	Bentley Azure	Years:   2000-2001

Number Involved:  408
Dates of Manufacture:  August 1999 - March 2001
Defect:  On these cars, fuel vapors stored in the vehicle's evaporative emission control system could leak into a body cavity behind the rocker panel on the driver's side. If vapor is emitted and the vapor collects in the cavity, the resulting air/vapor mixture could be ignited if the central window operating mechanism is activated.
Remedy:  Dealers will install a plated mild steel extension pipe to the leak detection filter of the vehicle which will ensure that any vapor emanating from the evaporative emission control system is vented to the outside the vehicle. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began March 27, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Rolls Royce at 1-800-777-6923.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V096/Rolls Royce Recall No. RE 01/02]

 

MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES

 

A. Girardin Incorporated
Models:   Girardin MBIV       Years:   1998-2001
Number Involved:  995
Dates of Manufacture:  1998 - February 2001  
Defect:  On certain commercial and school bus body minibuses, an inner body panel could contact and damage the wiring harness by the driver=s seat. If the wires are damaged, and a contact between those wires occurs, the air bag could inadvertently deploy. Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
Remedy:   Owners will be provided with repair instructions and will be reimbursed for labor costs involved. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 15, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Girardin at 1-819-477-8222. NHTSA Recall No. 01V118/Girardin Recall No. 01-001-AB]

Freightliner Corporation
Models:   Freightliner MT-45       Years:   2000-2001
Number Involved:  1,400
Dates of Manufacture:  June 2000 - January 2001
Defect:  On certain step vans, water could enter the electrical relays, resulting in an electrical short and potentially an electrical fire.
Remedy:  Dealers will install a new sealed relay and fuse box with sealed relays. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 1, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V116/Freightliner Recall No. FL-278]

Freightliner Corporation
Models:   Freightliner MT-45       Years:   2000-2001
Number Involved:  1,354
Dates of Manufacture:  June 2000 - January 2001
Defect:  On certain step vans, the back-up brake pump was wired to a 25-amp fused circuit instead of the required 50 amp fused circuit. If the back-up hydraulic brake pump were to engage due to a failure in the primary brake assist system or the brakes are applied without the engine running, the fuse could blow. This results in a loss of power assist to the brake system.
Remedy:  Dealers will rewire the back-up brake pump circuit. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 1, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V117/Freightliner Recall No. FL-283]

Monaco Coach Corporation

Models:	Monaco Medallion	Years:   2000-2001
	Monaco Grand Medallion	Years:   2000-2001
	Monaco Lakota	Years:   2000-2001
	Holiday Rambler Imperial	Year:   1999
	Holiday Rambler Aluma Lite	Years:   1999-2000
	Holiday Rambler Alumascape	Years:   1999-2000
	Holiday Rambler Presidential	Years:   2000-2001

Number Involved:  6,148
Dates of Manufacture:  July 1998 - January 2001
Defect:  On certain travel trailers and fifth wheels, a wire supplying 12-volt DC to the holding tank monitoring system display panel was installed without proper circuit protection. The circuit is connected to the voltage source with a 12-volt DC 50 Amp self-resetting circuit breaker as protection against an electrical short to ground.
Remedy:   A 6-Amp circuit breaker will be installed on the 12-volt DC wire supplying voltage to the holding tank monitor panel display. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 3, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Monaco at 1-800-685-6545. [NHTSA Recall No. 01V112/Monaco Recall No. R01005]

PACCAR, Incorporated

Models:	Peterbilt 387	Years:   1999-2000
	Peterbilt 320	Years:   1999-2000

Number Involved:  1,449
Dates of Manufacture:  August 1999 - October 2000
Defect:  On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with Peterbilt's SmartGage system, which contains a Reduced Function Interface Module (RFIM), the module receives data from various components/systems on the vehicle. The module then sends the information to a microprocessor. A manufacturing defect in the RFIM can allow water to penetrate into the pressure block portion of the module, causing an electrical short in the pressure transducer connector. This results in an erroneous air pressure reading on the gauge in the dash.
Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the RFIM date code and all RFIM's built before Sept. 9, 2000, will be replaced. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during June 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4171. [NHTSA Recall No. 01V131/Peterbilt Recall No. 401-D]

Pleasure-Way Industries Ltd.
Models:   Pleasure Way Excel       Years:   1995-2000
Pleasure Way Lexor Years: 1995-2000
Number Involved:  1,197
Dates of Manufacture:  December 1995 - June 2000
Defect:  On certain motor homes, the rear brake line may not be properly fastened to the rear axle in the original location. Over time this could cause failure of the rear braking system, resulting in diminished braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the rear axle brake lines to ensure they are properly clipped to the rear axle, have not been deformed, and that there is no interference between the brake lines and any of the rear axle or suspension components. If there is any deviation from the factory line routing and fastening or if any other damage, interference or deformation is apparent, dealers will re-align, secure, and replace the lines if necessary. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during May 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Pleasure Way at 1-306-934-6578.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V135]

 

EQUIPMENT

Grand Hall Enterprises
Models: Grand Hall Propane Regulator
Number Involved:  66,000
Dates of Manufacture: January 1996 - December 1999
Defect:  Certain Model 6000 automatic changeover regulators, which are used with propane-fueled camping trailers equipped with a propane fuel source, contain two rubber diaphragms in which the second diaphragm can tear under pressure, resulting in a propane leak. A possible fire can result in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy:  Grand Hall has notified its customers to return the Model 6000 propane regulators to the store where they were purchased for a replacement regulator free of charge. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Feb. 8, 2001. On behalf of Grand Hall, Emerald Isle will be conducting the remedy campaign. Owners who do not receive the free replacement regulator within a reasonable time should contact Emerald Isle at 1-866-828-2788.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E014]