NHTSA Publishes List of August 2001 Recalls |
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Topics: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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NHTSA
October 30, 2001
NHTSA 57-01
Tuesday, October 30, 2001
Contact: Tim Hurd
Telephone: (202) 366-9550
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in August 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, 1-800-424-9393, 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
August 2001
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
American Honda Motor Company
Models: Acura 3.2TL Years: 2000-2002
Number Involved: 8,168
Noncompliance: The following vehicles were repaired with incorrect parts: model year (MY) 2002 Acura 3.2TL sedans with replacement buckles installed per recall 01V-166001; certain MY 2000 Acura 3.2TL vehicles with replacement buckles installed as product update repairs; and certain MY 2000-2002 Acura 3.2TL vehicles with replacement buckles installed as warranty or collision repairs. Repairs were made from March 9 through July 27, 2001. Some of the noncompliant buckles were mislabeled and redistributed to Acura dealers to be used as recall repair parts. Honda also determined that incorrect front seat belt buckle replacement parts were used for some product update repairs of 2000 Acura 3.2TL vehicles, and warranty or collision repairs of 2000-2002 3.2TL vehicles. These seat belt buckles might not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies." In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may experience some difficulty in unfastening the belt after the crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat belt buckles. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Aug. 20, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V166002]
Bayerische Motoren Werke
Models: BMW R1100 S Year: 1999
Number Involved: 1,090
Dates of Manufacture: April 1998 - April 1999
Defect: On certain motorcycles, the flexible fuel hose leading from the fuel distributor can chafe against the rigid lines of the fuel feed and the return lines. Continued chafing of the hose can lead to fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right side flexible hose with a hose that has a braided cover to prevent chafing. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117, Option #5.
[NHTSA Recall No.01V272]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Dodge Ram Van Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 98,000
Dates of Manufacture: August 1999 - March 2001
Defect: On certain vans and wagons not equipped with power front seats, in the presence of road salt, water, and possibly other debris, the power seat connector located beneath the driver's seat could develop a high resistive short circuit that cycles the circuit breaker. If the circuit breaker cycles for an extended period of time, heat could build up in the connector, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy: Owners are to receive instructions for removing the circuit breaker from the fuse panel. If an owner desires, their dealer can perform the repair. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V253/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 990]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
| Models: | Dodge Intrepid | Years: 2000-2001 |
| Chrysler Concorde | Years: 2000-2001 | |
| Chrysler 300M | Years: 2000-2001 | |
| Chrysler LHS | Years: 2000-2001 |
Ford Motor Company
| Models: | Ford Contour | Year: 1998 |
| Mercury Mystique | Year: 1998 |
Ford Motor Company
| Models: | Ford Focus | Years: 2000-2001 |
| Ford Taurus | Years: 2000-2001 | |
| Ford Expedition | Years: 2000-2001 | |
| Ford Excursion | Years: 2000-2001 | |
| Ford F150/F250/F350/F450/F550/F650 | Years: 2000-2001 | |
| Lincoln Continental | Years: 2000-2001 | |
| Lincoln Town Car | Years: 2000-2001 | |
| Lincoln Navigator | Years: 2000-2001 | |
| Mercury Sable | Years: 2000-2001 |
Ford Motor Company
Models: Ford Windstar Years: 1999-2001
Number Involved: 598,256
Dates of Manufacture: April 1998 - June 2001
Defect: On certain minivans, contaminants such as water, salt, and windshield washer solution can enter the wiper motor cover assembly through pinholes on the exterior of the cover that are used in the molding process. In addition, on certain of these vehicles built between February and August 2000, a switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat. Either of these conditions could potentially result in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, smoke, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Contaminant entry could also result in unintended wiper motor operation. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiper cover with improved sealing and water resistance. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V261/Ford Recall No. 01S25]
Ford Motor Company
Models: Ford Windstar Years: 1999-2001
Number Involved: 413,245
Dates of Manufacture: April 1998 - June 2001
Defect: On certain minivans, if the auxiliary air conditioning blower motor stops turning while in the medium-low blower speed setting, there is the potential that the resistor may become hot and smoke. The motor could potentially catch on fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a jumper wire that will ensure that the medium-low blower speed setting is protected by the thermal limiter. The manufacturer reported that owner notification would begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V261/Ford Recall No. 01S26]
General Motors Corporation
| Models: | Chevrolet Venture | Years: 1998-2001 |
| Pontiac Transport | Year: 1997 | |
| Pontiac Montana | Years: 1998-2001 | |
| Oldsmobile Silhouette | Years: 1997-2001 |
Mitsubishi America
Models: Mitsubishi Montero Years: 2001-2002
Number Involved: 39,020
Dates of Manufacture: December 1999 - June 2001
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the accumulator that is installed on the hydraulic brake booster may have been improperly manufactured. Over a period of time, this could result in leakage of the pressurized nitrogen gas from inside the accumulator. The loss of this gas pressure could result in an abnormal noise from the left side of the dash panel when the brakes are applied, and possibly a delayed first time brake boost assist after the vehicle has been parked for a period of time.
Remedy: Dealers will install an improved accumulator. The manufacturer reported that owner notification would begin during October 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V254]
Nissan North America, Inc.
Models: Nissan Sentra Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 115,000
Dates of Manufacture: February 2000 - June 2001
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the cooling holes in the steel wheel may have burrs on their edges as a result of improper manufacturing. These burrs can cause cracks as the vehicle is being driven. Cracks can propagate between adjacent cooling holes. If enough cracks develop between the cooling holes, the wheel could fail and separate from the mounting hub without prior warning. Separation of the wheel from the vehicle while being operated could result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for cracks and replace the wheel if cracks are discovered. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will be conducted in two phases. The first mailing is expected to begin during October 2001, asking owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer for inspection of the wheels. Any wheels with cracks will be replaced. A second owner notification will begin in early December, at which time Nissan will have an adequate number of replacement wheels, requesting owners who only had the wheels inspected but not replaced, to return to the dealers for a wheel replacement. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V277]
Nissan North America, Inc.
Models: Nissan Pathfinder Year: 2001
Number Involved: 31,000
Dates of Manufacture: December 2000 - June 2001
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, some of the brackets used to attach the two gas struts to the rear door (hatch) may have been improperly made. At high ambient temperatures, the increase in gas pressure in the struts could cause one or both brackets to bend, resulting in the struts detaching from the brackets when opening or closing the rear door. If both struts detach from the brackets, the door will rapidly fall down, possibly striking someone and causing serious injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the strut brackets. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V282]
Toyota Motor Company, Ltd.
| Models: | Toyota Tundra | Years: 1999-2000 |
| Toyota Tacoma | Years: 1999-2000 |
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Models: Audi A8 Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 600
Dates of Manufacture: February 2000 - July 2000
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a fuel and vapor leak detection system, a "blind cover" at the filler neck of the fuel tank may not seal properly, allowing fuel vapor to escape. Should this happen, the fuel tank pressure will be reduced, which will activate the leak detection system and alert the driver of a system's fault indicated by an instrument panel light. Fuel vapor leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filler neck/expansion tank assembly. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Audi at 1-866-892-2834.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V259/Audi Recall No. LD]
MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES
American Transportation Corporation
| Models: | AmTran FE | Year: 2000-2002 |
| AmTran RE | Year: 2000-2002 | |
| AmTran CS | Year: 2000-2002 | |
| AmTran/International FE | Year: 2001-2002 | |
| AmTran/International RE | Year: 2001-2002 | |
| AmTran/International CS | Year: 2001-2002 | |
| International IC | Year: 2001-2002 |
American Transportation Corporation
Models: AmTran CS Year: 1997-2001
Number Involved: 1,432
Dates of Manufacture: November 1996 - May 2000
Defect: On certain school buses equipped with I-6 engines, plywood floors, and a driver insulation package, the accelerator pedal can stick in either a partial or full throttle position. A vehicle crash can occur if the throttle sticks and does not return as expected to the idle position.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with instructions and parts to repair the buses. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact AmTran at 1-501-505-2190.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V270/AmTran Recall No. 01304]
Collins Bus Corporation
Models: Collins Grand Bantam Year: 2001
Number Involved: 107
Dates of Manufacture: March 2000 - August 2001
Defect: On certain school buses equipped with a floor-mounted track used to accommodate and secure wheelchairs, the bolts used to secure this track to the floor are too long and protrude through the wheel well. It is possible that the protruding bolts will puncture the rear tires if the tires should be pushed up into their full jounce position, possibly resulting in a loss of steering control and a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the long bolts with shorter bolts that will sit flush with the retaining nuts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Collins at 1-800-533-1850.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V267]
International Truck and Engine
| Models: | International 5000i | Years: 1998-2001 |
| International 9000i | Years: 1998-2001 |
Jayco, Inc.
Models: Jayco Designer Years: 1996-2000
Number Involved: 12,281
Dates of Manufacture: June 1995 - June 2000
Defect: On certain fifth wheel and travel trailers, the fasteners used on the underfloor can either come loose or pull through the underfloor, causing portions or all of a section of the underfloor to detach from the vehicle. If this occurred, the section could fall to the pavement, potentially causing a crash for following vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will add or replace fasteners. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Jayco at 1-219-825-5861.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V251]
Monaco Coach Corporation
| Models: | Monaco Monarch | Years: 2000-2002 |
| Monaco LaPalma | Years: 2000-2002 | |
| Holiday Rambler Admiral | Years: 2000-2002 |
PACCAR, Incorporated
Models: Kenworth T300 Years: 1996-2001
Number Involved: 3,000
Dates of Manufacture: March 1996 - August 2001
Defect: On certain trucks equipped with 10,000- or 12,000-pound Dana front axles, acondition alled brake "sprag," which is characterized by a noise at the end of an applied stop, can develop in the brake system. This noise is the result of a pulsation of the brake lining with the brake drum during brake application. These noise vibrations occur at the resonant frequency of the front axle cross-tube assembly and cause unusually high strain forces in the threaded portion of the tie rod ends that are connected to the cross-tube. Failure of the tie rod end can cause loss of steering control and possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake lining on the front axle of each vehicle with a lining made of a different composition. In addition, the tie rod ends will be replaced. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during September 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Kenworth at 1-425-828-7356.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V268/Kenworth Recall No. 01KW7]
Winnebago Industries, Inc.
| Models: | Winnebago/Itasca Adventurer | Year: 2001 |
| Winnebago/Itasca Sun Cruiser | Year: 2001 |
Winnebago Industries, Inc.
| Models: | Winnebago Journey | Years: 2000-2002 |
| Winnebago Journey DL | Years: 2000-2002 | |
| Itasca Horizon | Years: 2000-2002 |
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