NHTSA Publishes List of March 2001 Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in March 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 www.nhtsa.dot.gov
SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS
March 2001
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
International Truck and Engine Company
Models: International 4700 Years: 1999-2001
Number Involved: 1,389
Dates of Manufacture: September 1998 - March 2001
Defect: On heavy duty trucks equipped with Bostrom driver seat models (910, 910SC, or 914) and International's parking brake code 04036, if someone outside the cab adjusts or slides the driver's seat to its most forward position, with the parking brake set, the seat will contact and release the parking brake lever. If the parking brake is accidentally released, the vehicle could move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a stop-bracket on the seat track to limit the travel of the seat so that the seat cannot release the parking brake lever. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 20, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact International at 1-800-448-7825.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V102/International Recall No. 01503]
PACCAR, Incorporated
Models:
Peterbilt 357 Years: 2000-200
Peterbilt 378 Years: 2000-2001
Peterbilt 379 Years: 2000-2001
Peterbilt 385 Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 1,755
Dates of Manufacture: October 2000 - February 2001
Defect: On certain heavy duty trucks, the bolts used to secure the steering shaft can fail. This condition can result in the loss of vehicle control without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the defective bolts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 2, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4171.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V066/Peterbilt Recall No. 201-B]
Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
Models:
Thomas Saf-T-Liner Years: 2000-2001
Thomas Transit Liner ER Years: 2000-2001
Thomas Saf-T-Liner HD Years: 2000-2001
Thomas Transit Liner HD Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 146
Dates of Manufacture: October 2000 - March 2001
Defect: On certain school buses, the accelerator pedal can hang up on the floor rubber. This could cause the vehicle to retain its speed even after the driver released the pedal, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a stainless steel plate under the accelerator pedal. Thomas Built/Freightliner has not yet provided NHTSA with an owner notification schedule.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V103]
Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
Models:
Thomas MVP ER Years: 2000-2001
Thomas ER Transit Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 153
Dates of Manufacture: October 2000 - February 2001
Noncompliance: Certain school buses fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 121, "Air Brake Systems." These vehicles do not comply because the low air warning system detects pressure in only one reservoir system and not both as required.
Remedy: Dealers will correct the low air pressure switch wiring. Thomas Built/Freightliner has not yet provided NHTSA with an owner notification schedule.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V105]
Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
Models: Volvo VHD Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 941
Dates of Manufacture: June 2000 - February 2001
Defect: On certain Class 8 heavy duty, axle back trucks, the design of the lower steering column shaft universal joint boot could allow the boot to get entangled in the universal joint. This can cause increased steering effort, creating a potential for steering lockup.
Remedy: Owners will be advised to remove the universal joint boot per instructions. If owners choose, a Volvo Truck dealer can remedy the defect for them. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began March 27, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free instructions within a reasonable time should contact Volvo at 1-800-528-6586.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V092/Volvo Trucks Recall No. RVXX0102]
Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
Models: Volvo VN Years: 1997-1999
Number Involved: 1,577
Dates of Manufacture: November 1997 - August 1999
Noncompliance: On certain Class 8 heavy duty trucks, under certain operating conditions, the weight certification label which contains front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) information pursuant to the requirements of FMVSS No. 120, "Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles other than Passenger Cars," does not accurately reflect the actual front gross axle weight. When operating the truck "bobtail" with full fuel tanks and two occupants with an allowance for personal belongings, the actual gross axle weight may exceed the stated rating found on the weight certification label.
Remedy: The weight certification label can be brought into compliance by one or more of the following means: (1) replacement of the label with one which contains correct information; or (2) replacement of front axle tires, rims or tie rod tube or a combination thereof; or (3) replacement or relocation of the fuel tanks. The manufacturer reported that owner notification would begin during April/May 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy or label within a reasonable time should contact Volvo at 1-800-528-6586.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V093/Volvo Trucks Recall No. RVXX0103]
Winnebago Industries, Inc.
Models:
Winnebago Brave Years: 2000-2001
Winnebago Sunrise Years: 2000-2001
Winnebago Adventurer Years: 2000-2001
Winnebago Sun Cruiser Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 1,437
Dates of Manufacture: June 2000 - March 2001
Defect: On certain motor homes, the copper line supplying liquid propane gas (LPG) to the furnace may have been improperly clamped, which could cause the line to come in contact with a metal flange. If this happens, the copper line could be damaged and could develop a leak, which has the potential to ignite.
Remedy: Dealers will re-route the LPG hose. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began on April 26, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Winnebago at 1-641-585-6939.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V099/Winnebago Recall No. 79]
EQUIPMENT
Clarcor, Inc.
Models:
Baldwin Fuel Filter
Hastings Fuel Filter
Number Involved: 17,740
Defect: Fuel filters used as replacement equipment in certain Chevrolet, DaimlerChrysler, Daihatsu, Dodge, Eagle, Geo, Hyundai, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Plymouth, Suzuki, and Toyota passenger vehicles. Part Numbers BF1100 and BF1179 fuel filters sold by Baldwin and certain GF242 and GF288 fuel filters sold by Hastings. These fuel filters were purchased from Maddocks between Sept. 20, 1999, and Sept. 11, 2000, and can be easily identified because of the label affixed to them, which indicates the flow direction of fuel and states "MADE IN CANADA." Gasoline can leak through the seam of the filter. In the presence of an ignition source, a possible fire can occur in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Baldwin and Hastings will implement a program to retrieve the defective fuel filters at no charge to the costumer. The manufacturer reported that independent distributor notification would begin on March 16, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Baldwin at 1-800-822-5394 or Hastings at 1-800-887-8836.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E009]
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