NHTSA Publishes List of April 2002 Recalls
WASHINGTON, June 27 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in April 2002 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, 1-888-327-4236, or by going to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
on the Internet. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.
SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS
April 2002
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Jeep Wrangler Years: 2000-2002
Jeep Cherokee Years: 2000-2001
Jeep Grand Cherokee Years: 1999-2002
Number Involved: 1,115,322
Dates of Manufacture: June 1998 - March 2002
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines, the design of the intake and exhaust manifolds could allow debris to accumulate at the #3 cylinder location, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a manifold shield to modify the airflow characteristics and to prevent the accumulation of debris in the area of the #3 cylinder. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 13, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Ford Motor Company
Models: Ford Windstar Years: 1995-1996
Number Involved: 250,283
Dates of Manufacture: January 1994 - May 1996
Defect: Affected vehicles are certain minivans built at the Oakville Assembly Plant and sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. During assembly, some brake lines were installed in a twisted position, causing contact with the dash panel insulator above the catalytic converter. This contact could abrade the brake line corrosion protection; consequently, salt or water absorbed in the dash panel insulator could promote corrosion. This corrosion could ultimately lead to a leak in the brake line. Leaking brake fluid will result in brake light activation. Extended stopping distance could also result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake line for corrosion and clearance conditions. A brake line that is not corroded will be repositioned. A brake line that is corroded or leaking will be replaced with a nylon coated brake line and secured using three retaining clips to assure clearance from the insulator. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 10, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
General Motors Corporation
Models: Chevrolet Malibu Year: 2002
Number Involved: 10,168
Dates of Manufacture: February 2002 Noncompliance: Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Some of these vehicles were produced with a left low-beam headlamp that does not meet the photometric performance requirements of the standard. Light intensities below the minimum intensity requirements cause reduction in visibility down the road for the driver of the vehicle and intensities above the maximum intensity requirements cause increase in glare for drivers ahead of or approaching the vehicle. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the left low-beam headlamp and replace the headlamp if it does not meet requirements. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 23, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.
General Motors Corporation
Models: Chevrolet TrailBlazer Year: 2002
GMC Envoy Year: 2002
Oldsmobile Bravada Year: 2002
Number Involved: 60,044
Dates of Manufacture: September - November 2001
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, a fuel filter fitting can become disconnected. If this were to occur while attempting to start the engine, a no-start condition would result and fuel would be pumped out onto the ground. If the fitting becomes disconnected while the vehicle is in motion, the engine would stop due to inadequate fuel supply and cause a loss of power steering assist. If an ignition source were present, fuel leakage from a disconnected fuel filter fitting could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filter quick connect retainers. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 20, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
Hyundai Motor America
Models: Hyundai XG300 Year: 2001
Hyundai Sonata Years: 1999-2001
Number Involved: 145,355
Dates of Manufacture: March 1998 - July 2001
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, an intermittent condition that leads to illumination of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag warning light could result from motion of the side impact air bag wiring harness and side impact air bag wiring harness connector, which mount to the adjustable seat cushion assembly. This condition relates only to the side impact air bags and could prevent air bag deployment during a crash where such deployment should occur. Non-deployment of the SRS side impact air bag could increase the risk of injury during a side impact crash.
Remedy: Dealers will more securely fasten the side impact air bag wiring harnesses and connectors to the vehicle's front seat cushion frames. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 28, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free label and inserts within a reasonable time should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Mitsubishi America
Models: Mitsubishi Diamante Year: 2002
Number Involved: 3,885
Dates of Manufacture: August - November 2001
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the main under hood electrical wiring harness may have insufficient clearance between the engine control harness and the exhaust heat shield. As a result, the harness could come in contact with the heat shield, which could result in melting of the harness insulation. The melting of the harness insulation could result in grounding of the crank angle sensor wiring, causing the engine to run erratically or stop suddenly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the harness for damage and, if none is evident, will tie the harness back to prevent the harness from ever coming into contact with the heat shield. Any harness that shows evidence of damage will be repaired as necessary and then be tied back to prevent future damage. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 13, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Volvo Cars of North America, Inc.
Models: Volvo S80 Year: 1999
Number Involved: 25,876
Dates of Manufacture: April 1998 - May 1999
Defect: On some passenger vehicles, the electric cooling fans could be inadequate in a hot climate. Under certain circumstances, excessive heat could be generated. Should this occur, the engine cooling fan components could overheat and cause the melting of electrical connections and adjacent components, increasing the likelihood of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 1, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES
Freightliner Corporation
Models: Freightliner FS-65 Years: 1999-2002
Number Involved: 16,000
Dates of Manufacture: March 1999 - March 2002
Defect: On certain school buses, the brake hoses from the chassis to the front brake chambers could develop leaks due to the hose routing that could overstress the hose during sharp turns. The vehicle could have reduced braking capacity, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for improper routing. If improper routing is found, dealers will replace and correct the hose routing. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 29, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
EQUIPMENT
Auto Meter Products, Inc.
Models: Auto Meter Z-Series
Auto Meter Ultra-Lite
Auto Meter Sport-Comp
Auto Meter Phantom
Auto Meter Fuel Pressure Gauge
Number Involved: 6,247
Dates of Manufacture: October 1999 - March 2002
Defect: Certain fuel pressure gauge and sending units, commonly known as "short-sweep" gauges, Part Nos. 2659, 3309, 3509, 4309, 4409, and 5709, may leak fuel. In the presence of an ignition source, the vehicle could catch fire.
Remedy: Auto Meter Products will notify its customers to remove the sending units immediately. Customers will receive replacement parts free of charge when they become available. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 24, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Auto Meter at 1-815-895-8141.
Norcold Incorporated
Models: Norcold N621
Norcold N641
Norcold N821
Norcold N841
Number Involved: 28,144
Dates of Manufacture: May- November 1999
Defect: These refrigerators can experience a cooling system leak caused by operation in the AC electric mode. If a leak occurs, the cooling performance of the refrigerator will deteriorate. Extended operation of a leaking cooling unit in the AC electric mode can result in a fire.
Remedy: Norcold will notify its customers and replace the cooling unit free of charge. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 12, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Norcold at 1-800-767-9101.
Xportation Safety Concepts
Models: XSCi Pioneered
Number Involved: 150
Dates of Manufacture: February - March 2002
Noncompliance: These rear facing child seats with seat pad colors of Blue/Blue and Brown/Blue exceed the maximum head excursion criteria of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems." In the event of a vehicle crash, the infant seat can detach from the seat base, possibly resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: XSCi is offering a replacement seat (produced by an alternate child seat manufacturer) and will pay for the return of the noncompliant seat. XSCi will repair the noncompliant seat and return it to the customer. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began April 17, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free label and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact Xportation at 1-800-630-6850.
