NHTSA : August 2002 Recalls Include- BMW, Honda, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Olds, Bluebird, Thomas, IC, Freightliner, International, Continental Tires.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in August 2002 and urged consumers to have the problems promptly fixed.
This 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 1-888-327-4236 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
August 2002
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
American Honda Motor Company
Models: Honda Accord Year: 2002
Honda Odyssey Year: 2002
Honda Pilot Year: 2003
Acura TL Year: 2003
Acura CL Year: 2003
Acura MDX Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 17,551
Dates of Manufacture: June – July 2002
Defect: On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with V6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be damaged and fail. If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the water pump, and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Aug. 30, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1099 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V226]
Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW)
Models: BMW 323i Year: 1999
BMW 328i Year: 1999
Number Potentially Involved: 20,500
Dates of Manufacture: April – August 1999
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the side air bag system could deploy in certain non-crash impacts, such as when contacting large potholes or curbs at substantial speeds. This could cause the side air bag and head protection system to deploy without an actual side crash or impact severe enough to cause significant visible damage to the vehicle. Unexpected deployment of the side air bag could cause serious injury if the occupant’s head is resting near the side air bag. Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the central air bag control module to reduce the possibility of such a non-crash deployment. The manufacturer reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V223]
Club Car, Inc.
Models: Club Car Pathway Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 3,552
Dates of Manufacture: June – August 2002
Noncompliance: Certain 2-passenger, open body vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500, "Low-speed Vehicles." Electrical relays rated for 12-volts were installed in place of relays rated for 48-volts. The 12-volt relays subsequently fail due to overvoltage, rendering the brake lights inoperable. Inoperable brake lamps will increase the risk of a crash to the rear of the vehicle when operated in traffic.
Remedy: Club Car will provide field teams to perform an inspection and replace parts as required without charge to the owner or end user. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Aug. 21, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Club Car at 1-800-258-2227, extension 3820.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V225]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Chrysler PT Cruiser Year: 2001
Number Potentially Involved: 97,779
Dates of Manufacture: May 2000 – January 2001
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel supply line could contact the air conditioning tube service port. This can cause chafing of the line, resulting in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel line for abrasion and install a clip to ensure isolation. In cases with evidence of fuel line abrasion, the fuel line will be replaced. The manufacturer reported that owner notification began on Aug. 12, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V214/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. B16]
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models: Chrysler PT Cruiser Years: 2001-2002
Number Potentially Involved: 345,436
Dates of Manufacture: October 1999 – June 2002
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump module mounting flange could leak fuel if the vehicle is involved in a rollover crash. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a secondary seal over the fuel pump module. The manufacturer reported that owner notification began on Aug. 12, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V215/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. B23]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Chevrolet Trailblazer Year: 2002
GMC Envoy Year: 2002
Oldsmobile Bravada Year: 2002
Number Potentially Involved: 76,467
Dates of Manufacture: November 2001 - February 2002
Defect: This is an expansion of an earlier recall (02V-121). 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 the fuel filter 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 was expected to begin during September 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.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V121/GM Recall No. 02016A]
General Motors Corporation
Models: Buick LeSabre Years: 2002-2003
Buick Rendezvous Years: 2002-2003
Cadillac Deville Years: 2002-2003
Chevrolet Trailblazer Years: 2002-2003
Chevrolet Impala Years: 2002-2003
Chevrolet Monte Carlo Years: 2002-2003
Chevrolet Ventura Years: 2002-2003
GMC Envoy Years: 2002-2003
Oldsmobile Bravada Years: 2002-2003
Oldsmobile Aurora Years: 2002-2003
Oldsmobile Silhouette Years: 2002-2003
Pontiac Bonneville Years: 2002-2003
Pontiac Montana Years: 2002-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 133,221
Dates of Manufacture: May – July 2002
Defect: Certain passenger cars, minivans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment. Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants, and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. The manufacturer reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V222/GM Recall No. 02032]
MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES
Blue Bird Body Company
Models: Blue Bird Commercial Series Years: 2002-2003
Blue Bird All American Years: 2002-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 255
Dates of Manufacture: June 2001 – July 2002
Defect: On certain school buses and transit buses equipped with Cummins ISB electronic engines, the wiring harness to the combustion air intake grid heater could chafe against engine components. The harness can wear through, causing an electrical short in the grid heater power supply.
Remedy: Owners will be contacted and advised to add a bracket to support the harness away from the engine components. Blue Bird will provide a replacement harness for any harnesses found abraded and will reimburse the customer for the labor required to replace the harness. The manufacturer reported that owner notification was expected to begin on Sept. 29, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V217/Blue Bird Recall No. R02GE]
Freightliner Corporation/Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
Models: Thomas Minotour Years: 1999-2002
Number Potentially Involved: 29
Dates of Manufacture: March 1999 – June 2002
Noncompliance: Certain school and transit buses fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages." The seat belt anchorages will only hold 4,400 pounds instead of the required 5000 pounds. In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will add a fastener to the track mounted seat. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during October 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Thomas Built at 1-336-889-4871.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V220]
Freightliner Corporation/Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
Models: Thomas ER Transit Years: 1999-2002
Thomas MVP EF Years: 1999-2002
Thomas MVP ER Years: 1999-2002
Number Potentially Involved: 15
Dates of Manufacture: June 1999 – March 2002
Defect: On certain school and transit buses, the wheel lug nut may not tighten completely. The wheel could loosen, increasing the risk of loss of control of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will install new wheel studs. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during October 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Thomas Built at 1-336-889-4871.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V221]
IC Corporation (formerly American Transportation Corporation)
Models: IC RE Years: 2001-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 1,689
Dates of Manufacture: January 2001 – June 2002
Noncompliance: Certain school buses fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength." The entrance door stepwell vertical joints were built with an inadequate number of fasteners. The effectiveness of this joint during a crash could be reduced, allowing separation of the joints. This could result in an opening or protrusion of metal edges in the stepwell area, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with repair instructions and parts free of charge. Additional fasteners will be added to the vertical joints of the stepwell. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began on Aug. 22, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact IC at 1-800-843-5615.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V200/IC Recall No. 02-302]
International Truck and Engine Corporation
Models: International 2000 Years: 1998-2002
International 3000 Years: 1998-2002
International 4700 Years: 1998-2002
International 4800 Years: 1998-2002
International 4900 Years: 1998-2002
International 5000 Years: 1998-2002
International 8000 Years: 1998-2002
International 9000 Years: 1998-2002
International IC Years: 1998-2002
International RE Years: 1998-2002
International FE Years: 1998-2002
Number Potentially Involved: 147,515
Dates of Manufacture: August 1997 – February 2002
Defect: On certain buses and medium and heavy duty trucks, a brass fitting connects the double check valve to the brake relay valve. With certain inputs to the vehicle, the weight of the check valve on the fitting can cause the assembly to resonate. The subject vibration can cause excessive strain levels in the fitting, which could eventually fatigue and fail. If the fitting breaks, the rear service brakes will cease to operate without warning. This will result in an extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a kit to remount the double check valve with a flexible hose on the majority of vehicles. On a small number of units with clearance issues or traction control, a kit with a new relay valve that has a built-in double check valve will be installed. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Aug. 19, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact International at 1-800-448-7825.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02V135/International Recall No. 02506]
TIRES:
Continental Tire
Models: Continental 315/80R22.5 HSR12
Number Potentially Involved: 3,505
Dates of Manufacture: August 2001 – June 2002
Defect: On certain tires used on inter-city touring coaches, under high speed, high load, and high ambient temperatures, portions of the tread rib rubber can separate from the tire carcass. If this occurs, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Continental will notify its customers and replace the subject tires with HSL ECO tires free of charge. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Continental at 1-704-583-8782.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02T011]
Continental Tire
Models: Continental Contitrac AW
Continental Grabber AW
Number Potentially Involved: 596,610
Defect: Certain ContiTrac AW and Grabber AW tires, size P275/60R17, used as original equipment (also sold as replacement tires) on certain MY 2000-2001 2-wheel-drive Ford Expedition and 2-wheel-drive Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicles, have lower than specified rubber gauge between the belt. These conditions can potentially lead to tread detachment or separation. Should the tread separate from the tire carcass, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Continental will notify its customers and replace the subject tires with P265/70R17 ContiTrac TR and ContiTrac SUV tires free of charge. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Continental at 1-704-583-8782.
[NHTSA Recall No. 02T012]
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