Isuzu Recalls More Than 193,000 Trucks Due to Faulty Ball Joint Sockets

TOKYO December 6, 2005; The AP reported that Japanese truck maker Isuzu Motors Ltd. said Tuesday it will recall more than 193,000 trucks because of faulty ball joint sockets.

The recall involves Elf model trucks produced between 1993-2004, Isuzu said in a statement. A fault in the ball joint sockets may lead to excess friction causing them to crack, it said.

ADVERTISEMENT It was not clear whether the recall affected vehicles sold outside of Japan. Isuzu officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Isuzu exported about 90,000 Elf trucks to the United States in 2004, according to the company's Web site.

The recall is the truckmaker's second this month. On Dec. 1, Isuzu recalled more than 5,000 trucks and buses because of faulty shock absorbers and engine defects.

Isuzu has an alliance with General Motors Corp., which at one point owned as much as 49 percent of the Tokyo-based truck-maker.

Isuzu fell into serious financial trouble about five years ago, forcing it to carry out widespread cost cuts. It returned to profitability last year.