NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF AUGUST 2000 RECALLS

6 November 2000

NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST
OF AUGUST 2000 RECALLS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in August 2000 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 http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS
AUGUST 2000

VEHICLES:

CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES

Ford Motor Company

Models: Ford Escape Year: 2001

Number Involved: 800

Dates of Manufacture: April - July 2000

Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control cable may be defective and malfunction or allow water into the cable, eventually causing corrosion that could interfere with the function of the speed control. If either of these conditions occurs and the speed control is used, the speed control could prevent the throttle from returning to idle, resulting in a stuck throttle. A stuck throttle could result in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the speed control cables for the defective cables and replace those found. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Aug. 21, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V210001/Ford Recall No. 00S18]

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Ford F150 Year: 1997
Ford F150 Year: 1997

Number Involved: 670,509

Dates of Manufacture: November 1995 - August 1997

Defect: On light duty pickup trucks, the front fuel line assembly could have a hole rubbed through from improper installation of the mounting brackets. Also, in vehicles equipped with a manual 4x4 transfer case shifter, the shifter linkage may contact the steel fuel lines during shifting between 4H, 4L, 2L and Neutral. These conditions could result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect these lines and replace the front fuel line assembly if necessary. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V231/Ford Recall No. 00S22]

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Ford Taurus Year: 2001
Mercury Sable Year: 2001

Number Involved: 5,961

Dates of Manufacture: May - August 2000

Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the Child Safety Seat Anchor Latch (ISO-fix anchor) fasteners do not have adequate residual torque. The anchors are secured to the floor pan with a reinforcement plate that has two studs that extend upward through the floor pan and the ISO-fix anchor. The sealer on the floor pan could cause a soft joint and, even if the nuts are properly torqued, road vibrations could cause the nut, to loosen and separate from the stud. The anchor may not hold the child safety seat in position during an accident, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant of the child safety seat.

Remedy: Dealers will remove and re-install the bracket nut using a torque retention material (red loctite). The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V240/Ford Recall No. 00S23]

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Ford Taurus Year: 2000
Mercury Sable Year: 2000

Number Involved: 167,000

Dates of Manufacture: May - July 2000

Noncompliance: On certain passenger vehicles, the "vehicle capacity weight" and "designated seating capacity" information was not printed on the safety certification labels affixed to these vehicles. On affected Sable sedan vehicles, the "vehicles capacity weight" (and also the luggage load) information printed on this label is incorrect - Sable wagon luggage load was incorrectly used for the Sable sedan. These vehicles do not comply with the label requirements of FMVSS No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Remedy: Owners will be provided with a supplemental label with the correct information, along with instructions for affixing the label adjacent to the vehicle certification label. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2000. Owners who do not receive the free instructions and label within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V242/Ford Recall No. 00L03]

General Motors Corporation

Models:

GMC Sonoma Year: 1998
Chevrolet Blazer Year: 1998
Chevrolet S10 Year: 1998

Number Involved: 14,279

Dates of Manufacture: May 1997 - June 1998

Noncompliance: Certain light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) built with a candela value greater than 3,000 cannot be mounted higher than 864mm above the road surface.

Remedy: Dealers will install a revised wiring harness that changes the DRL's from high beam to low beam DRL's, and install new long-life low beam bulbs. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during September 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact GMC at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V220/GM Recall No. 00043]

General Motors Corporation

Models:

Buick Century Year: 2000
Buick Regal Year: 2000
Chevrolet Lumina Year: 2000
Chevrolet Impala Year: 2000
Chevrolet Monte Carlo Year: 2000
Chevrolet Venture Year: 2000
Chevrolet Blazer Year: 2000
Chevrolet S10/T10 Year: 2000
GMC Jimmy Year: 2000
Oldsmobile Intrigue Year: 2000
Oldsmobile Silhouette Year: 2000
Pontiac Grand Prix Year: 2000
Pontiac Montana Year: 2000
Saturn L-Series Year: 2000

Number Involved: 156,305

Dates of Manufacture: April - May 2000

Noncompliance: Certain passenger vehicles, light duty pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with TRW seat belt buckle assemblies fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies." The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and do not pass the load bearing requirement of the standard. In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's rear safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any rear safety belt buckle assembly. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during September 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300; Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020; GMC at 1-800-462-8782, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537; Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737; or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V228003/GM Recall No. 00067]

General Motors Corporation

Models:

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Year: 2001
Chevrolet Impala Year: 2001

Number Involved: 580

Dates of Manufacture: July 2000

Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the air bag sensing and diagnostic modules (SDM) could experience a memory error resulting in the air bags not deploying in a crash situation. In a crash, a front seat occupant may receive more serious injuries.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during September 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V244/GM Recall No. 00073]

Mazda (North America), Inc.

Models: Mazda Tribute Year : 2001

Number Involved: 606

Dates of Manufacture: April - July 2000

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V210002/Mazda Recall No. 93008]

MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES

Blue Bird Body Company

Models: Blue Bird All American Years: 1999-2000

Number Involved: 175

Dates of Manufacture: May 1999 - July 2000

Defect: On certain school and transit buses equipped with Cummins ISC engines, the wiring harness to the combustion air intake grid heater can chafe against the engine and wear through. This condition can cause an electrical short in the grid heater power supply possibly resulting in a fire.

Remedy: Owners will be advised to re-route the original grid heater power supply harness. In addition, a clamp will be added to support the harness away from the engine components. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began August 24, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 1-912-825-2021.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V209/Blue Bird Recall No. R00DZ]

Blue Bird Body Company

Models:

Blue Bird TC2000 Years: 1993-1999
Blue Bird Conventional Years: 1993-1999
Blue Bird Mini Bird Years: 1993-1999

Number Involved: 25,839

Dates of Manufacture: May 1999 - July 2000

Noncompliance: Certain school buses fail to meet the 60 percent joint strength requirements of FMVSS No. 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength." In the event of a vehicle crash, the roof may not be supported sufficiently, causing personal injury to bus occupants.

Remedy: Owners will be contacted and advised to inspect each roof joint. Owners will install repair rivets in each joint found to have insufficient quantity of rivets in each examined 8-inch section. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 1-912-825-2021.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V219/Blue Bird Recall No. R00DN]

Blue Bird Body Company

Models:

Blue Bird All American Years: 1999-2000
Blue Bird TC2000 Years: 1999-2000
Blue Bird Q-Bus Years: 1999-2000
Blue Bird Commercial Series Years: 1999-2000

Number Involved: 6,914

Dates of Manufacture: February 1999 - August 2000

Defect: On certain school and transit buses equipped with electronic engines and Felsted electronic accelerator pedals, the return springs can break on the accelerator pedals that are equipped with stainless steel or electroplated music wire return springs. If both return springs fail, the throttle would not return to the idle position as intended resulting in a stuck throttle. A stuck throttle could result in a crash.

Remedy: Replacement accelerator pedals equipped with return springs manufactured of music wire with one additional coil on each spring and with an organic coating, eliminating electroplating will be installed. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 1-912-825-2021.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V230001/Blue Bird Recall No. R00EA]

Blue Bird Body Company

Models: Blue Bird All American Years: 1999-2000

Number Involved: 1,581

Dates of Manufacture: February 1999 - August 2000

Defect: Certain school and transit buses have improperly installed or missing pinch bolts in the steering shaft assemblies. This can result in disengagement of the steering slip shaft assembly and loss of steering.

Remedy: Owners will be provided with installation instructions and new replacement bolts and locking nuts for the steering shaft assemblies. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during September 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 1-912-825-2021.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V245/Blue Bird Recall No. R00EF]

Freightliner Corporation

Models: Sterling Acterra Years: 1999-2000

Number Involved: 22,499

Dates of Manufacture: April 1999 - June 2000

Defect: On certain heavy duty trucks, the upper steering column pinch bolt may not have been properly tightened. Loss of steering control can occur if the bolt falls out increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the upper steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and re-torque if necessary. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin Aug. 23, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V172/Freightliner Recall No. FL-263]

Freightliner Corporation

Models:

Freightliner FLD Years: 1997-2000
Freightliner Century Years: 1997-2000
Freightliner Business Class Years: 1997-2000
Freightliner Columbia Years: 1997-2000
Freightliner Argosy Years: 1997-2000
Freightliner FS-65 Years: 1997-2000
Freightliner FLS 112 Years: 1997-2000
Freightliner Sterling Years: 1997-2000
Sterling Acterra Years: 1997-2000
Thomas ER Transit Years: 1997-2000
Thomas MVP EF Years: 1997-2000
Thomas MVP ER Years: 1997-2000

Number Involved: 51,000

Dates of Manufacture: February 1998 - August 2000

Defect: On certain buses and heavy duty trucks built with Bendix air ABS with an EC-17 1030R electronic control unit (ECU), there have been reports of unwanted temporary ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal. This condition could cause the air ABS ECU to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels, resulting in increased braking distances. This could lead to a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Aug. 29, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V232002/Freightliner Recall No. FL-266]

Freightliner Corporation

Models:

Sterling Acterra Year: 1999
Sterling Truck Year: 1999
Freightliner FLD Year: 1999
Freightliner FLN Year: 1999
Freightliner Argosy Year: 1999
Freightliner MT45 Year: 1999
Freightliner MT55 Year: 1999
Freightliner Century Year: 1999

Number Involved: 45,000

Dates of Manufacture: July - October 1999

Defect: On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with TRW tie rod ends on certain Meritor axles, the tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness. This can lead to premature wear with possible separation of the ball stud from the socket, increasing the risk of loss of control of the vehicle and a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace all affected tie rods and drag links with different designed ends. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during October 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V246001/Freightliner Recall No. FL-268]

Freightliner Corporation

Models: Freightliner XC Years: 1999-2000

Number Involved: 3,400

Dates of Manufacture: May 1999 - April 2000

Defect: On certain recreational vehicle chassis, the components that retain the rear axle wheel covers may have been damaged during installation. This can result in a separation of the wheel cover, increasing the risk of property damage to following vehicles or injury to pedestrians.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the wheel covers with a different design that has an improved means of retention. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during October 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V248/Freightliner Recall No. FL-270]

International Truck and Engine Corporation

Models:

International 5000 Years: 1998-2000
International 9000 Years: 1998-2000

Number Involved: 28,010

Dates of Manufacture: July 1998 - July 2000

Defect: On certain heavy duty trucks, the brake light switch and the cruise control switch are mounted in such a way as to allow moisture within the air brake system to collect inside the switches. If the moisture in the switches freezes, the brake lights may not function and the cruise control might not disengage when the brake pedal is depressed. If the switches freeze, there could be no brake lights to warn following vehicles and an extended stopping distance if the cruise control does not disengage as expected when the brake pedal is pressed, extending stopping distances increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers re-mount the air manifold and switches to a proven, trouble-free orientation. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Aug. 21, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact International at 1-800-448-7825.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V206/International Recall No. 00506]

International Truck and Engine Corporation

Models:

International 2000 Years: 1998-2000
International 3000 Years: 1998-2000
International 4000 Years: 1998-2000
International 5000 Years: 1998-2000
International 8000 Years: 1998-2000
International 9000 Years: 1998-2000

Number Involved: 165,092

Dates of Manufacture: March 1998 - July 2000

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Sept. 25, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact International at 1-800-448-7825.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V232001/International Recall No. 00507]

Spartan Motors, Inc.

Models: Spartan SB2142 Years: 1991-1998

Number Involved: 100

Dates of Manufacture: May 1997 - June 1998

Defect: On certain front engine, air suspension, school buses, both the track bar mount, mounting bolts, and the steering box mounting bolts could loosen due to frame flexing resulting in the loosening and fracture of these bolts. The spring beam could also subsequently fracture. Either of these conditions can affect the directional control of the vehicle.

Remedy: Dealers will install three structural, welded cross-members to tie together the right and left frame rails, all located forward of the front axle. Stiffening gussets have been added to existing frame cross-members and the to steering gear box mounting bracket. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Aug. 28, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V216/Spartan Recall No. SPEC 00003]

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.

Models:

Volvo ACL Years: 1997-2000
Volvo VNL Years: 1997-2000
Volvo VNM Years: 1997-2000
Volvo WAH Years: 1997-2000
Volvo WG Years: 1997-2000
Volvo WX Years: 1997-2000
Volvo WXLL Years: 1997-2000
Volvo WXR Years: 1997-2000

Number Involved: 18,362

Dates of Manufacture: November 1997 - August 2000

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin in November 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volvo Trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V232003/Volvo Trucks Recall No. RVXX0003]

TIRES:

Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.

Models:

Firestone ATX II
Firestone ATX
Firestone Wilderness AT

Number Involved: 14,400,000

Defect: Firestone Wilderness AT, tire size P235/75R15, produced at the Decatur, Ill., tire plant and all Firestone Radial ATX and Radial ATX II tires, size P235/75R15, installed on certain Ford, Mercury and Mazda vehicles. There have been thread separations in some of these tires. If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash causing injury or death.

Remedy: Firestone will replace the defective tires. Until these tires are replaced, owners should check to ensure proper inflation pressure of the tires does not fall below the recommended tire pressure of the tires (30psi) recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began during August 2000. Owners who do not receive the free replacement tires within a reasonable time should contact Firestone at 1-800-465-1904.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00T005]

###