NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF JANUARY 2001 RECALLS

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

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SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS
JANUARY 2001

VEHICLES:

CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES

Bayerische Motoren Werke

Models: BMW M5 Years: 2000-2001

BMW 740i Year: 2001

BMW 740iL Year: 2001

BMW 750iL Year: 2001

Number Involved: 3,167

Dates of Manufacture: June - October 2000

Defect: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 18-inch tires (18-inch tires are standard equipment on the M5 and optional equipment on the 7-Series models), the machine used to mount and inflate the tires on the wheels at the assembly plant may have damaged the sidewall of one or more tires. The damaged area could weaken to the point where a sudden loss of air from the tire could occur. Handling and control would be drastically affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tires, and, if damage from the mounting machine is found, the tire will be replaced. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during February 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01V-001]

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Daewoo Motor Company, Ltd.

Models: Daewoo Lanos Years: 2000-2001

Number Involved: 27,884

Dates of Manufacture: December 1999 - November 2000

Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, a wiring harness, located beneath the carpet in the front passenger floor area, can become damaged by passenger traffic as the wire harness is rubbed against a body seam in the floor panel. When the harness is damaged, engine drivability could be affected, and it could result in sudden engine stalling.

Remedy: Dealers will reposition the wire harness and attach it permanently in a location where the wire harness cannot be damaged. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Feb. 6, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Daewoo at 1-877-463-2396.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01V020/Daewoo Recall No. 01-9A-002]

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DaimlerChrysler Corporation

Models: Dodge Ram Year: 2001

Number Involved: 2,400

Dates of Manufacture: June - July 2000

Defect: On certain Quad Cab pickup trucks equipped with a camper package and overload springs, the spacer plate could lead to deformation of the upper spring plate during assembly of the axle to the vehicle, resulting in a soft joint. The soft joint could cause the rear axle U-bolts to lose clamp load, resulting in displacement of the rear axle and a loss of vehicle control.

Remedy: Dealers will remove the spacer plates and the spring plates will be replaced. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Feb. 4, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free label within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01V008/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 966]

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Kawasaki Motors Corporation

Models: Kawasaki BN 125-A4 Year: 2001

Number Involved: 1,000

Dates of Manufacture: October - November 2000

Defect: On certain motorcycles, a transistor in the ignition module can overheat, disabling the ignition without warning. This sudden loss of engine power could lead to a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition module. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Jan. 31, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Kawasaki at 1-949-770-0400.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01V010/Kawasaki Recall No. MC 01-03]

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Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc.

Models: Mercedes Benz CL Class Year: 2001

Mercedes Benz S Class Year: 2001

Number Involved: 3,400

Dates of Manufacture: November 2000 - January 2001

Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the sheathing material on the electrical connection of the heated windshield washer bottle hose could melt and cause the surrounding plastic and insulation to melt.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the heated washer bottle hose assembly. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began during January 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01V014/Mercedes-Benz Recall No.2001-01002]

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Toyota Motor Company, Ltd.

Models: Toyota Camry Years: 1998-2001

Number Involved: 53,061

Dates of Manufacture: August 1997 - November 2000

Defect: On certain passenger vehicles built at Toyota's Kentucky plant, the accelerator cable housing could be deformed at the cruise control actuator-to-throttle body connection. The accelerator inner-cable could wear away and eventually break, allowing the throttle to return to idle or remain in its most recent position regardless of accelerator pedal operation. This could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during February 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01V012]

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TIRES

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Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.

Models: Firestone Wilderness LE P265/70R16 Tires

Number Involved: 8,000

Dates of Manufacture: April 2000

Defect: Certain Wilderness LE tires (both black and raised white letter tires) produced during the week of April 24, 2000 (the seventeenth week of 2000) at the Cuernavaca, Mexico plant with tire Serial Numbers V672WL11700 (blackwall) and V672WL21700 (raised white letters) used as original equipment on model year 2000 GMC Yukon XL 1500 Series vehicles and also offered as optional equipment on the model year 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Series vehicles may experience tread separation due to a lack of adhesion to the first steel belt. Tread belt separation may lead to irregular wear, noise, or vibration. With continued use, it may lead to complete separation of the tread/belt from the tire carcass, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.

Remedy: On Jan. 2, 2001, Firestone made a public announcement of the defect and that replacement tires are immediately available at no cost to the customer. Replacement tires are available at either GM or Chevrolet dealers or at authorized participating Firestone retailers. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Bridgestone/Firestone at 1-800-465-1904.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01T001]

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Cooper Tire and Rubber Company

Models: Cooper 130/80R17 65H Tires

Cooper 140/80R17 69H Tires

Cooper 150/70R17 69H Tires

Number Involved: 1,729

Dates of Manufacture: January 1994 - May 2000

Defect: Certain Cooper‑Avon Tyres Limited motorcycle tires, sizes 130/80R17 65H manufactured from Aug. 7, 1995 through Feb. 26, 2000; 140/80R17 69H manufactured between Jan. 3, 1994, and May 13, 2000; and 150/70R17 69H manufactured between Feb. 27, 1995, and Nov. 7, 1998, may develop radial cracks between tread lugs in the shoulder area. In certain service conditions where excessive flexing of the tire sidewall occurs, this may lead to a separation between components in the shoulder/sidewall which in turn may lead to a sudden deflation of the tire. Should this condition occur, a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death could be the result. Driving at highway speeds should be avoided until the tires have been inspected and replaced.

Remedy: Cooper will notify its customers to return these tires to their local dealer for free replacement tires. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Jan. 23, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Cooper at 1-800-624-7470.

[NHTSA Recall No. 01T002/Cooper Recall No. 113]

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