NHTSA Publishes List of May 2003 Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in May 2003 and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly.
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, 1-888-327-4236, or by accessing NHTSA on the Internet at www.nhtsa.gov. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.
SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNSMay 2003
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
Bayerische Motoren Werke
Models: BMW X5
Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 357
Dates of Manufacture: March – April 2003
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, it is possible
that the distance between the brake line and the steering shaft joint is not
sufficient. If this occurs, the brake line could come into contact with the
joint and eventually suffer damage and corrosion. A loss of brake fluid,
indicated by a warning light in the instrument panel, could occur. This will
be accompanied by a reduction in front brake performance, increasing the risk
of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the distance between the brake
line and the steering shaft joint and, if necessary, increase the distance.
The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin
during early June 2003. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Ferrari North America
| Models: | Ferrari 550 Maranello | Year: 2001 |
| Ferrari 550 Barchetta | Year: 2001 | |
| Ferrari 456M/GT/GTA | Years: 2001-2002 |
Dates of Manufacture: December 2000 – March 2002
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the transmission oil lines to the oil cooler may not have been manufactured properly. The lines could become disconnected from the metal fitting and leak oil. If the lines leak oil, insufficient lubrication to the transmission could result. If this occurs, the vehicle’s transmission could become inoperative. If the transmission became inoperative while the customer was driving, damage to the vehicle or property, and a crash without warning could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the two transmission cooler oil lines with new lines that have a properly crimped metal fitting connector. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during early June 2003. Owners may contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2651.
Ford Motor Company
| Models: | Ford F150/F250 | Year: 1997 |
| Ford Expedition | Year: 1997 |
Dates of Manufacture: March – September 1996
Defect: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the intermediate shaft yoke can separate from the steering gear input shaft. This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. If the yoke is fully seated, no service is required. If the yoke is not fully seated and the bolt groove and spline are visible, the intermediate shaft and bolt will be replaced as well as the bolt at the steering column connection. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began June 2, 2003. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Indian Motorcycle Company
| Models: | Indian Chief | Years: 2002-2003 |
| Indian Chief Vintage | Years: Years:2002-2003 |
Dates of Manufacture: February 2002 – April 2003
Defect: On certain motorcycles, due to the positioning of the gas tank vent tube, the vent tube can become clogged with debris, particularly in wet weather. This can cause interruption of fuel flow to the carburetor, causing the motorcycle to stall. A clogged vent tube may also cause pressure to build up in the gas tank and push a small amount of gas out of the fuel filler cap seal. Fuel leakage in the present of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the current vent tube with a longer tube repositioned to prevent clogging. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during early June 2003. Owners may contact Indian at 1-888-899-2997.
Indian Motorcycle Company
Models: Indian Chief
Years: 1999-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 3,625
Dates of Manufacture: July 2000 – March 2003
Defect: On certain motorcycles, some windshields may have
defective brackets. These windshields were included as standard equipment
on these motorcycles and were sold as accessories for all other Chief models.
The brackets that attach the windshield to the motorcycle are formed so that
the mounting bolts are not flush with the bracket. This could place excessive
stress on the bolts causing them to break. Broken mounting bolts could lead
to the windshield coming loose and even falling off the bike, potentially
striking the rider or otherwise causing the rider to lose control of the motorcycle and crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brackets and bolts on the windshield.
The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin
during early June 2003. Owners may contact Indian at 1-888-899-2997.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Models: Mitsubishi Outlander
Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 43,649
Dates of Manufacture: August 2002 – April 2003
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, water could
enter the front floorboard area from openings in the side sill or upper dash
area. This water could collect under the seat and cause electrical corrosion
to occur in the harness connectors that contain the wiring for the seatbelt
pre-tensioner, side air bag impact sensor, and stop lamps. Electrical corrosion
of the harness could cause the seat belt pre-tensioner to malfunction, the
side air bag not to deploy and/or the brake lamps not to illuminate or to
falsely illuminate.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the side sills and dash panel
for openings that may allow water leakage into the vehicle cabin. In addition
to sealing any openings that may be found, the wiring connectors will be inspected
for signs of electrical corrosion. The floor harness will be replaced if
it has any signs of water damage or electrical corrosion. The manufacturer
has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners
may contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Nissan Motor Corporation
| Models: | Infiniti FX35 | Year: 2003 |
| Infiniti FX45 | Year: 2003 |
Dates of Manufacture: November 2002 – March 2003
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the bolts that attach the propeller (drive) shaft to the transaxle and differential may not have been adequately tightened. If the bolts come loose, the propeller shaft may separate from the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the propeller shaft bolts and tighten the bolts to the proper specification. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during June 2003. Owners may contact Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Models: Toyota Tacoma
Year: 2001-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 123,360
Dates of Manufacture: September 2000 – February 2003
Defect: On certain double cab pickup trucks, during side
impact NCAP testing, a flange at the rear end of the double cab body deformed
and contacted the fuel inlet hose that connects the fuel filler pipe and fuel
tank, resulting in damage to the fuel inlet hose. This damage could result
in fuel leakage, which could result in a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel hose protector on the body
flange. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected
to begin during June 2003. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
EZ Loader Boat Trailers
| Models: | EZ Custom Frames Blazer | Year: 2001 |
| EZ Custom Frames Sprint | Year: 2001 | |
| EZ Custom Frames Triton | Year: 2001 | |
| EZ TI Champion | Year: 2001 |
Defect: On certain boat trailers equipped with a mono-leaf based suspension system, the mounting hardware could loosen allowing the spring to flex at the apex of its radius, and at a point where there is a mounting index hole. This flexing could lead to premature failure of the spring.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the mono-leaf spring based suspension system with a multi-leaf spring based suspension system. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during August 2003. Owners may contact EZ Loader AT 1-509-489-0181.
IC Corporation
Models: AmTran FE
Year: 2000-2003
Number Potentially Involved: 13
Dates of Manufacture: May 1999 – March 2003
Noncompliance: Certain school buses fail to comply with
the emergency exit requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
217, “Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release.” During an emergency
situation, this condition could prevent passengers from exiting the bus, which
could cause personal injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will add one roof exit in the center of the
passenger compartment. All owners have been notified and all repairs performed.
EQUIPMENT:
Cardone Industries, Inc.
Models: Cardone Rear Brake Caliper
Number Potentially Involved: 15,899
Dates of Manufacture: February 2002 – April 2003
Defect: Certain remanufactured rear brake calipers, Part Numbers
18-7019, 18-7020, 16-7019, and 16-7020, used on 1965 through 1982 Chevrolet
Corvettes, were manufactured using improperly manufactured piston seals.
These seals are intended to prevent fluid leakage between the caliper housing
and the pistons. Under these conditions, the vehicle operator may not be
able to stop the car, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Cardone will notify its customers that all unsold inventory
will be repurchased and will provide a full refund to customers. This recall
does not involve General Motors Corporation or any of its products. Owner
notification is expected to begin during June 2003. Owners should contact
Cardone at 1-215-912-3000.
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