NHTSA Recalls in 1997

CHRYSLER/LOWER CONTROL ARM

SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

LOTUS/WHEELS

IF THE REAR WHEELS CRACKED AND BROKE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.

AUTOLIV/HONDA/AIR BAG MODULE

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. IN A CRASH, AN IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.

FORD/TIRES

THE BEAD AREA OF THE TIRE WAS CUT WHICH COULD RESULT IN AIR LOSS. SUDDEN AIR LOSS COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES AND THIS RECALL AFFECTING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ONLY, FORD WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT CLAIMS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

FLEETWOOD/DEXTER AXLE/WHEEL BEARINGS

A WHEEL BEARING FAILURE COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE WHEEL END FROM THE AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

DEXTER AXLE IS CONDUCTING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AXLES AND REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS IF NECESSARY.

UNION CITY/FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE DAMAGE OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME TO THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT AND/OR FUEL LINES AND CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, FIRE COULD RESULT.

NISSAN/AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.

HOLIDAY RAMBLER/AXLE SPRINGS

THE CURRENT SPRINGS WERE NOT RATED PROPERLY TO ALLOW A SUFFICIENT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR).

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT SPRINGS WITH SPRINGS THAT WILL ALLOW THE AXLES TO BE RATED AT 5,200 LBS. EACH. ALSO A NEW FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABEL AND METAL IDENTIFICATION PLATE WILL BE INSTALLED TO REFLECT THE INCREASED GAWR.

GM/EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS HARNESS

THE HARNESS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE LINKAGE PREVENTING RETURN TO A CLOSED THROTTLE.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THE HARNESS, CORRECT AS NECESSARY, AND INSTALL A PLASTIC TIE STRAP TO THE HARNESS.

FORD/SEAT BELT BUCKLES

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, FOR 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE.

ROLLS ROYCE/BATTERY CABLE

IF THE BODY PANEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE CABLE WIRE, A SHORT CIRCUIT, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SUPPLY, OR FIRE COULD OCCUR.

DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE CABLE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED CABLES.

MACK/STEERING LOCK UP

THE BEARING DETERIORATION CAN CAUSE THE STEERING TO LOCK UP RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE MITER BOXES.

FORD/HOODS

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD AREA FOR ANY DAMAGE ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, THE HOOD WILL BE REPLACED. IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE WILL BE APPLIED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS.

HARLEY DAVIDSON/MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE HELMET TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION ON THE USER'S HEAD.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE HELMETS AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THESE HELMETS.

FLEETWOOD/JACK LEVELING SYSTEM

THIS HYDRAULIC FLUID CAN IGNITE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING A FIRE.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, REPLACE ANY DAMAGED HOSES, AND RELOCATE THE AFFECTED HYDRAULIC LINES.

THOMAS BUILT/STEERING LINKAGE

BINDING OF THE STEERING LINKAGE COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO OVER STEER THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR A CRASH.

OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC SEAL WHICH WILL LEAVE AN OPENING BETWEEN THE VEHICLE FLOOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THOMAS BUILT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING A PROPER SEAL FOR THAT AREA, AND THIS SEAL WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS FOR INSTALLATION.

MITSUBISHI/VACUUM CHECK VALVE

THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF VACUUM BOOST, REDUCING BRAKE EFFICIENCY.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

FORD/SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES

THESE CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE SEAT BELT USAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

GNB/AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.

GM/FMVSS 207

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A SEAT WITH THIS CONDITION WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND INSTALL ANY MISSING BOLTS.

DEXTER AXLE/WHEEL BEARINGS

A WHEEL BEARING FAILURE COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE WHEEL END FROM THE AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AXLES AND REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS IF NECESSARY.

VW/AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE

IN THE EVENT THE SENSOR SHOULD MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE.

CHRYSLER/STEERING COLUMN COUPLING

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLER WITH A COUPLER DESIGN THAT COLLAPSES ON IMPACT.

CHRYSLER/FRONT AND ABS BRAKES

PROLONGED BRAKE HOSE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PROLONGED ABS SENSOR WIRE CONTACT CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION.

DEALERS WILL TRIM THE FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELDS AND THE BRAKE HOSES AND ABS SENSOR WIRES WILL BE INSPECTED. IF EVIDENCE OF ABRASION IS FOUND ON ANY HOSE OR ABS WIRE, THEY WILL BE REPLACED.

VW/AIR BAG GROUND CONTACT WIRE

ACTIVATION OF THE AIR BAG UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND WIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG.

FORD/AUTO TRANSMISSION CABLE ASSEMBLY

THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.

DEALERS WILL MAKE THE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET AND ADD A TIE STRAP TO THAT CONNECTION.

BMW MOTORCYCLE/FIRE

IF THIS WARNING IS IGNORED AND THE ENGINE IS LEFT RUNNING AT AN INCREASED SPEED ABOVE IDLE WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS AT A STANDSTILL WITH THE AIR STREAM REQUIRED FOR COOLING MISSING, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TEMPERATURE WILL RISE CONSIDERABLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

OWNERS WILL BE SENT A WARNING LABEL FOR THEIR MOTORCYCLE AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT.

COLLINS/FMVSS 222

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT MAY INCUR PERSONAL INJURIES.

A GUSSET WILL BE ADDED TO THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME. IN ADDITION, A REINFORCEMENT STRAP WILL BE ADDED TO THE FRONT OF THE SEAT LEG.

FERRARI/FUEL LINE FRACTURE

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FRACTURED LINE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FUEL FUEL INJECTION LINES AND TWO RAILS THAT US ALUMINUM NUTS AND REPLACE THE LINES AND RAILS WITH STEEL NUTS.

TRIUMPH/MAIN FRAME WELD FRACTURES

THIS MAIN FRAME SHOULD NOT FRACTURE BUT BEND AFTER AN IMPACT.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE FRAMES WITH NEWLY MANUFACTURED FRAMES.

GM/FMVSS 108/OWNER'S MANUAL

A VEHICLE'S HEADLAMP WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS TO ONCOMING VEHICLES.

OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A LABEL WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON HEADLAMP HORIZONTAL AIM TO BE PLACED OVER THE EXISTING TEXT IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK. IF AN OWNER DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PLACE THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK FOR THEM.

FORD/FUEL LINE LEAKAGE

THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.

VW/FUEL FILLER NECK

THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW FUEL TO ESCAPE AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE FILLER NECKS.

TIFFIN/ALLEGRO/AMSAFE/SEAT BELT RETRACTOR

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER OR OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IN THESE VEHICLES.

FORD/STEERING GEAR

THIS CONDITION CAN INCREASE STEERING EFFORTS, AFFECTING STEERING CONTROL.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR, AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THOSE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLIES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. THE DATE CODES FOR WINDSTAR MODEL VEHICLES ARE 97JB09 OR 97JC08; THE DATE CODES FOR MUSTANG MODEL VEHICLES ARE 97J09B OR 97J08B.

VOLVO/CABLE ROUTING UNDER SEAT

THIS CHAFING CAN LEAD TO A LOW OHM SHORT CIRCUIT.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE HARNESSES AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT OR REPLACE THESE CABLES.

GM/SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR

IN A RAPID DECELERATION OR VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.

ISUZU/SAFETY BELT WEBBING

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

FREIGHTLINER/AUTO TRANSMISSION

THIS CAN ALLOW THE CAM LEVER TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES. THE OPERATOR WOULD HAVE NO WARNING THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SHIMS IN THE DRILLED AREA OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK BRAKE PIVOT PIN HOLE.

VOLVO TRUCK/SAFETY BELT BUCKLE

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH THE CABLE TETHER.

MCCOY MILLER/FMVSS 207, 210

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT OF THIS SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL RESTRUCTURE THE ATTACHMENT OF THE SEAT BASE TO THE FLOOR AND TO THE FRONT BULKHEAD.

GM/FMVSS 210

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.

THOMAS BUILT/STEERING

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND/OR OVERHEATING THE ENGINE.

THOMAS BUILT IS REQUESTING OWNERS TO INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE STEERING GEAR PUMP. IF THE PUMP IS STAMPED WITH A DATE CODE PRIOR TO 6/1/97 AND DOES NOT HAVE AN "L" OR AN "RL" STAMPED ON THE IDENTIFICATION TAG, THE OWNER WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE PUMP. OWNERS WILL BE SHIPPED A REPLACEMENT PUMP AND DETAILED REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT CAN DO THE INSPECTION AND REPAIR ON THESE BUSES.

TOYOTA/BRAKE VACUUM HOSE

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF VACUUM ASSIST TO THE BRAKES THAT CAN INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

WESTERN STAR/FMVSS 121

AIR BRAKE RELEASE TIME MAY BE LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED BY THE OPERATOR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE QUICK RELEASE VALVE IN EACH OF THE DROP LINES TO THE REAR MOST BRAKE CHAMBERS.

WESTERN STAR/5TH WHEEL MOUNTING PLATES

DAMAGE OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TRACTOR AND THE SEMI-TRAILER ALLOWING THE SEMI-TRAILER TO SEPARATE FROM THE TRACTOR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING PLATES AND REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FIFTH WHEEL COMPONENTS.

BUELL/FRONT BRAKE ROTOR

THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.

ISUZU/BRAKE LINE CONTACTS OIL PAN

BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND THE BRAKE LINE. IF THE CLEARANCE IS 6MM OR LESS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE CLIP AND IF THERE WAS CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND BRAKE LINE, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.

FORD/TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE.

CHRYSLER/SEAT BELT SYSTEM

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.