2002 Product Recalls

COACHMEN/SPARE TIRE CARRIER

IF THE RELEASE BOLT THAT SECURES THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER TO THE FRAME AT THE DROP DOWN END OF THE CARRIER WERE TO BECOME LOOSE AND FALL OFF, A PORTION OF THE CARRIER ASSEMBLY ITSELF COULD DETACH AND FALL OFF IF THERE IS NO LOCKING PIN. IF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WERE TO SEPARATE FROM THE UNIT DURING TRAVEL, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED CARRIER RELEASE BOLT AND LOCKING PIN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 21, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT COACHMEN AT 1-800-453-6064.

FORD/FMVSS 120/LABEL

IF THE TIRES ARE INFLATED TO THE PRESSURE INDICATED ON THE LABEL, THE CUSTOMER WILL EXPERIENCE A HARSHER RIDE.

OWNERS WILL BE SENT A CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. THE CUSTOMER MAY ALSO HAVE THE DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL ON THE VEHICLE, IF THEY SO DESIRE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON/FENDER TIP LIGHT

THIS COULD CAUSE THE LIGHTING SYSTEM FUSE TO BLOW, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN OPERATIONAL FRONT FENDER TIP LIGHT, HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT, RUNNING LIGHTS, AND PASSING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED).

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FENDER TIP LIGHT WIRING HARNESS RETENTION CLIPS, AND INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, ANY DAMAGED WIRING HARNESSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-342-4680.

STRICK/SUSPENSION CRACKS

THE AXLE AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY COULD OUT FROM UNDER THE TRAILER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE CRACKED CROSSMEMBERS ABOVE THE SUSPENSION; THE VERTICAL MEMBER AT THE REAR OF THE SUSPENSION BEAM WILL BE FULLY WELDED TO THE BEAM AND REAR FRAME; AND THE "I" CROSSMEMBER AT THE FRONT OF THE SUSPENSION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A TUBE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT STRICK AT 1-215-949-3600.

CPSC Jan 10, 2002

Powerscourt Sterling Teething Rings Recalled for Safety Concern

The area where the teething ring is soldered together contains flux, which can irritate the skin or mouths of young children.

Consumers should take these teething rings away from children immediately and return the rings to the store where purchased, for a refund. Known purchasers were sent direct mail notification of this recall.

NHTSA Jan 10, 2002

SAFELINE KIDS/FMVSS 213 - FAA LABEL COLOR

THIS NONCOMPLIANCE COULD LEAD FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO REFUSE TO ALLOW A PARENT/GUARDIAN TO BRING OR USE THIS PRODUCT ON AN AIRPLANE, WHICH COULD CREATE A SAFETY RISK TO THE CHILD.

SAFELINE KIDS WILL SEND CORRECTED LABELS TO KNOWN OWNERS TO BE PLACED OVER THE EXISTING LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAFELINE KIDS AT 800-829-1625.

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/STEERING COLUMN BOLT/FLOOR MAT

THIS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLER PINCH BOLT AND RETAINING PIN. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT FLOOR MATS WILL BE REPLACED.

GM/INLET ELBOW SEPARATION

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE INLET ELBOW WOULD BE RETAINED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP RUNNING DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY.

DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW ALUMINUM INLET ELBOW AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER.

GM/WET BRAKE PERFORMANCE

THE BRAKING COULD FEEL DELAYED MOMENTARILY WHEN LIGHT OR MODERATE FORCE IS APPLIED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS OR AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH.

DEALER WILL MODIFY THE FRONT FENDER LINERS TO REMOVE A PORTION OF THE CLOSEOUT PANELS IN THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. THIS SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH AUGUST 2004.

FORD/ENGINE COOLING FAN

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR ASSEMBLY AT NO CHARGE TO CONSUMERS. FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002. IF THE CONSUMER HAS PAID TO HAVE THIS SERVICE DONE BEFORE DECEMBER 2001, FORD IS OFFERING A REFUND. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

SUZUKI/FUEL SEEPAGE

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY SEEPING FUEL PETCOCKS AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER.

FORD/REAR WHEEL BEARINGS

THE WHEEL BEARINGS COULD PREMATURELY WEAR AND CAUSE A NOTICEABLE NOISE. IF NOT REPAIRED, THIS CONDITION COULD PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE WHEEL BEGINS TO WOBBLE.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. ADDITIONAL BEARING SEALS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO ENSURE A SMOOTH RIDE. THIS PROGRAM WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2002, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. EVEN IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN SERVICED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 00S31, FORD HAS TAKEN ADDITIONAL STEPS TO KEEP THE WHEEL BEARINGS IN TOP SHAPE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

GM/UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION

THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINTS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS SPECIAL POLICY IS FOR A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, FROM THE DATE THE VHEICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP. THE UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, DUE TO SEPARATION, WILL BE MADE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER DURING THIS PERIOD. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-862-4389, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

CPSC Jan 4, 2002

John Deere LT series Lawn Tractors Recalled for Fire Hazard

The fuel tank can crack and leak fuel, posing a fire hazard and risk of burn injuries to consumers.

Consumers should stop using the recalled lawn tractors immediately and contact their nearest John Deere dealer to arrange for a free replacement fuel tank to be installed.

NHTSA Jan 4, 2002

AIRTEX/FUEL PUMP

IN A DUAL FUEL TANK SYSTEM, FUEL CAN BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER CAUSING ONE TANK OF THE SYSTEM TO BECOME OVERFILLED AND SPILL FUEL OUT FROM TANK FILLER PIPE. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

REPLACE THE MODULE WITH MODULES EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER VALVING. NOTIFICATION TO DEALERS AND OWNERS BEGAN JANUARY 4, 2002. AIRTEX CAN BE REACHED BY EMAIL AT AIRTEXPRODSALES@AIRTEXPRODUCTS.COM OR BY FAX AT (618) 842-5019. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

CPSC Jan 3, 2002

"Midget Racer" mini-bicycle Recalled for Crash Hazard

The front fork assembly on these mini-bicycles can loosen or break, and cause the rider to lose control and crash.

Consumers should stop using these Midget Racer mini-bicycles immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a refund or to receive a replacement mini-bicycle.

VICTORY/POLARIS/FUEL PUMP FASTENERS

THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THESE FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VICTORY/POLARIS AT 1-763-417-8650.

GIRARDIN/FMVSS 222/KNEE IMPACT

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL PIECE OF FOAM BETWEEN THE STEEL BACK REST AND THE EXISTING FOAM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 1-819-477-8222.

FREIGHTLINER/ELECTRICAL

THIS CONTACT COULD PROVIDE A SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND THE BATTERY CABLES WILL BE REPLACED AND/OR RE-ROUTED AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.