2002 Product Recalls

GM/FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINERS

IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (99V045). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 31, 2003. 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 SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.

GM/WHEEL BEARING NUT

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AMBER-COLORED ABS TELL-TALE LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD BE DISABLED. THE DRIVER WOULD ALSO NOTICE A GRINDING NOISE, A DECREASE IN THE VEHICLE SPEED, AND THE STEERING WILL PULL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS A MISSING RETAINING NUT, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

FOREST RIVER/FOG LAMPS POWER FEED

NORMAL USE OF THE FOG LIGHTS COULD CAUSE THE DIODE IN THE RADIO CIRCUIT TO OVERHEAT AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE. OWNERS ARE ASKED TO NOT USE THE FOG LIGHTS UNTIL THIS SITUATION IS CORRECTED. ALTHOUGH THE GEORGETOWN MOTOR HOMES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, THE WIRING FOR THE FOG LIGHTS IS IN THE DASH HARNESS, AND THEREFORE, CONTAINS THE DEFECT.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE PART OF THE DASH HARNESS THAT CONTAINS THIS WIRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 19, 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 FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-1892.

DIAMOND COACH/FMVSS 217/EXIT LABEL

WITHOUT THESE LABELS, THERE COULD BE CONFUSION IN LOCATING THE EMERGENCY EXIT RELEASES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DIAMOND COACH AT 1-800-241-8678, EXTENSION 13.

HYUNDAI/SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING

DAMAGED DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT WARNING LAMP OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG WIRING LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. IT COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG FUSE (CAVITY NUMBER 5) TO OPEN, PREVENTING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. NONDEPLOYMENT OF AN SRS AIR BAG IN A CRASH WHERE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS WARRANTED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE, IF NECESSARY, AND WILL PLACE A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM OCCURRING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2003. 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 HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

WABASH/BODY RAIL WELDS

CYCLIC TENSION LOADING WILL RESULT IN THE OUTSIDE GUSSET WELD CRACKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL CUT AWAY THE VERTICAL CONNECTION OF THE GUSSET TO THE RAILS ELIMINATING THE GUSSET CRACKING IN THE AREA WHERE THE STOP PIPE IS SOLIDLY WELDED INTO THE BODY RAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 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 WABASH AT 1-765-771-5300.

PIERCE/STEERING

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

PIERCE IS SENDING A FACTORY TECHNICIAN TO ALL VEHICLES AND WILL UPGRADE THE AWS SYSTEM TO ELIMINATE THIS DEFECT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 2, 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 PIERCE AT 920-832-3000.

DIAMOND COACH/FMVSS 217/RELEASE HANDLES

THE RELEASE MECHANISMS FOR THE REAR WINDOW MARKED AS AN "EMERGENCY EXIT" WERE PARTIALLY BLOCKED SO ACCESS TO THE MECHANISMS WOULD BE PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED. THERE COULD BE CONFUSION IN LOCATING THE EMERGENCY EXIT RELEASE HANDLES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

THE REAR WINDOW EMERGENCY EXIT STICKERS WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED. OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DIAMOND COACH AT 1-800-241-8678, EXTENSION 13.

Flashlights and Batteries Sold in Kids Meals Recalled for Choking Hazard

The "AA" batteries provided with each flashlight can leak, which could cause irritation to the skin. When disassembled, the flashlights also have small parts that can pose a choking hazard to young children.

Consumers should take these flashlights and batteries away from children immediately and return the flashlights and batteries to any Halo Burger restaurant to receive a $5 gift certificate, or discard flashlights and batteries in a safe manner.

CATERPILLAR/ENGINE PUMPS

ONCE ENGINE STALL OCCURS THE ENGINE CANNOT BE RESTARTED, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A SITUATION WHERE A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 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 CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986.

Chain Saws Recalled for Fire Hazard

Fuel can leak out of the chain saw's tank, which could cause a fire or injury hazard to consumers.

Consumers should stop using the chain saws immediately and return them to the dealer where purchased, for a free repair.

Kidz Club Flashlights Recalled for Burn Hazard

The flashlights can overheat and cause the batteries to leak, posing a risk of burns to children.

Consumers should take these flashlights away from children immediately and remove the batteries and contact Eveready for instructions on returning the flashlights and receiving a $12 refund.

Public Playground Equipment Swing Seats Recalled for Laceration Hazard

Metal inserts inside the swing seats can wear through and cause lacerations to children.

Owners should immediately stop children from using these swing seats and contact Miracle Recreation Co. for free replacement seats and hardware. If there are already exposed metal inserts on the edges of your seats, immediately take down the seats and chains. Do not leave chains on equipment, as children could seriously injure themselves or others with free-hanging chains. Purchasers were previously sent direct mail notification about this recall.

Children's School Supply Sets Recalled for Laceration Hazard

The sets contain razor knives, which pose a laceration hazard to children.

Consumers should immediately take these razor knives away from children and return the pencil sets to the store where they purchased them, for a refund.

BENDIX/AIR DRYERS

THE METAL END PLATE CAN BECOME A HAZARDOUS PROJECTILE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY.

BENDIX WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AD-2 AIR DRYERS FREE OF CHARGE. REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER FEBRUARY 15, 2003. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BENDIX RECALL ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 800-478-1793.

CONTINENTAL/WEATHER CRACKING

THE WEATHER CRACKING IS COSMETIC IN NATURE AND WILL NOT AFFECT THE SAFE PERFORMANCE OF THE TIRE.

CTNA IS CONDUCTING A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT TIRES SHOULD CALL CTNA CONSUMER RELATIONS AT 800-685-7651. THIS CAMPAIGN IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL BY THE AGENCY.

MICHELIN/WORN TREAD

MICHELIN IS CONDUCTING A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT TIRES FREE OF CHARGE UNTIL JULY 16, 2002. THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY.

Skateboard Ramp Recalled for Fall Hazard

The ramps can crack, causing users to fall and suffer injuries.

Consumers should stop using these ramps immediately and contact Gen-X to receive a refund.

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING

THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

3-Wheel Hand Cycle Recalled for Fall Hazard

There is a small risk that the quick release axles of the rear wheels do not lock correctly. If the quick release axle is not fully and properly engaged, the wheel could become detached while moving. A detached wheel could result in loss of control of the cycle and potential for serious injury or death, due to a fall or collision with another object.

Consumers should stop riding these cycles immediately and contact their local Sunrise Medical dealer for a free repair.