The Crittenden Automotive Library

NHTSA Publishes List of June 2002 Recalls

NHTSA Publishes List of June 2002 Recalls

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
August 7, 2002

NHTSA 54-02
Wednesday, August 7, 2002
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in June 2002 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, 1-888-327-4236, or by accessing NHTSA on the Internet at The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS
June 2002

VEHICLES:

CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES

Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW)

Models:	BMW 745i	Year: 2002
	BMW 745Li	Year: 2002

Number Involved:  8,412
Dates of Manufacture:  October 2001 - May 2002
Defect:  On these passenger vehicles, the electric fuel pump runs at a rotational speed that could result in reduced lubrication of certain internal components. Over an extended period of time, wear-induced internal damage to the fuel pump could result in inadequate fuel supply to the engine when the fuel tank is one-third or less full. When this occurs, the engine could stall and not be restarted until more fuel was added to the fuel tank. This can occur even though the fuel gauge indicated fuel still remained in the tank.
Remedy:  Dealers will reprogram the fuel pump control system. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during July 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-332-4269.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V150]

DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models:    Dodge Ram            Year:     2002
Number Involved:  46,000
Dates of Manufacture:  July-November 2001
Defect:  On certain 4x4 pickup trucks, the rear axle flange weld to the axle tube could fatigue and allow the brake caliper assembly to rotate. During rotation, the brake line could separate from the caliper, resulting in a brake fluid loss in the rear brake hydraulic system.
Remedy: Dealers will install rear brake caliper reinforcements on the rear axle assemblies. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during September 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V159/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. B20]

DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models:    Dodge Ram            Year:     1997-1998
Number Involved:  97,500
Dates of Manufacture:  July 1996 - December 1997
Defect:  On these pickup trucks equipped with diesel engines, the throttle linkage joints can corrode and cause the throttle to bind or stick, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rod ends and ball studs. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during early August 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V161/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. B15]

DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models:    Chrysler PT Cruiser            Year:     2001
Number Involved:  77,000
Dates of Manufacture:  August 1999 - October 2000
Noncompliance:  Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems." The right rear "65%" seat center lower anchor was manufactured with a wire diameter that is greater than the maximum allowable dimension as specified in the standard, inhibiting the attachment of a LATCH-type child restraint. If the connector for a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached correctly to the anchorage points, the restraint will not properly protect a child in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the right rear seat center anchor and, if necessary, resize the anchor to meet the diameter specified within the standard. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during September or October 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V162/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. B21]

Ford Motor Company
Models:    Ford Thunderbird            Year:     2002
Number Involved: 15,355
Dates of Manufacture: March 2001 - April 2002
Defect: On these passenger vehicles, the driver's side seat belt contacted the seat recliner during a 35 mph NCAP full-frontal barrier impact test. The edge of the recliner mechanism nearly severed the lap portion of the webbing. If the webbing is cut, it increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy:  Dealers will install a protective insert behind the driver side seat lower trim panel. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began June 21, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free label and inserts within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V169/Ford Recall No. 02S38]

Hyundai Motor America
Models:    Hyundai Accent            Year:     2000-2002
Number Involved:  34,086
Dates of Manufacture:  September 1999 - October 2001
Noncompliance:  Certain 3-door passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact." During testing, the 3-door hatchback exceeded the performance criterion in the standard midway along the length of the windshield support pillar (A-pillar). An occupant's head that contacts the A-pillar during a crash could experience an increased risk of head injury as a result.
Remedy: Dealers will install new energy management brackets to support the A-pillar covers and increase the energy absorbing performance of the A-pillar in the relevant area. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owners who do not receive the free instructions within a reasonable time should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V167/Hyundai Recall No. 055]

Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc.
Models:    Mercedes Benz SLK            Year:     2000-2002
Number Involved:  27,863
Dates of Manufacture:  September 1999 - May 2002
Noncompliance:  Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The owner's manual does not contain the proper headlamp aiming instructions.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with headlamp aiming instructions, and directions for affixing these inserts to the operator's manual. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during July 2002. Owners who do not receive the free instructions within a reasonable time should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-201-573-0117.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V152]

Nissan North America, Inc.

Models:	Nissan Maxima	Year: 1997-1998
	Infiniti I30	Year: 1997-1998
	Infiniti Q45	Year: 1997-1998

Number Involved:  161,000
Dates of Manufacture:  February 1997 - February 1998
Defect:  One of the diodes used in the alternator may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. This can eventually result in failure of the diode and an electrical short that could melt the plastic housing. If the combustible gas emitted by the melting plastic does not disperse due to airflow through the engine compartment, it can cause the fan guide in the alternator to ignite.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the alternator. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during August 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V171]

MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES

Blue Bird Body Company

Models:	Blue Bird Conventional	Year: 2001-2002
	Blue Bird TC2000	Year: 2001-2002

Number Involved:  39
Dates of Manufacture:  July 2001 - March 2002
Noncompliance: Certain school buses equipped with optional high back seats with 9-inch split sash, pushout windows fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release." The affected units have seats located incorrectly with respect to the pushout window openings. In the event of an emergency, an occupant may not be able to properly exit the vehicle.
Remedy:  Dealers will relocate the seats and pushout windows. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during July 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 1-478-825-2021.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V155/Blue Bird Recall No. R02FZ]

Featherlite, Inc.

Models:	Featherlite Diamond D	Year: 2000-2001
	Featherlite STL	Year: 2000-2001

Number Involved:  1,341
Defect:  On certain gooseneck livestock and horse steel trailers, the gooseneck assembly can fatigue, crack, and fail. Failure of the assembly could result in control problems and a possible crash.
Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the trailer for any indications of cracked welds anywhere in the gooseneck area, loose side sheet skin anywhere on the gooseneck, or any indications that the floor above the coupler stem is raised or elevated. A reinforcement plate will be welded to the side of the frame tube and corner brace plates. Also, if needed, an additional cross tube will be added above the coupler assembly. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began June 28, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Featherlite at 1-877-903-1444.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V166]

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
Models:     Volvo Truck VHD            Year:     2000-2002
Number Involved:  2,313
Dates of Manufacture: April 2000 - May 2002
Defect: On certain heavy duty Class 8 vehicles, the telescoping steering shaft could bottom out and impose a load to the side of the steering gear input shaft when the adjustable steering column is adjusted to the lower position. Over time, this condition could damage the steering gear input shaft, resulting in loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash. Remedy:  Dealers will install a redesigned steering
shaft, which will not bottom out during vehicle operation regardless of where the adjustable steering column is positioned. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during August 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volvo Truck at 1-800-528-6586.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V156/Volvo Truck Recall No. RVXX0204]

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