NHTSA Recall 08E030000

NHTSA Campaign ID number : 	08E030000
	
Equipment Brand Name / Part No. or Model No.: 	    	Production Dates:
    NORCOLD / 1200LR 	    	MAR 01, 1999 - FEB 28, 2001
    NORCOLD / 1200LRIM 	    	MAR 01, 1999 - FEB 28, 2001
    NORCOLD / 1201LRIM 	    	MAR 01, 1999 - FEB 28, 2001
Manufacturer: NORCOLD INC. 	Mfr's Report Date: MAR 25, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 08E030000 	
EQ08009
NHTSA Action Number: EQ08009
Component: EQUIPMENT
Potential Number of Units Affected: 264,999
Summary:
NORCOLD IS RECALLING CERTAIN REFRIGERATORS, MODELS 1200LR, 1200LRIM, AND 1201LRIM, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 1, 1999 TO FEBRUARY 28, 2001, WITH COOLING UNITS SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1008701 AND 1273700. THE UNITS WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IN VARIOUS RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE STEEL MATERIAL OF THE COOLING UNIT COULD SOFTEN AND RUPTURE. NORCOLD IS WORKING TO IDENTIFY THE NUMBER OF REFRIGERATORS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THIS CONDITION.
Consequence:
IF REFRIGERANT GAS IS STILL IN PLACE WHEN THE RUPTURE OCCURS, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND COULD BE IGNITED BY THE HIGH TEMPERATURE, POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE.
Remedy:
NORCOLD IS WORKING WITH THE RV MANUFACTURERS TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE COOLING UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101.
Notes:
THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF 02E-045. THIS CAMPAIGN WAS SUPERSEDED BY RECALL CAMPAIGN 10E-049 ON OCTOBER 7, 2010. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.