Ford Motor Company

Models:

Ford Crown Victoria Years: 1996-2000
Mercury Grand Marquis Years: 1996-2000
Lincoln Town Car Years: 1996-2000

Number Involved:  3,500

Noncompliance:  The replacement seat belt assemblies that were installed in certain 1996-2000 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Cars between Jan. 1 and June 13, 2000, fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies." The equipment involved is Service Stock Seat Belt Assemblies, Model Nos. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, and T 9217, built by TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc. (TRW) and manufactured from June 1, 1998 through May 21, 2000. These seat belt assemblies were installed as warranty or service replacement equipment on these vehicles. Because of a problem with the seat belt retractor, in the event of a collision, these seat belts may not adequately restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the Service Seat Belt Assemblies that were installed from Jan. 1 through June 13, 2000. The manufacturer reported that owner notification would begin during late July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V157001/002/Ford Recall No. 00S15]

Ford Motor Company

Models: Ford Windstar Year: 2000

Number Involved:  3,000

Dates of Manufacture:  April 2000

Defect:  Certain minivans may have incorrect fuel line end forms that result in a lower than specified pull apart force for the installed fuel line connection.

Remedy:  Dealers will install a fuel line clip on the fuel supply and return line connections at the rear of the chassis fuel line bundle. The manufacturer reported that owner notification began July 10, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V164/Ford Recall No. 00S11]

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Ford Windstar Years: 1996-1998
Ford F150 Years: 1997-1998
Ford Explorer Years: 1997-1998
Ford Expedition Years: 1997-1998
Lincoln Navigator Year: 1998

Number Involved:  20,637

Noncompliance:  Certain previously leased minivans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles originally built for sale in Canada meet Canadian requirements for daytime running lights, but not the photometric requirements of FMVSS No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." According to Ford, the vehicles were imported into the U.S. erroneously between March 1999 and April 1, 2000, because the running lights were believed to meet U.S. specifications.

Remedy:  Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin July 21, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V168/Ford Recall No. 00S14]

Ford Motor Company

Models: Ford F Super Duty Year: 2000

Number Involved:  8,100

Dates of Manufacture:  November 1999 - April 2000

Defect:  Certain vehicles built on a stripped motor home chassis may have a missing or partially installed brake pedal to master cylinder pushrod retaining clip. If the clip is missing or falls out, the pushrod could disconnect from the brake pedal, resulting in the operator being unable to apply the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the retaining clip installation. Missing or partially installed clips will be properly installed. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began July 10, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V170/Ford Recall No. 00S12]

General Motors Corporation

Models: Chevrolet S10 Years: 1997-1998

Number Involved:  306

Dates of Manufacture:  April 1997 - March 1998

Defect:  On certain electric pickup trucks, a condition exists in which the fuel-fired heater fill pipe ground strap contacts the rear passenger side brake pipe. This could wear off the corrosion protection of the brake pipe, leading to premature corrosion and eventual loss of brake pipe integrity and partial brake failure.

Remedy:  Dealers will relocate the ground strap attachment, inspect the brake pipe for wear, and replace the brake pipe if necessary. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began during June 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V159/GM Recall No. 00050]

General Motors Corporation

Models:

Buick Century Year: 2000
Buick Regal Year: 2000
Chevrolet Lumina Year: 2000

Number Involved:  248

Dates of Manufacture:  May 2000

Noncompliance:  Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with FMVSS No. 301, "Fuel System Integrity." The clamp that secures the flexible fuel fill hose to the metal fill tube may be loose and could separate, causing fuel leakage. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the likelihood of fire.

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the fuel hose fill neck clamp and, if necessary, reposition and tighten the clamp. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began June 28, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V160/GM Recall No. 00056]

Toyota Motor Company

Models:

Toyota Avalon Year: 2000
Toyota Camry Year: 2000
Toyota Solara Year: 2000

Number Involved:  541

Dates of Manufacture:  March - April 2000

Defect:  On certain passenger vehicles, due to improper heat treatment, the rear axle may not have adequate strength in some areas. The rear axle shafts could fail or break after extended use of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect and replace the rear axle hub assemblies. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V154]

Triumph Motorcycles

Models: Triumph TT600 Year: 2000

Number Involved:  763

Dates of Manufacture:  December 1999 - May 2000 

Defect:   On certain motorcycles, the clutch housing bolts become loose and could break. Bolt remnants can migrate to the alternator and lead to engine damage. This could lead to a loss of control of the motorcycle.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the housing bolts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Triumph at 1-770-631-9500.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V158]

MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES

Blue Bird Body Company

Models:

Blue Bird All American Years: 1997-2000
Blue Bird TC2000 Years: 1997-2000
Blue Bird LTC 40 Years: 1997-2000
Blue Bird Q-Bus Years: 1997-2000
Blue Bird Commercial Years: 1997-2000

Number Involved:  9,687

Dates of Manufacture:  October 1997 - May 2000

Defect:   On certain school and transit buses equipped with Bendix air brakes, Bendix changed the internal design of the QR1C relay valve by adding a hole in the internal diaphragm. When the hole in the diaphragm aligns with the hole in the valve body, the brake application time increases. Under certain conditions, such as when the vehicle is parked on an incline, when the driver activates the parking brake but removes his or her foot from the treadle valve, the bus could roll before the parking brake is fully engaged.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the diaphragms with holes with solid diaphragms for the QR1C valves. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during early July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at 1-912-825-2021.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V162/Blue Bird Recall No. R00DX]

Coachmen Industries, Inc.

Models: Shasta Class C Year: 2000

Number Involved:  117

Dates of Manufacture:  January - June 2000 

Defect:  On certain motor homes constructed on Chevrolet chassis, the routing of the main battery feed wiring from the coach battery to the distribution panel of the motor home allows it to come in contact with the exhaust manifold of the vehicle. Over time, the heat of the manifold degrades the shielding of the wire, exposing the wire to the metal manifold. The coach battery is not the engine battery. The coach battery provides service to the motor home's 12V appliances. This condition could create an electrical short, and if the short does not cause the fuse to blow, could result in a fire.

Remedy:  Dealers will re-route the wiring and add an additional clamp to permanently secure the wiring in this new position safely away from the exhaust manifold. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during July/August 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Coachmen at 1-219-825-5821.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V167]

Jayco, Incorporated

Models: Jayco JB Kiwi Year: 2000

Number Involved:  760

Dates of Manufacture:  August 1999 - June 2000

Defect:   On certain 23 foot travel trailers, all of the liquid storage tanks are located behind the axle, so that when the tanks are full or other materials are improperly loaded, the trailer hitch weight is reduced. The vehicle becomes difficult to tow at speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour.

Remedy:  Dealers will add additional weight to the A-frame of the travel trailer, revise the federal axle weight labels and towing instructions, and replace the tires with higher capacity tires to accommodate the added weight. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Jayco at 1-877-825-4782.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V169/Jayco Recall No. 00-1-31]

Nissan Diesel America, Inc.

Models:

Nissan Diesel UD1200 Years: 1999-2000
Nissan Diesel UD1400 Years: 1999-2000

Number Involved:  3,058

Dates of Manufacture:  March 1998 - March 2000

Defect:   On certain medium duty trucks, the steering gear box is mounted to the frame using a combination of two mounting bolts with nuts and two mounting studs. The two mounting bolts thread into mounting nuts that are welded to the inside of the frame. During the vehicle manufacturing process, residual welding material from the welding of an adjacent bracket for the ABS relay can accumulate in the two steering gear mounting nuts. If this occurs, the steering gear box mounting bolts will have inadequate clamping force, which can cause fatigue failure of the mounting bolts and studs. This could cause a loss of steering with little or no prior warning.

Remedy:  Dealers will remove and inspect the two mounting bolts for thread damage. New mounting bolts will be installed. If damage to the bolt threads is evident, new nuts will also be installed. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan Diesel at 1-972-756-5500.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V156]

PACCAR, Inc.

Models: Peterbilt 387 Year: 2000

Number Involved:  111

Defect:   On certain heavy duty trucks, the steer axle mudflaps and/or mudflap stiffeners can rub a hole in the forward surface of the undercab fuel tank, causing a hole in the fuel tank. This can result in fuel leakage and increase the risk of fire if an ignition source is present.

Remedy:  Dealers will provide replacement mudflap assemblies smaller than the original assemblies to owners and the fuel tank will be checked for abrasion and replaced if damaged. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Peterbilt at 1-940-591-4171.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V161/Peterbilt Recall No. 500E]

Safari Motor Coaches, Inc.

Models:

Beaver Patriot Years: 1999-2000
Beaver Monterey Years: 1999-2000
Beaver Contessa Years: 1999-2000
Safari Continental Years: 1999-2000
Safari Serengetti Years: 1999-2000
Safari Zanzibar Years: 1999-2000
Harney Renegade Years: 1999-2000

Number Involved:  691

Dates of Manufacture:  July 1998 - November 1999 

Defect:   On certain motor homes built on Magnum chassis and equipped with ABS systems, the anti-lock brake modulator fails to regulate hydraulic pressure to the appropriate wheel, causing the modulator to react improperly. Failure of the anti-lock braking system could cause a loss of control of the vehicle in certain braking situations.

Remedy:  Dealers will install a wiring harness update, which properly routes the electrical signal from the ECU to the modulator. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began July 13, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Safari/Beaver/Harney at 1-800-344-6332.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V173/SMC Recall No. SAB00-104]

EQUIPMENT:

Accuride Corporation

Models: Accuride Wheel Rim

Number Involved:  5,719

Dates of Manufacture:  January - March 2000

Defect:   Certain 22.5 x 8.25 15 tubeless demountable rims, Part No. 32051, contain an incomplete weld in the mounting ring. Under certain circumstances, this could develop into a crack on the mounting ring. Over time, the crack could propagate, resulting in mounting ring failure and causing the rim to separate from the vehicle. Loss of vehicle control could occur.

Remedy:  Accuride will inspect and replace the defective or suspect wheel rims. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Accuride Customer Service at 1-812-962-5027.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00E029]

Britax Child Safety, Inc.

Models: Britax Roundabout

Number Involved:  9,922

Dates of Manufacture:  January - March 1999

Noncompliance:   On certain child restraints, the shells may have been improperly molded and could allow higher head excursions than allowed by FMVSS No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems." An insufficient parting line bond in the area of the harness adjuster attachment may lead to adjuster movement under crash loads that could allow a child's head to move further than the permitted limits. In a crash, additional head movement could allow a child's head to strike something in the vehicle and lead to injury.

Remedy:  Consumers with the affected seats are being instructed to contact Britax in order to receive a free repair kit. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification would begin during July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Britax at 1-888-427-4829.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00E034]

Norcold Inc.

Models:

Norcold N621
Norcold N641
Norcold N821
Norcold N841

Number Involved:  40,376

Dates of Manufacture:  May - November 1999

Defect:  Certain combination gas/electric absorption refrigerators for use in recreational vehicles can experience a cooling system leak through fatigue failure of the cooling unit from the elevated heat during operation in the AC electric mode. Extended operation of a leaking cooling unit in the AC electric mode can result in a fire.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the AC heating element to correct the defect. The dealers will also inspect the refrigerators for coolant leaks and replace the cooling unit if a leak is detected. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during July 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Norcold at 1-800-767-9101.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00E031]

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