MAY 2000 SAFETY RECALL 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in May 2000 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 at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). 

DaimlerChrysler Corporation

Models: Dodge Ram Truck Years: 1994-1996

Number Involved:  690,000

Dates of Manufacture:  June 1993 - April 1996

Defect:   Certain trucks were built with an ignition switch and wiring that could overheat. High electrical current loads pass through the switch when the blower motor is operated on high for an extended period of time. This could cause the ignition switch and wiring to overheat and possibly lead to a fire.

Remedy:  Dealers will install a relay and overlay harness. 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 Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.NHTSA Recall No. 00V13/Chrysler Recall No. 875]

DaimlerChrysler Corporation

Models:

Jeep Cherokee Years: 1996-1999
Jeep Grand Cherokee Years: 1996-1998

Number Involved:  637,973

Dates of Manufacture:  July 1995 - October 1998

Defect:   On certain multipurpose vehicles, the front disc brake rotors could experience severe corrosion if operated for an extensive period in certain "salt belt" states. If the rotors are not replaced before this occurs, the corrosion could eventually compromise the structural integrity of the hub section of the rotor. The reduced strength of this rotor could allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake effectiveness of the vehicle. Vehicles included in the recall were originally sold in, or are currently registered in, the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the rotors with rotors that utilize a stainless steel hub section.The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began June 5, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.[NHTSA Recall No. 00V136/Chrysler Recall No. 879]

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Ford Crown Victoria Year: 2000
Mercury Grand Marquis Year: 2000

Number Involved:  23,000

Dates of Manufacture:  March - April 2000

Defect:  On certain passenger vehicles, a windshield wiper control module may not be capable of carrying the current required during high load conditions on the wipers (i.e., ice, snow or other debris), and could potentially result in inoperative wipers with no advance warning.

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the wiper control modules and replace if necessary. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during June 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.  [NHTSA Recall No. 00V136/Ford Recall No. 00S09]

General Motors Corporation

Models:

Oldsmobile Alero Years: 1999-2000
Pontiac Grand Am Years: 1999-2000

Number Involved:  487,400

Dates of Manufacture:  October 1997 - September 1999

Noncompliance:  These vehicles do not comply with the occupant protection requirements of FMVSS No. 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact." The console cover on these vehicles may not stay closed in a crash, and the cover or items stored under it could injure an occupant.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the console latch mechanism. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during late-May or early-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. 00V140/GM Recall No. 00036]

General Motors Corporation

Models:

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

Number Involved:  18,754

Dates of Manufacture:  November 1999 - February 2000

Defect:  On certain passenger vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes, the bolt heads on the rear spindle rod can separate. The affected rear wheel can shift, causing loss of vehicle control.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the rear spindle 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 Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.[NHTSA Recall No. 00V140/GM Recall No. 00047]

Land Rover North America, Inc.

Models: Land Rover Discovery II Years: 1999-2000

Number Involved:  7,120

Dates of Manufacture:  May 1998 - April 2000

Defect:  On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with Active Cornering Enhancement (ACE), the loading conditions on the vehicle's left side engine idler pulley can cause the pulley to fracture. Failure of the pulley causes the serpentine belt to be thrown off, resulting in a loss of engine auxiliary functions (power steering, water pump, alternator, air conditioning and ACE).

Remedy:  Dealers will install an improved idler pulley. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during late-May or early-June 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Land Rover at 1-800-637-6837.  [NHTSA Recall No. 00V142/Land Rover Recall No. D216]

Mazda (North America), Inc.

Models: Mazda 626 Year: 1998

Number Involved:  31,000

Dates of Manufacture:  August 1997 - August 1998

Defect:  On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.0 liter engines, an external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break. The broken spring can get caught in the timing belt, resulting in possible engine stalling.

Remedy:  Dealers will check the tensioner installed and replace it if the vehicle is equipped with the affected tensioner. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin during August 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.  [NHTSA Recall No. 00V134/Mazda Recall No. 92007]

Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc.

Models:

Mercedes Benz S Class Year: 2000
Mercedes Benz CL Class Year: 2000

Number Involved:  7,100

Dates of Manufacture:  January - May 2000

Defect:   Due to an internal defect in the circuitry of the blower motor regulator, the regulator may overheat, causing surrounding plastic, insulation, and wiring to deform and possibly melt or burn.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the blower motor regulator. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during late-May or early-June 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.  [NHTSA Recall No. 00V141/Mercedes-Benz Recall No. 2000050002]

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Models: Audi A6 Years: 1998-2000

Number Involved:  48,500

Dates of Manufacture:  August 1998 - November 1999

Defect:   Sulfur in the fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline, causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of the fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. Sulfur deposits could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank may not in fact be full or could be empty. Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank could result in a crash.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace all three fuel sending units. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during June 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.  [NHTSA Recall No. 00V137/VW Recall No. LB]

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Models: Volkswagen Passat Four Motion Year: 2000

Number Involved:  2,400

Dates of Manufacture:  September 1999 - January 2000

Defect:   Sulfur in the fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline, causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of the fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. Sulfur deposits could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank may not in fact be full or could be empty. Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank could result in a crash.

Remedy:  Dealers will replace all three fuel sending units. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during June 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.  [NHTSA Recall No. 00V147/VW Recall No. UR]