May 2002 Recalls

American Honda Motor Company

Models:          Acura 3.5RL                                                    Years:  2000-2002

Number Involved:  25,765

Dates of Manufacture:  February 2000 – March 2002

Defect:  On certain passenger vehicles, during the manufacturing process, oil was applied to the brake pedal assembly to prevent rust.  This oil can leak into the brake stop switch and contaminate the electrical contacts.  Eventually, the brake lights will not illuminate when the brakes are applied, which increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy:  Dealers will clean any excess oil from the pedal assembly and replace the stop switch. 

The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began June 19, 2002.   Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Acura at 1-800-382-2238.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V119]

American Honda Motor Company 

Models:          Honda Civic                                                     Years:  1998-2000

                        Honda Prelude                                                 Years:  1997-1999

                        Honda Accord                                                 Years:  1997-1999

                        Honda Odyssey                                                Years:  1997-1999

                        Honda CR-V                                                   Years:  1997-1999

                        Acura CL                                                         Years:  1997-1999

                        Acura TL                                                         Year:    1999

Number Involved:  1,000,000

Defect:  On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.  Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. 

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the ignition switch.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began July 12, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238. 

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V120]

Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW)

Models:          BMW F650CS Motorcycle                              Year:    2003

Number Involved:  522    

Dates of Manufacture:  January – April 2002 

Defect:  On certain motorcycles, the screws that attach the rear brake caliper to the rear swing arm were not tightened correctly during assembly.  The screws could loosen during vehicle operation and eventually fall-out, allowing the rear caliper to separate from its mount.  If the caliper becomes trapped between the rear wheel and the swing arm, it could disconnect from the brake line, resulting in a loss of rear braking capability and increasing the risk of a crash. 

Remedy:  Dealers will check the torque of the rear brake caliper attachment screws and retighten them to the proper value, if necessary.  The manufacturer reported that owner notification was expected to begin during late July 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.                              

Models:          Daewoo Lanos                                                 Years:  1998-2002

Number Involved:  56,912  

Dates of Manufacture:  October 1997 – September 2001

Noncompliance:  Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, “Occupant Protection in Interior Impact.”  In the event of a crash in which the air bags do not deploy, there is a possibility of increased head injury to the front seat passenger from contact with the passenger side air bag cover. 

Remedy:  Dealers will install new energy absorbing air bag mounting brackets.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 20, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Daewoo at 1-877-362-1234, selection 1.        

Hyundai Motor America    

Models:          Hyundai Sonata                                                Year:    2002

Number Involved:  43,162

Dates of Manufacture:  June 2001 – February 2002

Defect:  On certain passenger vehicles, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) side impact air bag satellite sensors may be too sensitive to some lateral accelerations that are not caused by side impacts to the vehicle, such as forcefully slamming a door closed.  Inadvertent deployment of a SRS side impact air bag when a side impact crash has not occurred could increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant.  Remedy:  Dealers will replace the vehicle’s side impact air bag satellite sensors.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during late July 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free label and inserts within a reasonable time should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Indian Motorcycle Company

Models:          Indian Chief                                                      Years:  1999-2000    

Number Involved:  4,590

Dates of Manufacture:  June 1999 – October 2000

Defect:  On certain motorcycles equipped with rear shock absorbers made by Sway-A-Way, the bolts that mount the rear shock absorbers to the swing arm could break, potentially resulting in the collapse of the rear suspension. 

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers and replace them if necessary.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 8, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Indian at 1-408-846-7228.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V124]

Indian Motorcycle Company

Models:          Indian Chief                                                      Years:  1999-2000    

Number Involved:  4,590

Dates of Manufacture:  June 1999 – October 2000

Defect:  On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handlebars, increasing the risk of loss of control of the motorcycle.

Remedy:  Dealers will fit the motorcycles with a new riser top clamp.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 31, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Indian at 1-408-846-7228.      

Kawasaki Motors Corporation

Models:          Kawasaki VN1500-P1                                    Year:    2002  

Number Involved:  4,450

Dates of Manufacture:  April 2001 – January 2002

Defect:  On certain “Mean Streak” motorcycles, the main electrical wiring harness can rub against a tab on the underside of the fuel tank, resulting in the failure of electrical functions such as turn signals, lights, or others.  

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the vehicles and reposition the tab on the fuel tank.  Any damage that may have occurred to the harness will be corrected.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 13, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Kawasaki at 1-949-770-0400.    

Mitsubishi America

Models:          Mitsubishi Galant                                              Year:    2002

Number Involved:  3,378

Dates of Manufacture:  May 2002 

Defect:  On certain passenger vehicles, the routing of the vehicle’s front wiring harness can allow it to come in contact with a rough edge, allowing abrasion.  This could result in grounded circuits and a loss of stop or turn signal lamp operation or engine hesitation.

Remedy:  Dealers will install a protector eliminating any harness contact.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began July 8, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.      

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V147]

Nissan North America, Inc.

Models:          Nissan D21 Truck                                            Year:    1994

Number Involved:  15,000

Dates of Manufacture:  November 1993 – May 1994

Defect:  On some trucks, the seat belt buckle latch plate was not manufactured according to design dimensions.  If the seat belt tongue is inserted slowly at an angle into the buckle, there is a possibility of partial engagement.   This condition can cause the seat belt tongue to come out of the buckle in the event of a collision or hard braking of the vehicle, increasing the risk of personal injury to an occupant of the seat. 

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the buckle and, if necessary, replace the buckle assembly with a new buckle.   The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 28, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Nissan North America, Inc.

Models:          Nissan Maxima                                                 Years:  2001-2002

                        Infiniti I30                                                         Years:  2001-2002

                        Infiniti I35                                                         Years:  2001-2002

Number Involved:  90,500

Dates of Manufacture:  June 2001 – January 2002

Defect:  On some passenger vehicles, the pin at the end of the front suspension transverse link (lower control arm) could break where it is mounted to the frame.  This can cause a knocking sound and abnormal steering, resulting in difficulty controlling the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash. 

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the transverse links on the left and right sides with new ones.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began June 24, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.  

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V146]

Polaris Industries, Inc./Victory Motorcycle Division

Models:          Victory V92C                                                  Year:    2002  

                        Victory V92C Standard                                    Year:    2002  

                        Victory V92C Deluxe Cruiser                           Year:    2002  

                        Victory V92TC                                                Year:    2002  

                        Victory V92TC Touring                                    Year:    2002  

                        Victory V92TC Deluxe Touring                        Year:    2002  

Number Involved:  1,320

Dates of Manufacture:  August 2001 – April 2002

Defect:  On certain motorcycles, the fuel rail assembly contains a Schrader valve that permits a diagnostic check of fuel pressure at the fuel rail during engine operation.  If the Schrader valve is not properly tightened, fuel leakage could result, increasing the risk of a fire.  

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect all motorcycles and replace the fuel rails as necessary.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 28, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Victory at 1-715-294-5331.

[NHTSA Recall No. 02V122/Victory Recall No.V02-04]

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Models:          VW Eurovan                                                    Year:    2001  

Number Involved:  2,300

Dates of Manufacture:  August 2000 – July 2001

Defect:  On certain minivans equipped with child restraint anchorages (tether anchorages) for use in conjunction with child restraints installed in the three rearmost seating positions, the “Safety First” portion of the Owner’s Manual delivered with these vehicles incorrectly instructs owners to guide the tether strap underneath the seat’s head restraint and to raise the head restraint slightly, if necessary.  If the owner follows these instructions, the head restraint could accidentally separate from the seat in the event of a crash and cause injury to any child occupant seated in the tethered child seat. 

Remedy:  Owners will be sent a new “Safety First” booklet that will contain corrected use instructions.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 24, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact VWoA at 1-800-822-8987.                            

Mid Bus Incorporated

Models:          Mid Bus School Bus                                         Year:    2002

Number Involved:  20

Dates of Manufacture:  April 2002 

Noncompliance:  Certain school buses equipped with regulation school bus seats (39-inch and 45-inch) fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 222, “School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection.”  The seat may have tubing with thinner than specified wall thickness. 

Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the seats and if the seats have the thin tubing, a reinforcement patch will be put on the back of the frame.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began May 22, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mid Bus at 1-877-358-6055.                                                                             

New Flyer of America, Inc.

Models:          New Flyer D40LF                                            Years:  1996-2002

                        New Flyer C40LF                                            Years:  1996-2002

                        New Flyer D35LF                                            Years:  1996-2002

                        New Flyer C35LF                                            Years:  1996-2002

Number Involved:  480

Defect:  Certain low floor buses contain a faulty power steering hose installation.  The hose can leak, creating the risk of an engine fire. 

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the hose.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was expected to begin during late July 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact New Flyer at 1-204-228-8984.  

Peerless

Models:          Peerless Trailer                                                 Years:  1998-2000

Number Involved:  870

Dates of Manufacture:  May 1998 – December 1999 

Defect:   On certain trailers, cracks can develop in the channel supports of the king pin assembly.  If cracks form and are not detected, they can grow larger and eventually lead to fracture of the channel supports. 

Remedy:  Dealers will replace the channel style king pin assembly with an I-beam style king pin assembly.  The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began June 4, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Peerless at 1-870-236-7753.                                 

Dorel Juvenile Group

Models:          Dorel Designer 22

                        Dorel Safety 1st

Number Involved:  26,454

Dates of Manufacture:  January – February 2002  

Defect:  When certain Safety 1st or Beatrix Potter Designer 22 infant car seat/carriers, Models 02-621 SAL, 02-620 AZY, 02-620 BEA, are used as an infant carrier outside the vehicle, the handle may slip from one position to another, causing the seat to fall forward.  If the child is not properly buckled into the seat, the child can fall out of the carrier, possibly resulting in injuries.

Remedy:  Dorel Juvenile Group will notify its customers and provide a repair kit, along with installation instructions, free of charge.  Owner notification began May 10, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DJG at 800-536-1090.    

[NHTSA Recall No. 02E027]

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation

Models:          Milwaukee Battery Charger

Number Involved:  18,011

Defect:  Certain automotive battery chargers, Catalog No. 48-59-0184 (all serial numbers), can overheat, resulting in a fire.  This could then cause personal injury or property damage.  This charger was also packaged with the Automotive 18 volt Impact Wrench Kit, Catalog Number

9079-23 (serial numbers 241A40152001 thru 241A402080126. 

Remedy:  Customers should stop using this product immediately.  Milwaukee will send owners a new charger free of charge.  Owner notification began April 1, 2002.  Owners who do not receive the free replacement charger within a reasonable time should contact Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation at 800-414-6527.