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November
2001 Recalls
The
U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls
announced in November 2001 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 1-888-327-4236. The Hotline also can be used to
report safety problems.
SAFETY
RECALL CAMPAIGNS
November 2001
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
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American
Honda Motor Company
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Models:
Honda
CR-V
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Years:
2002
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Number
Involved:6,744
Dates of Manufacture:September-October 2001
Defect: These sport utility vehicles are equipped
with two seat belt pretensioners - retractor and buckle - in both
the driver and front passenger seating positions. Some buckle
pretensioners use a part that restricts the full motion of the
mechanism. If these pretensioners activate in a crash, the seat
belt could unlatch, leaving the front seat occupants unrestrained.
Remedy: Dealers will repair both front seat belt
buckle pretensioners. The manufacturer has reported that owner
notification began Nov. 14, 2001. Owners who do not receive the
free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at
1-800-999-1009.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V351]
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Bayerische
Motoren Werke
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Models:
BMW 5
Series
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Years:
2002
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Number
Involved:1,318
Dates of Manufacture:September - October 2001
Defect: During the tire mounting process on
certain passenger vehicles (except M5) built with standard
(non-sport) suspensions and equipped with Continental
ContiTouringContact CH95 EcoPlus tires, size 225/65R16 95H, having
DOT codes 4001, 4101, or 4201, the outer sidewall surface of these
tires may have been cut by a sharp edge. Operation of the vehicle
over a long period of time could lead to a reduction of inflation
pressure. Continued driving with low inflation pressure in the
tire could ultimately result in damage to the tire, affect vehicle
handling and control, and could in some cases result in a vehicle
crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect all five tires for a
possible cut in the sidewall, and if a cut is found, the tire will
be replaced. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification
began Dec. 10, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy
within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V352]
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DaimlerChrysler
Corporation
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Models:
Jeep
Grand Cherokee
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Years:
2002
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Number
Involved:
38,700
Dates of Manufacture: July - September 2001
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the
onboard vapor recovery system vent hose may have been misrouted.
This could allow water to enter the canister, which can cause fuel
to spill out of the filler tube when refueling the tank. Fuel
leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a
fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and reposition, if
necessary, the vent hose. If the vent hose is found in the bent
down position, and the vehicle has been driven more than 20 miles,
the canister assembly will be replaced. The manufacturer has
reported that owner notification began Dec. 3, 2001. Owners who do
not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should
contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V348/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. A02]
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Hyundai
Motor America
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Models:
Hyundai
Tiburon
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Years:
1997-2001
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Number
Involved:42,782
Dates of Manufacture:March 1996 - August 2000
Defect: On these passenger vehicles, the driver
and front passenger seat belts may not extend and retract smoothly
through the D-ring guides mounted on the body pillars aft of the
doors. If the seat belts do not extend and retract smoothly, they
may twist in the D-ring guides and make it inconvenient to extend
and retract the seat belts. If the seat belts are inconvenient to
use, the seat occupant may not be inclined to wear the seat belts
properly, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a stopper over each
front seat belt D-ring guide to assist the seat belt to smoothly
extend and retract. The manufacturer has reported that owner
notification began Dec. 10, 2001. Owners who do not receive the
free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Hyundai at
1-800-633-5151.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V345/Hyundai Recall No. 046]
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Hyundai
Motor America
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Models:
Hyundai
Accent
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Years:
2000-2001
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Number
Involved:26,608
Dates of Manufacture:August 1999 - May 2001
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles equipped
with 1.5-liter or 1.6-liter engines that were originally sold or
are currently registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Idaho,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New
Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont,
Wisconsin, and Wyoming, while driving at a steady throttle opening
for an extended period of time during extremely cold ambient
temperatures (below approximately -5 degrees Fahrenheit with high
humidity), moisture in the combustion chamber can freeze and block
the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve and hose. If the
PCV hose freezes, combustion chamber gases are forced through the
breather hose into the air intake hose and then into the throttle
body. Moisture in the combustion chamber may freeze inside the
throttle body bore and throttle body idle speed control circuit,
resulting in the throttle valve not closing fully and a higher
than normal idle speed when the accelerator pedal is released.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new, relocated PCV
hose. On the 2000-2001 Accents equipped with 1.5-liter engines
that were produced through Jan. 31, 2001, dealers will
additionally install a heated throttle body. Hyundai has not yet
provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners
who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should
contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. [NHTSA Recall No.
[01V346/Hyundai Recall No. 047]
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Hyundai
Motor America
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Models:
Hyundai
Sonata
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Years:
1999-2001
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Number
Involved:86,513
Dates of Manufacture:March 1998 - November 2000
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag warning light could
illuminate due to motion of the side impact air bag wiring harness
and side impact air bag wiring harness connector that mount to the
adjustable seat cushion assembly. This condition relates only to
the driver and/or passenger seat-mounted side impact air bags.
Remedy: Dealers will service the front seat side
impact air bag wiring harness. Hyundai has not yet provided an
owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners who do not
receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact
Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V347]
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Hyundai
Motor America
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Models:
Hyundai
XG300
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Years:
2001
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Number
Involved:1,963
Dates of Manufacture:August - September 2000
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, improperly
manufactured powertrain control modules (PCM) were installed. The
improperly manufactured PCMs contained a condenser that was not
correctly installed onto the PCM printed circuit board. The
incorrect installation of the condenser could result in damage to
the ignition failure sensor. A damaged ignition failure sensor
could result in engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the PCM to determine
if it was manufactured during the affected production period. If
necessary, the PCM will be replaced. Hyundai has not yet provided
an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners who do
not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should
contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V362/Hyundai Recall No. 048]
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Mitsubishi
America
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Models:
Mitsubishi
Mirage
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Years:
1999-2001
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Number
Involved:18,630
Dates of Manufacture:
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the bolt
securing the crankshaft pulley can become loose, and the pulley
could fall off the vehicle, resulting in a loss of power steering
assist.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles to
insure that the bolt is tightened. For those bolts not properly
tightened, the bolt and pulley will be removed and inspected for
any indication of damage. Components showing any signs of damage
will be replaced and the bolt tightened to the proper torque. The
manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Nov. 26,
2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a
reasonable time should contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V340001/Mitsubishi Recall No.
SR-01-010]
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Nissan
North America, Inc.
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Models:
Nissan
Sentra
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Years:
2000-2001
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Number
Involved:103,000
Dates of Manufacture:January 2000 - May 2001
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles equipped
with 1.8-liter engines, the engine could stop running while being
driven due to a defective crank position sensor. This could also
result in the "Service Engine Soon" warning light coming
on or reduced engine power. If the engine stops running while the
vehicle is in motion, it could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position
sensors. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification
began Dec. 10, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy
within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V357]
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Triumph
Motorcycles
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Models:
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Triumph
Sprint ST
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Year:2000-2001
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Triumph
Sprint RS
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Year:2000-2001
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Triumph
Daytona 955I
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Year:2000-2001
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Triumph
Tiger
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Year:2000-2001
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Triumph
Tiger
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Year:2000-2001
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Triumph
Speed Triple
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Year:2000-2001
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Triumph
TT600
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Year:2000-2001
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Number
Involved:3,427
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Dates
of Manufacture:August
2000 - June 2001
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Defect:On
these motorcycles, the clutch control cable can fray and fail. The
barrel at the end of the inner cable seizes in the control lever
bore, thereby stressing the inner cable. This causes the rider to
be unable to engage the clutch, increasing stopping distances and
inhibiting driver control.
Remedy:Dealers will replace the clutch cable. The
manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin
during January 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy
within a reasonable time should contact Triumph at 1-678-854-2010.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V339]
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MEDIUM/HEAVY
DUTY TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUSES AND MOTOR HOMES
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Blue
Bird Body Company
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Models:
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Blue
Bird Q-Bus
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Year:1999-2001
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Blue
Bird Commercial
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Year:1999-2001
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Blue
Bird TC2000
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Year:
1999-2001
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Blue
Bird All American
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Year:
1999-2001
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Number
Involved: 1,500
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Dates
of Manufacture: February
14 - October 4, 2001
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Defect:
On
certain school and transit buses, there is inadequate tightening
of the 5/8-inch bolts on the rear air suspension hanger bolts and
on rear axle torque arm axle seat studs. Insufficient tightening
permits movement between the components that could result in bolts
and studs breaking, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the 5/8-inch grade
8-hanger bolts. In addition, axle spring seat fasteners will be
checked for proper tightness and, if needed, tightened to
specifications. The manufacturer has reported that owner
notification began Dec. 20, 2001. Owners who do not receive the
free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Blue Bird at
1-912-822-2242.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V338/Blue Bird Recall No. R01FL]
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Freightliner
Corporation
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Models:
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Freightliner
XCS
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Year:
2001
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Freightliner
XB
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Year:
2001
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Freightliner
XC
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Year:
2001
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Freightliner
VCL
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Year:
2001
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Freightliner
Business Class
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Year:
2001
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American
LaFrance Eagle
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Year:
2001
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American
LaFrance Metropolitan
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Year:
2001
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Orion
V
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Year:
2001
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Thomas
MVP ER
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Year:
2001
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Thomas
ER Transit
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Year:
2001
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Number
Involved: 2,700
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Dates
of Manufacture:
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Defect:
On
certain medium duty trucks, fire trucks, transit buses, and school
buses equipped with electronic throttle control/accelerator pedals
supplied by Williams Controls Industries, the weld attaching the
clevis to the plate has insufficient penetration and could allow
the clevis to separate from the plate. If the clevis separated
from the plate while the vehicle was in use, the vehicle would
return to idle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these pedals. The
manufacturer has reported that owner notification will begin
during January 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy
within a reasonable time should contact Freightliner at
1-800-547-0712.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V322002/Freightliner Recall No.
FL-389A]
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Freightliner
Corporation/Thomas Built Buses, Inc.
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Models:
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Models:
Thomas MVP ER
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Year:
2001
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Thomas
MVP EF
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Year:
2001
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Thomas
Saf-T-Liner
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Year:
2001
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Thomas
Conventional
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Year:
2001
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Number
Involved: 708
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Noncompliance:Certain
school buses fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS No. 222,
"School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."
Some seats (1) fail to meet the required four-inch clearance
during the test procedure, while still meeting the post test
condition; (2) fail to meet the required frontal pre-load when
testing under certain conditions; or (3) while still meeting the
required force/defection, experience weld breakage.
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Remedy:
Dealers
will replace the seat frame and the seat back cushion on these
vehicles. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification
began Nov. 13, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy
within a reasonable time should contact Thomas Built at
1-336-889-4871.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V341]
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Britax
Child Safety, Inc.
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Models:
Britax
Advantage E9022
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Number
Involved:4,959
Noncompliance: Some convertible child restraints,
Model E9022, fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint
Systems." The Advantage model has a shell insert to
accommodate a harness height adjustment. In a crash, the shell
could separate from the seat shell attachment point and allow half
of the tether to come loose. The seat occupant may not be properly
restrained, increasing the risk of 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 notification began
Nov. 29, 2001. Owners should contact Britax Customer Service at
1-888-427-4829.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E058]
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CRC
Industries, Inc.
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Models:
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Auto
Pride Brake Parts Cleaner
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Models:
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Auto
Pride Engine Degreaser
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Number
Involved:18,348
Dates of Manufacture:June and September 2001
Defect: Certain cans of Auto Pride Brake Parts
Cleaner and Auto Pride Engine Degreaser, labeled as 05089AP, were
mislabeled in the production process and do not inform the user
that the formula in the can is flammable. If this product is used
in an area where there is the presence of an ignition source, a
fire could result.
Remedy: CRC is notifying its distributors and
customers to return the product for a free replacement. The
manufacturer has reported that distributor/owner notification
began Nov. 27, 2001. Owners should contact CRC Industries at
215-674-4300.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E059]
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