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October
2001 Recalls
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a
list of auto safety recalls announced in October 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, 1-888-327-4236. The Hotline also can be used to
report safety problems.
SAFETY
RECALL CAMPAIGNS
October 2001
VEHICLES:
CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES
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AM
General Corporation
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Models:
AM General Hummer
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Years:
1998-2000
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Number
Involved: 2,839
Dates of Manufacture: September 1997 - December
2000
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the
turn signal switch plastic cancellation pin can wear prematurely,
causing the signals to fail to cancel after completing a turn.
This could send an incorrect lamp signal to following vehicles,
increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the turn signal
switch with a new switch having a metal cancellation pin. The
manufacturer reported that owner notification began Nov. 16, 2001.
Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time
should contact AM General at 1-800-638-8303.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V336/AM General Recall No. AMG R0102]
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American
Honda Motor Company
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Models:
Honda Civic
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Years:
2001-2002
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Number
Involved: 295
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Dates
of Manufacture: August - October 2001
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, during the
assembly process, the air cleaner box cover may have been damaged,
and a broken plastic piece could travel into the intake chamber.
If the plastic piece lodges in the throttle body, the throttle
could stick in a partially open position. Although the driver can
always stop the car by applying additional brake force, or by
taking other actions (i.e., shift into neutral, turn off the
ignition key, etc.), if the car continues to maintain speed when
the driver is expecting it to slow, a crash could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the air cleaner box
for damage. If damage is found, the dealer will locate and remove
the broken plastic piece, and replace the air cleaner box lid. The
manufacturer reported that owner notification began Oct. 25, 2001.
Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time
should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V329]
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DaimlerChrysler
Corporation
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Models:
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Dodge
Caravan/Grand Caravan
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Year:
2002
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Chrysler
Voyager
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Year:
2002
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Chrysler
Town & Country
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Year:
2002
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Number
Involved: 52,649
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Dates
of Manufacture: February - September 2001
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Noncompliance:
Certain passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 225,
"Child Restraint Anchorage Systems." The owner manuals
supplied with these vehicles do not indicate which seating
positions are equipped with tether anchorages and child restraint
anchorage systems as required by the standard.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with the
necessary child restraint system information. The manufacturer has
reported that owner notification began Oct. 8, 2001. Owners who do
not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should
contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V310/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 996]
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DaimlerChrysler
Corporation
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Models:
Jeep Liberty
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Year:
2002
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Number
Involved: 72,000
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Dates
of Manufacture: January - September 2001
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Defect:
On certain sport utility vehicles, the driver's side knee blocker
trim panel assembly can disengage, fall, and startle the operator,
increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the knee blocker
trim panel. 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 DaimlerChrysler at
1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V311/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 997]
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DaimlerChrysler
Corporation
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Models:
Dodge Viper
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Year:
1996-1999
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Number
Involved: 4,645
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Dates
of Manufacture: June 1995 - March 1999
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Defect:
Certain passenger vehicles used extensively in track types of
racing events and subjected to aggressive driving conditions could
experience cracks at the welds of the rear differential mounting
bracket. The cracks could eventually lead to metal fatigue and
dislodging of the differential mounting bracket from the frame of
the vehicle. Separation of the differential mounting bracket could
result in loss of vehicle control.
Remedy: All affected vehicles will have a field
repair kit installed. Vehicles exhibiting cracks will require an
additional weld repair prior to installation of the kit. The
manufacturer 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 DaimlerChrysler at
1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V312/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 998]
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DaimlerChrysler
Corporation
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Models:
Dodge Viper
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Year:
1996-2000
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Number
Involved: 7,050
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Dates
of Manufacture: June - October 2000
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Defect:
Certain passenger vehicles used extensively in track types of
racing events and subjected to aggressive driving conditions can
experience cracking of the steering rack mounting brackets. The
cracks could eventually lead to separation of the steering rack
from the frame of the vehicle. Separation of the steering rack
could result in unexpected steering looseness and lag.
Remedy: All affected vehicles will have a field
repair kit installed, consisting of lower frame rail reinforcement
gussets and a reinforcement bracket. The manufacturer 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 DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V313/DaimlerChrysler Recall No. 999]
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Ford
Motor Company
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Models:
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Ford
Mustang
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Years:
1994-1997
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Lincoln
Town Car
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Years:
1995-1997
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Number
Involved: 911
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Defect:
On certain of these passenger vehicles which had their driver's
air bag modules replaced after April 5, 2000, the replacement
driver's air bag inflators might have insufficient welds that
could prevent proper inflation of the air bag. In the event of a
crash, the driver's air bag may not properly deploy. This could
result in less than the intended level of occupant protection.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary,
replace the driver's air bag module. The manufacturer has reported
that owner notification began Oct. 5, 2001. Owners who do not
receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact
Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V318/Ford Recall No. 01S28]
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General
Motors Corporation
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Models:
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Chevrolet
Trailblazer
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Year:
2002
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GMC
Envoy
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Year:
2002
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Number
Involved: 78,004
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Dates
of Manufacture: January - August 2001
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Defect:
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive, the
calibration of the transfer case control module could cause
insufficient high-speed gear engagement. If the gear is not
engaged, the vehicle can roll when the transmission is in
"park," and a crash could result without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will update the transfer case
control module calibration to increase gear engagement. The
manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Nov. 6,
2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a
reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC
at 1-800-462-8782.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V334/GM Recall No. 01064/01065]
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Kawasaki
Motors Corporation
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Models:
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Kawasaki
ZX1200-A1
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Year:
2001
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Kawasaki
ZX1200-A2
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Year:
2001
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Number
Involved: 6,305
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Defect:
On certain motorcycles, the nuts securing the tire valve stems to
the wheels can fail, resulting in a loss of tire air pressure. If
this occurs, air pressure will be lost from the wheel/tire,
possibly resulting in the loss of control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the valve nut and
washer. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification
began on Oct. 25, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy
within a reasonable time should contact Kawasaki at
1-949-770-0400.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V323]
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Volkswagen
of America, Inc.
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Models:
Audi TT QuattroV8
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Years:
2000-2001
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Number
Involved: 3,700
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Dates
of Manufacture: September 1998 - March 2000
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Defect:
On certain passenger vehicles, moisture could enter the mounting
bushing and bolt combination of the rear track control arm and
cause corrosion. Corrosion could impede the free movement of the
control arm.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the track control
arms. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began
Dec. 14, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a
reasonable time should contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V325/Audi Recall No. LL]
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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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Years:
2001-2002
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Blue
Bird Commercial
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Years:
2001-2002
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Blue
Bird TC2000
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Years:
2001-2002
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Blue
Bird All American
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Years:
2001-2002
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Number
Involved: 1,500
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Dates
of Manufacture: Feb. 14 - Oct. 4, 2001
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Defect:
On certain school and transit buses and 2001-2002 commercial
series and Q-Bus transit buses, insufficient tightening of the
Arvin-Meritor air brake chamber mounting nuts can allow the nuts
to loosen over time.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the torque values on
each brake chamber nut and tighten to specifications. The
manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Nov. 16,
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. 01V320/Blue Bird Recall No. R01FK]
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Blue
Bird Body Company
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Models:
Blue Bird Conventional
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Years:
2000-2001
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Number
Involved: 158
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Defect:
On certain school buses equipped with option 2836-02 driver's seat
belts, the seat belts are too long, preventing the belt from
retracting properly and fitting the occupant as designed. In the
event of a crash, the driver may not be properly restrained,
increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The belts will be replaced with belts of
proper shoulder harness length. The manufacturer has reported that
owner notification began Nov. 15, 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. 01V337/Blue Bird Recall No. R01FN]
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International
Truck and Engine Corporation
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Models:
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International
4300
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Year:
2001
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International
4400
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Year:
2001
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Number
Involved: 13,942
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Dates
of Manufacture: October 2000 - September 2001
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Defect:
Certain heavy duty trucks could experience a loss of the low beam
headlights, the high beam headlights, or both. A software problem
within the Electrical System Controller (ESC) can cause the
circuit for the low beam or the circuit for the high beam
headlights to fuse or open, resulting in loss of either the low or
high beam headlights or possibly even both. A headlight fusing
condition could occur without warning to the driver and
potentially leave the driver in a blackout situation while
operating the vehicle in the dark.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ESC. The
manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Oct. 12,
2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a
reasonable time should contact International at 1-800-448-7825.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V315/International Recall No. 01514]
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Workhorse
Custom Chassis
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Models:
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Workhorse
W20
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Year:
2001
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Workhorse
W22
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Year:
2001
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Workhorse
P320032
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Year:
2001
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Workhorse
P320042
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Year:
2001
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Number
Involved: 5,011
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Dates
of Manufacture: April - July 2001
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Defect:
On certain motor home chassis, the rear axle U-bolts may not be
tightened correctly due to a random production tooling failure.
Low U-bolt torque can result in U-bolts coming loose and not
properly retaining the rear axle to the vehicle, resulting in a
loss of vehicle control.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the rear axle
U-bolts. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification
began Oct. 10, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy
within a reasonable time should contact Workhorse at
1-877-946-7731.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01V317/Workhorse Recall No. 30101-C]
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Ferrari
North America
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Models:
Oil Filter 111782
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Number
Involved: 2,790
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Dates
of Manufacture: May 2000 - May 2001
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Defect:
Some replacement oil filters (Ferrari Part No. 111782) were made
in a different manner from the original version. As a result, the
oil filter may leak engine oil from the seal ring area. In the
presence of an ignition source, the engine oil could be ignited,
causing a vehicle fire, possibly resulting in personal injury or
death. These oil filters can be used on Ferrari model vehicles
dating back to the 1960s. The model vehicles these filters can be
used on are: Dino 206 GT, Dino 246 GT/GTS, Dino 308 GT4, 208 GTB/GTS
turbo, 208 GT4, 208 GTB/GTS turbo intercooler, GTB/GTS turbo, 275
GTB4, 308 GT4, 308 GTB/GTS, 308i GTB/GTS, 328 GTB/GTS, 330 GT, 330
GTC, 365 GT, 365 GT4, 365 GT4BB, 365 GTC (1970), 365 GTC/GTS, 365
GTC4, 365 GTS4, 400I GT/GTA, 4000 GT/GTA, 412 GT/GTA, 512BB, 512i
BB, Mondial 3.2, Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet, Mondial 8, Mondial 9
Cabriolet, Mondial 4V, 288 GTO.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil filters with
a new style of oil filter having a Ferrari part number of 191993,
free of charge. The manufacturer has reported that notification
began Oct. 12, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy
within a reasonable time should contact Ferrari at 1-201-816-2600.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E051]
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Purolator
Products, Inc.
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Models:
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Purolator
Fuel Filter
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Purolator
Pro-Fuel Fuel Filter
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NAPA
Fuel Filter
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Number
Involved: 45,314
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Dates
of Manufacture: June - September 2001
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Defect:
The polymer used for the housing in the suspect fuel filters may
not be compatible with xylene, toulene, MEK, ethanol and other
chemicals sometimes found in fuel systems. Prolonged exposure to
such chemicals can result in degradation of the polymer that, in
turn, weakens the filter housing. The filter housing may leak,
possibly resulting in a vehicle fire. The fuel filters were
shipped by ArvinMeritor and are identified by Purolator Part
Numbers 804, 805, and 806, and NAPA Part Nos., 624804, 624805, and
624806 with an eight-character date code that begins with any of
the following combinations: SO6M14, SO6M15, SO6M18, SO6M19,
SO6M20, SO6M21, SO6M22, SO6M25, SO6M26, SO6M27, SO6M28, SO6M29,
SO6M30, SO7M02, SO7M03, SO7M05, SO7M06, SO7M07, SO7M09, SO7M10,
SO7M11, SO7M12, SO7M13, SO7M16, SO7M17, SO7M18, SO7M19, SO7M20,
SO7M21, SO7M23, SO7M24, SO7M25, SO7M26, SO7M27, SO7M30, SO7M31,
SO8M01, SO8M02, SO8M06, SO8M07, SO8M08, SO8M09, SO8M10, SO8M13,
SO8M14, SO8M15, SO8M16, SO8M17, SO8M20, SO8M21, SO8M22, SO8M23,
SO8M27, SO8M28, SO8M29, SO8M30, SO9M04, SO9M05, SO9M06, SO9M07,
SO9M08, SO9M09, SO9M10, SO9M11, SO9M12, SO9M13, SO9M17, SO9M18,
SO9M19.
Remedy: ArvinMeritor will notify its customers to
return the filters for a replacement filter. The manufacturer has
reported that owner notification began Nov. 7, 2001. Owners who do
not receive the free replacement filter within a reasonable time
should contact ArvinMeritor LVA Customer Service at
1-800-637-0580.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E056]
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Safeline
Kids, Inc.
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Models:
Safeline Sit'N'Stroll Model 3240
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Number
Involved: 21,759
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Dates
of Manufacture: November 1996 - June 1999
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Noncompliance:
Certain rear-facing and forward-facing convertible car seats fail
to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems." The
Sit'n'Stroll was recommended for use in the rear-facing seating
configuration by children not weighing more than 25 pounds.
However, the child seats were not certified as meeting the
25-pound weight requirement of this standard.
Remedy: Safeline Kids will send new labels to
registered owners to be placed over the existing labels. The new
labels will recommend these seats for use in the rear-facing
configuration by children weighing not more than 22 pounds. The
manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Oct. 18,
2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a
reasonable time should contact Safeline at 1-800-829-1625.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E052]
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Safeline
Kids, Inc.
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Models:
Safeline Sit'N'Stroll Model 3240
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Number
Involved: 900
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Dates
of Manufacture: June - August 1997
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Noncompliance:
Certain rear-facing and forward-facing convertible car seats fail
to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 213, "Child Restraint Systems." The air bag
warning label was omitted from the seat cover. The air bag label
warns consumers not to place a child restraint in the rear-facing
position in any vehicle seat with an air bag, since severe injury
or death could occur.
Remedy: Safeline Kids will send new seat covers
that have the required air bag warning label to owners, free of
charge. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification
began Oct. 18, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy
within a reasonable time should contact Safeline at
1-800-829-1625.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01E053]
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Bridgestone/Firestone,
Inc.
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Models:
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Firestone
Wilderness AT P235/75R15
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Firestone
Wilderness AT P255/70R16
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Number
Involved: 2,800,000
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Dates
of Manufacture: July 1994 - April 1998
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Defect:
These tires pose an increased risk of tread separation. If the
tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the
vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.
Remedy: Customers should check the DOT serial
number at once. The serial number is located on either the inside
or outside of the tire in the lower sidewall area directly above
the rim flange and is preceded by the letters "DOT." If
the last digit of the DOT serial number is "4,"
"5," "6," "7," or the last three
digits of the DOT serial number are 018 through 188, these tires
will be replaced free of charge. The manufacturer has reported
that owner notification began Nov. 7, 2001. Owners who do not
receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact
Firestone at 1-800-465-1904 or 1-888-276-2120 in Puerto Rico.
[NHTSA Recall No. 01T016]
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