NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF NOVEMBER RECALLS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in November 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 68 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 even 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 (800) 424-9393, or (202) 366-0123 in the Washington, D.C. area. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

Buell Distribution Corp.

Model(s):

Manufacture Dates: March 1995-October 1995

No. of Vehicles: 116

NHTSA

Recall Number: 95V223000

Buell

Recall Number: 0805

System: Motorcycle throttles.

Vehicle Description: California model motorcycles equipped with a "Qwiksilver" carburetor.

Description of Defect: The throttle cable wheel of the carburetor can move on its shaft and come in contact with the carburetor support bracket.

Consequence of Defect: This could prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install a new throttle shaft on the affected motorcycles.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buell at 1-414-935-8400.

Carpenter Manufacturing

Model(s): Carpenter ClassicYear: 1995

Manufacture Dates: June 1995 - November 1995

No. of Vehicles: 451

Recall Number: 95V220000

System: Seat belts; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209.

Vehicle Description: Transit buses.

Description of Noncompliance: The driver's seat belt anchorage bolt is not the specified 7/16-20UNF-2A. These anchorages do not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence of Noncompliance: The seat belt assemblies may not protect an occupant in the event of a vehicle collision.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat belt for the proper fasteners and will replace attachment hardware that does not comply with the safety standard.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Carpenter at 1-317-966-8339.

Chrysler Corporation

Model(s):

Manufacture Dates: May 1988-December 1991

No. of Vehicles: 90,000

NHTSA

Recall Number: 95V213000

Chrysler Recall Number: 662

System: Shoulder belts.

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles equipped with automatic shoulder safety belts.

Description of Defect: The automatic shoulder belt systems can malfunction and become inoperative.

Consequence of Defect: The lack of passive restraints could increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a vehicle collision.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the system track and drive assembly on automatic shoulder belt systems that are currently inoperative. Dealers also will replace systems when they become inoperative in the future.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Chrysler Corporation

Model(s):

Manufacture Dates: October 1995-November 1995

No. of Vehicles: 20,000

NHTSA

Recall Number: 95V225000

Chrysler Recall Number: 664

System: Seat tracks and anchors.

Vehicle Description: Passenger minivans equipped with bench seats and manufactured at the Windsor assembly plant ("R" in the 11th VIN position).

Description of Defect: The bolts which secure the rear bench seats to the seat risers can be embrittled and fracture.

Consequence of Defect: In case of an accident, the bolt can fail and allow the seat to break away from the seat risers, increasing the potential of injury to its occupants.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the rear bench seat to riser bolts.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Ferrari North America

Model(s):

Manufactured Dates: July 1994-September 1995

No. of Vehicles: 66

NHTSA

Recall Number: 95V217000

Ferrari Recall Number: 152

System: Wheel bolts.

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles equipped with Speedline multipiece wheels.

Description of Defect: The bolts securing the components of the multi-piece wheel can loosen over time.

Consequence of Defect: The wheels can loosen over time which results in an air leak and a low or flat tire.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace all four multi-piece wheels with wheels having bolts that are resistant to loosening.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ferrari at-201-816-2651.

Ford Motor Company

Model(s):

Manufacture Dates: April 1992-April 1993

No. of Vehicles: 48,053

NHTSA

Recall Number: 95V222001

Ford Recall Number: 95S27

System: Heater/air conditioner.

Vehicle Description: Passenger mini-vans.

Description of Defect: Leaves and other foreign material can enter through the cowl panel air intake during operation of the front heater and/or air conditioning system resulting in a build-up of material in the plenum. This can lead to noise, odors, or in some cases, ignition of these materials.

Consequence of Defect: A vehicle fire could occur.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install an additional heater/air conditioning system intake screen.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

General Motors Corp.

Model(s): Buick RoadmasterYears: 1995 - 1996

Manufacture Dates: September 1994-August 1995

No. of Vehicles: 8,946

Recall Number: 95V215000

System: Air bags; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208.

Vehicle Description: Station wagons.

Description of Noncompliance: These vehicles were shipped with both the supplemental inflatable restraint (air bag) caution label and a roof rack caution label installed on the same side of the sun visor. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence of Noncompliance: Operators could fail to notice and heed the warning labels.

Corrective Action: A new roof rack caution label, with installation instructions, will be sent directly to owners. Owners will install the label or have their dealer install the label for them.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.

General Motors Corp.

Model(s):

Cadillac Seville Year: 1996

Manufacture Dates: October 1995-November 1995

No. of Vehicles: 1,408

Recall Number: 95V224000

System: Instrument panel; Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard Numbers 101, 108 and 208.

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.

Description of Noncompliance: The analog instrument panel cluster on these vehicles could have an internal short circuit disrupting the pass key system, causing failure of the instrument panel gauges and tell-tales, and a possible no-start condition. This does not conform to the requirements of FMVSS No. 101, "Controls and Displays"; No.108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment"; and No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence of Noncompliance: If the short circuit occurs while driving, the instrument panel cluster will go blank, causing loss of gauge function and all tell-tale indicators except for ABS (anti-lock brakes), SIR (air bag), park brake and service engine soon. The loss of tell-tales for seat belts, turn signals, high beam, hazard, oil pressure, coolant temperature, etc. results in noncompliance with these safety standards.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the instrument panel cluster.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.

General Motors Corp.

Model(s): Buick Roadmaster Year: 1995

Manufacture Dates: November 1994-August 1995

No. of Vehicles: 83,400

Recall Number: 95V221000

System: Automatic transmission; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 114.

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.

Description of Noncompliance: These vehicles were produced with an improperly adjusted transmission shift control linkage. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence of Noncompliance: It may be possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed, thus increasing the risk of a vehicle accident resulting from unintended movement of a parked vehicle.

Corrective Action: Dealers will adjust the shift control linkage system.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or Buick at 1-800-521-7300.

General Motors Corp.

Model(s): Chevrolet Lumina APV Year: 1995 Pontiac Trans Sport Year: 1995

Manufactured Dates: May 1995-September 1995

No. of Vehicles: 6,772

Recall Number: 95V214000

System: Throttle linkage and control; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.

Vehicle Description: Passenger mini-vans equipped with a 3.1-liter engine (LG6).

Description of Noncompliance: These vehicles were assembled with throttle cable support brackets that could contact the throttle lever system and inhibit the throttle return. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Consequence of Noncompliance: The throttle could fail to return quickly causing the engine speed to not decrease to a level anticipated by the driver.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the throttle cable support bracket.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

Holiday Rambler Corp.

Model(s):

Manufacture Dates: Not Available

No. of Vehicles: 90

Recall Number: 95V216001

System: Safety belts; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209.

Vehicle Description: 38-foot and 40-foot Class A motor homes equipped with safety belt assemblies manufactured by Intertek International.

Description of Noncompliance: The wrong safety belt buckle ends were used which could cause the belt not to release.

Consequence of Noncompliance: If the safety belt assembly does not release, quick exit from the vehicle may be impossible and occupants might not use the safety belt, increasing the risk of injury in an accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install the correct buckle ends.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Holiday Rambler at 1-800-685-6545.

Holiday Rambler Corp.

Model(s):

Manufacture Dates: May 1994-June 1995

No. of Vehicles: 301

Recall Number: 95V226000

System: Certification label; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120.

Vehicle Description: 36-foot SCS and 37-foot SCS and WRS fifth wheel travel trailers.

Description of Noncompliance: The Federal certification label overstates the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) as 5,000 lbs. The correct GAWR is 4,670 lbs. This does not conform to FMVSS No. 120, "Tire Selection and Rims For Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars."

Consequence of Noncompliance: The load ratings for the tires and tire pressures designated on the Federal certification label are not appropriate for the incorrectly stated GAWR. Incorrect tire and tire inflations can result in tire failure and possible vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Owners will be sent replacement certification labels and instructions for replacing them. If they prefer, owners can have their dealers replace these labels for them.

Note: Owners who do not receive new certification labels within a reasonable time should contact Holiday Rambler at 1-800-685-6545.

Nissan Motors Corporation

Model:

Manufacture Dates: April 1992-April 1993

No. of Vehicles: 27,000

Recall Number: 95V222002

System: Heater and air conditioner.

Vehicle Description: Passenger minivans.

Description of Defect: Leaves and other foreign material can enter through the cowl panel air intake during operation of the front heater and air conditioning system resulting in a build-up of material in the plenum. This can lead to noise, odors, or in some cases, ignition of these materials.

Consequence of Defect: A vehicle fire could occur.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install an additional heater/air conditioning system intake screen.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Tracker Marine Corp.

Model(s): Tracker BB18 Year: 1996

Manufacture Dates: August 1995-October 1995

No. of Vehicles: 438

Recall Number: 95V212000

System: Suspension.

Vehicle Description: 16-, 17-, 18-, 20- and 21-foot boat trailers with slide axle assemblies.

Description of Defect: The slide axle assemblies are secured to the trailer frame with u-bolts, nuts, and lock washers. These bolts were not tightened properly. This can cause the slide axle assemblies to move laterally causing the trailer to not follow the tow vehicle correctly.

Consequence of Defect: The trailer may swing back and forth increasing the risk of loss of control and an accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque value.

Note: Owners who take their trailers to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Tracker Marine at 1-417-882-4444.

Union City Body Company

Model:

Manufacture Dates: March 1995

No. of Vehicles: 357

Recall Number: 95V227000

System: Seat tracks and anchors; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207.

Vehicle Description: Forward control walk-in vans.

Description of Noncompliance: These vehicles were built with incorrect fasteners attaching the driver or passenger seat pedestal to the floor. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence of Noncompliance: The seat pedestal attachments can pull through the floor resulting in failure of the seat and increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install the correct fasteners.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Union City at 1-317-964-3763.

Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corp.

Model(s):

Manufacture Dates: June 1994-October 1995

No. of Vehicles: 2,456

Recall Number: 95V218000

System: Brake pedals.

Vehicle Description: Heavy duty Class 8 trucks.

Description of Defect: Undercoating applied to the inside of the cab shell could have squeezed out during assembly onto the brake pedal plunger.

Consequence of Defect: Undercoating on the plunger can cause the plunger to stick resulting in increased brake pedal effort and slow release of the brakes increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will clean the undercoating from the brake pedal plunger assembly, re-lubricate and reinstall the brake pedal plunger assembly.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volvo GM Heavy Truck at 1-800-528-6586.

Wheeled Coach Industries

Model:

Manufactured Dates: Not Available

No. of Vehicles: 79

Recall Number: 95V219000

System: Door assembly.

Vehicle Description: Ambulances.

Description of Defect: The ambulances were built with "L" shaped entry door assist handrails. The rails are located such that when used with an open hand, the fingers can be caught in the door while closing.

Consequence of Defect: Personal injury can occur when the door is closed on the fingers.

Corrective Action: Ambulance operators will be provided with guards and installation instructions, or if the operator prefers, Wheeled Coach will install the guards for them.

Note: If replacement guards have not been provided free of charge within a reasonable time or the operator prefers to have Wheeled Coach install the guards, contact Wheeled Coach at 1-800-342-0720.

Eaton Corporation

Brands:

Manufacture Dates: September 1995-October 1995

Number of Units: 01,521

Recall Number: 95E039000

System: Front spindles.

Equipment Description: Axles for semi-trailers.

Description of Defect: These axles consist of a steel tubular center section and forged steel spindles that are welded to each end of the tube. Either spindle can contain a circumferential crack through a portion of its cross section.

Consequence of Defect: This crack can reduce the effective service life of the spindle. It can cause the spindle to fracture during normal vehicle operation and increase the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Eaton will use portable ultrasonic testing equipment to inspect each suspect trailer axle. Trailer axles containing defective spindles will be replaced with equivalent axles.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Eaton at 1-616-342-3239.

Falken Tire Corporation

Brand:

Manufactured Dates: June 1995-July 1995

Number of Tires: 908

Recall Number: 95T004000

System: Tire markings; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.

Tire Description: P235/75R15 1088 XL Radial A/P Tubeless tires.

Description of Noncompliance: The "Standard Load" specification tire was incorrectly placed and manufactured in the tire molds for "Extra Load" production tires. This does not conform to the requirements of FMVSS No. 109, "New Pneumatic Tires."

Consequence of Noncompliance: These tires fail to meet the minimum level of 5,200 pounds required which could cause run-flat conditions from overloading.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace these tires with correctly marked tires.

Note: If your tire is presented to an authorized dealer and is not replaced free of charge within a reasonable time, contact Falken at 1-909-466-1116.