NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF MARCH RECALLS

VEHICLES

AM General Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: August 1992-March 1996

Number of Vehicles: 3,000

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V049000

AM General Recall Number: AMG-R96-01

Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with diesel or gasoline engines. Turbo-charged diesel vehicles are not included.

Description of Defect: The coating used to protect the accelerator pedal shaft is not compatible with the bronze bushing through which the shaft passes. Over time, and in the presence of a corrosive environment (such as water and road salt), the shaft can corrode inside the bushing increasing the amount of friction between the rotating shaft and the stationary bushing.

Consequence of Defect: A corroded accelerator pedal shaft can cause the engine throttle to bind and not fully return to idle when the operator's foot is removed from the accelerator pedal increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install a revised accelerator pedal and shaft assembly.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact AM General at 1-219-258-6615.

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: August 1994-October 1994

Number of Vehicles: 49,000

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V045000

Ford Recall Number: 96S36

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.

Description of Noncompliance:The rivets holding the rear outboard belt D-rings were not heat treated properly causing the heads of the rivets to fracture under load and fail to hold the D-rings to the straps. This does not conform to the requirements of FMVSS No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence of Noncompliance: This condition can reduce the restraining capabilities of the safety belt in the event of an accident.

Corrective Action:Dealers will install a reinforcement plate on the rear outboard seat belt assembly anchorages involved in this campaign.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in May 1996.

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

General Motors Corporation

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 15,122

Dates of Manufacture: January-February 1996

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V044000

General Motors Recall Number:97-C-01

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.

Description of Noncompliance:These vehicles were assembled with one or more incorrect safety belt and/or safety belt buckle ends. This does not conform with the requirements of FMVSS No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence of Noncompliance: If an incorrect part is used, the belt may not latch properly increasing the risk of injury to the occupant should a vehicle crash occur.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect all front and rear safety belt latch ends and safety belt buckles for correct parts and replace any incorrect parts.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

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

Range Rover NA, Inc.

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 1,505

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V050000

Range Rover Recall Number: D424

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.

Description of Defect: The rear radius arm, which positions the rear axle, can fail at the extruded aluminum chassis eye end.

Consequence of Defect: A broken radius arm can allow movement of the rear axle and vehicle instability.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the rear radius arm assemblies.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Land Rover at 1-301-731-9040.

Am-Tran Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: January 1991-March 1996

Number of Vehicles: 2,650

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V046000

Am-Tran Recall Number: 96301

Vehicle Description: School buses with outward opening entrance doors.

Description of Defect:Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

Consequence of Defect: When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail, and the bus driver closes the door and puts the vehicle in motion, the individual is subject to being dragged by the bus. This can result in serious injury or death.

Corrective Action: Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from being caught. Identify the handrail application. If handrail extends from barrier to step well, no modifications are needed. If handrail extends from barrier to inside wall, kit must be ordered and new handrail installed when received.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact AM-Tran at 1-501-327-7761.

Am-Tran Corporation

Models & Years:

Dates of Manufacture: April 1986-March 1996

Number of Vehicles: 34,900

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V047000

Am-Tran Recall Number: 96302

Vehicle Description: School buses.

Description of Defect: Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

Consequence of Defect: When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail, and the bus driver closes the door and puts the vehicle in motion, the individual is subject to being dragged by the bus. This can result in serious injury or death.

Corrective Action: Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from being caught. Replace foam pad and install 1- inch thick rubber spacer between the handrail brace and the wall.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: This recall supersedes 93V-032.003 (Am-Tran Campaign No. 93001).

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Am-Tran at 1-501-327-7761.

Am-Tran Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: April 1986-February 1996

Number of Vehicles: 5,800

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V048000

Am-Tran Recall Number: 96303

Vehicle Description: School buses.

Description of Defect:Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

Consequence of Defect: When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail, and the bus driver closes the door and puts the vehicle in motion, the individual is subject to being dragged by the bus. This can result in serious injury or death.

Corrective Action: Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from being caught. Inspect handrail for proper clamp to brace height and proper bolt installation with no more than 2 to 3 threads showing. Kit is needed to correct unacceptable conditions.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Am-Tran at 1-501-327-7761.

Carpenter Manufacturing

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: May 1990-November 1995

Number of Vehicles: 20,950

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V042000

Vehicle Description: School buses.

Description of Defect: Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

Consequence of Defect: When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail, and the bus driver closes the door and puts the vehicle in motion, and the individual is subject to being dragged by the bus. This can result in serious injury or death.

Corrective Action: Insert a block between the lower handrail mount and the bus sidewall to stop the clothing from being caught.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers began in September 1995.

Note: This recall supersedes 93V-032.003.

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

Carpenter Manufacturing

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 1,415

Dates of Manufacture: May 1986-February 1996

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V007000

Equipment Description: Handrail kits provided by Carpenter Manufacturing for Wayne Corporation and Carpenter Body Works school buses.

Description of Defect: Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

Consequence of Defect: When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail and the bus driver closes the door and puts the vehicle in motion, the individual is subject to being dragged by the bus. This can result in serious injury or death.

Corrective Action: Insert a block between the lower handrail mount and the bus sidewall to stop clothing from being caught.

Note: Carpenter Manufacturing is providing a remedy kit for school buses manufactured by Wayne Corporation and Carpenter Body Works because these companies have gone out of business.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to Carpenter Body Works consumers began in September 1995, and notification to Wayne Corporation consumers began in March 1996.

Note: This recall campaign supersedes 93V-032.003.

Note: Owners who have these buses can contact Carpenter Manufacturing to obtain handrail corrections. Please contact Carpenter at 1-317-966-8339.

Freightliner Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: January 1996

Number of Vehicles: 220

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V043000

Freightliner Recall Number: FL-184

Vehicle Description: Heavy duty trucks.

Description of Defect: The bolts used to mount the brake assemblies to the axles can have cracks from improper heat treatment.

Consequence of Defect: These cracks could cause the bolts to fail allowing the brake assemblies to separate from the axles increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will remove and replace all brake mounting bolts.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers began in March 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy with a reasonable time, should contact Freightliner at 1-503-735-8078.

Freightliner Corporation

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 2,283

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V051000

Freightliner Recall Number: DBK960011

Vehicle Description: Heavy duty truck chassis equipped with a Saginaw 710 steering gear.

Description of Defect: (1) The mounting plate, which is used in combination with four bolts to secure the Saginaw 710 steering gear to the chassis frame, was designed to have four welded bosses with the same final height dimension. This plate was not ground down; (2) paint was left on the surface between the mounting plate and the steering gear; (3) a flanged-head bolt was misaligned through the frame, mounting plate and the steering gear; or (4) the tolerances between the frame and the mounting plate holes were too tight causing an alignment problem during assembly.

Consequence of Defect: These conditions can cause loose steering gear bolts which could lead to loss of steering control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the steering gear flanged-head mounting bolts; the mounting plate will be machined to specification insuring that the surface is free of paint; the steering gear mounting fasteners will be replaced; and the holes through the frame and the mounting plate will be enlarged to allow for increased assembly clearance.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Freightliner at 1-414-235-1726.

Holiday Rambler Corporation

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 148

Dates of Manufacture: August 1994-March 1995

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V036001

Vehicle Description: Motorhomes equipped with slide-out rooms. See NHTSA Campaign Number 96V003, Carefree of Colorado, the supplier of the awning.

Description of Defect: The awning attached for the slide-out room can unfurl or unroll during transit causing the bracket to rip free of the sidewall.

Consequence of Defect: The awning could break loose while the vehicle is in motion resulting in a vehicle accident and personal injury.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install arm locks, anti-billow studs and brackets, as well as wind deflectors on these awnings.

Owner Notification Date: Holiday Rambler is providing a list of consumers to Carefree. Carefree will begin notification to consumers is expected to begin in May 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Carefree of Colorado at 1-800-621-2617 or Holiday Rambler at 1-800-685-6545.

Navistar International Transportation Corporation

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 206

Dates of Manufacture: March 1993-February 1996

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V041000

Navistar Recall Number: 96501

Vehicle Description: School and transit buses and medium duty trucks built with 9,000, 10,000, 11,000 or 12,000 pound front axle, hydraulic disc brakes, and hub mounted disc wheels.

Description of Defect: The front wheel hub can develop cracks at the wheel mounting studs. When mounted to the hub, the hydraulic brake disc rotor does not properly support the hub at the wheel studs causing excessive stress and fatigue cracks in the hub.

Consequence of Defect: Should sufficient cracks occur, the mounting flange portion of the hub along with the wheel could separate from the vehicle without warning. Should this occur while the vehicle is driven, the driver could lose control of the vehicle and/or the separated wheel and hub could strike another vehicle, pedestrian or property.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install new, redesigned hubs on these vehicles.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers began March 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Navistar at 1-800-448-7825.

Spartan Motors, Inc.

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 160

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V040000

Spartan Recall Number: SPEC96006

Vehicle Description: Fire trucks equipped with Detroit Diesel DDEC Series 60 engines with a 0601-GG5 electrical harness.

Description of Defect: The electrical harness power distribution center was mounted behind the kick panel in the step well area of the truck, and the unsealed connectors, if exposed to water, could result in stray voltage, shorting, or corrosion.

Consequence of Defect: If the unsealed connectors experience a condition that allowed moisture to enter, the engine can experience electronic throttle control problems. The foot operated throttle would not be able to control the electronic-governed engine speed, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install a new electrical harness with sealed connectors and relocating the power distribution center.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400.

Spartan Motors, Inc.

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 52

Dates of Manufacture: October 1995-January 1996

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V052000

Spartan Recall Number: SB96-0029

Description of Defect: The fan clutch for the engine cooling system fan was combined with the wrong fan, which then interferes with the fan drive and can cause the drive to separate.

Consequence of Defect: If this condition occurs while the engine cover is open, a person working in the engine compartment of the vehicle could be struck by a portion of the fan clutch. If the fan clutch separates, the engine cooling system will not function properly.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the fan which has a cupped mounting plate with a fan having a straight mounting plate. The fan clutch, which could have been damaged by interference with the fan, will be replaced with a new drive of the same model.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc.

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 4,500

Dates of Manufacture: April 1977-January 1992

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V054000

Vehicle Description: School buses equipped with a forward-mount handrail.

Description of Defect: Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus.

Consequence of Defect: When a passenger's clothing becomes caught in the handrail, and the bus driver closes the door and puts the vehicle in motion, the individual is subject to being dragged by the bus. This can result in serious injury or death.

Corrective Action: Replace or reposition the handrails to stop clothing from being caught.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: This recall is in addition to recall 93V-032.001 for rear-mounted handrails on these buses.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Thomas Built at 1-910-889-4871.

Western Star Trucks, Inc.

Models:

Number of Vehicles: 12

Dates of Manufacture: August 1995-January 1996

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V053000

Western Star Recall Number: W-9603

Vehicle Description: Straight trucks, truck/full trailer, or logging truck applications.

Description of Defect: These trucks were not built with inversion valves due to a programming error. The inversion valve provides modulated spring brake application during emergency braking when the "A" portion of the air brake system has failed. Consequence of Defect: In an emergency situation, the brake system would not work properly increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will install an inversion valve in these vehicles.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact Western Star at 1-604-860-3319.

EQUIPMENT

EIS Brake Parts

Brands:

Dates of Manufacture: January 1987-December 1995

Number of units: 414

NHTSA Recall Number: 96E006000

Equipment Description: Aftermarket brake hose assemblies, Model SP6957, for use on 1983 through 1986 Audi 5000 vehicles.

Description of Defect: These brake hose assemblies have inadequate crimps attaching the hose to the hose fittings and could cause the hose and fitting to separate.

Consequence of Defect: If the brake hose assembly separates, loss of braking power can occur increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: These brake hose assemblies will be replaced.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: The vehicle owner should immediately return the vehicle to the service facility which performed the installation and the installer should remove the brake hose assembly and replace it with assembly SP9037. EIS will remedy the defect without charge to the owner for the replacement of the defective parts and will pay the installing facility for its purchase cost of the replacement part (a copy of the purchase invoice will be needed) plus a labor charge. Owners or installers can contact EIS at 129 Worthington Ridge, Berlin, Conn. 06037, Attn. D. J. Duprey, Quality Assurance Manager, or call 1-203-828-8290.

Roadmaster, Inc.

Brands:

Number of units: 1,289

Dates of Manufacture: January-May 1993

NHTSA Recall Number: 96E008000

Equipment Description: Vehicle tow bars utilizing a quick disconnect.

Description of Defect: The quick disconnect for the tow bar is subject to metal fatigue around the bolt holes.

Consequence of Defect: The quick disconnect can break across the bolt holes causing the tow bar to separate which could result in the loss of the towed vehicle increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace these tow bars with newly designed tow bars which will have stronger steel, additional steel support gussets and safety plates.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers began in August 1995.

Note: Owners who do not receive a new tow bar free of charge within a reasonable time, should contact Roadmaster at 1-503-288-9898.

Models & Years:

Number of Units: 2,400

Dates of Manufacture: July 1994-February 1996

NHTSA Recall Number: 96E010000

Equipment Description: Front high-back bucket seats or 60/40 split bench seats provided by Vehicle Safety Systems (VSS) for installation in light duty pickup extended cab conversion trucks.

Description of Defect: The seat recliner to seat frame attaching bolts on these vehicles could loosen, fatigue and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.

Consequence of Defect: If this were to occur to the driver's seat, this could result in a sudden loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will remove all foam and/or fabric sandwiched between the recliner assembly and the seat frame, install washers between the seat recliner and the seat frame at each attachment point, and install new attaching bolts torqued to a higher specification. These corrections will be made to both the driver's and passenger's seats.

Owner Notification Date: VSS is asking its conversion van dealers to provide lists of owner names and addresses. Notification to consumers is expected to begin in May 1996.

Note: Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service dates and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact VSS at 1-800-742-5043.

Century Products Company

Models:

Number of Units: 11,000

Dates of Manufacture: November 1995-February 1996

NHTSA Recall Number: 96E005000

Equipment Description: Child safety seats, Model 4750, Smart Move car seat.

Description of Noncompliance: This child safety seat utilizes a latch assembly where a variation in the components resulted in the potential for the buckle to release. This does not conform to the dynamic testing requirements of FMVSS Number 213, Child Restraint Systems.

Consequence of Noncompliance: Occupants of the safety seat would face an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Corrective Action: Century will provide a retrofit kit to owners who can easily replace the latch assembly.

Note: Notification to consumers and retailers is expected to begin in April 1996.

Note: Owners who do not receive the remedy kit free of charge within a reasonable time, should contact Century at 1-800-583-4093.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

Brands:

Number of Tires: 698

Dates of Manufacture: December 1995-February 1996

NHTSA Recall Number: 96T003000

Cooper Recall Number: 96

Tire Description: Passenger vehicle tires, tubeless radial, standard load.

Description of Noncompliance: These tires may not complete the required high speed wheel test mileage for tires molded with a UTQG temperature grade of "A".

Consequence of Noncompliance: This condition could cause these tires to fail prematurely.

Corrective Action: Cooper dealers/distributors will provide an identical or reasonably equivalent tire as a replacement within 60 days from the dates of the owner's receipt. Cooper will pay for the dismounting of these tires and the mounting of the new replacement tires.

Note: DOT serial numbers of the tires involved are: Cornell Challenger GTH U9R4B59 016, January 7-13, 1996; U9R4B59 026, January 14-20, 1996; Winston Winner U9R4WC2 515, December 17-23, 1995; U9R4WC2 525, December 24-30, 1995; U9R4WC2 535, December 31, 1995-January 6, 1996; Avenger Radial GTH Mastercraft U9HTFD8 056, February 4-10, 1996; Grand Spirit Radial HRX U9HTTJM 046, January 28-February 3, 1996.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers began in March 1996.

Note: Owners of tires presented to an authorized dealer on agreed upon service date and not replaced free of charge should contact Cooper at 1-800-854-6288.