NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF APRIL RECALLS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in April 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.

VEHICLES:

Blue Bird Body Company

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: January 1993-January 1995

Number of Vehicles: 108

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V068000 Blue Bird Campaign Number: R96BD

Vehicle Description: School buses equipped with option 4561 air suspension.

Description of Defect: Air suspension torque arm can come in contact with the air brake chamber mounting bracket resulting in broken s-cam mounting bracket.

Consequence of Defect: This can result in the loss of brake lining contact of the affected rear wheel, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will modify vehicles to incorporate an axle seat spacer and replace the cam shaft and cam shaft bracket with a longer cam shaft and cam shaft bracket on both right and left rear brake assemblies to provide sufficient clearance.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to owners will be on June 6, 1996.

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 Blue Bird at 1-912-825-2021.

Coach & Equipment Sales Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: January 1980-March 1996

Number of Vehicles: 2,659

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V062000

Vehicle Description: School buses. (Supersedes campaign 93V-032.005)

Description of Defect: Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails of the 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: Coach & Equipment has not yet finalized the remedy procedures for this campaign.

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 Coach & Equipment at 1-315-536-2321.

Thomas Built Buses, Inc.

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: February 1992-March 1996

Number of Vehicles: 37, 717

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V065000

Vehicle Description: School buses.

Description of Defect: The fasteners used to secure the mounting foot of either forward or rearward handrails could be installed in such a manner that exiting children s clothing or accessory items could catch between the fasteners.

Consequence of Defect: A passenger's clothing could become caught in the handrail, and if 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: Thomas Built has not yet developed a remedy for this recall campaign.

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 Thomas Built at 1-910-889-4871.

Chrysler Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: January 1996-February 1996

Number of Vehicles: 700

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V060000 Chrysler Campaign Number: 683

Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles.

Description of Defect: The air bag electronic control module software contains an error which can delay the air bag deployment in certain crash situations.

Consequence of Defect: Delayed deployment can cause increased injury to front seat vehicle occupants in a collision.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module on these vehicles.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers began in late April 1996.

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.

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: October 1993-April 1995

Number of Vehicles: 31,000

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V064000 Ford Campaign Number: 96S37

Vehicle Description: Super cab pickup trucks equipped with an optional 40/20/40 power front driver seat.

Description of Defect: The wire harness for the power lumbar feature on the seats is underneath the front seat cushion support wires. The support wires on the driver seat can contact and damage the insulation on the harness resulting in a high resistance electrical short through the support wires.

Consequence of Defect: Overheating of the support wires could result, and melting, smoke, or possible ignition of the surrounding materials could occur.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the seats on the affected vehicles. If no damage is found, the driver seat wire harness will be covered with a protective convolute tubing, wrapped with electrical tape and the harness will be rerouted. If damage is found, the wire harness will be replaced.

Owner Notification Date: Owner notification should begin during the last week of May 1996.

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.

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: February 1996-March 1996

Number of Vehicles: 73,500

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V070000 Ford Campaign Number: 96S38

Vehicle Description: Passenger, multi-purpose vehicles and mini-vans. Description of Noncompliance: The driver door latches, when in the secondary latched position may open when subjected to transverse loads less than that specified in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Consequence of Noncompliance: The driver's door, when closed only to the secondary latched position, may not sustain a 1000 pound transverse load. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver door latch.

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

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.

Ford Motor Company

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: August 1987-July 1993

Number of Vehicles: 7,500,000

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V071000 Ford Campaign Number: 95S28

Vehicle Description: Passenger and multi-purpose vehicles and light duty trucks.

Description of Defect: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

Consequence of Defect: The switch short circuit can cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers is expected to begin during June 1996.

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 Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: May 1995-November 1995

Number of Vehicles: 379,004

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V057000 GM Campaign Number: 96-C-26

Vehicle Description: Pickup trucks, cab/chassis, utility and multi-purpose trucks equipped with gasoline engines.

Description of Noncompliance: These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. If this occurs, the vehicle will exceed the maximum throttle return time required by FMVSS No. 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Consequence of Noncompliance: If the cable binds, engine speed will not return to idle, which increases the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to owners began during April 1996.

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 GMC at 1-800-462-8782.

General Motors Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: April 1995-October 1995

Number of Vehicles: 43,213

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V069000 GM Campaign Number: 96-C-24

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.

Description of Defect: The left front brake line can contact the transaxle mounting bracket or attachment bolt.

Consequence of Defect: This condition can cause the brake line to wear through, resulting in loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of one-half of the vehicle's brake system, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for proper brake line clearance and reposition those brake lines found to have less than minimal clearance. Additionally, those brake lines found to have an indentation caused by the contact will be replaced and properly routed.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to owners began during late April 1996.

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 Buick at 1-800-521-7300.

Isuzu Motors, Limited

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: September 1995-February 1996

Number of Vehicles: 1,547

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V059001 Isuzu Campaign Number: SB9604L003

Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles.

Description of Noncompliance: A Brazilian domestic headlamp was inadvertently installed on these vehicles instead of the required U.S. domestic assembly. The Brazilian headlamp assembly has different markings and photometrics, and no aiming pads. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence of Noncompliance: With no aiming pads, these headlamps may not align properly.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect both the left and right head lamp assemblies for presence of the aiming pads. If the head lamp assembly does note have these aiming pads, it will be replaced with the correct head lamp assembly.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to owners is expected to begin during late May 1996.

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 Isuzu at 1-800-643-4070.

Mercedes-Benz of N.A., Inc.

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: February 1996

Number of Vehicles: 149

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V058000 Mercedes-Benz Campaign Number: 96-0413

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles equipped with six-cylinder engines.

Description of Defect: The drive belt pulley on the engine can develop fatigue cracks in the metal and break. If the drive pulley breaks, the car would not have engine cooling, battery < charging, and/or power steering.

Consequence of Defect: Loss of these systems can cause the car to overheat, lose power from the battery, and loss of control of the car, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the engine crankshaft damper-pulley on these vehicles.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to owners began during April 1996.

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 Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

Carlisle Companies Inc.

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: November 1994-February 1996

Number of Vehicles: 123

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V061000

Vehicle Description: Trucks equipped with milk tanks.

Description of Defect: The affected trucks use a spliced cable for conducting electrical power to the rear lighting system. Certain shrink tubing used to cover the splice permits corrosion of the electrical cable.

Consequence of Defect: Corrosion can result in the loss of lights on both the milk tank and the truck chassis increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the shrink tubing and the splice will be re-covered.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers was expected to begin during April 1996.

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 Walker at 1-800-356-5734.

Holiday Rambler Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: June 1995-November 1995

Number of Vehicles: 494

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V066000

Vehicle Description: Class A motorhomes built on Chevrolet, Ford, Oshkosh and Freightliner chassis.

Description of Defect: The fuse for the daytime running light circuit may be under rated for these motorhomes. The circuit requires a 20-amp fuse and a 15-amp fuse may have been installed. Also the circuit connecting the daytime running lights to the fuse panel incorrectly states 15 amp.

Consequence of Defect: If the 15-amp fuse is installed and the driver has not manually turned the headlights on, the fuse will blow when the high beams are turned on. The headlights will then go off, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect and replace any 15-amp fuse in the daytime running light circuit with a 20-amp fuse. A label will also be installed on the positive wire for the daytime running lights at the fuse panel and the lettering on the fuse panel which presently reads 15 amp will be covered.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to owners is expected to begin during May 1996.

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.

Load Rite Trailers, Inc.

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: February 1994-June 1994

Number of Vehicles: 752

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V063000

Vehicle Description: Boat trailers.

Description of Defect: The spindle of the axle can tear off the top of the axle tube.

Consequence of Defect: When the spindle falls off, the trailer falls to the road and the wheel could go into traffic.

Corrective Action: Load Rite has not yet developed the remedy procedure.

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 Load Rite at 1-800-562-3783.

Paccar, Inc.

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: February 1996-March 1996

Number of Vehicles: 617

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V056000

Paccar Campaign Number: 96KW1

Vehicle Description: Heavy duty trucks.

Description of Defect: The wires that correspond to the vehicle's rear turn signals were reversed when installed in the electrical connector.

Consequence of Defect: This condition will cause the rear turn signals to flash opposite from the direction intended by the driver, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the turn signal switch and, if necessary, replace the turn signal switch.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to owners began during late April 1996.

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 Kenworth at 1-206-828-5418.

Supreme Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: January -December 1995

Number of Vehicles: 324

NHTSA Recall Number: 96V067000

Vehicle Description: Transit buses equipped with Romeo rim bumpers (black rubber bumpers).

Description of Defect: The rear bumper bracket welds can crack.

Consequence of Defect: This cracking could cause a bumper to detach from the chassis, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Action: New brackets made out of 10-gauge material with gussets will be used to replace the defective brackets.

Owner Notification Date: All owners have been notified and the correct parts have been shipped.

Note: If you have not received the new brackets free of charge within a reasonable time, please contact Supreme at 1-800-642-4889, ext. 303.

Bostrom Corporation

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: August 1993-March 1996

Number of Vehicles: 12,500

NHTSA Recall Number: 96E009000

Equipment Description: Adjustable height seat pedestals used as part of school bus driver seats.

Description of Defect: The seat pedestals are fatigue-cracking adjacent to the weld which secures the pedestal's upper plate to the upper, telescoping portion of the adjustable column support.

Consequence of Defect: The upper mounting plate and seat upper gradually becomes loose, resulting in the upper plate detaching from the supporting column, and the seat can fall from its mounting. This can result in personal injury to the driver.

Corrective Action: Dealers will repair these pedestals with a newly designed pedestal bracket kit.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to owners was expected to begin during late April 1996.

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 Bostrom at 1-414-542-0222.

Neway Anchorlok International, Inc.

Models:

Dates of Manufacture: July 1995-February 1996

Number of Units: 150

NHTSA Recall Number: 96E011000

Equipment Description: Tandem axle air suspension for Class 8 cement mixers with no axle stops.

Description of Defect: The equalizing beam shaft fractures inside the beam at the toe of the weld.

Consequence of Defect: Truck type vehicles with a 14.38-inch ride height without frame mounted axle stops are subject to vehicle tilt and possible rollover in the event that both equalizing beams, on the same side of the vehicle, experience a simultaneous shaft failure.

Corrective Action: Dealers will replace all suspect suspension beams with suspension beams containing appropriate shafts.

Owner Notification Date: Notification to owners is expected to begin during May 1996.

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 Neway at 1-800-237-8932.