NHTSA PUBLISHES LIST OF MAY RECALLS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a list of auto safety recalls that were initially announced in May 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, 70 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-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS - MAY 1999

VEHICLES:

American Honda Motor Company

Models:
Acura RL Years: 1996-1998
Acura TL Years: 1996-1998
Acura CL Years: 1997-1998
Honda Accord Years: 1997-1998
Honda Prelude Years: 1997-1998
Honda Odyssey Years: 1997-1998
Number Involved: 125,380
Dates of Manufacture: December 1995 - August 1996
Defect: Certain passenger vehicles and minivans were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out. In the worst case, the ball joints can separate, causing the front suspension to collapse. This condition would result in vehicle deceleration, a sudden loss of power, and reduced steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints. Owner notification was expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V069]

Bayerische Motoren Werke
Models:
BMW 323i Year: 1999
BMW 328i Year: 1999
Number Involved: 31,000
Dates of Manufacture: June 1998 - March 1999
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, it is possible that the retaining clip that secures the brake booster pushrod to the brake pedal arm was not properly installed during production. The clip could detach from the pin on the brake pedal arm, allowing the pushrod to disconnect from the arm. If this occurs, braking would not be possible, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the clip for tight installation and replace the clip if it is loose. Owner notification began in May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V100]

DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Models:
Chrysler Town & Country Years: 1993-1995
Dodge Caravan Years: 1993-1995
Dodge Grand Caravan Years: 1993-1995
Plymouth Voyager Years: 1993-1995
Plymouth Grand Voyager Years: 1993-1995
Number Involved: 860,000
Dates of Manufacture: March 1993 - March 1995
Defect: On certain minivans, an intermittent short circuit in the air bag initiator wire can occur shortly after vehicle startup and could lead to an inadvertent air bag deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an electronic diagnostic check. Any short circuits identified in either the driver or passenger side air bag initiator wire circuit will be repaired. Owner notification was expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V113/Chrysler Recall No. 818]

Dodge Neon Year: 1999
Plymouth Neon Year: 1999
Number Involved: 1,000
Dates of Manufacture: November 1998 - January 1999
Defect: The front suspension lower control arms could have been inadequately welded between the pivot tube and the arm. This inadequate welding can allow the tube to separate from the arm, resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower control arm. Owner notification was expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V114/Chrysler Recall No. 826]

Models: Jeep Wrangler Year: 1999
Number Involved: 2,000
Dates of Manufacture: October 1998
Defect: The left side and right side instrument panel wiring ground attachment screws could loosen over time. If the left side screw loosens, the instrument panel gauges could fail to function when the headlamps are turned on. If the right side screw loosens, the defroster blower motor could fail to function.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the ground screws, drill a new pilot hole adjacent to the original hole, and the screws will be reinstalled in the new holes. Owner notification was expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V117/Chrysler Recall No. 830]

Ford Motor Company
Models:
Ford Contour Years: 1996-1998
Mercury Mystique Years: 1996-1998
Number Involved: 602,000
Dates of Manufacture: April 1995 - August 1998
Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating. The damage could result in distortion of the terminal, causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.
Remedy: Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch. Owner notification was expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V103/Ford Recall No. 99S14]

Models:
Ford Explorer Year: 1999
Mercury Mountaineer Year: 1999
Number Involved: 18,000
Dates of Manufacture: April - May 1999
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the right front brake line to the hydraulic control unit (HCU) connection could separate, causing the line to leak when the brake pedal is applied. This could result in a loss of brake pressure to the front wheels, increasing the stopping distance.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the flare nut on the brake line. Owner notification began during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V123/Ford Recall No. 99S16]

Models:
Ford Crown Victoria Years: 1992-1993
Lincoln Town Car Years: 1992-1993
Mercury Grand Marquis Years: 1992-1993
Number Involved: 279,000
Dates of Manufacture: November 1991 - November 1992
Defect: The speed control deactivation switch can develop a resistive short in the electrical circuit that could potentially result in an underhood fire. A fire is possible both when the vehicle is running and when the vehicle engine is off. Also, the short could disable the speed control system or cause the brake light fuse to open.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new speed control deactivation switch and connector shell. Owner notification began during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V124/Ford Recall No. 99S15]

General Motors Corporation
Models:
Chevrolet C10 Year: 1992
Chevrolet C20 Year: 1992
Chevrolet C30 Year: 1992
Chevrolet K10 Year: 1992
Chevrolet K20 Year: 1992
Chevrolet K30 Year: 1992
GMC C15 Year: 1992
GMC C25 Year: 1992
GMC C35 Year: 1992
GMC K15 Year: 1992
GMC K25 Year: 1992
GMC K35 Year: 1992
Number Involved: 57,264
Dates of Manufacture: April 1991 - July 1992
Defect: On extended-cab pickup trucks equipped with high-back bucket seats, the seat recliner to frame attaching bolts can loosen, fatigue, and fracture, allowing the seat back to suddenly recline.
Remedy: 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. Owner notification was expected to begin during June 1999. 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. 99V130/GM Recall No. 99028]

Models:
Chevrolet G20 Year: 1995
GMC G20 Year: 1995
Number Involved: 142
Dates of Manufacture: May 1995
Defect: Vans equipped with sliding side doors were improperly remedied during a safety campaign (95V197/95-C-58) between July 18, 1997 and February 6, 1999. The sliding side-door rear latch was replaced with a latch that was improperly riveted. In the event of a vehicle crash, the door could fail to perform as required and injuries could result.
Remedy: Dealers will replace.