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New Information Added Since : February 15, 2005
 Results : 477 | All records displayed  
NHTSA Action Number : DP09005 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      JEEP / GRAND CHEROKEE 1993-2004
Manufacturer : CHRYSLER LLC
Component :
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Date Investigation Opened : November 6, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
IN A LETTER DATED OCTOBER 2, 2009, THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY (CAS)PETITIONED NHTSA TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION AND RECALL MODEL YEAR 1993-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES. CAS ALLEGES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK STORAGE SYSTEMS THAT PRESENT FIRE HAZARDS IN CRASHES. CAS ALLEGES THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK IS SUBJECT TO DEGRADATION AND RUPTURE. CAS ALLEGES THAT THE TANK'S PLACEMENT BEHIND THE REAR AXLE AND BELOW THE REAR BUMPER, AND THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SHIELDING MAKES IT MORE VULNERABLE DURING CRASHES TO IMPACTS FROM OTHER VEHICLES, VEHICLE COMPONENTS FROM THE GRAND CHEROKEE ITSELF, OR, IN THE CASE OF ROLLOVER CRASHES, FROM OTHER OBJECTS. CAS ALSO ALLEGES THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK TEARS OFF IN CRASHES. ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 12 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQS) FOR MODEL YEAR 1993-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES REPORTING A VEHICLE CRASH THAT ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED EITHER A FUEL TANK LEAK AND/OR A FIRE POTENTIALLY RELATED TO A FUEL TANK LEAK. OF THE 12 VOQS, 10 INVOLVED FIRES AND TWO INVOLVED FUEL LEAKS WITHOUT FIRE. ODI HAS OPENED A DEFECT PETITION TO ASSESS WHETHER THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT OPENING A SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE ALLEGED DEFECTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
NHTSA Action Number : EA05020 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      JEEP / GRAND CHEROKEE 2000 2002
Manufacturer : CHRYSLER LLC
Component :
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
Date Investigation Opened : November 14, 2005
Date Investigation Closed : September 12, 2006
Summary:
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (06V199) OF CERTAIN JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE ENGINE'S ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN COOLING FAN. THE 182,875 VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ARE MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 EQUIPPED WITH 4.0 LITER (SIX CYLINDER) ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 4, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 17, 2002; AND MY 2000 EQUIPPED WITH EITHER THE 4.0 LITER (SIX CYLINDER) OR THE 4.7 LITER (EIGHT CYLINDER) ENGINE MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 31, 2000 THROUGH JUNE 12, 2000. DCC NOTED THAT THEIR ANALYSIS OF FAILED PARTS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF BRITTLE FRACTURE OF THE FAN BLADE. DCC FURTHER STATED, "POOR BONDING BETWEEN THE RESIN MATERIAL AND THE GLASS FIBERS WAS OBSERVED, WHICH MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE INJECTION MOLDING PROCESS." SINCE THE ROOT CAUSE OF FAN FAILURE COULD NOT BE CONCLUSIVELY IDENTIFIED DCC DECIDED THE RECALL SCOPE WOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE BUILD DATE RANGE OF THE COMPLAINT VEHICLES. THERE WERE 48 REPORTS FOR MY 2000, AND 196 FOR MY 2002. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS ISSUE FOR REPORTS ON VEHICLES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL SCOPE.
NHTSA Action Number : EA06008 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : 06V288000
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      JEEP / LIBERTY 2002-2006
      JEEP / LIBERTY 4X4 2006
Manufacturer : CHRYSLER LLC
Component :
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Date Investigation Opened : May 31, 2006
Date Investigation Closed : August 24, 2006
Summary:
ON JANUARY 6, 2006, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. ODI SENT A LETTER TO THE MANUFACTURER ON FEBRUARY 7, 2006 REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. CONSEQUENTLY, THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON MAY 31, 2006 AND THE RANGE OF SUBJECT VEHICLES UNDER INVESTIGATION WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL MY 2002-2006 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. ODI IS AWARE OF 566 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INVOLUNTARY FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. ODI IS ALSO AWARE OF ONE NON-INJURY CRASH AND THREE ALLEGED INJURY INCIDENTS (TWO CRASH INCIDENTS AND ONE NON-CRASH INCIDENT) RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. THE COMPLAINT COUNTS REPORTED ABOVE ONLY INCLUDE THOSE MY 2002-03 LIBERTY VEHICLES WHERE THE ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION OCCURRED AFTER PRIOR RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED (SEE BELOW) OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRIOR RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER CONDUCTED A PRIOR SAFETY RECALL (03V-460) TO ADDRESS THE SUBJECT ISSUE IN CERTAIN MY 2002-03 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER¿S NOVEMBER 4, 2003, DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT (SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 49 CFR PART 573), ¿THE CONSTANT TENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION WHICH CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR AND POSSIBLY SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE. A CONSTANT TENSION BALL JOINT WHICH HAS SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WITH MINIMAL ADVANCED WARNING.¿ HOWEVER, EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT SOME VEHICLES SERVICED UNDER RECALL 03V-460 CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE INVOLUNTARY BALL JOINT SEPARATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS MADE NUMEROUS CHANGES IN THE DESIGN, MATERIAL COMPOSITION, MANUFACTURE, QUALITY CONTROL, SUPPLY, AND INSTALLATION OF THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS SINCE THE PRIOR SAFETY RECALL WAS INITIATED IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE WITH RESPECT TO SEALING, LUBRICATION, AND JOINT RETENTION CAPABILITY. BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 1, 2006, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS IN APPROXIMATELY 826,687 MODEL YEAR 2002-2006 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2, 2001 AND MARCH 15, 2006, INCLUDING ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THE PRIOR RECALL. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER ASSIGNED TO THIS RECALL IS 06V-288 (DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL CAMPAIGN F23). DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS WITH IMPROVED COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
NHTSA Action Number : EA06011 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      DODGE / DURANGO 2001-2003
Manufacturer : CHRYSLER LLC
Component :
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Date Investigation Opened : June 19, 2006
Date Investigation Closed : September 22, 2006
Summary:
DAIMLERCHRYLSER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL RECALL 35,103 MY 2001-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS (RECALL # 06V339, SEE DEFECT REPORT FOR DETAILS). THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH EITHER FRONT BUCKET SEATS OR A 40-20-40 SPLIT FRONT BENCH SEAT. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEAT CONTAIN AN UNCAPPED, UNUSED CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT. THE CONNECTOR PROVIDES POWER TO THE CENTER CONSOLE POWER OUTLET FOR VEHICLES WITH BUCKET SEATS, BUT IT IS UNUSED IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BENCH SEATS. THE CONNECTOR IS LOCATED REARWARD OF THE CUP HOLDER ON THE TUNNEL FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE BENCH SEAT. THIS CONNECTOR CONTAINS A FUSED B+ CIRCUIT WIRE (THAT IS CONTINUOUSLY POWERED WITH THE KEY OFF) AND A GROUND WIRE. DCC DETERMINED THAT IF LIQUID IS SPILLED FROM THE CUP HOLDER ONTO THE TUNNEL, THE UNCAPPED CONNECTOR MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED. THIS CONTAMINATION MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTANCE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, CAUSING LOCALIZED HEATING, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE. DCC WILL INSPECT THE UNCAPPED CONNECTOR FOR CORROSION, CLEAN AS REQUIRED, AND INSTALL A CAP TO PREVENT LIQUID CONTAMINATION. ALL OF THE REPORTED UNDER-SEAT FIRES WERE ON SUBJECT VEHICLES WITH A 40-20-40 BENCH SEAT. THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
NHTSA Action Number : DP09002 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      BMW / 3 SERIES 2002-2004
      BMW / 3-SERIES 2003
      BMW / 318I 2003
      BMW / 325 2002
      BMW / 325I 2002-2005
      BMW / 325XI 2002, 2004-2005
      BMW / 328XI 2005
      BMW / 330CI 2002
      BMW / 330I 2002-2005
      BMW / 330XI 2002-2003 2005
      BMW / 335XI 2005
      BMW / E46 2002
      BMW / M3 2002-2005
Manufacturer : BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Component :
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Date Investigation Opened : April 8, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : August 6, 2009
Summary:
IN MARCH 2009, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. MARK PETERS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF REAR LAMP FAILURE IN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES. AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER WAS SENT TO BMW IN APRIL 2009, AND ODI RECEIVED BMW'S RESPONSE IN JUNE 2009. THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CONTAINS LIGHTING FOR THE BRAKE LAMPS, TAIL LAMPS, AND TURN SIGNALS. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) WAS ISSUED BY BMW IN JANUARY OF 2007 INSTRUCTING SERVICE TECHNICIANS TO EXAMINE AN 8 PIN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR HEAT-RELATED DAMAGE AND TO INCORPORATE ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRING TO THE CONNECTOR. COMPLAINANTS HAVE ALLEGED THAT SIGNIFICANT THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED GROUND WIRING HAS OCCURRED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR TOTAL LOSS OF ALL LIGHTING (BRAKE, TAIL, AND TURN SIGNAL) FOR THE EFFECTED REAR LAMP ASSEMBLY. ODI WILL OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO FURTHER EXAMINE THIS ISSUE INCLUDING FURTHER EVALUATING BMW COMPLAINTS AND RELATED WARRANTY DATA.
NHTSA Action Number : PE06006 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      SATURN / ION 2003
      SATURN / L-SERIES 2000-2003
      SATURN / L-SERIES SEDAN 2000-2003
      SATURN / L-SERIES WAGON 2000-2003
      SATURN / L200 2001-2003
      SATURN / L300 2001-2003
      SATURN / LS 2000-2002
      SATURN / LS1 2000
      SATURN / LS2 2000
      SATURN / LS300 2001-2002
      SATURN / LW300 2001-2002
      SATURN / VUE 2002-2003
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Component :
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Date Investigation Opened : January 24, 2006
Date Investigation Closed : June 6, 2006
Summary:
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING. ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN APPROXIMATELY 412,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AND ION VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES. GM'S RESPONSE INCLUDED 1,020 OWNER COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, INCLUDING 228 THAT ALLEGED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. GM ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY CLAIM DATA THAT SHOWED 1,902 SUBJECT VEHICLES RECEIVING TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS, INCLUDING 261 WHICH INDICATED THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE. THE GM COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT DID NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED WERE PROVIDED IN THE CATEGORY "OTHER." GM STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS PROBABLY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED "SINCE THE TIMING CHAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO BREAK DURING HIGH CHAIN LOAD SITUATIONS, SUCH AS ENGINE STARTUP." GM'S DATA SHOWED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES IN APPROXIMATELY 20,500 MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A FOUR MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001. OVER ONE-THIRD OF GM'S TOTAL COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS (34.3%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (38.2%) INVOLVED L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, WHICH ARE ONLY ABOUT 5% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE PRODUCTION. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RATE IN THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS RANGE IS OVER 10 TIMES GREATER THAN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING STALL WHILE DRIVING IS SLIGHTLY UNDER ONE PERCENT. HOWEVER, IF THE INCIDENTS CODED AS "OTHER" ARE ADDED, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE RISES TO NEARLY FIVE PERCENT FOR THOSE VEHICLES. ODI AND GM ARE CONTINUING TO ASSESS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CODED BY GM AS "OTHER" THAT INVOLVE INCIDENTS OF STALL WHILE DRIVING. GM'S STATISTICAL MODELING OF THE FAILURE DATA INITIALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE RATES WERE DECLINING WITH AGE AND MILEAGE FOR ANY SET OF WARRANTY DATA ANALYZED (E.G., STALL WHILE DRIVING, OTHER OR COMBINED). HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE INCREASING. BASED ON THE HIGH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN THE 4-MONTH PRODUCTION PERIOD FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY OF STALL INCIDENTS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THOSE VEHICLES (EA06-009).
NHTSA Action Number : RQ06002 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      CHRYSLER / PACIFICA 2004-2006
Manufacturer : CHRYSLER LLC
Component :
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Date Investigation Opened : February 27, 2006
Date Investigation Closed : June 22, 2006
Summary:
ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006 RQ06-002 WAS OPENED IN RESPONSE TO 60 COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE STALL, MOSTLY DURING LEFT-HAND TURNS, IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 TO 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA VEHICLES THAT WERE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF RECALL 04V-113. IN MARCH 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER INITIATED RECALL 04V-113 ON 34,561 MY 2004 PACIFICA VEHICLES TO CORRECT A CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL WHILE MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN AFTER A COLD-START. DURING RQ06-002 IT WAS DETERMINED THAT RECALL 04V-113 DID CORRECT THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE ENGINE STALLING CONDITION FOR THAT SPECIFIC POPULATION. HOWEVER, TWO OTHER CONDITIONS WERE IDENTIFIED THAT COULD ALSO CAUSE ENGINE STALLING DURING TURNING MANEUVERS: (1) AN ISSUE WITH MISBUILT FUEL PUMPS THAT PRIMARILY AFFECTED ABOUT 17,000 MY 2005 PACIFICA VEHICLES BUILT DURING AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2004; AND (2) A SOFTWARE CONDITION AFFECTING VAPOR PURGE IN ABOUT 131,000 MY 2005-06 PACIFICA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JULY 2004 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2005. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA06-013, HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF THESE CONDITIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
NHTSA Action Number : EA05005 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : 7 recalls found (View)
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      FORD / BRONCO 1994-1996
      FORD / E-150 1994-1996
      FORD / E150 1994-1996
      FORD / E450 1996-2002
      FORD / ECONOLINE 1994-1996
      FORD / EXCURSION 2000-2002
      FORD / EXPEDITION 1997-1999, 2001-2002
      FORD / EXPLORER 1998
      FORD / F-150 1994-1999, 2001-2002
      FORD / F-250 1994-1997
      FORD / F-250 LD 1997-1999
      FORD / F-250 SD 1999-2002
      FORD / F-350 1994-1997
      FORD / F-350 SD 1999-2002
      FORD / F150 1994-1999, 2001-2002
      FORD / F150 LD 1996-1999, 2001-2002
      FORD / F250 1994-2002
      FORD / F250 HD 1994-2002
      FORD / F250 LD 1994-2001
      FORD / F250 SUPER DUTY 1997-2002
      FORD / F350 1994-2002
      FORD / F350 SUPER DUTY 1998-2002
      FORD / F450 1994-2002
      FORD / F450 SUPER DUTY 1998-2002
      FORD / F550 1994-2002
      FORD / F550 SUPER DUTY 1998-2002
      FORD / MOUNTAINEER 1998
      FORD / NAVIGATOR 1998-1999, 2001-2002
      LINCOLN / BLACKWOOD 2002
      LINCOLN / NAVIGATOR 1998-1999, 2001-2002
      MERCURY / MOUNTAINEER 1998
      SUPER DUTY / F250 1994, 1996-1998
      SUPER DUTY / F350 1995-1998
      SUPER DUTY / F450 1994-1996, 1998-1999
      SUPER DUTY / F550 1995, 1997-1998
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component :
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
Date Investigation Opened : March 22, 2005
Date Investigation Closed : August 2, 2006
Summary:
EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD¿S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS). THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE. FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS. FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD¿S RECALLS. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.
NHTSA Action Number : DP05005 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      FORD / CROWN VICTORIA 1997-2004
      FORD / E SERIES 1997-2003
      FORD / E SERIES SUPER DUTY 1999-2001
      FORD / E-SUPER DUTY 1997-1999
      FORD / E150 1997-2004
      FORD / E250 1997-2004
      FORD / E350 1997-2004
      FORD / ECONOLINE 1997-2003
      FORD / EXCURSION 1999-2004
      FORD / EXPEDITION 1997-2004
      FORD / EXPLORER 1997-2004
      FORD / EXPLORER SPORT 1997-2003
      FORD / EXPLORER SPORT TRAC 1997-2004
      FORD / F SERIES 1997-2003
      FORD / F SERIES (LIGHT) 1997-2001
      FORD / F SUPER DUTY 1997-2003
      FORD / F150 1997-2004
      FORD / F150 LD 1997-2003
      FORD / F250 1997-2004
      FORD / F250 HD 1997-2002
      FORD / F250 LD 1997-2001
      FORD / F250 SUPER DUTY 1997-2004
      FORD / F250 SUPERDUTY 2004
      FORD / F350 1997-2004
      FORD / F350 SUPER DUTY 1998-2004
      FORD / MUSTANG 1997-2004
      FORD / MUSTANG COBRA 1997-2000
      FORD / MUSTANG COBRA R 2000
      FORD / MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE 1997-2001 2003
      FORD / MUSTANG GT 1997-2003
      LINCOLN / AVIATOR 2003-2004
      LINCOLN / NAVIGATOR 1997-2004
      LINCOLN / TOWN CAR 1997-2004
      MERCURY / GRAND MARQUIS 1997-2004
      MERCURY / MOUNTAINEER 1997-2004
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component :
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Date Investigation Opened : September 22, 2005
Date Investigation Closed : January 4, 2006
Summary:
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES. ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE. AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES. IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING: (1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES. (2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND. (3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL. IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED. (4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. (5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE. IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION. NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD. (6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT. AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI¿S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. HOWEVER, ODI¿S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES. NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE. GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW. IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION. THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA¿S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY¿S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
NHTSA Action Number : EA05004 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      FORD / CROWN VICTORIA 2001
      FORD / EXCURSION 2001
      FORD / EXPEDITION 2001
      FORD / F SERIES 2001
      FORD / F SERIES (LIGHT) 2001
      FORD / F SUPER DUTY 2001
      FORD / F150 2001
      FORD / F150 LD 2001
      FORD / F250 2001
      FORD / F250 HD 2001
      FORD / F250 LD 2001
      FORD / F250 SUPER DUTY 2001
      FORD / F350 2001
      FORD / F350 SUPER DUTY 2001
      FORD / F450 2001
      FORD / F450 SUPER DUTY 2001
      FORD / F550 2001
      FORD / F550 SUPER DUTY 2001
      FORD / GRAND MARQUIS 2001
      FORD / RANGER 2001
      FORD / RANGER EV 2001
      FORD / SUPER DUTY 2001
      FORD / SUPER DUTY F 2001
      FORD / SUPER DUTY F SERIES 2001
      FORD / SUPERCAB 2001
      FORD / SUPERCREW 2001
      FORD / WINDSTAR 2001
      LINCOLN / NAVIGATOR 2001
      LINCOLN / TOWN CAR 2001
      MERCURY / GRAND MARQUIS 2001
      MERCURY / MARQUIS 2001
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component :
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Date Investigation Opened : February 17, 2005
Date Investigation Closed : July 6, 2005
Summary:
DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2001, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS USING A TEST TOOL THAT WOULD DETECT A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION VEHICLES PASSED THE INSPECTION TEST FOR ONE OR BOTH FRONT BUCKLES. SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL SERVICE ACTION, ODI RECEIVED 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING THAT A "PASSED INSPECTION" BUCKLE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO LATCH OR INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED DURING USE. IN ADDITION, FORD HAS IDENTIFIED 543 OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING BUCKLE FAILURE SUBSEQUENT TO PASSING THE INSPECTION TEST. FORD TESTED AND EXAMINED OVER 100 WARRANTY-RETURNED BUCKLES AND FOUND THAT 44% OF THE BUCKLES HAD NO PROBLEM OR A CONDITION NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL INSPECTION (NON-LATCH RELATED BUCKLE DAMAGE OR FOREIGN CONTAMINATION). WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE HIGHEST DURING THE 18-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THE START OF THE RECALL (JULY 2001) AND HAVE BEEN DECLINING DURING THE PAST 24 MONTHS. OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, FORD HAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 12 WARRANTY CLAIMS PER MONTH OUT OF A VEHICLE POPULATION OF ABOUT ONE MILLION. COMPLAINTS COUNTS ARE ALSO DECREASING. DURING THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLY TWO COMPLAINTS. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
NHTSA Action Number : PE06011 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      FORD / EXCURSION 2000-2001
      FORD / F SUPER DUTY 1999-2001
      FORD / F-250 SD 1999-2001
      FORD / F-350 SD 1999-2001
      FORD / F250 SUPER DUTY 1999-2001
      FORD / F350 SUPER DUTY 1999-2000
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component :
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Date Investigation Opened : February 27, 2006
Date Investigation Closed : June 23, 2006
Summary:
THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) PROVIDES A CRITICAL SIGNAL TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLE (SV) ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, THE LOSS OF WHICH RESULTS IN AN ENGINE STALL. DURING PE06-011, FORD STATED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI THAT IT IS CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CPS RELATED ENGINE STALL AND FURTHER ADVISED THAT AN UPDATE WILL BE PROVIDED UPON COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION. FORD DATA SHOWS THAT 20% OF THE 716,000 SVS ARE EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF BACK-DRIVING THE ENGINE WHEN A STALL OCCURS; POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKING ARE NOT LOST DURING ENGINE BACK-DRIVE. FORD DATA ALSO INDICATES THAT BACK-DRIVE OCCURS IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES ABOVE CERTAIN ROAD SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS NOTED REFERENCE 755 UNIQUE VEHICLES; 2 ARE DUPLICATIVE OF ODI REPORTS. IN ITS REVIEW OF CUSTOMER AND FIELD REPORTS, FORD IDENTIFIED SOME 800 REPORTS ALLEGING ONE OR MORE ENGINE STALLS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO A CPS FAILURE IN THESE 755 VEHICLES (FORD¿S ¿A¿ CATEGORY REPORTS). ODI HAS NOT COMPLETED ITS REVIEW OF THESE OR OTHER FORD REPORTS, NOR HAS IT CONFIRMED THIS COUNT. ALL BUT ONE OF THE 9 CRASH ALLEGATIONS APPEAR TO BE MINOR IN NATURE ALTHOUGH ODI IS STILL INVESTIGATING THESE CRASH/INJURY ALLEGATIONS AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY INVOLVE A CPS FAILURE. BASED ON EARLY ASSESSMENT OF THE APPROXIMATELY 166,000 SUBJECT VEHICLE WARRANTY CLAIMS FORD PAID, THERE APPEARS TO BE VARIABILITY IN CLAIM RATES BETWEEN CERTAIN SV PRODUCTION PERIODS; AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. FORD REVIEWED A SAMPLE OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS AND INDICATED THAT ABOUT HALF MAY INVOLVE A STALL DUE TO CPS FAILURE; ODI HAS YET TO CONFIRM THIS ASSESSMENT. THE INVESTIGATION IS THEREFORE UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA06-012 SO THAT ODI CAN CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND CONSEQUENCES OF CPS RELATED ENGINE STALLING.
NHTSA Action Number : EA06012 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : 07V553000
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      FORD / F SUPER DUTY 1997-2003
      FORD / F SUPER DUTY CHASSIS 1997
      FORD / F-250 SD 1999-2003
      FORD / F-350 SD 1999-2003
      FORD / F-450 SD 2003
      FORD / F250 SUPER DUTY 1997-2003
      FORD / F350 SUPER DUTY 1998-2003
      FORD / F450 SUPER DUTY 1998-2003
      FORD / F460 1997
      FORD / F550 SUPER DUTY 1998-2003
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component :
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Date Investigation Opened : June 22, 2006
Date Investigation Closed : December 7, 2007
Summary:
IN A DECEMBER 3, 2007 LETTER, FORD ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) IN APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS REPORTS OF ENGINE STALLING. A NEW DESIGN CPS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY WILL BE INSTALLED AS A REMEDY. OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER 2007. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE DURABLE, FULL-SIZED, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, RESCUE/EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND COMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL TOWING. CPS FAILURE IS COMPARABLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY TURNING THE KEY OFF SINCE THE SIGNAL IT PRODUCES IS VITAL TO THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM. CPS SIGNAL LOSS TERMINATES FUEL INJECTION RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL. ONCE STALLED, THE ENGINE MAY RESTART RIGHT AWAY, OR MAY RESTART AFTER A DELAY (TYPICALLY 5 TO 10 MINUTES), OR MAY NOT RESTART AT ALL. IN ADDITION TO EXPOSING THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS TO CRASH RISK DUE TO LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT, ENGINE STALLING ALSO EFFECTS THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKING. THROUGH CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, ODI DETERMINED THAT CPS FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY FORM OF WARNING, AT ANY VEHICLE SPEED (50% AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS), AND UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION, SUCH AS ACCELERATING. CONSUMERS REPORTED THAT ABOUT A THIRD OF THE VEHICLES FAILED TO RESTART, WITH ANOTHER THIRD REPORTING DELAYED RESTARTING. HALF THE VEHICLES THAT DID RESTART EXPERIENCED ANOTHER STALL ON THE SAME OR A SUBSEQUENT DRIVE CYCLE (BEFORE CPS REPLACEMENT) RE-EXPOSING THOSE CONSUMERS TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A STALLING EVENT. IN THEIR VOQ REPORTS, HALF OF THE ODI COMPLAINANTS DESCRIBED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOSE OF POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE TOWING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE ONE ALLEGED INJURY INCIDENT OCCURRED IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN A SUBJECT VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC. ALTHOUGH UNSUBSTANTIATED, THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED AN INJURY TO A CHILD OCCUPANT DURING ODI'S INTERVIEW. THE OTHER CRASH ALLEGATIONS MOSTLY INVOLVED LOW SPEED, LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS OFTEN CAUSED BY LACK OF POWER ASSIST; NO INJURIES ARE REPORTED IN THESE INCIDENTS, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, IF ANY, WAS MINIMAL. CONSUMERS ALSO REPORTED OTHER INCIDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISKS, SUCH AS DISABLEMENT IN A LANE OR ON A SHOULDER OF A HIGH-SPEED ROADWAY OR INTERSTATE, OR EXTENDED DISABLEMENT IN REMOTE AREAS DURING SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE POPULATION ABOVE IS FORD'S ESTIMATE OF THE 1.4 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED THAT ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED. THE FORD COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY COUNTS NOTED ABOVE ARE CURRENT AS OF FORD'S LAST SUBMISSION DATED JUNE 21, 2007; THEY DO NOT INCLUDE F-450, F-550, OR ECONOLINE COUNTS AS THESE PRODUCTS WERE NOT FORMALLY WITHIN SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION WHEN FAILURE INFORMATION WAS REQUESTED. WARRANTY DATA ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT ABOUT HALF THE CLAIMS INVOLVED A STALL WHILE DRIVING EVENT ( FORD'S ASSESSMENT) AND THAT POOR CPS DURABILITY WAS A LONGSTANDING CONCERN. FORD REPORTED THAT THE NEW CPS DESIGN SHOULD MEET OR EXCEED THEIR 10 YEAR, 150K MILE LIFE EXPECTANCY DESIGN REQUIREMENT.
NHTSA Action Number : PE05030 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : 2 recalls found (View)
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      CARRIAGE / CAMEO 2003-2005
      CARRIAGE / CARRI LITE 2003
Manufacturer : CARRIAGE, INC
Component :
WHEELS:CENTER SECTION
WHEELS:RIM
Date Investigation Opened : June 9, 2005
Date Investigation Closed : September 14, 2005
Summary:
CARRIAGE, INC. HAS FILED DEFECT NOTICE 05V-400 PERTAINING TO DEFECTS FOUND IN CERTAIN 16" CHROME PLATED STEEL WHEELS THAT WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BETWEEN MARCH 2005 AND JULY 2005 IN 86 MODEL YEAR 2005 CAMEO FIFTH WHEEL RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND 19 WHEELS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT PARTS (TO SERVICE 13 VEHICLES) DURING THIS SAME PERIOD. TREDIT TIRE, CARRIAGE INC.'S SUPPLIER OF TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES, HAD INVESTIGATED THE REASON(S) FOR THE CRACKED AND BROKEN WHEELS, DETERMINED THE CAUSE(S), AND NOTIFIED CARRIAGE, INC. OF THEIR FINDINGS ON AUGUST 30, 2005. IN THE COURSE OF INVESTIGATION PE05-030, CARRIAGE, INC. HAS INFORMED ODI THAT SOME WHEELS INSTALLED IN MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 2004 CAMEO AND CARRI-LITE VEHICLES HAVE ALSO BEEN REPORTED CRACKED, BROKEN, AND/OR LEAKING. THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT CURRENTLY ADDRESSED BY CAMPAIGN 05V-400. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF THOSE WHEELS INSTALLED IN CARRIAGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO MARCH 2005 AND NOT CURRENTLY ADDRESSED BY CAMPAIGN O5V-400 AND TAKE ACTION, IF APPROPRIATE.
NHTSA Action Number : EA06014 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : 07V013000
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      TOYOTA / SEQUOIA 2004-2007
      TOYOTA / TUNDRA 2004-2006
Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Component :
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Date Investigation Opened : August 2, 2006
Date Investigation Closed : February 28, 2007
Summary:
IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 18, 2007, TOYOTA NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 THROUGH 2006 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND MY 2004 THROUGH 2007 TOYOTA SEQUOIA VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 15, 2003 AND NOVEMBER 17, 2006 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-013). ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, ¿IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, DUE TO POSSIBLE IMPROPER FINISHING OF THE BALL JOINT, SUCH AS THE ASPECT OF THE BALL STUD SURFACE, SOME BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE AN INCIDENTAL DETERIORATION OF THE INTERNAL LUBRICATION. THIS MAY CAUSE THE BALL JOINT TO WEAR AND LOOSEN PREMATURELY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, REDUCED VEHICLE SELF-CENTERING, AND NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. IN EXTREME CASES, IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.¿ TOYOTA WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS. THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN CLOSED, AS TOYOTA IS RECALLING THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
NHTSA Action Number : PE07042 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models :     Model/Build Years:    
      MERCEDES BENZ / S CLASS 2000, 2002-2004
      MERCEDES BENZ / S-600 2002-2004
      MERCEDES BENZ / S430 2004
      MERCEDES BENZ / S500 2002
      MERCEDES BENZ / S55 2004
      MERCEDES BENZ / S600 2004
      MERCEDES BENZ / SL CLASS 2002-2004
      MERCEDES BENZ / SL500 2000, 2003-2004
      MERCEDES BENZ / SL55 2003-2004
      MERCEDES BENZ / SL600 2003-2004