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February 25, 2006

RECENTLY-ANNOUNCED RECALLS

NOTE: Clicking on product name at start of item will connect to the NHTSA recall file.

Chevrolet 2006 Uplander Cargo Vans (Fri, 10 Feb 2006) Certain cargo vans fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims" and No. 120, "Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars." These cargo vans were shipped without a tire and loading information label because they were incorrectly designated as incomplete vehicles. Without the proper labels, owners may be unaware of the correct tire size and may overload these vehicles.

Braun 2005-2006 Entervan Minivans (Fri, 10 Feb 2006) On certain minivans (Buik Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander, and Pontiac Montana SV6) built on platforms by Braun, a fuel hose can rupture allowing fuel to be pumped freely from the fuel tank and into the area underneath the driver's seating position. This can cause unexpected vehicle deceleration or, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire.

Nissan 2006 Altima and Maxima Passenger Vehicles (Fri, 10 Feb 2006) On certain vehicles, the rear subframe may have been manufactured incorrectly, which could result in a crack in a bracket which holds part of the rear suspension. If the bracket is cracked, the stability of the vehicle may be affected under severe driving conditions. This could lead to a loss of control of the vehicle which could result in a crash.

DaimlerChrysler Model Year 2006 Jeep Liberty two-wheel drive sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.7 liter engines (Fri, 10 Feb 2006) The left oxygen sensor wiring harness may contact the exhaust pipe. Damage to the wiring harness could result in an underbody fire. Dealers will install a tie wrap to secure the excess length of the harness and inspect the oxygen sensor wiring harness for damage. If the harness has been damaged, it will be replaced. The recall is expected to begin during February 2006.

DaimlerChrysler Model Year 2006 Jeep Commander sport utility vehicles (Fri, 10 Feb 2006) The integrated retractor bracket edge on the third row seat may contact the seat belt during certain operating conditions causing damage to the belt webbing. In the event of a crash, the seat belt may not properly restrain the third row occupant which can increase the risk of injury. Dealers will inspect the belt webbing, and replace it if it has been cut or frayed and will add an injected molded cover to the retractor bracket on both third row seating positions to prevent further damage. The recall is expected to begin during February 2006.

DaimlerChrysler Model Year 2006 Dodge Dakota, Ram, and Mitsubishi Raider pickup trucks equipped with four-wheel antilock brake systems (ABS) (Fri, 10 Feb 2006) The ABS electronic control unit (ECU) may cause a loss of front to rear brake balance, and the rear brakes could lock up prematurely during certain braking conditions. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning. Dealers will replace the ABS ECU. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

DaimlerChrysler Model Year 2006 Dodge Durango, Dakota, and Mitsubishi Raider pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (Fri, 10 Feb 2006) A static electricity spark between the operator and the vehicle can cause the turn signal, headlamps or windshield wipers to malfunction without warning. This can impair the driver's vision and result in a crash. Dealers will reprogram the cab compartment controller. The recall is expected to begin during February 2006.

Ford Model Year 2006 F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT pickup trucks (Fri, 10 Feb 2006) Fails to comply with either the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 105, 'Hydraulic And Electric Brake Systems' or FMVSS No. 135, 'Passenger Car Brake Systems.' These vehicles were built with a software error in the instrument cluster. This error could prevent the antilock brake system (ABS) warning light from illuminating if the ABS module ever became inoperative. Dealers will recalibrate the instrument cluster in these vehicles. The recall is expected to begin on February 15, 2006.

Mercedes-Benz Model Year 2000-2002 and 2004-2005 S-Class and CL-Class vehicles (Fri, 10 Feb 2006) The instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation. Due to inadequate illumination, the driver will be unable to read the gauges and indicators, such as the speedometer, which could increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the instrument cluster modules. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. This recall was the subject of a Preliminary Evaluation, PE05-062, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation.

Volkswagen 2006 New Beetle Passenger Vehicles (Wed, 08 Feb 2006) Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 17-inch wheels and 2.5L engine fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." These vehicles were produced with a tire information label that lists an incorrect front tire size. The correct front tire size should be listed as 225/45 R17. The inflation pressure is correct. A misprinted label could lead to fitment of improperly sized replacement tires.

DaimlerChrysler Dodge Durango Sport Utility Vehicles (Tue, 07 Feb 2006) Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, 'Occupant Crash Protection.' The wrong Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) was installed on these vehicles. This can cause increased risk of injury to the driver under certain crash conditions.

Spartan K2, MG, Mountain Master 2006 Motor Homes (Mon, 06 Feb 2006) On certain motor homes, the brake lights become inoperable when the fuse is blown upon activation of the auxiliary brake. At the time, the auxiliary brake, the coolant level sensor, and auxiliary brake 'brake light activation' cease to function, and the 'check' engine light illuminates. A loss of brake lights could result in a crash.

Eagle Eyes Exterior Lighting (Mon, 06 Feb 2006) certain Eagle Eyes combination headlamps sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment". The absence of amber and red side reflex reflectors on these lamps decrease lighting visability and could cause a vehicle crash.

Holiday Rambler and McKenzie 2006 Next Level and Dune Chaser Trave; and Fifth Wheel Trailers (Fri, 03 Feb 2006) On certain travel and fifth wheel trailers equipped with refueling station pumps, the inlet fitting may not have the correct amount of thread sealer which may cause a fuel leak. If the fitting leaks, it could result in a fire or explosion causing bodily harm.

Cooper Zeon 2XS, Mastercraft Avenger ZHP Tires (Fri, 03 Feb 2006) Certain Cooper Zeon 2XS, sizes 235/35R19XL and 245/40R20, and Mastercraft Avenger ZHP, size 235/35R19XL, replacement light truck tires manufactured between April 25, 2004, and February 12, 2005. The subject tires may develop a scattered compression cracking condition in the innerliner stock. If this occurs, the tire can experience a reduction in its ability to retain proper inflation pressure. The loss of air pressure will cause the tires to run under-inflated. Driving on under-inflated tires may result in a vehicle crash.

Cooper Discoverer S/T, Dean Mud Terrain Radial SXT, Durango Radial XTR, Mastercraft Courser C/T, Mickey Thompson Dick Cepek Radial F-C II, TBC Corporation Mesa C/T, Transamerican Auto Parts Pro Comp Xtreme A/T, Treadways Corporation Tempra Trailcutter Radial RT Tires (Fri, 03 Feb 2006) Certain Cooper Dick Cepek Radial F-C II, Mesa C/T, Tempra Trailcutter Radial RT, Cooper Discoverer S/T, Durango Radial STR, Mastercraft Courser C/T, Dean Mud Terrain Radial SXT, size LT285/75R16, and Pro Comp Xtreme A/T, size 38.50X14.50R20lT, light truck tires manufactured between February 1, 2004, and January 21, 2006. These tires may not have adequate rubber coverage of the belt edge due to low tread gauge in the shoulder slot area of the tire. When this condition exists, it may eventually cause cracking at the base of the shoulder slots resulting in exposed belt wire which could lead to accelerated belt degradation, which could result in a separation. If the separation is not detected, continued use may cause the ply cords to break and the tubeless liner to tear and lose the inflating air. Loss of air might result in loss of steering control with vehicle crash the potential occurrence.

Cooper Dean Alpha 365 A/S, Mastercraft A/S IV, starfie Filte-Line IV, Trendsetter SE Tires (Fri, 03 Feb 2006) Certain Cooper Dean Alpha 365 A/S, Mastercraft A/S IV, starfie Filte-Line IV, and Trendsetter SE replacement passenger vehicle tires manufactured between November 21, 2004, and July 30, 2005. The affected tires may contain an unauthorized material in the upper sidewall region of the tire. The presence of this material may precipitate the formation of small, isolated voids which could result in early life loss of air pressure. The loss of air pressure will cause the tire to run under-inflated and may result in early failure. Tire failure could result in a vehicle crash.

Posted by MVHAP at February 25, 2006 02:55 PM