The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released a list of auto safety recalls announced in August 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, 72 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.
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SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGNS: AUGUST 1999

VEHICLES:

CARS, VANS, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MOTORCYCLES

American Honda Motor Company

Models:

Acura 3.5RL Years: 1996-1999
Acura 3.2TL Years: 1996-1998

Number Involved:  96,617
Dates of Manufacture:  December 1995 - April 1998
Defect:   A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential. The vehicle could lose power to the drive wheels without warning. Also, shifting the transmission into the Park position would not lock the wheels, and a parked vehicle could move unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set.
Remedy:  Dealers will install a redesigned bolt. Owner notification began Aug. 30, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V227] top
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DaimlerChrysler

Models:

Dodge Shadow Years: 1991-1994
Plymouth Sundance Years: 1991-1994

Number Involved:  227,283
Dates of Manufacture:  July 1990 - February 1994
Defect:   On certain 2-door vehicles, one of the bolts that attaches the recliner mechanism to the driver's seat back could break. This could result in the seat back suddenly reclining and causing a crash.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace the driver seat lower seat back recliner mechanism attaching bolt. Owner notification began Aug. 23, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V212/Chrysler Recall No. 729]  top
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DaimlerChrysler

Models: Dodge Ram Years: 1994-1995

Number Involved:  64,000
Dates of Manufacture:  July 1993 - June 1995
Defect:   On certain 2500 and 3500 series 4x4 regular cab pickup trucks produced before March 21, 1995; 2500 and 3500 series 4x4 club cab pickup trucks produced before June 8, 1995; and 3500 series 4x2/4x4 chassis cab trucks produced before June 21, 1995, the front suspension spring/shock towers can crack and eventually separate from the vehicle frame. The shock tower could damage the rear wheel brake lines resulting in loss of rear brake system pressure. This would create the potential for increased stopping distances.
Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the spring/shock tower and any vehicles exhibiting cracking will have the tower replaced. Vehicles that do not show any cracking will have a weld-on reinforcement added. DaimlerChrysler has not scheduled owner notification pending proof testing of the reinforcement. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V214/Chrysler Recall No. 835]  top
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DaimlerChrysler

Models:

Chrysler Concorde Years: 1993-1995
Chrysler LHS Years: 1993-1995
Dodge Intrepid Years: 1993-1995
Eagle Vision Years: 1993-1995

Number Involved:  550,000
Dates of Manufacture:  June 1992 - October 1994
Defect:   On certain passenger vehicles, the lower control arm attaching brackets can crack due to fatigue and separate from the engine cradle. If this occurs, the transmission half-shaft could pull out of the transaxle resulting in a loss of power.
Remedy:  Dealers will reinforce the engine cradle at the point where the lower control arm attaches to it. Owner notification is expected to begin during October 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992- 1997.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V215/Chrysler Recall No. 837]  top
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DaimlerChrysler

Models:

Chrysler Town and Country Year: 1996
Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Year: 1996
Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager Year: 1996

Number Involved:  622,000
Dates of Manufacture:  January 1995 - July 1996
Defect:   On certain mini vans, fuel can leak from the fuel tank at the interface of the fuel pump module attachment. If a fuel leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace the fuel pump module attaching nut. The sealing O-ring will also be replaced. Owner notification was expected to begin during September 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V216/Chrysler Recall No. 845] top
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Ford Motor Company

Models: Mercury Villager Year: 1999

Number Involved:  3,800
Dates of Manufacture:  June - July 1999
Defect:   The fuel tank retention strap (two straps per minivan) can break at the spot welds causing an underbody rattle. If the welds fail, there may be a fuel leak and/or separation of the fuel tank from the minivan.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace the fuel tank retention straps. Owner notification began Aug. 30, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V205001/Ford Recall No. 99S21] top
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Ford Motor Company

Models: Mercury Cougar Year: 1999

Number Involved:  10,000
Dates of Manufacture:  September - November 1998
Defect:   On certain passenger vehicles, the door latch may have been manufactured with a latch pawl that has a coating that will swell in high humidity conditions. The latch pawl may then stick in the open or unlatched position and the door will not latch when closed.
Remedy:  Dealers will install a revised side door latch. Owner notification began Sept. 6, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V226/Ford Recall No. 99S22] top
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General Motors Corporation

Models:

Chevrolet Cavalier Year: 1999
Pontiac Sunfire Year: 1999

Number Involved:  6,584
Dates of Manufacture:  May - August 1999
Noncompliance:  These cars do not comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 101, "Control and Displays." The instrument panel backlighting may not function after the driver adjusts the interior light intensity. If the instrument panel is not lit at night, the driver may not be able to see the controls and displays.
Remedy:  Dealers will test the body control module and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began during late August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V218/GM Recall No. 99047] top
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General Motors Corporation

Models:

Chevrolet S10 Truck Year: 2000
Chevrolet Sonoma Year: 2000
GMC Jimmy Year: 2000
GMC Blazer Year: 2000

Number Involved:  3,947
Dates of Manufacture:  March - July 1999
Noncompliance:  On certain pickup truck and sport utility vehicles equipped with 2-wheel drive, the right-hand antilock brake system (ABS) module feed pipe and/or brake crossover pipe tube nuts could have been tightened without seating the pipe-flared-ends enough to withstand normal assembly and vehicle inputs without partially unseating. If this occurred, the seal could have been broken during vehicle assembly, or brake fluid cycling, and a leak could occur, increasing the brake stopping distance. If so, the vehicle would not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 105, "Hydraulic and Electrical Brake Systems."
Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the brake pipe union for signs of brake fluid and, if necessary, install a new brake pipe union. Owner notification began during late August 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. 99V220/GM Recall No. 99049] top
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General Motors Corporation

Models:

Saturn SC Year: 2000
Saturn SW Year: 2000
Saturn SL Year: 2000

Number Involved:  2,409
Dates of Manufacture:  June - August 1999
Noncompliance:  These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that were not strong enough to allow the vehicles to meet the sled test performance requirements. A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.
Remedy:  Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly. Owner notification began in late August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt 3.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V230/GM Recall No. 99051/00-C-04] top
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General Motors Corporation

Models:

Saturn SC Year: 2000
Saturn SW Year: 2000
Saturn SL Year: 2000

Number Involved:  5,373
Dates of Manufacture:  June - August 1999
Noncompliance:  These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems." These vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that may not be tightened properly. If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, which could affect the vehicles' performance.
Remedy:  Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify the nuts are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed. Owner notification began in late August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt 3.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V231/GM Recall No. 99053/00-C-05] top
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General Motors Corporation

Models:

Saturn SC Year: 2000
Saturn SW Year: 2000
aturn SL Year: 2000

Number Involved:  1,049
Dates of Manufacture:  June - August 1999
Noncompliance:   These vehicles do not comply with requirements of 49 CFR Part 581, "Bumper Standard." These vehicles were produced with rear bumper fasteners that could be loose or missing. If the fasteners are loose or missing, the rear bumper may not absorb energy as it was designed to do in the event of a rear end collision.
Remedy:  Dealers will inspect to see whether the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners. Owner notification began in late August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt 3.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V232/GM Recall No. 99054/00-C-06] top
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Land Rover North America, Inc.

Models: Land Rover Discovery Year: 1999

Number Involved:  11,099
Dates of Manufacture:  May 1998 - June 1999
Defect:   On certain passenger vehicles, the contacts of the relay that operates the anti-lock brake system (ABS) pump can stick and remain closed when commanded to open by the ABS electronic control unit. The warning lamp will illuminate and an audible alarm will sound. The anti-lock braking system will not function and the vehicle may experience inadvertent braking for less than a second.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace the ABS relay. Owner notification began during August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Land Rover at 1-301-731-9040.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V237/Land Rover Recall No. D380] top
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Nissan North America, Inc.

Models: Nissan Quest Year: 1999 Number Involved:  1,600
Dates of Manufacture:  June - July 1999
Defect:   The fuel tank retention strap (two straps per minivan) can break at the spot welds, causing an underbody rattle. If the welds fail, there may be a fuel leak and/or separation of the fuel tank from the minivan.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace the fuel tank retention straps. Owner notification began on July 30, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Nissan at 1-800- NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V205002] top
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Polaris Industries, Inc./Victory Motorcycle

Models: Victory V92C Year: 1999

Number Involved:  3,247
Dates of Manufacture:  July 1998 - July 1999
Defect:   Threaded fasteners that hold the throttle body valve in assembly can become loose, allowing the valve disc to shift out of position and affect the engine RPM level beyond driver intention.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace the throttle body valve disc threaded fasteners and apply a thread locking agent. Owner notification began Aug. 13, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Polaris/Victory at 1-612-542-0500.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V206/Victory Recall No. V-99-11] top
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Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Models: Audi TT Year: 2000

Number Involved:  46
Dates of Manufacture:  March - May 1999
Defect:   A small section of the vehicle's fuel line assembly could have been damaged during production. If damaged, fuel can leak to the outside, and in the presence of an ignition source cause a fire.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace the fuel line assembly. Owner notification began Aug. 19, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V222/VWoA Recall No. KV] top
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Volvo Cars of North America, Inc.

Models:

Volvo 850 Year: 1997
Volvo S70 Year: 1998
Volvo V70 Year: 1998
Volvo C70 Year: 1998

Number Involved:  139,588
Dates of Manufacture:  August 1996 - February 1998
Defect:   Operation of the headlight switch, over an extended period of time, can result in inconsistent operation of the switch.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace the headlight switch. Owner notification began in late August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volvo at 1-800-458- 1552.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V235/Volvo Recall No. 94] top
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Volvo Cars of North America, Inc.

Models:

Volvo S70 Year: 1998
Volvo V70 Year: 1998
Volvo C70 Year: 1998

Number Involved:  124,381
Dates of Manufacture:  January 1997 - August 1999
Defect:   The frontal passenger air bag may be overly sensitive to certain electrostatic discharges. This could possibly cause an inadvertent air bag deployment.
Remedy:  Dealers will install an additional ground wire in the passenger side to assure sufficient grounding. Owner notification began in late August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99V236/Volvo Recall No. 96] top

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EQUIPMENT: Infant Car Seats

Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc.

Models:  Mercedes Benz BabySmart (Models BQ6910155, BQ6910157, and BQ691063)

Number Involved:  6,326 Years: 1997-1999
Dates of Manufacture:  February 1997 - July 1999
Defect:   Infant restraints and booster seats. If the infant restraint or booster seat is incorrectly positioned or moves several inches or more forward of the front passenger seat back of Mercedes-Benz BabySmart equipped vehicles, it may not automatically deactivate the front passenger air bag. In the event of a crash, a child could be injured by the deployment of the air bag.
Remedy:  Dealers will replace these infant restraints and booster seats. Owner notification began in August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

[NHTSA Recall No. 99E024/Mercedes-Benz Recall No. 1998080001] top