2007-2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles recalled due to potential brake fluid leak

Brake fluid leak may cause brake circuits to operate wrongly

On July 2, 2008, Nissan North America, Inc. announced it was recalling about 169,202 2007 Nissan Sentra vehicles and 2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles because an irregularity in the Robert Bosch Master Cylinder may cause a gap in the groove contact area of the seal, which could result in brake fluid slowly leaking into the brake booster assembly.

This would cause the brake warning to illuminate and, if ignored, a brake circuit may not operate properly, increasing the risk of a catastrophic injury from a car accident.

Nissan dealers will inspect the Master Cylinder/Brake Booster Assembly and will replace it if a brake fluid leak is detected. Nissan owners may contact the company at 1-800-647-7261. For more information, customers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit safercar.gov.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Campaign ID Number 08V311000, July 2, 2008.

RXV Golf Cars recalled by E-Z-GO after 9 reports of broken bones, abrasions

Hip restraints can break, posing a fall hazard to consumers

On June 27, 2008, E-Z-GO recalled about 16,500 RXV Golf Cars because the hip restraints on the cars can detach at the base, posing a fall hazard to consumers. The company received 20 reports of hip restraints breaking, including nine reports of broken bones and abrasions resulting from falls.

Included in the recall are electric and gasoline-powered Fleet RXV, Freedom RXV and RXV Shuttle 2+2 golf cars. Model names and the E-Z-GO logo are printed on the sides and front panel of the recalled vehicles. Serial numbers, ranging from 9300001 to 9300188 and 5000000 to 5021328, are printed on a plate attached to the steering column, as well as the front and rear frames.

Independent golf car dealers and E-Z-GO sold the recalled RXV Golf Cars nationwide from January 2008 through June 2008 for between $7,000 and $9,000.

Consumers are advised to contact the nearest E-Z-GO dealer to arrange for a free repair. For more information, customers may contact E-Z-GO at 800-774-3946, or visit the company’s website.

Source: “E-Z-GO recalls RXV golf cars due to fall hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Alert #08-591, June 27, 2008.

Honda Motor Co. recalls Rancher ATVs due to potential loss of steering control

Rubber CV boot puncture could contaminate joint

On July 17, 2008, American Honda Motor Co. Inc. recalled about 42,000 2007 TRX 420 Rancher ATVs and 2008 TRX 420 Rancher ATVs because of a risk of personal injury to riders. If the ATVs’ rubber constant velocity (CV) boots get punctured or join, the joint may become contaminated. This could cause severe binding of the CV joints, resulting in a sudden loss of steering control.

The recalled Rancher ATVs, also known as the Honda FourTrax Rancher 4X4, are adult-sized vehicles designed for riders 16 years old or older. The ATVs were sold in red, black, olive and camouflage, with the Honda name and logo printed on the fuel tank. Model years are printed on a label on the frame behind the left front wheel, with the model name “Rancher” on a label at the left rear of the vehicle.

Honda ATV dealers nationwide sold the recalled TRX 420 Rancher ATVs from January 2007 through May 2008 for between $5,300 and $5,600. Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled ATVs and contact any Honda ATV dealer to schedule a free repair.

For more information, customers may also contact Honda at 866-784-1870, or visit the company’s website.

Source: “All-Terrain Vehicles recalled by American Honda Motor Co. due to risk of loss of control hazard,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Alert #08-595, July 17, 2008.

Nissan recalls more than 180,000 vehicles because air conditioning fan motor may not be properly sealed

Improperly sealed fan motor may allow water intrusion, inadequate drainage of moisture

On June 24, 2008, Nissan North America, Inc. recalled about 180,664 2005-2006 Nissan QX56 vehicles, 2005-2006 Nissan Armada vehicles, and **2005-2006 Nissan Titan vehicles because they may be equipped with an improperly sealed air conditioning condenser fan motor. This may allow excessive water intrusion and inadequate drainage of moisture, causing corrosion in the motor and possibly leading to overheating, posing a fire hazard.

To remedy the problem, Nissan dealers will install a “Thermal Protector Kit” and test the fan motor, replacing it if necessary.

Customers may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261. For more information, consumers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit safercar.gov.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Campaign ID Number 08V284000, June 24, 2008.

2005, 2005 Mitsubishi Galant vehicles recalled due to potential for ignition problem

Cable may allow ignition key to be removed when gearshift not in park position

On June 19, 2008, Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. reported a recall of 73,000 2004 Mitsubishi Galant vehicles and 2005 Mitsubishi Galant vehicles because the ignition key interlock cable may allow the ignition key to be removed from the ignition switch when the gearshift is not in the park position. If the driver does not shift to park before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll, causing catastrophic injury from a car accident.

Mitsubishi dealers said they will inspect and correct the recalled Galant vehicles. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.

For more information, customers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit safercar.gov.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Campaign ID Number 08V276000, June 19, 2008.

Buell recalls 2008 motorcycles due to potential rear wheel lock-up

Lack of lubrication may cause 5th gear galling

On June 13, 2008, Buell Motorcycle Co. recalled about 1,579 2008 Buell 1125R motorcycles because a lack of lubrication can cause 5th gear galling, which can result in a rear wheel lock-up. This can cause a catastrophic injury from a motorcycle accident.

Dealers will inspect and repair the recalled Buell motorcycles. Owners may contact Buell Motorcycles at 1-414-343-8400. For more information, customers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit safercar.gov.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Campaign ID Number 08V267000, June 13, 2008.

Arctic Cat recalls 50cc, 90cc ATVs due to potential loss of vehicle control

Speed controller may fail to return to idle position

On June 24, 2008, Arctic Cat Inc. recalled about 6,000 2008 Arctic Cat 50cc All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and 2008 Arctic Cat 90cc All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) because the speed controller may fail to return to the idle position when the throttle lever is released, which could result in loss of vehicle control and personal injury to the rider.

Both 2008 model 50cc vehicles and 90cc vehicles are included in the recall, and have the following model and model numbers:

• 2008 DVX 50 Black/Red, Model Number A2008KSA2BUSD,
• 2008 DVX 50 Black/Lime, Model Number A2008KSA2BUSE,
• 2008 DVX 50 Pink, Model Number A2008KSA2BUST,
• 2008 DVX 90-California-Black/Red, Model Number A2008KSB2BCAD,
• 2008 DVX 90-California-Black/Lime, Model Number A2008KSB2BCAE,
• 2008 DVX 90-California-Pink, Model Number A2008KSB2BCAT,
• 2008 DVX 90 Black/Red, Model Number A2008KSB2BUSD,
• 2008 DVX 90 Black/Lime, Model Number A2008KSB2BUSE,
• 2008 DVX 90 Pink, Model Number A2008KSB2BUST,
• 2008 50 2X4 Auto Green, Model Number A2008KUA2BUSG,
• 2008 50 2X4 Auto Red, Model Number A2008KUA2BUSR,
• 2008 50 2X4 Auto Pink, Model Number A2008KUA2BUST,
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto-California-Green, Model Number A2008KUB2BCAG,
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto-California-Red, Model Number A2008KUB2BCAR,
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto-California-Pink, Model Number A2008KUB2BCAT,
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto Green, Model Number A2008KUB2BUSG,
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto Red, Model Number A2008KUB2BUSR, and
• 2008 90 2X4 Auto Pink, Model Number A2008KUB2BUST.

Arctic Cat dealerships sold the recalled 2008 Arctic Cat 50cc ATVs and 2008 Arctic Cat 90cc ATVs from July 2007 through June 2008 for between $1,800 and $2,400.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled ATV and contact their local dealer for a free repair. For more information, customers may contact Arctic Cat at 800-279-6851, or visit the company’s website.

Source: “Arctic Cat Recalls Model Year 2008 50cc and 90cc Youth Model ATVs,” US Consumer Product Safety Commission Release #08-588, June 24, 2008.

Volkswagen recalls 2008 Passat, Passat Wagon, 2009 Tiguan

Software on engine control module may cause an engine surge

On May 22, 2008, Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced a recall of 2008 Volkswagen Passat vehicles, 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon vehicles, and 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles because software on the engine control module may malfunction with the air conditioning turned on. This could cause an engine surge, which could potentially result in catastrophic injury from a car accident.

Volkswagen dealers will inspect and update the malfunctioning software free of charge. Customers may contact the company at 1-800-893-5298. For more information, consumers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit safercar.gov.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Campaign ID Number 08V235000]http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=QuickSearch&rcl_ID=08V235000&summary=true&PrintVersion=NO), May 22, 2008.

General Motors recalls nearly 6,000 Blazer, Jimmy and Bravada vehicles due to rear hazard lamp dysfunction

Stop lamps, rear hazard lamps may become inoperable

On May 21, 2008, General Motors Corp. reported a recall of 5,862 2000-2002 Chevrolet Blazer, 2000-2001 GMC Jimmy, and 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada vehicles because the multifunction switch could develop a condition that causes the stop lamps and rear hazard lamps to become inoperative. This could mean a following driver is unable to notice if the vehicle is braking and/or is stopped, which could cause a catastrophic injury from a car accident.

General Motors dealers will replace the hazard switch carrier if needed. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

For more information, customers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit safercar.gov.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Campaign ID Number 08V231000, May 21, 2008.

Kawasaki recalls 2006-07 Kawasaki ZX14’s due to potential rear suspension collapse

Collapse possible when crossmember separates from frame

On May 12, 2008, Kawasaki Motors Corporation reported a recall of 2006 Kawasaki ZX14 motorcycles and 2007 Kawasaki ZX14 motorcycles because when a crossmember separates from the frame, the rear suspension could collapse. This could result in the rear of the motorcycle collapsing, causing catastrophic injury.

Kawasaki dealers will check the torque of the engine mount adjusting collars, and will inspect the frame, replacing if necessary. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381. For more information, customers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit safercar.gov.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Campaign ID Number 08V222000, May 12, 2008.