VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW

Mar 06, 2001 — Recall Campaign #01V044004

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 117 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

01V044004

Manufacturer:	SMC CORPORATION
Recall date:	March 06, 2001
NHTSA Campaign #:	01V044004
Units affected:	117

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
Consequeces:: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SMC AT 1-800-344-6332 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.
Notes:: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2000 BEAVER CONTESSA Complaints
DT: TOOK RV MOTORHOME TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP REFERRED CONSUMER TO ANOTHER SHOP BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DO BRAKES, HOWEVER THE SHOP THEY REFERRED HIM CHARGED HIM FOR RECALL REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT, THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER. *AK *NM;
2000 BEAVER PATRIOT Complaints
RECEIVED RECALL 02V278000 CONCERNING ABS FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER LEARNED THAT A RECALL WAS IN EFFECT. THE DEALER PRESENTED A SET OF TEMPORARY PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAITED FOR EIGHT MONTHS FOR THE REQUIRED PARTS TO ARRIVE THEN THE DEALER PRESENTED A SET OF TEMPORARY PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK *SCC *JB;
2000 SAFARI CONTINENTAL Complaints
THE EXHAUST PIPE SEPARATED FROM THE FURNACE AND FELL OFF. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON DURING THE FIRST TRIP IN THE RV THE MOTOR HOME ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE AS WELL AS A GRASS FIRE DUE TO THE SEPARATION OF THE EXHAUST PIPE SEPARATING FROM THE FURNACE AND FALLING OFF. THE FALLING OFF OF THE PIPE ALLOWED THE EXHAUST FIRE DIRECTLY FROM THE FURNACE TO BLOW BY THE EXHAUST PIPE TO THE GROUND WITH PARTICLES OF THE FIRE STRIKING THE ELBOW OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AND TO THE SUB FLOOR OF THE COACH WHICH IS PAINTED PLYWOOD. IN THE SECOND OCCURANCE THE CONSUMER ATTEMPETED TO TIGHTEN THE BOLTS BUT THEY WERE TIGHT AS THEY COULD BE. THERE WAS NO WAY TO SECURE THE TAIL PIPE TO THE FURNACE. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DISTRIBUTER OF THE HURRICANE SYSTEM AND WAS SHOWN SEVERAL HURRICANE FUNACES ON A PALLET THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE CONSUMERS SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE COPPER SOFTENS AND ALLOWS THE STEEL PIPE TO DETACH.THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL ON ALL MOTOR HOME HURRICANE SYSTEMS. *TC CONSUMER RECEIVED LETTER FROM INTERNATIONAL INC. THERMAL RESEARCH EXPRESSING WILLINGNESS TO EXAMINE THE EXHAUST PROBLEMS. *TT;