VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON DODGE VAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES

Apr 17, 2001 — Recall Campaign #01V097001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON DODGE VAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES PRODUCED BY AM-SAFE BETWEEN JANUARY 28 AND AUGUST 15, 2000. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 828 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

01V097001

Manufacturer:	SMC CORPORATION
Recall date:	April 17, 2001
NHTSA Campaign #:	01V097001
Units affected:	828

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON DODGE VAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES PRODUCED BY AM-SAFE BETWEEN JANUARY 28 AND AUGUST 15, 2000. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.
Consequeces:: SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 31, 2000. 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 AM-SAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AT 219-266-8330 OR SMC AT 1-800-344-6332.
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:

2001 BEAVER CONTESSA Complaints
A FIRE STARTED AROUND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL RIM. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE BRAKE CALIPER AND TURNED THE ROTOR. TWO MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED, THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. *JB;
2001 BEAVER MONTEREY Complaints
2001 BEAVER MONTEREY. I'VE OWNED THIS SINCE NEW. WE CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO MAKE THIS VEHICLE SAFE. THE BOSH BRAKING SYSTEM IS NO ADEQUATE TO SAFELY STOP THIS VEHICLE. WE'VE REPLACED EVERY FUNTIONAL PART IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, MORE THAN ONCE. WE FULLY COMPLIED WITH THE NHTSA DIRECTIVES. WE HAV OVER $225,000.00 INVESTED IN THIS COACH. IT IS UNUSABLE AND NOT SAFE. I'M STUCK WITH IT, AS ALL DEALERS AND THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS A COMPLETE NEW MORE POWERFUL BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BOSH SYSTEM IS USED ON SEVERAL MODELS SPANING SEVERAL YEARS AND MODELS. THE SAFARI CORP. SOLD OUT TO MONOCO COACH CORP. THEY ARE AWARE AND WILL NOT HELP. I HAVE OVER $10,000.00 INVESTED REPLACING ALL COMPONENTS, BY VAROIUS DEALERS AND A FACTORY SERVICE CENTER. SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED OR SEVERLY HARMED IF THEY BUY ONE OF THESE USED AND ARE UNAWARE OF THE EXTREMELY POOR BRAKES. *TT;
2001 BEAVER PATRIOT Complaints
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS A BURNING SMELL, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SOMETIMES FEELS SPONGY. *AK BRAKE WORK WAS DONE WITHOUT THE CONSUMER'S KNOWLEDGE. EVER SINCE THEN, THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. *PH THE ROTORS WERE CRACKED, THE PLUMBING FLEX HOSE WAS BROKEN, THE BACK CLEARANCE LIGHT WAS OUT, THE FURNITURE WINDOW TREATMENT VALANCE COMPLETELY FELL OFF, THE WERE STRESS CRACKS IN THE FIBERGLASS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, ELECTRICAL FAILURES, REPEATED LEVELER FAILURES, REPEATED AQUA HOT SYSTEM FAILURES, ENGINE OVERHEATING, MAIN SLIDE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING, BASEMENT DOORS OPEN DURING TRANSIT, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AND THE SERVICE PARKNG BRAKE FAILED(THREE TIMES). THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A RETURN OF THE PURCHSE PRICE OR AN EXCHANGE OF THE NONCONFORMING COACH FOR A CONFORMING COACH. *SC;