Date: Sun, 15 May 94 01:29:03 CDT
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Joel Walker <JWALKER@ua1vm.ua.edu>
Subject: vanagons (all): recall info from NHTSA as of 05/06/94
well, i called the 800 number and asked the machine for ALL vanagons from
1980 to 1991 ... and they sent it! :) so, here's what i got from them.
********
everybody with 1985-1991 vanagons: pay particular attention to Campaign SF
about the fuel line clamp in the engine compartment. i did NOT get any
notice of this yet (but since i've already replaced all my fuel hoses AND
clamps, i HOPE it won't affect me).
and speaking of notices, if anybody else has any copies of the recall notices
that they've received, i'd appreciate getting a copy of it. thanks.
..............................................................................
>From National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Auto Safety Hotline 1-800-424-9393
-----------------------------------------
Information as of 06 May 1994
-----------------------------------------
1980 Vanagon Built from 1979 Jul to 1979 Dec
Campaign 79V270000 No. Recalled: 2,572
Campaign EN Notification Date: 800128
System: Suspension; Front Ball Joint Bolts
Description of Defect: The bolts which attach each left and right
side front ball joint to the upper wishbone,
may not have been sufficiently tightened
during assembly. This could cause the ball
joint to separate from the wishbone.
Consequence of Defect: Separation of the ball joint from the
wishbone could cause loss of vehicle control
and a vehicle accident.
Corrective Action: The dealer will tighten the ball joints to
the correct specifications at no cost to
owner.
-----------------------------------------
1980 Vanagon Built from 1979 Jul to 1980 Feb
Campaign 80V800000 No. Recalled: 2,287
Campaign ES Notification Date: 800729
System: Heating; Heater Exhaust Pipe
Vehicle Description: Vans equipped with auxiliary heaters
Description of Defect: The auxiliary heater's exhaust pipe is
mounted in a downward position toward the
ground.
Consequence of Defect: In the event the vehicle is parked in an
area with dry material (grass) beneath it,
the downflow of exhaust could reach the
material and possibly ignite it. A vehicle
fire and personal injury could result.
Corrective Action: Dealer will remove the existing pipe and
install a modified pipe with a shield over
the end, without charge to owner.
-----------------------------------------
1980 Vanagon and
1981 Vanagon Built from 1980 Apr to 1981 Apr
Campaign 81V076000 No. Recalled: 92
Campaign Notification Date: 810422
System: Pop Top
Vehicle Description: Campers (Van Conversion)
Description of Defect: During vehicle operation, the pop top
could loosen from its anchor due to wind
pressure. It could open and separate
entirely from the vehicle.
Consequence of Defect: Sudden opening of the pop top could be a
hazard to safe vehicle operation. Complete
separation could cause an accident and
personal injury to other drivers.
NOTE: Until the problem is corrected, owner
is advised to avoid excessive wind pressure
against the pop top by driving at moderate
speeds.
Corrective Action: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary,
modify anchorages to make sure pop top will
be secured under normal operating conditions.
-----------------------------------------
1981 Vanagon and
1982 Vanagon Built from to
Campaign 84V084000 No. Recalled: 16,000
Campaign NC Notification Date:
System: Door Latch.
Vehicle Description: Camper and Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles.
Description of Defect: Spring, which holds the latch on the front
door locks, may break and door may open
unexpectedly.
Consequence of Defect: Door could open unexpectedly while the
vehicle is in motion; Occupants could be
ejected from vehicle and suffer serious
injury.
Corrective Action: Springs will be replaced on all affected
locks without charge.
-----------------------------------------
1983 Vanagon
No recall information on above vehicle(s).
-----------------------------------------
1984 Vanagon
No recall information on above vehicle(s).
-----------------------------------------
1985 Vanagon Built from 1984 Jul to 1985 May
Campaign 85V152000 No. Recalled: 16,328
Campaign Notification Date:
System: Door Look.
Vehicle Description: Van-type Wagon and Campers.
Description of Defect: The latch of the passenger sliding door may
become damaged if excessive force is used
to close the door. The damaged door lock
mechanism will not properly engage and the
door could open if vehicle is driven over
bumpy roads.
Consequence of Defect: If this occurs there is a possibility that
a passenger could fall out causing injury
or death.
Corrective Action: Modify the sliding door lock assembly so
door will properly engage.
-----------------------------------------
1985 Vanagon through
1991 Vanagon Built from 1985 Jul to 1992 Jun
Campaign 92V058001 No. Recalled: 340,000
Campaign SF Notification Date:
System: Fuel Lines.
Vehicle Description: Passenger Cars.
Description of Defect: The fuel hose attached to the fuel
distribution rail on the engine may shrink
beyond the clamp force of the fuel hose
clamps, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence of Defect: Fuel leakage in the engine compartment can
cause an underhood fire if the fuel comes
in contact with a source of ignition.
Corrective Action: Replace the fuel hose attached to the fuel
rail and install a new spring type self-
tightening clamp.
NOTE: Volkswagen of America estimates the
new self-tightening fuel hose clamps will be
available in May of 1992.
Supplement 92V058001 Information has been added to this campaign.
-----------------------------------------
1986 Vanagon Built from 1985 Aug to 1986 Jul
Campaign 87V051000 No. Recalled: 339
Campaign PA Notification Date: 870414
System: Fuel Tank.
Vehicle Description: Van Type Vehicles.
Description of Defect: Fuel tank filler neck pipe may not seat
properly in the fuel tank opening. Also,
the sending unit cover may be deformed.
Consequence of Defect: Fuel could escape, creating the potential
for a fire.
Corrective Action: Install a redesigned filler neck pipe and
replace the sending unit gasket.
-----------------------------------------
1986 Vanagon through
1991 Vanagon Built from 1985 Aug to 1991 Jun
Campaign 93V175000 No. Recalled: 29,500
Campaign SU Notification Date:
System: Air Conditioner hose; Duct; Air.
Vehicle Description: Vans equipped with factory air conditioning.
Description of Defect: The plastic material of the center air flow
duct, which is fastened by two mounting
screws to the ceiling of the passenger
compartment, can crack and eventually break.
Consequence of Defect: If the plastic breaks where it is held at
the two mounting screws, the center air flow
duct can separate from its supports and
cause injury to the passengers sitting in
the center seat of the vehicle.
Corrective Action: Dealers will install a reinforcement plate
at the connections of both the center and
rear air flow ducts.
-----------------------------------------
1986 Vanagon and
1987 Vanagon Built from 1985 Oct to 1986 Oct
Campaign 88V038000 No. Recalled: 12,000
Campaign Notification Date:
System: Fuel in line filter.
Vehicle Description: Van type vehicles.
Description of Defect: In line fuel filter located between the fuel
tank and fuel pump could seep fuel at the
seam of the plastic casing.
Consequence of Defect: Should seepage occur, leaking fuel can cause
a risk of fire in the presence of an
ignition source.
Corrective Action: The in line fuel filter will be replaced
with a straight fuel hose.
-----------------------------------------
1986 Vanagon and
1987 Vanagon Built from 1985 Aug to 1987 Jan
Campaign 87V052000 No. Recalled: 15,500
Campaign PB Notification Date: 870414
System: Fuel tank.
Vehicle Description: Van type vehicles.
Description of Defect: Usage of fuel with Reid pressure up to
14 psi could, under high engine load and
high ambient temperatures, lead to stalling.
Consequence of Defect: Fuel flow could become restricted and cause
the engine to stall.
Corrective Action: Instll a new fuel tank, containing a
redesigned fuel filter, as well as modified
control units.
-----------------------------------------
1987 Vanagon and
1988 Vanagon Built from 1987 Apr to 1987 Nov
Campaign 88V076000 No. Recalled: 130
Campaign Notification Date:
System: Wheels/Tires.
Vehicle Description: Van and Camper type vehicles.
Description of Defect: Due to improper mounting process, Semperit
tires 205/70R14 mounted on alloy wheels
size 6Jx14 could experience tiny cracks in
the bead area.
Consequence of Defect: Tires could lose air, creating potential
for loss of vehicle control.
Corrective Action: Replace tires as necessary.
-----------------------------------------
1987 Vanagon through
1989 Vanagon Built from 1987 Aug to 1988 Dec
Campaign 89V067000 No. Recalled: 300
Campaign Notification Date:
System: Cruise Control.
Vehicle Description: Van Camper type vehicle.
Description of Defect: When using the cruise control, the
accelerator cable tension may allow the
cable to sag and become entangled with the
water pipe bracket impeding its return to
idle position.
Consequence of Defect: Failure to return to idle position could
lead to an accident.
Corrective Action: The present accelerator cable bracket will
be replaced.
-----------------------------------------
1987 Vanagon Built from 1986 Aug to 1987 Mar
Campaign 87V085000 No. Recalled: 1,600
Campaign PG Notification Date: 870608
System: Shift locking pawl.
Vehicle Description: Van type vehicles with automatic transmissions.
Description of Defect: Pin in shift locking pawl may not be
properly welded to the pawl.
Consequence of Defect: If pin separates from pawl, driver would be
able to move the shift lever during driving
into any position without pressing safety
release button.
Corrective Action: Replace shift locking pawl.
-----------------------------------------
1987 Vanagon Built from 1986 Aug to 1987 Feb
Campaign 87V083000 No. Recalled: 2,397
Campaign PF Notification Date: 870608
System: Rearward passenger seat.
Vehicle Description: Van type vehicles.
Description of Defect: Seat brackets which anchor rearward
passenger seats may not engage properly.
Consequence of Defect: Seat could break loose during acceleration
and cause injury to the seat occupant.
Corrective Action: Assure that seat brackets are properly
engaged.
-----------------------------------------
1988 Vanagon Built from 1987 Jul to 1988 Mar
Campaign 88V056000 No. Recalled: 600
System: Additional equipment.
Vehicle Description: Van
Description of Defect: Improper jack furnished with vehicles
Consequence of Defect: The jack may not reach far enough into
the jackets provided on both sided of the
vehicle. If the improper jack is used, it
could slip and possibly injure a person
standing too close to the vehicle.
Corrective Action: Replace jack with the proper type for
vehicle.
-----------------------------------------
1988 Vanagon Built from 1987 Apr to 1987 Nov
Campaign 88V076000 No. Recalled: 130
System: Wheels/tires
Vehicle Description: Van camper type vehicles.
Description of Defect: Due to improper mounting process, semperit
tires 20570R14 mounted on alloy wheels size
6J x 14 could experience tiny cracks in the
bead area.
Consequence of Defect: Tires could lose air, creating potential for
loss of vehicle control.
Corrective Action: Replace tires as necessary.
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