| NHTSA Campaign Number: |
01V361000 |
| Vehicle/Equipment Make: |
GENERAL |
| Vehicle/Equipment Model: |
ELF |
| Model Year: |
1998 |
| Manufacturer Campaign Number: |
|
| Manufacturer Component Description: |
SUSPENSION:REAR |
| Manufacturers Involved in Recall: |
GENERAL COACH AMERICA, INC. |
| Manufacturered: |
19970201 - 19990731 |
| Type of Report: |
V (Vehicle, Equipment or Tire) |
| Potential Number of Units Affected: |
128 |
| Date Owner Notified By Manufacturer: |
20011206 |
| Recall Initiated By: |
20011206 |
| Manufacturer Responsible For Recall: |
GENERAL COACH AMERICA, INC. |
| Report Received Date: |
20011128 |
| Record Creation Date: |
20011204 |
| Regulation Part Number: |
|
| Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number: |
|
| Defect Summary: |
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT COACHES. THE TRAILING ARM SHAFT ON THE REAR AXLE COULD SHEAR OFF AT A LOCATION BETWEEN THE INSIDE BEARING AND THE AXLE TUBE. THIS DEFECT DOES NOT ARISE UNTIL THE MILEAGE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE IS IN EXCESS OF 60,000 MILES. IN ADDITION, THE DEFECT APPEARS TO ARISE ONLY IN THE EVENT THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HITS A CURB OR OTHER OBJECT WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURS, THE TRAILING ARM AND THE MECHANISMS ATTACHED TO IT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WHEEL, LODGE UPWARD INTO THE WHEEL WELL OF THE VEHICLE AND STOP THE ROTATION OF THE TIRE. |
| Consequence Summary: |
IN TURN, THE DISLODGED WHEEL BREAKS THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE AND THE AIR SUPPLY LINE TO THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. |
| Corrective Summary: |
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 6, 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 GENERAL COACH AT 1-800-842-0622. |
