Transport Canada Recall Number: 1994133; Units affected: 25,212
1994: The extra keys on a vehicle operator's key ring may become temporarily lodged in the air bag screw access holes on the steering wheel back cover, hampering steering wheel return. In some cases, the force used to return the wheel may also cause the vehicle ignition to be turned off. Correction: plugs will be installed in the steering wheel back cover air bag screw access holes to prevent the potential for any key interference. *note: Chrysler recall #642 supercedes this recall campaign, T.C. 95-108.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1997096; Units affected: 50,846
1994-1997: Note: gasoline powered vehicles only. Under certain high load operating conditions, the transmission fluid temperature could exceed the melting point of the connector which retains the fluid line to the transmission. Should this occur, the fluid line may become disconnected from the transmission and fluid may spray onto the exhaust manifold, possibly resulting in a fire. Correction: the connector fittings on the high temperature side of the transmission fluid cooler line will be replaced with connectors incorporating a stainless steel retainer.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2001055; Units affected: 73,167
1994-1999: Certain vehicles located in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces. Corrosion of the hood secondary latch return spring may cause the hood secondary latch to become inoperative, possibly allowing the hood to open unexpectedly if the primary hood latch mechanism in not engaged. Such an occurrence could block driver vision and result in possible loss of control and a crash. Correction: A new secondary hood latch that incorporates a stainless steel spring will be installed on affected vehicles.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1997206; Units affected: 34,694
1994-1996: Note: gasoline engine equipped vehicles. The fuel tank mounted rollover valve may allow liquid fuel to leak onto the ground under certain conditions. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur. Correction: the fuel tank rollover valve will be replaced with a float type rollover valve.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1998123; Units affected: 46,147
1994-1997: These vehicles may not comply with C.M.V.S.S. 1105 - evaporative emissions. The evaporative canister may allow migration of its contents (charcoal) through the purge system and into the engine. Missing charcoal may cause the vehicle to fail evaporative emissions testing. Correction: an improved evaporative canister and purge solenoid will be installed on affected vehicles.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1997178; Units affected: 4
1994-1995: Note: vehicles equipped with reconditioned V10 engines. These vehicles do not comply with C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - exhaust emissions. The elbow containing the crankcase ventilation orifice was installed on the wrong valve cover resulting in improper metering of crankcase gases being returned to the combustion chamber. Correction: breather elbows will be reversed from one side of the engine to the other side.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1995009; Units affected: 15,666
1994: These vehicles do not comply with C.M.V.S.S. 208 - seat belt installations. Under severe collision conditions, the passenger side seat belt may release as the result of shattering and displacement of the latch plate cinch bar. Correction: passenger side seat belt cinch bar will be replaced with a cinch bar made from nylon material which crushes and remains in position during loading.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2001052; Units affected: 18,025
1994-1995: On certain diesel vehicles, the throttle cable can unravel (fray) or break, which could result in loss of throttle control and loss of power. Correction: Original throttle control cable and upper bell crank lever will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1994104; Units affected: 44
1994: The front suspension track bar on these vehicles may have inadequate fatigue strength and may eventually fail. This could result in front axle vibration and the potential for directional control difficulty. Correction: the front suspension track bar will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2001144; Units affected: 54,601
1994-1996: Certain vehicles were built with an ignition switch and wiring that may overheat under certain operating conditions. High electrical current loads pass through the switch when the blower motor is operated on high for an extended period of time. The extensive current load can cause the ignition switch and wiring to overheat, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire. Correction: Vehicles will have a relay and overlay harness installed. In addition, the ignition switch and wiring will be inspected and replaced as necessary.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1996187; Units affected: 36,575
1994-1995: Note: full size pickups. The plastic pins and metal clip that retain the steering column lower shaft could break, causing the lower shaft to separate from the upper shaft. This would result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without prior warning. Correction: a restraining sleeve will be added to the intermediate shaft to limit the amount of axial steering column shaft movement possible in the event the plastic pins and metal clip are broken.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1999132; Units affected: 687
1994-1999: On certain 4x4 pickups equipped with an 8.0-litre V10 engine, Under certain heavy duty applications, such as driving up a steep grade in four wheel drive with a full load, the local exhaust temperature proximate to the hydraulic clutch line may generate line temperatures that exceed the temperature limit of the clutch line material. If this operating condition occurs and the clutch is depressed, the line may rupture and fluid may ignite on the hot exhaust potentially causing a vehicle fire. Correction: The hydraulic clutch line will be altered to prevent line melting due to exhaust system heat transfer.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1995063; Units affected: 15,564
1994-1995: The secondary hood latch rod may bind on the guide bracket and prevent secondary latch engagement. If this condition occurs simultaneously with a not engaged primary latch, the hood may not be properly restrained. Correction: hood latch bracket will be replaced with one that is not susceptible to binding.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1999158; Units affected: 8,630
1994-1995: On certain vehicles equipped with a diesel or V-10 engine, the front suspension spring/shock towers may crack and eventually separate from the vehicle frame. If the left side tower cracking goes undetected by the operator and separates from the frame, the shock tower may damage the rear wheel brake lines. If this happens, this may result in reduced system pressure creating the potential for increased stopping distances. Correction: Spring/shock towers will be inspected and vehicles exhibiting cracking will have the towers replaced with a tower that incorporates reinforcement. Vehicles that do not exhibit cracking will have a weld on reinforcement added.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1997095; Units affected: 7,102
1995-1996: The engine driven vacuum pump may introduce engine oil into the vacuum hoses due to the absence of an internal check valve. The oil may cause the hose to deteriorate and partially collapse, reducing the vacuum supply to the brake booster. Correction: a vacuum pump check valve will be added at the vacuum pump and the vacuum hose connected to the pump will be replaced with one that is resistant to engine oil.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1996074; Units affected: 39
1996: These vehicles do not comply with C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - exhaust emissions. The emission maintenance reminder (emr) light in the climate control module is either non-functional (will not illuminate) due to missing power and ground circuits to the bulb or, is missing entirely. Correction: jumper cables will be installed and the climate control module will be replaced where necessary.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1997167; Units affected: 13
1997: Note: vehicles equipped with 3.9 litre engines. These vehicles may not comply with C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - exhaust emissions. Improper calibration of the powertrain control module may cause an increase in the levels of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to a level in excess of the standard. Correction: powertrain control module will be reprogrammed on affected vehicles.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1997139; Units affected: 1,235
1997: The exhaust pipe may be in contact or close proximity to the outer dash panel silencer pad. It is possible that the pipe can generate sufficient heat to cause the pad material to smoulder and may ignite adjacent materials resulting in a vehicle fire. Correction: the outer dash silencer pad adjacent to the exhaust pipe will be removed and replaced by a thermal heat shield on the exhaust pipe.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1998186; Units affected: 766
1998: The bolts which attach the passenger cab and the heater core support to the frame may not have been properly hardened. Soft fasteners in the core support and cab hold down area of the vehicle may compromise its crash worthiness. Correction: core support and cab to frame attaching bolts will be replaced with properly hardened bolts.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1999092; Units affected: 123
1998: Certain vehicles equipped with the 5.9 L Heavy Duty gasoline engine do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1101 - Emission Device. The emission system was not correctly programmed within the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and the Emission Maintenance Reminder Light (EMR) does not illuminate as required. Correction: The PCM will be reprogrammed (reflashed) with the proper EMR light calibrations.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1999033; Units affected: 6,432
1998: Certain full size pickups equipped with the Cummins Encore 24 valve diesel engine do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1103 - Exhaust Emissions. The fuel management system which advances fuel injector timing for better steady highway fuel economy, also increases the NOx emissions. Correction: Engine controller software will be reprogrammed.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1998074; Units affected: 141
1998: Note: 1500 series 2-wheel drive vehicles without abs brakes. The brake rotor material strength may be below engineering specifications which could result in low fatigue life. A hub fatigue fracture may result in crack propagation around the wheel mounting bolt circle, and may ultimately result in a wheel separation. Correction: brake rotors will be inspected and replaced if necessary with proper material composition rotors.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2000106; Units affected: 22,881
1998-2000: On certain vehicles, the trailer hitch side brackets were manufactured using materials with insufficient physical properties (i.e. yield and tensile strength). After extended usage, brackets built without proper material may fatigue and fracture in the area where the trailer hitch mounts to the frame. This could result in separation of the towed unit creating a possible road hazard and crash. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and any trailer hitch that exhibits evidence of fatigue cracking will be replaced. If there is no evidence of cracking, two reinforcement plates will be installed.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1998185; Units affected: 4,508
1998: Note: vehicles equipped with a 5.9 L 24-valve Cummins diesel engine. The low pressure diesel fuel supply tube located in the engine compartment between the filter and the high pressure pump may fracture and leak, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. Correction: the steel low pressure diesel fuel supply tube will be replaced with a rubber isolated tube.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1998166; Units affected: 771
1998: Note: vehicles equipped with a heavy-duty 5.9l v-8 or 8.0l v-10 gasoline engine. An exhaust system heat shield attaching screw is too close to the underbody fuel line. Vibration and vehicle motion during normal vehicle operation may cause the fuel line to rub against the screw eventually resulting in fuel leakage. Correction: heat shield attaching screw will be removed and replaced with a butyl rubber adhesive. Fuel tubes showing any signs of abrasion damage will be replaced.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1998113; Units affected: 183
1998: On certain club cab and quad cab vehicles, the front outer seat belt buckles may not have been properly riveted to the support strap. This could result in a seat belt assembly with reduced strength. Correction: front outer seat belt buckles will be replaced with buckles that have been properly riveted.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1998187; Units affected: 5,314
1998: Note: vehicles equipped with a 5.9 L 24-valve cummins diesel engine. A malfunction of the vehicle speed sensor can result in an intermittent high idle condition with speeds higher than expected by the operator. This could result in loss of vehicle control. Correction: the engine controller software will be changed to correct for erroneous speed sensor signals.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 1999146; Units affected: 471
1999: On certain vehicles, the plastic hydraulic clutch line could rupture from overheating from exhaust temperatures because an underbody heat shield may be the improper length. This could cause hydraulic fluid to leak onto the exhaust and cause an underbody fire. Correction: Proper length heat shield will be installed on affected vehicles.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2003334; Units affected: 3
2000-2001: On certain 4x4 pick-up trucks equipped with the snow plough package, the gross axle weight ratings may exceed the maximum tire load capacity as defined in CMVSS 120 -Tire selection and rims for vehicles other than passenger cars. Correction: Dealer will replace all existing tires including the full size spare, if applicable.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2001053; Units affected: 114
2000: Certain 4X4 vehicles may have inadequate clearance between the front tire/wheel and the brake hose/ABS sensor wire assembly. During full lock turns, it is possible for the tire or wheel to contact the brake hose/ABS sensor wire assembly, ultimately resulting in damage to the sensor wire and the possibility of a hole in the brake hose. This could result in loss of braking force at the front wheels. Correction: Dealers will inspect affected vehicles and correct the hose/ABS sensor wire contact condition where required. The front brake hose assemblies will be replaced and the ABS sensor wire will be inspected and replaced if necessary.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2001118; Units affected: 14,276
2000-2001: On certain vehicles, the sound deadener material internal to the air bag clock spring may detach rendering the air bag inoperative. Correction: Dealers will replace the clockspring.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2000034; Units affected: 16
2000: On certain vehicles, the welds at the right side lower control arm (LCA) bracket-to-axle-tube attachment may have inadequate fatigue life due to poor weld quality. Inadequate fatigue life may lead to separation of the LCA bracket from the axle tube. If the bracket separates, the vehicle may experience reduced directional stability, braking degradation and/or vehicle pull under braking. Correction: Front axle will be replaced with a properly welded front axle.
Transport Canada Recall Number: 2002026; Units affected: 20,961
2001: On certain Dodge Rams, the alternator wire may be improperly attached, leaving it susceptible to a possible loss of clamp load under certain circumstances. If the alternator connection becomes loose, the high resistance circuit may overheat the power distribution centre (PDC), possibly causing a vehicle fire. Correction: Dealers will inspect the installation of the alternator wire connection to the PDC and if necessary re-position the wire and re-tighten the attaching nut if necessary.
Used vehicle prices vary depending on factors such as general condition, odometer reading, usage history and options fitted. Always have a used vehicle checked by an experienced auto technician before you buy.
For information on recalls, see Transport Canada's web-site, www.tc.gc.ca, or the U.S. National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA)web-site, www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
For information on vehicle service bulletins issued by the manufacturer, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
For information on consumer complaints about specific models, see www.thecomplaintstation.com or www.lemonaidcars.com.
Chris Chase is an Ottawa-based automotive journalist.
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