Recall on
ALL USA Freelanders
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| July 14, 2004 |
| By: Steve |
| |
Notice given to Land Rover Dealers:
Land Rover has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
of a safety non-compliance issue on Land Rover Freelander models built for
the United States market. Information relating to the proposed product
action will be posted on the NHTSA web site and will be in the public domain
in July.
Tests completed during a Conformity of Production assessment on behalf of
the NHTSA have revealed that Freelander vehicle A-pillar trim may not fully
meet the stated requirement for the Head Impact Criteria aspect of Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 201. As a result Land Rover will be
recalling all affected vehicles. Further details regarding the launch timing
and the actions required by Retailers will be the subject of a further
communication.
All Freelander vehicles from the start of US production (2A353298) through
current production are affected by this action. It is anticipated that parts
to address port and retailer inventory will be available in 10-14 days. Land
Rover is pursuing the earliest possible delivery of parts, and further
information regarding availability will be provided early next week.
Freelander vehicles currently in Retailer inventory must be corrected before
delivery to a retail customer. Federal law requires Retailers to complete
any outstanding safety Recall service before a new vehicle is delivered to
the buyer or lessee. Violation of this requirement by a Retailer could
result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per vehicle.
Parts Inventory
No parts currently held in Retailer inventory of the following Part Numbers
should be used in a vehicle repair.
• EMB500100LUM Trim right side 3 door
• EMB500110LUM Trim left side 3 door
• EMB500140LUM Trim right side 5 door
• EMB500150LUM Trim left side 5 door
Retailer inventory of these parts should be held aside for AMM scrapping. A
PAF using Reason Code OH and citing this Alert should be generated and
submitted with the AMM signature at the bottom verifying the quantity
scrapped.
Customer Inquiry about Pending Freelander Safety Recall
Land Rover North America has informed the government of its intent to
replace the out of compliance trim components with new parts designed to
meet the requirements. However, replacement A-pillar trim components are not
yet available and the required stocks for customer repairs will take some
time to produce. You will receive a formal Recall announcement and repair
procedure as soon as the parts supply reaches the required levels.
In the interim, if you are approached by a customer with questions about
this Recall, but the customer has not yet received any formal notification,
please inform them that Land Rover will notify them in writing if their
vehicle is affected by the campaign.
If a United States customer requires additional information concerning this
matter, please direct them to contact the Land Rover Customer Relationship
Center at 1 800 637 6837.
For our Canadian friends in the Great White North, submitted by one of our
Canadian members:
Freelander recall:
I just talked to Transport Canada regarding if they will also be issuing a
recall. They will not. Reason being is that because the NHTSA conducts its
tests with Unbelted dummies therefor the absorbing materials have to be,
well more absorbent. Transport Canada conducts its tests based on belted
dummies, therefor the standards for absorbtion upon impact is different.
That's how the agent at the TC layed it down for me in layman terms.
***Editorial content to follow***
Recently found out that Land Rover didn't intend this to be public
information just yet. Sorry about that- but I didn't know. For the record,
being open and honest with owners of vehicles about issues like this will
make customers and potential customers far more trusting of Land Rover and
Land Rover dealers.
This notice found its way to me from SEVERAL places, but unfortunately one
source has been treated poorly because of sharing this important SAFETY
information with us. Truth be told- this information came from multiple
sources... chastising one of them is fruitless. The honesty and above all
concern for the safety of thousands of people is a trait that shouldn't be
chastised, but rewarded. It may not be much consolation, but I know who I
will buy Land Rovers from in the future- someone who actually is honest,
thoughtful and above all- cares about the people behind the wheel. |
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