The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| General Coach ELF | 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| General Coach Lotran | 1997, 1998, 1999 |
Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Coach ELF | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| General Coach ELF | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| General Coach ELF | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| General Coach Lotran | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| General Coach Lotran | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| General Coach Lotran | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
Other suspension recalls in 2001
44 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the suspension; GENERAL COACH AMERICA, INC. filed 5 campaigns in all.
| 01V377000 11 Dec 2001 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 01V363000 29 Nov 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V359000 13 Nov 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V338000 2 Nov 2001 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 01V317001 22 Oct 2001 | COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 01V332000 17 Oct 2001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V328000 11 Oct 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V325000 10 Oct 2001 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001