The defect
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGES (TETHER ANCHORAGES) FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD RESTRAINTS INSTALLED IN THE THREE REARMOST SEATING POSITIONS, THE "SAFETY FIRST" PORTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL DELIVERED WITH THESE VEHICLES INCORRECTLY INSTRUCTS OWNERS TO GUIDE THE TETHER STRAP UNDERNEATH THE SEAT'S HEAD RESTRAINT AND TO RAISE THE HEAD RESTRAINT SLIGHTLY, IF NECESSARY.
The risk
IF THE OWNER FOLLOWS THESE INSTRUCTIONS, THE HEAD RESTRAINT COULD ACCIDENTALLY SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND CAUSE INJURY TO ANY CHILD OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE TETHERED CHILD SEAT.
The remedy
OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW "SAFETY FIRST" BOOKLET THAT WILL CONTAIN CORRECTED USE INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE BOOKLET WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Eurovan | 2001 |
Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Eurovan | 2001 | 21 | 1 |
Other equipment recalls in 2002
43 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the equipment; VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC filed 204 campaigns in all.
| 02V276010 18 Dec 2002 | WAGNER TRAILER INTERIORS, INC. |
| 02V276008 18 Dec 2002 | DODGEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 02V277008 11 Dec 2002 | NORTHLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 02V277005 10 Dec 2002 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 02V276006 3 Dec 2002 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC. |
| 02V276007 3 Dec 2002 | ALFA LEISURE,INC. |
| 02V276009 2 Dec 2002 | THOR INDUSTRIES |
| 02V277006 25 Nov 2002 | K.Z. INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002