The defect
ON CERTAIN CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH RUNNING BOARDS SUPPLIED BY PRODESIGN, INC., THAT INCORPORATE A COURTESY LIGHT, EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT, A HIGH RESISTANCE ARC CAN OCCUR IN THE WIRING OF THE COURTESY LIGHT. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE LIGHT WIRES CAN OVERHEAT TO THE POINT WHERE THEY MAY MELT THE RUNNING BOARD.
The risk
THIS COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COURTESY LIGHT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 23, 2003. 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 EXPLORER VAN AT 1-800-926-7878.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Explorer Van Chevrolet Astro | 1998 |
Components: STRUCTURE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Van Chevrolet Astro | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
Other structure recalls in 2003
21 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the structure; EXPLORER VAN COMPANY filed 4 campaigns in all.
| 03V535000 18 Dec 2003 | BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC |
| 03V533000 12 Dec 2003 | TRAIL KING INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 03V469000 12 Nov 2003 | BENSON INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
| 03V439000 4 Nov 2003 | GLAVAL BUS DIVISION |
| 03V458000 24 Oct 2003 | CHAMPION BUS, INC. |
| 03V403000 16 Oct 2003 | MID BUS CORPORATION |
| 03V363000 8 Oct 2003 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 03V350000 26 Sept 2003 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003