The defect
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
The risk
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 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 SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet G Series | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Chevrolet Suburban | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Dodge Caravan | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Ford E-Series | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Ford Expedition | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Ford Explorer | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Ford F Series | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| GMC G Series | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| GMC Suburban | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| GMC Yukon | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
Components: STRUCTURE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
Other structure recalls in 2003
21 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the structure; SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONS filed 2 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