The defect
CERTAIN COAL DUMP TRAILERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH HIGH MOUNTED REAR CLEARANCE LAMPS.
The risk
THE ABSENCE OF HIGH MOUNTED REAR CLEARANCE LAMPS DURING DARKNESS MAY CAUSE THE AVERAGE MOTORIST NOT TO REACT TO THE PRESENCE OF APPROACHING THE REAR OF A HEAVY VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy
BENSON WILL INSTALL A HIGH MOUNTED REAR CLEARANCE LAMP. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 2004. 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 BENSON AT 1-877-489-9020.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by OVSC
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Benson Trailer | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benson Trailer | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| Benson Trailer | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Benson Trailer | 2000 | 0 | 2 |
| Benson Trailer | 2001 | 0 | 2 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2003
18 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the exterior lighting; BENSON INTERNATIONAL, INC. filed 4 campaigns in all.
| 03V509000 4 Dec 2003 | JAGUAR CARS LTD |
| 03V388000 10 Oct 2003 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 03V327000 28 Aug 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V265000 25 Jul 2003 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 03V262000 22 Jul 2003 | HACKNEY |
| 03V258000 22 Jul 2003 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY |
| 03V217000 10 Jun 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V206000 5 Jun 2003 | MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003