The defect
A NUMBER OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES HAVE AN OVAL-SHAPED PISTON WHICH CAN GET STUCK UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. OTHER SWITCHES WERE MOUNTED SO THAT BOTH LOCKING TABS ARE NOT COMPLETELY ENGAGED IN THE MOUNTING BRACKET. IF ONE SIDE IS NOT ENGAGED, THE SWITCH IS MISALIGNED WITH THE PEDAL MECHANISM AND CAN BIND THE PISTON MOVEMENT, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TO STICK IN THE "OFF" OR "ON" POSITION.
The risk
THIS RESULTS IN EITHER THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON CONSTANTLY OR THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS RESULTS IN INACCURATE SIGNALS OF BRAKE OPERATION TO OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES. FOR VEHICLES WITH THE OVAL-SHAPED PISTON AND FOR VEHICLES WITH MISALIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Saab 9000 | 1993 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 9000 | 1993 | 29 | 5 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 1994
8 of the 244 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1994 concerned the exterior lighting; SAAB CARS USA, INC. filed 88 campaigns in all.
| 94V245000 14 Dec 1994 | CHANCE COACH, INC. |
| 94V229000 21 Nov 1994 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 94V200000 13 Oct 1994 | COBRA INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 94V190000 4 Oct 1994 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 94V138000 2 Aug 1994 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 94V084000 2 May 1994 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 94V048000 11 Mar 1994 | OSHKOSH TRUCK CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1994