Air Bag-Related Recalls Demonstrate The Need For Real-World Testing As A Prerequisite For Any Air Bag Mandate Whatsoever

February 4, 2000 — Since 1997, at least 3,000,000 vehicles have been recalled due to air bag related problems. Of these, about half were due to problems of the sort that only time and road experience were likely to reveal.

For example, nearly 300,000 Ford cars were recalled when air bag sensor wiring “became brittle and crack[ed] over time due to environmental stress.” NHTSA Recall No. 99V243. Over 26,000 Saabs were recalled due to corrosion from moisture entering the air bag control module. 99V109. 263,000 Chrysler cars were recalled due to control module corrosion from water or road salt on the car’s interior floor. 99V023. Over 100,000 Cadillacs were recalled due to the risk of inadvertent deployment from water intrusion into the sensor module. 98V115. Nearly 55,000 Audis were recalled when it was discovered that air bag sensors did not “comply with Audi’s durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.” 97V172. The possibility of deployments set off by static electricity “under low humidity conditions” led to the recall of nearly 40,000 Volkswagens. 97V175. Over 625,000 Toyotas and Geos were recalled when it was found that spilled drinks near the console could cause air bag malfunctions. 96V107000.

Even in the case of recalls triggered by other types of air bag problems, pre-production measures were clearly inadequate to prevent their occurrence. Instead, these problems became evident only after these cars were on the road. Yet NHTSA is now considering whether to mandate even more complex air bag systems purely on the basis of laboratory testing and simulation. Real-world experience with these yet-to-be-produced devices is regarded by the agency as unnecessary. In this regard, NHTSA may well be perversely unique in the field of public health.

It is precisely this type of bureaucratic arrogance that lay behind the original air bag mandate and that in turn produced NHTSA’s attempted cover-up of that mandate’s dangers. (A 1991 NHTSA memorandum, for example, dealing with several early cases of deaths caused by air bags, described NHTSA’s concern over “the potential for bad press” from these incidents.) In going forward with an advanced air bag mandate at this time, NHTSA appears to be demonstrating this same quality once again.

Ford Contour Year: 1998Mercury Mystique Year: 1998Number Involved: 280,000Dates of Manufacture: January 1997 – August 1998Defect: The air bag sensor wiring insulation can become brittle and crack over time due to environmental stress cracking of the insulation. In some cases, it can cause the air bag warning light to illuminate and disable the air bag supplemental restraint system.Remedy: Dealers will install air bag sensors with revised wiring insulation. In addition, vehicles which have the air bag warning light illuminated will have a new air bag diagnostic monitor installed. Owner notification began Sept. 27, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.[NHTSA Recall No. 99V243/Ford Recall No. 99S23]*September

General Motors CorporationModels:

Saturn SC Year: 2000Saturn SW Year: 2000Saturn SL Year: 2000Number Involved: 2,409Dates of Manufacture: June – August 1999Noncompliance: These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” Some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that were not strong enough to allow the vehicles to meet the sled test performance requirements. A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.Remedy: Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly. Owner notification began in late August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt 3.[NHTSA Recall No. 99V230/GM Recall No. 99051/00-C-04]*August

Volvo Cars of North America, Inc.Models:

Volvo S70 Year: 1998Volvo V70 Year: 1998Volvo C70 Year: 1998Number Involved: 124,381Dates of Manufacture: January 1997 – August 1999Defect: The frontal passenger air bag may be overly sensitive to certain electrostatic discharges. This could possibly cause an inadvertent air bag deployment.Remedy: Dealers will install an additional ground wire in the passenger side to assure sufficient grounding. Owner notification began in late August 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.[NHTSA Recall No. 99V236/Volvo Recall No. 96]*August

DaimlerChrysler CorporationModels:

Chrysler Town & Country Years: 1993-1995Dodge Caravan Years: 1993-1995Dodge Grand Caravan Years: 1993-1995Plymouth Voyager Years: 1993-1995Plymouth Grand Voyager Years: 1993-1995Number Involved: 860,000Dates of Manufacture: March 1993 – March 1995Defect: On certain minivans, an intermittent short circuit in the air bag initiator wire can occur shortly after vehicle startup and could lead to an inadvertent air bag deployment.Remedy: Dealers will perform an electronic diagnostic check. Any short circuits identified in either the driver or passenger side air bag initiator wire circuit will be repaired. Owner notification was expected to begin during June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.[NHTSA Recall No. 99V113/Chrysler Recall No. 818]*May

Saab Cars USA, Inc.Models:

Saab 9000 Years: 1992-1994Number Involved: 26,116Dates of Manufacture: June 1991 – July 1994Defect: Moisture can enter the inflatable restraint electronic control module (ECM) and cause corrosion on portions of the ECM printer circuit boards. This corrosion can possibly create open connections in circuits which control the restraint deployment, possibly causing inadvertent air bag deployment.Remedy: Dealers will inspect the exterior of the ECM. If there is no indication of moisture, a cover will be installed over the ECM. If there is indication of moisture, the dealer will replace the ECM and install a cover over the new ECM. Owner notification is expected to begin during late-June 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.[NHTSA Recall No. 99V109/Saab Recall No. 708]*May

Bayerische Motoren WerkeModels:

BMW 323i Year: 1999BMW 328i Year: 1999Number Involved: 32,500Dates of Manufacture: June 1998 – March 1999Defect: These vehicles are built with a side air bag system consisting of door-mounted thorax air bags (rear door air bags are optional), a head protection system (HPS) for front occupants, a central electronic sensor and diagnostic system, left and right satellite impact sensors, and associated wiring. This system is unduly sensitive to certain non-crash impacts, such as contacting large potholes or curbs at substantial speed. This could cause the side air bag and HPS to deploy without an actual side crash.Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the central computer control module that regulates the performance of all of the vehicle's occupant protection systems. Owner notification was to begin during April 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.[NHTSA Recall No. 99V063]*March

Chrysler CorporationModels:

Plymouth Neon Year: 2000Dodge Neon Year: 2000Number Involved: 380Dates of Manufacture: November 1998 – January 1999Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, some frontal (passenger side) air bags may not inflate properly. In the event of a crash, the passenger may not be adequately protected, increasing the risk of personal injury.Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module on the passenger side. Owner notification was to begin during April 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.[NHTSA Recall No. 99V043/Chrysler Recall No. 821]*March

Chrysler CorporationModels:

Dodge Ram Years: 1995-1997Number Involved: 263,000Dates of Manufacture: August 1994 – August 1997Defect: On certain van and wagon model vehicles, if water or road salt gets on the interior floor of the vehicle in the proximity of the air bag electronic control module (AECM), the AECM can corrode. The resulting corrosion can cause the driver side air bag to deploy inadvertently. Deployment of the air bag without warning could cause a driver to lose vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash and personal injury.Remedy: Dealers will replace the AECM with an AECM that is sealed from moisture intrusion. Owner notification is expected to begin during March 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.[NHTSA Recall No. 99V023/Chrysler Recall No. 815]*February

Chrysler CorporationModels:

Dodge Ram Van Year: 1998Number Involved: 30,400 Dates of Manufacture: November 1997 – June 1998Defect: On certain vans and vans used for conversion, if a heavy object strikes the metal casing of the air bag electronic control module (AECM) located under the driver's seat, the module could inadvertently deploy the air bags. Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.Remedy: Dealers will replace the AECM with a module that incorporates revised hardware and software on all affected vehicles. Owner notification began Feb. 15, 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.[NHTSA Recall No. 99V002/Chrysler Recall No. 816]*January

1998

Subaru of America, Inc.Models:

Subaru Impreza Years: 1994-1995Legacy Years: 1995-1996Number Involved: 95,693Dates of Manufacture: February 1994 – July 1995 Defect: Inadvertent air bag deployment on certain passenger vehicles can occur after undercarriage contact of the tow hooks with curbs, dips, speed bumps, potholes, etc. Unexpected air bag deployment could result in personal injury.Remedy: Dealers will remove the front tow hooks. Owner notification was to begin during January 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. [NHTSA Recall No. 98V315]*December

Mazda (North America), Inc.Models:

Mazda 626 Years: 1995-1997Mazda MX6 Years: 1995-1996Number Involved: 213,000Dates of Manufacture: June 1994 – September 1996Defect: These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts. Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the air bag sensor unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts. Owner notification is expected to begin during December 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. [NHTSA Recall No. 98V249]*October

Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.Models:

Mercedes Benz E-Class Year: 1999Number Involved: 4,163Dates of Manufacture: July – August 1998Defect: A wrong clamp may have been installed on the window air bag units. The window air bag may not fully deploy in a side-impact collision, not providing adequate protection to the vehicle occupant.Remedy: Dealers will inspect the window air bag units and, if the wrong or incorrectly installed clamp is found, the entire unit will be replaced. Owner notification was to begin Nov. 30, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372).[NHTSA Recall No. 98V256/Mercedes-Benz Recall No. 1998090002]*October

Ford Motor CompanyModels:

Air Bag SwitchNumber Involved: 470Dates of Manufacture: Prior to May 1998NHTSA Recall No.: 98E020Vehicle Description:Description of Defect: Aftermarket air bag control switch kits, Part Numbers F8DB – 14385, with the following suffixes: EA, FA, LA, MA, VA, and TA, can break if cycled frequently. These kits are specified for installation on Taurus, Sable, Windstar, Explorer, Mountaineer, Expedition, Navigator, and Ranger vehicles equipped with either driver or driver and front passenger air bags.Remedy: Dealers will replace these switches with a revised switch.Owner Notification: Owner notification was expected to begin Aug. 24, 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.*July

General Motors CorporationModels:

Chevrolet Cavalier Years: 1996-1997Pontiac Sunfire Years: 1996-1997Number Involved: 675,302Dates of Manufacture: April 1995 – May 1997NHTSA Recall No.: 98V146Vehicle Description:Description of Defect: Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sending and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan. Air bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module. Owner notification is expected to begin during August 1998.Owner Notification: Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.*June

Saab Cars USA, Inc.Models:

Saab 900 Years: 1997-1998Saab 9000 Years: 1997-1998Saab 9-3 Years: 1999Saab 9-5 Years: 1999Number Involved: 39,313Dates of Manufacture: February 1997 – June 1998NHTSA Recall No.: 98V139Vehicle Description:Description of Defect: The air bag alert label on the driver's side visor was omitted. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” The vehicle occupant may not properly understand the operation of the air bag system and the need to use seat belts.Remedy: Owners will be provided with an alert label to be installed on the visible side of the driver's sun visor. If an owner so desires, their dealer can install the label for them. Owner notification is expected to begin Aug. 30, 1998.Owner Notification: Owners who do not receive the free label and installation instructions within a reasonable time should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.*June

General Motors CorporationModels:

Cadillac Eldorado Years: 1995Cadillac Deville Years: 1995Cadillac Seville Years: 1995Cadillac Concours Years: 1995Number Involved: 102,627Dates of Manufacture: April 1994 – February 1995NHTSA Recall No.: 98V115Vehicle Description:Description of Defect: Inadvertent deployment of the air bag can occur because of water intrusion into the Sensing and Diagnostics Module (SDM) located below the driver's seat. Deployment of the air bag without warning could cause a driver to lose vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash and personal injury.Remedy: Dealers will seal the SDM with waterproof sealant.Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during June 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.*May

Porsche Cars North America, Inc.Models:

Porsche 911 Carrera Years: 1996Number Involved: Not yet availableDates of Manufacture: Not yet availableNHTSA Recall No.: 98V089Vehicle Description:Description of Defect: Inadvertent deployment of the air bag can occur. Deployment of the air bag without warning could cause a driver to lose vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash and personal injury.Remedy: Porsche has not yet provided a remedy and owner notification schedule for this recall.Owner Notification: Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Porsche at 1-800-545-8039.*April

Chrysler CorporationModels:

Jeep Wrangler Years: 1996-1997Number Involved: 1,600Dates of Manufacture: January 1996 – July 1997NHTSA Recall No.: 98V046Vehicle Description:Description of Defect: In manual steering Wrangler vehicles, the driver's side air bag “clock spring” wiring harness can break when turned to the “full lock” turn position. Then, in the event of a vehicle crash, the air bag would not deploy, increasing the risk of serious injury to the occupant.Remedy: Dealers will replace the clock spring harness in these air bags.Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during April 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chrysler at 1-800-992-1997.*March

1997

Honda Civic Years: 1997-1998Number Involved: 9,558Dates of Manufacture: June – August 1997NHTSA Recall No.: 97V193Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.Description of Defect: Some of the front passenger air bag modules have been improperly assembled. The cloth flaps covering the folded air bag may have been tucked in too far.Consequence of Defect: This condition could prevent proper deployment of the air bag. In a crash, an improper air bag deployment could increase the risk of injury to a front seat passenger.Corrective Action: Dealers will repair the front passenger's air bag module to prevent this problem from occurring.Owner Notification: Owner notification began during October 1997.Note: 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 Honda at 1-800-999-1009.*November

Volkswagen of America, Inc.Models:

Audi 80 Years: 1989-1993Audi 90 Years: 1989-1993Audi 100 Years: 1989-1993Audi 200 Years: 1989-1993Audi V8 Years: 1989-1993Audi Coupe Years: 1989-1993Audi S4 Years: 1989-1993Number Involved: 54,800Dates of Manufacture: September 1988 – July 1993NHTSA Recall No.: 97V172 Volkswagen Campaign No. KFVehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.Description of Defect: Some air bag sensors do not comply with Audi's durability standards over the lifetime of the vehicle.Consequence of Defect: In the event the sensor should malfunction, the air bag restraint system can inadvertently deploy. Deployment of the air bag restraint system without warning could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle.Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the air bag sensor control module.Owner Notification: Owner notification began Oct. 13, 1997.Note: 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 Audi at 1-800-822-2834.*October

Volkswagen of America, Inc.Models:

Audi 90 Years: 1995-1997Audi Cabriolet Years: 1995-1997Audi A4 Years: 1995-1997Audi A6 Years: 1995-1997Audi A8 Years: 1995-1997Number Involved: 39,300Dates of Manufacture: July 1994 – September 1996NHTSA Recall No.: 97V175 Volkswagen Campaign No. KGVehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.Description of Defect: The discharge of static electricity under low humidity conditions can activate the driver side air bag when the driver enters or exits the vehicle and forms an electrical circuit by touching certain areas of the steering wheel.Consequence of Defect: Activation of the air bag under these conditions can cause personal injury.Corrective Action: Dealers will install a ground wire on the driver side air bag.Owner Notification: Owner notification began Oct. 13, 1997.Note: 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 Audi at 1-800-822-2834.*October

General Motors CorporationModel:

Chevrolet Malibu Year: 1997Number Involved: 16,099Dates of Manufacture: January – April 1997NHTSA Recall No.: 97V107 GM Campaign No. 97035Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.Description of Defect: The fasteners that secure the passenger side air bag module to the instrument panel tie bar were omitted.Consequence of Defect: If the air bag deploys, the module could separate from the instrument panel striking and injuring an occupant.Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect the air bag module for the presence of the fasteners and, if necessary, install any fasteners that were omitted.Owner Notification: Owner notification was to begin during July 1997.Note: 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 Chevrolet at 1-800-222- 1020.*June

Chrysler CorporationModels:

Jeep Grand Cherokee Year: 1997Jeep Wrangler Year: 1997Dodge Dakota Truck Year: 1997Dodge Neon Year: 1997Plymouth Neon Year: 1997Dodge Viper Year: 1997Number Involved: 125,000Dates of Manufacture: July – September 1996NHTSA Recall No.: 97V080Chrysler Campaign No. 731Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles and light duty trucks.Description of Defect: The electrical circuit design allows the potential for an inadvertent air bag deployment when the vehicle's ignition is turned off.Consequence of Defect: Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module with a newly designed module.Owner Notification: Chrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.Note: 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 Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.*May

General Motors CorporationModel:

Geo Prizm Year: 1997Number Involved: 17,094Dates of Manufacture: August – November 1996NHTSA Recall No.: 97V043.002 GM Campaign No. 97017Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.Description of Defect: If the air bag computer in a subject vehicle experiences a mechanical shock within a very short time after the engine is started, e.g., rapidly moving the front seat back against the stops or a sudden release of the parking brake, the air bag can deploy inadvertently.Consequence of Defect: Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.Corrective Action: Dealers will repair the air bag computer.Owner Notification: Owner notification began April 30, 1997.Note: 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 Chevrolet/Geo at 1-800-222-1020.*March

Toyota Motor Company, Ltd.Model:

Toyota Corolla Year: 1997Number Involved: 61,202Dates of Manufacture: August – November 1996NHTSA Recall No.: 97V043.001 Toyota Campaign No. SSC V01Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.Description of Defect: If the air bag computer in a subject vehicle experiences a mechanical shock within a very short time after the engine is started, e.g., rapidly moving the front seat back against the stops or a sudden release of the parking brake, the air bag can deploy inadvertently.Consequence of Defect: Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.Corrective Action: Dealers will repair the air bag computer.Owner Notification: Owner notification began during March 1997.Note: 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 Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.*March

Rolls-Royce Motors, Inc.Model:

Bentley Continental Years: 1997Number Involved: 10Dates of Manufacture: May – December 1996NHTSA Recall No.: 97V049Vehicle Description: Passenger vehiclesDescription of Defect: The aluminum facia trim panel on the passenger air bag door can detach during air bag deployment.Consequence of Defect: If this occurs during a vehicle crash, the vehicle occupants could be injured.Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the air bag doors with a new door using a different adhesive to attach the panel.Owner Notification: Owner notification began during April 1997.Note: 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 Rolls-Royce at 1-201-967-9100.*March

1996

BMW 318i Year: 1992BMW 318iS Year: 1992BMW 325i Year: 1992BMW 325iS Year: 1992BMW 525i Years: 1991 – 1992BMW 525iT Year: 1992BMW 535i Years: 1991 – 1992BMW 735i Years: 1991 – 1992BMW 735iL Years: 1991 – 1992BMW 750iL Years: 1991 – 1992BMW 850i Years: 1991 – 1992BMW M5 Years: 1991 – 1992Number Involved: 75,000Dates of Manufacture: July 1990 – March 1992NHTSA Recall No.: 96V110000Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.Description of Defect: The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.Consequence of Defect: If this happens, the contact ring wiring could eventually break. The air bag readiness indicator lamp (SRS or air bag) in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the air bag would not deploy in the event of a frontal impact vehicle collision.Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the locking tab with one of a different design.Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin Aug. 5, 1996.Note: 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 BMW at 1-800-831-1117.*July

Ford Motor Company ********The mechanism itself works, this is a warning problem.****************Model:

Ford Probe Year: 1996Number Involved: 2,740Dates of Manufacture: November 1995NHTSA Recall No.: 96V090000 Ford Campaign No.: 96S41Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.Description of Noncompliance: The supplementary inflatable restraint caution label located on the driver side sun visor does not contain the statement, “do not install rearward facing child seats in any front passenger seat position.” This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS No.208, “Occupant Crash Protection.”Consequence of Noncompliance: Operators could fail to notice and heed the warning label.Corrective Action: A new caution label, with installation instructions, will be sent directly to owners. Owners can install the label or, if they wish, can have their dealer install the label for them.Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin on or before July 17, 1996.Note: Owners who do not receive the new caution label within a reasonable time without charge can contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.*June

Toyota Motor Company, Ltd.Models:

Geo Prizm Years: 1993 – 1995Toyota Corolla Years: 1993 – 1995Number Involved: 627,858Dates of Manufacture: June 1992-January 1995NHTSA Recall No.: 96V107000Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles.Description of Defect: If liquid is spilled in the console box area, the air bag warning light can illuminate during normal driving conditions and cause the air bag to malfunction.Consequence of Defect: This leakage condition could cause the air bag to inadvertently deploy.Corrective Action: Dealers will install a protective cover over the air bag sensor to prevent possible malfunction caused by the spilling of liquid substances on the sensor. Air bag sensors damaged by previous liquid spillage will be replaced.Owner Notification: Owners have already been notified of this campaign.Note: 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 Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.*June

Chrysler CorporationModels:

Jeep Wrangler Year: 1997Dates of Manufacture: January 1996-February 1996Number of Vehicles: 700NHTSA Recall Number: 96V060000 Chrysler Campaign Number: 683Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles.Description of Defect: The air bag electronic control module software contains an error which can delay the air bag deployment in certain crash situations.Consequence of Defect: Delayed deployment can cause increased injury to front seat vehicle occupants in a collision.Corrective Action: Dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module on these vehicles.Owner Notification Date: Notification to consumers began in late April 1996.Note: 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 Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.*April

Number of Recalls for 1999 – 9Number of Recalls for 1998 – 9Number of Recalls for 1997 – 8Number of Recalls for 1996 – 4