Gm Abs Recall Too Little, Too Late

CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY LEMON

TM TIMES Vol.18, No.1

GM ABS RECALL TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE FORD’S 3.8L ENGINE HEAD GASKET HEADACHE fter five years of investigation, the National Highway Traffic Safety A Administration (NHTSA) got GMC to conduct a voluntary recall of ll across America, millions of each of the following 1991-96 4-wheel drive GMC and Chevrolet trucks: Blazer, A 1988-95 Ford vehicles with Jimmy, S-10 Sonoma, T-10, and T-10 Blazer (NHTSA recall 99V-193). The 3.8 liter V6 engines have Ford head recall covers only 1.1 million GMC and Chevrolet trucks containing the Kelsey gaskets that could fail at any time, Hayes EBC4 anti-lock braking systems (ABS). The vehicles subject to the recall costing thousands of dollars to repair contain a defective switch mechanism that prevents the vehicle from switching into each vehicle if the head gasket takes 2-wheel drive mode from the 4-wheel drive mode. This failure may lead to the engine with it. In 1998 Ford sent increased stopping distance, accidents and injuries. The problem is intermittent a Technical Service Bulletin to its and occurs without warning, increasing the danger of the malfunction. dealers advising them that the In addition to the problems identified by the NHTSA recall, some of these original factory head gasket on the vehicles, along with 2-wheel drive trucks manufactured by GMC, also have 1988-95 Ford Taurus and Mercury programming problems related to the same Kelsey Hayes EBC4 unit. The 1993- Sable, 1988-94 Lincoln Continen- 96 Chevrolet Blazers and GMC Jimmy utilities, 1994-96 Chevrolet S-10 and tal, and 1995 Ford Windstar was GMC Sonoma pickup trucks, 1992-95 Chevrolet Astro Vans and GMC Safaris, prone to failure. The Bulletin also and 1993-96 G-series vans are all subject to the service campaign. Unlike some advised dealers that Ford had other vehicles containing the EBC4 unit, these vehicles use a 3-wheel speed designed new head gaskets and sensor to trigger the ABS unit. The sensor has been identified as the source of the bolts which would take 7 to 8 hours programming malfunction. of labor to install. In June 1998 Ford The service campaign arose out of the same investigation as the federal recall. notified 1994-95 Taurus/Sable and The defect is described as a braking performance problem that occurs on 1995 Windstar owners that it would “transitional surfaces.” Unlike the problem identified in the recall, most of the 4- pay for head gasket repairs through wheel drive vehicles in the service campaign population can switch back and forth 5 years or 60,000 miles but told between the 2 and 4-wheel drive modes. However, the computer in these vehicles 1994 Continental owners it would may fail to reset when shifted into the 2-wheel drive mode after driving in 4-wheel cover them through 6 years or drive. The effect essentially resembles the defect in the recalled vehicles -- the 75,000 miles. The difference is major because 40% of failures Continued on page 2 reported to the Center for Auto COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN Safety (CAS) occur between 60,000 and 75,000 miles. The notification, Make your contribution to promote automotive safety by donating to Center Ford Service Campaign 98M01, for Auto Safety, #2807 in the Combined Federal Campaign -- or look for us in your local state and United Way Charitable fund drives. Continued on page 3

CENTER F OR A UTO S AFETY 1999 LEMON TIMES/1 BROKEN PROMISES Continued from page 1 the need for uniform legislation. Many of these vehicles will be sold ABS system engages in a low argued that the pedal dropping to to consumers across the country speed stopping situation, increas- the floor was a normal function of without any disclosure of their ing the driver’s stopping distance the ABS system. GMC also stated previous flooded condition on the and leading to accidents and that drivers faced with such title, thus concealing such defects injuries. This problem is also conditions needed to simply apply as rusted engines or damaged intermittent but is more likely to more pressure, even if the pedal electrical systems. occur when the vehicle is traveling was all the way down. In order to This is the focus of an effort on a wet driving surface. apply the required pressure to the lead by Senators Diane Feinstein, A third group of trucks is still pedal, GMC instructed drivers to sit Richard Bryan and Carl Levin on under investigation: 1992-95 closer to the steering column, even behalf of consumer groups and Chevy and GMC Suburban. though these instructions create a state attorneys general versus These vehicles also have the safety hazard for shorter drivers. Senator Majority Leader Trent Kelsey Hayes EBC4 ABS unit. As an earlier solution to the Lott on behalf of auto dealers and However, neither GMC nor functioning of the Kelsey-Hayes insurance companies. NHTSA has been able to unit, GMC distributed a video to State laws concerning the diagnose the source of the consumers on proper braking titling of cars that have been problem. While the investigation technique in a car with ABS and seriously damaged in accidents or officially covers 1992-95 Subur- instructed dealers to go over the floods vary greatly. Some states ban, NHTSA is collecting com- system with new car owners. have strong laws that require a plaints on 1992-97 vehicles. In The recall and service cam- vehicle title to indicate serious 1995, GMC switched from the paign are a clear omission that the damage while other states either EBC4 to the EBC310 model of vehicles are defective and not the have weak requirements or no the Kelsey Hayes ABS unit. drivers. Unfortunately, GMC’s requirements at all. Since 1994, NHTSA has action is too little, too late. It should Insurance companies sell received over 10,000 complaints have been done years ago and it still damaged cars at auctions. These related to ABS performance on should cover more vehicles. More- cars may be purchased by GMC and Chevy trucks, SUVs, over, GMC will not conduct the disreputable repairers who fix the and minivans. Additionally, over recall and service campaign until cars as cheaply as possible, obtain 2,000 accidents and 290 injuries early 2000, forcing vehicle owners clean titles in a state with weak have been reported to NHTSA to worry at every stop. laws and sell the vehicles to relating to these vehicles and ABS unsuspecting consumers at higher failure. GMC has also received LEGISLATIVE BATTLE prices as safe cars. Because of over 121,000 service warranty their spot welds and other shoddy claims for repair or replacement of OVER SALVAGE repairs, the structural integrity of ABS systems in these vehicles. VEHICLE TITLES these vehicles is minimal. In a During the course of the crash they may collapse, causing investigation, GMC alleged most roviding strong nationally serous injury, even death, to the of the accidents and complaints Puniform rules for titling motor occupants. Sometimes they even relating to the ABS malfunction vehicles, previously wrecked or collapse without a crash. were simply the result of driver seriously damaged, is necessary to Senate Bill S. 678, spon- unfamiliarity with the ABS system. protect consumers from unknow- sored by Senators Feinstein, In a response to the investigations ingly buying rebuilt wrecks. Hurri- Bryan and Levin and modeled on on Chevy models S-10 and Blazer cane Floyd flooded thousands of the Federal Odometer Fraud Act, and GMC models S-15 Sonoma, vehicles in New Jersey and North creates a minimum standard all Jimmy, and Bravado, GMC Carolina, which clearly illustrates Continued on page 3

CENTER F OR A UTO S AFETY 1999 LEMON TIMES/2 REBUILT WRECKS In early November, Senator Company, about the 3.8L head Continued from page 2 Lott said no legislation concerning gasket fiasco and asked him to salvage titles would be passed have Ford cover head gasket and states must follow in titling before the 2000 presidential elec- engine repair costs for the full damaged vehicles. States with tion because the opposing parties 120,000 mile average useful life of stronger provisions may maintain failed to reach a compromise. these vehicles. CAS pointed out their laws. A car’s title history However, in the light of recently that the head gasket was a non- must be disclosed to consumers received endorsements, it seems maintenance item in Ford’s Owner before they purchase a used car. that Senator Lott is working on Manual and as such should last for S. 678 also contains a clear, passing the S. 655 bill. the life of the vehicle but for the precise definition of a nonrepairable defect in manufacture. CAS vehicle, i.e. damage equal to 90 pointed out that the 3.8L engine HEAD GASKET WARS percent of its value. Such a Continued from page 1 head gasket is just the latest vehicle’s identification number example of Ford Motor Company (VIN) will be retired and entered warned owners that “premature trying to cover up a defect and in a national database. This stops failure of head gaskets could cause avoid responsibility for complying car thieves from transferring a engine failure.” CAS analysis of with the law. Citing repeated fines wrecked car’s VIN onto a stolen consumer complaints show that and complaints from the Environ- vehicle. The bill also permits Ford has established a secret mental Protection Agency, Fed- individuals to sue for violations of warranty for owners who experi- eral Trade Commission and the the law. S. 678 is supported by ence head gasket failures beyond National Highway Traffic Safety CAS and a coalition of state the terms of Service Campaign Administration, CAS told Mr. attorneys general, unions, con- 98M01 by paying for repairs Ford that “no other auto company sumer groups, consumer attor- beyond 60,000 miles for consum- holds such a widespread reputa- neys, public interest groups and ers who complain loudly. tion for lawlessness over the the auto recyclers association. Chuck Catanese of Indepen- years.” By avoiding recalls, Ford In contrast, Senator Lott’s dence KY had a head gasket failure forces consumers to pay for bill, S. 655, relies on voluntary 68,613 miles on his 1995 Windstar repairing defects while riding at participation by states, so some which cost him $986.59 to repair. risk of failures on the highway will opt out and title-washing will After Ford turned him down, Mr. which can lead to costly repairs, if continue. States with stronger Catanese became the proverbial not accidents, deaths and injuries. laws have to revise their laws squeaky wheel and even set up his CAS wrote Mr. Ford: downward to participate in the own Website, http://home.att.net/ “As the new Chairman of the Ford federal program. Individuals may ~ccatanese/ford, to tell the world Company and the heir to one of not sue for violations of the law; about head gasket woes in the nation’s most prominent only state and federal officials may Windstar. In the face of such families, we call on you to exercise sue. Furthermore, S. 655 has a determined persistence, Ford gave moral and management leadership less clear definition of in and reimbursed Mr. Catanese his by bringing Ford Motor Company nonrepairable. This bill is full repair costs. Having helped back from the edge of lawlessness supported by car dealers and auto himself, Mr. Catanese continues to and make it a model for corporate insurance companies that claim operate his Website to help other responsibility. A good start would they cannot afford to lose the 3.8L Ford head gasket victims. be to admit that Ford has badly income they earn selling wrecked On November 24, CAS handled the 3.8-liter engine head cars at auctions. In early wrote William Clay Ford, the gasket failure and implement the December the Bill was endorsed great-grandson of Henry Ford and plan of action proposed by the by the AAA. the new Chairman of Ford Motor Center for Auto Safety.”

CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY 1999 LEMON TIMES/3 Recall Roundup is a regular feature of LEMON TIMES that alerts members to selected major or just plain interesting vehicle recalls since the previous issue. For copies of recalls, call NHTSA’s Technical Reference Division at 800.445.0197 and cite the recall number listed in parentheses below.

DaimlerChrysler 622,000 1996 Town & Country, Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager ♦ Fuel can leak from the fuel tank and cause a fire. (99V-216) 550,000 1993-95 Concorde, LHS, Intrepid, Dodge Vision ♦ The lower control arm attaching brackets could break due to fatigue and separate from the engine cradle. The transmission half-shaft may pull out of the transaxle resulting in a loss of power. (99V-215)

Ford 280,000 1998 Contour, Mercury Mystique ♦ Airbag sensor wiring may become brittle and crack due to environmental stress. The airbag warning light may illuminate and disable the airbag supplemental restraint system. (99V-243)

Volvo 139,588 1997 850-Series & 1998 S70, V70, C70 ♦ Extended operation of the headlight switch could result in inconsistent operation of switch and loss of lights when switch is in “ON” position. (99V-235) 124,381 1998 SV0, V70, C70 ♦ Front passenger airbag may be overly sensitive to some electrostatic discharges which could cause inadvertent deployment. (99V-236).

LEMON TIMES: Published by the Center for Auto Safety, 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW #330 Washington DC 20009-5708. www.autosafety.org EDITOR: Sanja Pesek; CONTRIBUTORS: Margaret Herman, Marsha Barclift, Eleanor Lewis, Jason Kennedy. Material in LEMON TIMES may be reprinted with source credit. 4/LEMON T IMES CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY 1999

Vol. 18, No.1 1999 Non-Profit Org. LEMON TIMES U.S. POSTAGE Center For Auto Safety PAID INSIDE: Permit 6983 TM 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW #330 Washington, DC Washington DC 20009-5708

GM ABS Recall...... 1 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Ford Head Gasket Wars...... 1

Vehicle Titles...... 2

Recall Roundup...... 4