The steering knuckle in your vehicle is a vital part of the steering system - it helps connect the wheels to the suspension. Dorman made a batch of these knuckles that might be defective.
Risk if Unfixed
If the steering knuckle breaks, you could lose control of your vehicle on the road, which could cause a crash without any warning.
Free Fix
Dorman will replace the defective steering knuckle with a new one at no cost to you, and they'll also cover the labor costs for the repair. Your dealer will contact you when the repair is ready, and you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Original — Remedy
DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
The parking brake in your vehicle is designed to lock the rear wheels in place when you're stopped on a hill. In some cases, the parking brake on certain 2005 models may not work correctly, allowing the rear wheels to slip.
Risk if Unfixed
If your parking brake isn't working right, you might notice the rear of your vehicle moving slightly when you accelerate, decelerate, or coast, and you could even hear a unusual noise coming from the back. This could lead to unintended vehicle movement, which increases the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your dealer will inspect the parking brake system to see if it's working correctly, and if not, they'll replace the rear brake caliper to fix the problem. This repair is free, and you should schedule it as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' TO MEET THE STANDARD, THE VEHICLE MUST NOT MOVE FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL (N). SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAILED THIS TEST.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNINTENDED BRAKING WHEN ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR COASTING, AND A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PARKING BRAKE LEVER SLIPPAGE AT EACH REAR BRAKE CALIPER AND REPLACE THE CALIPER IF LEVER SLIPPAGE IS IDENTIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
The trailing arm in your minivan's suspension helps connect the rear wheels to the rest of the vehicle. In some 2005-2008 General Motors mobility conversion vans, this arm wasn't properly welded after being modified.
Risk if Unfixed
If the trailing arm fails, you could hear a squeaking or clunking noise, and it could even break or come loose, which could cause your rear axle to partially detach from the chassis. This increases the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your dealer will inspect your vehicle and replace the trailing arm with a new one, all at no cost to you. You should schedule this repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
THE BRAUN CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 GENERAL MOTORS MOBILITY CONVERSION, HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR MINIVANS. DURING CONVERSION, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM MODIFICATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A SQUEAKING OR CLUNKING NOISE MAY DEVELOP. THE TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS MAY PREMATURELY WEAR AND THE TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING THE REAR AXLE TO BECOME PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND WILL HAVE A SUPPLY OF RETROFIT PARTS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN AT 1-800-488-0359.
