Vehicle May Be Above Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler Badlands, Force Recon, Stryker, & Defcon

March 7, 2019

Vehicle May Be Above Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

The excessive weight can negatively impact the vehicle stability, increasing the risk of crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V190

Manufacturer Erwin Hymer Group dba American Fastbacks

Components STRUCTURE

Potential Number of Units Affected 156

 

Summary

Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc. dba American Fastbacks (American Fastbacks) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Badlands, Force Recon, Stryker, and Defcon models of modified-Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles may be between 400 and 600 pounds above the allowable Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) due to the replacement parts that were installed on the vehicle which increased the overall weight.

 

Remedy

The remedy for this recall is still under development. Owners were notified by mail beginning April 18, 2019. Owners may contact Erwin Hymer customer service at 1-844-533-7997 extension 301.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

---

NHTSA 19V190 Recall Remedy Update:

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (“FCA”) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for the 2017 and 2018 Jeep Wrangler models (Sport/Sahara and Rubicon) are 5500 lbs. and 5700 lbs., respectively.  Erwin Hymer Group USA L.P. d/b/a American Fastbacks Jeep (the “Company”) upfitted certain 2017 and 2018 Jeep Wranglers models with heavy aftermarket parts including, but not limited to, off-road bumpers, a heavy-duty winch, mud-terrain tires and wheels, and dual electric running boards ( the “Vehicles”).  These after-market upgrades resulted in the GVWR of the Vehicles being exceeded by anywhere from 200 to 300 lbs. (after taking into consideration the vehicle weight, fluids, driver weight, and passenger weight).  The current base weight of the Vehicles are shown below in Figure 1.  These Vehicles are subject to NHTSA Recall 19V190.

To remedy the issue with the weight of these Vehicles, the following remedy plan will be implemented on Vehicles currently in the Company’s possession, as well as Vehicles that the Company recovers from consumers and dealers.^[1]  The rear seating positions will be removed in each Vehicle to increase the occupant and cargo carrying capacity (OCCC).  This will make at least 450 lbs. of OCCC available in these vehicles while keeping all heavy aftermarket parts and ensuring GVWR is met.

Before transferring title to these Vehicles, the Vehicles will be re-weighed to ensure that the GVWR is acceptable. In addition, to the extent necessary, the Vehicle tire placard will be updated.  As shown in Figure 1 below, the Vehicles will be weighed on the following weigh station.

[1] The Company is currently in active bankruptcy.  The Company is in the process of obtaining possession of certain Vehicles acquired by consumers pre-recall, and certain Vehicles from dealers that had not been paid for by such dealers or their respective floor plan finance lenders.  Other dealer claims related to the Vehicles may be addressed in the bankruptcy proceeding.

 

---

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN:

 

Dear Sir/Madam:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Erwin Hymer Group USA L.P. dba American Fastbacks (“EHGUSA-AF”) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Jeep Wrangler Vehicles – American Fastback Edition: Badlands, Force Recon, Stryker, and Defcon models which were likely sold between January 2018 and February 2019.

We understand that you own or may have owned one of these Jeep Wrangler Vehicles – American Fastback Edition.

 

!! IMPORTANT !!

• The Jeep Wrangler Vehicles – American Fastback Edition is being recalled by the manufacturer, Erwin Hymer Group USA L.P. d/b/a American Fastbacks.

• You should cease any use of the vehicle.

• You should not drive the vehicle and should contact your dealer or Erwin Hymer Group USA L.P. to pick up your vehicle at its current location.

 

Why is a recall being conducted?	Erwin Hymer Group USA L.P. dba American Fastbacks (“EHGUSA-AF”) the manufacturer of the Jeep Wrangler Vehicles – American Fastback Edition: Badlands, Force Recon, Stryker, and Defcon models, has identified a potential safety defect related to vehicles sold between January 2018 and February 2019. EHGUSA-AF has decided that these vehicles may be between 400 and 600 pounds above the allowable Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) due to the replacement parts that were installed on the vehicle which increased the overall weight.  The excessive weight can negatively impact the vehicle stability, increasing the risk of crash and potentially cause personal injury or property damage.
What are we doing about the problem?	EHGUSA-AF plans to buy back vehicles (in some cases conditional upon obtaining third party financing) within 30 days of funding date.
What should you do?	You should immediately stop using your vehicle. Please contact EHGUSA-AF at the following toll-free number: 1-844-533-7997 x 301. Please provide Information to arrange to have your vehicle collected from its current location. For buyback of your vehicle, please collect your receipts for purchase of the vehicle and related costs, including license and registration fees and send copies to EHGUSA-AF at the following address: 1945 Burgundy Place, Ontario, CA 91761. Please send copies and retain your originals at this time.
What if you no longer own this vehicle?	If you longer own this vehicle, but have the contact information for the new owner, please forward the new owner’s contact information to EHGUSA-AF so that proper notification can be sent. Notification can be sent to EHGUSA-AF at the following address: 1945 Burgundy Place, Ontario, CA 91761.
Who should you contact if you have further questions or concerns?	If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact EHGUSA-AF, at the following toll-free number: 1-844-533-7997 x 301.
If you are the lessor of a vehicle:	Please forward a copy of this notice to the lessee as soon as possible and, in any case, within ten days to comply with federal regulations.

 

If, after having attempted to take advantage of this recall, you believe you have not been able to have your vehicle remedied without charge and within a reasonable amount of time or received restitution, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington D.C., 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1- 800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this safety recall may cause, but your safety is our first concern. Sincerely,

 

J. Antonio Gonzalez
Head of Operations
Erwin Hymer Group dba American Fastbacks / Cliffride

 

---

URGENT NOTICE REGARDING SAFETY RECALL

 

TO: [Dealer Owner/GM]

DATE:  March 7, 2019

REGARDING:  Jeep Wrangler Vehicles – American Fastback Edition: Badlands, Force Recon, Stryker, and Defcon Models

Erwin Hymer Group USA L.P. dba American Fastbacks (“EHGUSA-AF”) has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety may exist in the above listed vehicles sold by EHGUSA-AF.  You must stop operating the above referenced vehicle models at this time.  EHGUSA-AF has decided that weight restriction notices on the vehicles may be inadequate and that consumers may overload vehicles which may increase rollover risk or increase braking time.

The company is in the process of filing a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and so you should expect further notices in the coming days regarding the timing of the recall and the recall remedy.

It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to sell or lease a new motor vehicle covered by this notification. Dealers may not sell or lease vehicles currently in their possession to consumers.

Dealers must provide contact information to EHGUSA-AF for consumers who purchased vehicles so that appropriate notices can be transmitted to them.

You must stop operating the above referenced vehicle models.

Please call us as soon as possible at 1.909.417.1298 or antoniog@americanfastbacks.com Kind Regards,

 

J. Antonio Gonzalez
Head of Operations
Erwin Hymer Group dba American Fastbacks / Cliffride

---

8 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
AMERICAN FASTBACK	BADLANDS	2017-2018
AMERICAN FASTBACK	DEFCON	2017-2018
AMERICAN FASTBACK	FORCE RECON	2017-2018
AMERICAN FASTBACK	STRYKER	2017-2018

 

---

9 Associated Documents

ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V190-6618.pdf 180.88KB

 

---

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V190-9568.PDF 212.528KB

 

---

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V190-9341.pdf 306.936KB

 

---

Recall 573 Report- Amendment 3

RCLRPT-19V190-8862.PDF 215.596KB

 

---

Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Recall Notice

RCMN-19V190-0999.pdf 151.872KB

 

---

Miscellaneous Document – Recall Remedy Update

RMISC-19V190-7141.pdf 553.62KB

 

---

Recall 573 Report – Amendment 4

RCLRPT-19V190-1060.PDF 215.758KB

 

---

Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-2

RCLQRT-19V190-9390.PDF 211.143KB

 

---

Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2019-3

RCLQRT-19V190-8152.PDF 211.245KB

 

---

Latest Recalls Documents

For the Latest and Most Recent Recalls Information Visit the link below…

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V190&docType=RCL

 

---