VS3KEIL – Improper Abutting Wedge Installation – 2019 Freightliner Sprinter

October 8, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V716000

Improper Abutting Wedge Installation

If a vehicle that has an incorrectly installed abutting wedge is involved in a severe frontal accident, a greater force may be necessary to open the doors, increasing the risk of injury.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V716

Manufacturer Daimler Vans USA, LLC

Components STRUCTURE

Potential Number of Units Affected 153

 

Summary

Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the abutting wedge, a component attached to the door jamb to make opening the door easier after a severe frontal impact, may have been installed incorrectly.

 

Remedy

DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the installation of the abutting wedge on the driver and front passenger side, correcting it, as necessary, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on November 22, 2019. The recall began February 10, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3KEIL.

 

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.

 

Check for Daimler Vans Recalls

 

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TO: Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Dealer Principals, General Managers, Sales Managers, Service Managers, Parts Managers	FROM: Anthony Washington, Department Manager, Regulations and Certifications
RE: Recall Campaign Notification Model 907 (Sprinter) Model Year 2019 Abutting Wedge	DATE: January 15, 2020

 

IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN INFORMATION

 

 

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Campaign No. :	Campaign Desc. :		Abutting Wedge
2019120002	VS3KEIL
This is to notify you of the upcoming Recall Campaign concerning the wedge-type stop on the B-pillar on approximately 153 MY19 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans. The recall campaign will be visible on the www.safercar.gov website and may generate questions from customers. All affected VINs will be flagged as “OPEN” in VMI January 16, 2020.
Background
Issue	Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of both Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vehicles, has determined that on certain Sprinter VS30 vehicles (platform 907), the wedge-type stop on the B-pillar (abutting wedge) on the driver & front passenger side may not have been installed as intended. The abutting wedge may have been mounted on holes that were drilled too large and/or incorrectly rotated. If a vehicle has an incorrectly installed abutting wedge and is involved in a severe frontal collision, the front doors could compress into the B-pillar. If this were to occur, significantly greater forces may be required to open the doors, which could make it difficult to exit the vehicle or lead to delay in accessing the vehicle from the outside, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants in the event of a crash.
What We’re Doing	An authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer will check the installation of the wedge-type stop and correct if necessary in the affected vehicles.
Vehicles Affected
Vehicle Model Year(s)	Model Year 2019
Vehicle Model	Sprinter, VS30 / Platform 907
Vehicle Populations
Total Recall Population	153
Dealer Inventory	29
Given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for a dealer to sell or lease any new MY19 Sprinter vehicles in dealer inventory covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired. Loaner and demonstrator vehicles may continue to be driven, but must not be retailed until repaired. Additionally, given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for rental companies to rent new MY19 Sprinter vehicles covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired.
Next Steps/Notes
Customer Notification Timeline		An owner notification letter will be mailed in early January, 2019.
AOMS/SOMS		AOMs – This recall may generate questions from your dealers. Please forward this notice to your dealers ASAP.
Rental Fleet Partners		This recall may affect vehicles in your fleet. Please contact your respective DVUSA fleet representative for further information and next steps. For repairs, please contact your preferred DVUSA dealer.
While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, we are determined to maintain a high level of vehicle quality and customer satisfaction.

 

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Campaign No. 2019120002, January 2019

 

TO:	ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS
SUBJECT:	Model 907 (Sprinter), Model Year 2019 Abutting Wedge

 

Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of both Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vehicles, has determined that on certain Sprinter VS30 vehicles (platform 907), the wedge-type stop on the B-pillar (abutting wedge) on the driver & front passenger side may not have been installed as intended. The abutting wedge may have been mounted on holes that were drilled too large and/or incorrectly rotated. If a vehicle has an incorrectly installed abutting wedge and is involved in a severe frontal collision, the front doors could compress into the B-pillar. If this were to occur, significantly greater forces may be required to open the doors, which could make it difficult to exit the vehicle or lead to delay in accessing the vehicle from the outside, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. An authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer will check the installation of the wedge-type stop and correct if necessary in the affected vehicles.

 

 

Prior to performing this Recall Campaign:

• Please check VMI to determine if the vehicle is involved in the Campaign and if it has been repaired.
• Please review the entire Recall Campaign bulletin and follow the repair procedure exactly as described.

 

Please note that Recall Campaigns do not expire and may also be performed on a vehicle with a vehicle status indicator.

 

Approximately 153 vehicles are involved.

 

 

Order No. V-RC-2019120002

This bulletin has been created and maintained in accordance with MBUSA-SLP S423QH001, Document and Data Control, and MBUSA-SLP S424HH001, Control of Quality Records.

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Warranty Information

 

Operation items and work units 

Operation	Operation text	Labor Time	Damage Code
02 1623	Check wedge-type stops on B-pillars	0.1 h	72 901 56 7
02 1656	Reposition wedge-type stop on B-pillar (after check)	0.2 h	72 901 56 7
02 1624	Reposition 2wedge-type stops on B-pillars (after check)	0.2 h	72 901 56 7
02 1647	Replace 4 rivet nuts for the 2 wedge-type stops on the B-pillars (after check)	1.4 h	72 901 56 7
02 1652	Extra work for: Replace 4 rivet nuts for the 2 wedge-type stops on the B-pillars on vehicle with trim and tie-down eyes on B- pillars	0.2 h	72 901 56 7
02 1653	Extra work for: Replace 4 rivet nuts for the 2 wedge-type stops on the B-pillars on vehicle with B-pillar trim and code T74	0.1 h	72 901 56 7
02 1654	Extra work for: Replace 4 rivet nuts for the 2 wedge-type stops on the B-pillars on vehicle with B-pillar trim and code T55 or T56	0.1 h	72 901 56 7
02 2726	Disconnect/connect ground line of on-board electrical system battery (when working on the vehicle)	0.2 h	72 901 56 7
02 2727	Disconnect/connect ground line of on-board electrical system battery (when working on the vehicle) with code E30	0.1 h	72 901 56 7
02 2695	Disconnect/connect ground line for auxiliary battery (when working on vehicle) with code E2I	0.2 h	72 901 56 7
02 2696	Disconnect/connect ground line for auxiliary battery (when working on vehicle) with code E2M	0.1 h	72 901 56 7
02 2694	Disconnect/connect ground line of auxiliary	0.1 h	72 901 56 7

 

Procedure

 

Shown on model 907.6, right side of vehicle

1 Closing wedge
2 Bolts

Figure 1: D72.10-A004-03

 

Shown on model 907.6, right side of vehicle

 

3 Rivet nuts

Figure 2: D72.10-A005-12

 

A Contact surface

1 Closing wedge
3 Rivet nut

Figure 3: D72.10-A006-11

 

 

Warning	Risk of injury caused by fingers being jammed or pinched when removing, installing or aligning hoods, doors, trunk lid/rear-end door or sliding roof.	No parts of the body or limbs should be within the operating area when the components are moving.	AS00.00-Z-0011-01A
Caution	Risk of injury caused by scraping or cutting body parts on sharp vehicle parts.	Always wear protective gloves when working on or near sharp and non-deburred vehicle parts. Deburr repair panels.	AS00.00-Z-0017-01A
Topical note	Notes on carrying out repair work in the vehicle interior		AH68.00-N-0001-01S
Check
1	Check installation position of wedge-type stop (1) on left and right B-pillar.	Cutout must face toward vehicle interior (see arrow C). If the cutout (see arrow C) of the wedge-type stop (1) does not face toward the vehicle interior, ↓ rotate wedge-type stop (1) through 180 ∡; to do so, continue with operation step 3. If the cutout (see arrow C) of the wedge-type stop (1) faces toward the vehicle interior, ↓ proceed with operation step 2.
2	Check torque of screws (2).	To do so, tighten screws (2) to specified torque.
		Bolt, wedge-type stop to B- pillar If the screw (2) or rivet nut (3) turns and the torque is not reached, ↓ replace rivet nuts (3); to do so, continue with operation step 3. If torque is reached, ↓ end the measure.	BA72.10-N-1011-01TS
Remove
3	Remove wedge- type stop (1).	If the installation position of the wedge-type stop (1) is incorrect or the rivet nuts (3) are replaced. To do this, remove screws (2). Replace screw/bolts (2). If screws (2) can be removed, ↓ continue with step 11. If screws (2) cannot be unscrewed or if rivet nuts (3) turn, ↓ continue with operation step 4.
4	Remove respective seat belt from B-pillar.	If rivet nuts (3) are replaced.	AR91.40-D-1015TS
5	Remove screws (2).	If rivet nuts (3) are replaced. Replace screw/bolts (2). To do so, counterhold rivet nuts (3) using pliers through opening in respective B-pillar and remove screws (2).
6	Remove rivet nuts (3).	If rivet nuts (3) are replaced. Cover up paint surface in working area. This prevents any paint damage. Drill out using a suitable drill bit ∅ 8.5 mm.
7	Remove drill chips and residue of rivet nuts (3).	If rivet nuts (3) are replaced. The drill chips and residue of rivet nuts (3) can be reached through an opening in respective B-pillar. Commercially available devices/tools Wet and dry vacuum cleaner
8	Apply zinc dust paint around bores.	If rivet nuts (3) are replaced.   1K-zinc dust paint	BR00.45-Z-1056-07A
Install
9	Process wedge-type stop (1).	If rivet nuts (3) were replaced. The head of the rivet nut (3) must be flush with the outer edge of the wedge-type stop (1) (see arrow B). Process contact surfaces (A) of wedge-type stop (1) using a suitable tool until the wedge- type stop (1) lies flush with the B-pillar.
10	Install new rivet nuts (3).	If rivet nuts (3) were replaced. Commercially available devices/tools Rivet nut pliers
11	Install wedge-type stop (1).	Cutout must face toward vehicle interior (see arrow C). To do so, position wedge-type stops (1) on rivet nuts (3), position new screws (2) and tighten. Bolt, wedge-type stop to B- pillar	BA72.10-N-1011-01TS
12	Install respective seat belt on Bpillar.	If rivet nuts (3) were replaced.	AR91.40-D-1015TS

 

Front Door

Number	Destination	Model 907
BA72.10-N-1011-01TS	Bolt, wedge-type stop to B-pillar                Nm	5

 

 

 

Repair materials 

Number	Destination	Model 907
BR00.45-Z-1056-07A	1K-zinc dust paint	A 000 986 28 00

 

 

Replacement parts 

Part number	Designation	Quantity
A 001 990 17 02	Screw	As required
N 000000 002823	Rivet nut	As required

 

V-RC-2019120002

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL #2019120002
This notice applies to your vehicle
VIN:
Abutting Wedge
NHTSA Recall #19V716

 

February, 2020

 

• A safety defect exists in your vehicle
• Schedule an appointment with your authorized Freightliner Sprinter dealer as soon as possible.
• This repair will be provided free of charge.

 

2019120002

Dear Freightliner Sprinter Owner or Lessee,

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

Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Freightliner Sprinter vans, has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Model Year 2019 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles.  Our records indicate that your vehicle is included in the affected population of vehicles.

What is the CONCERN?

MBAG determined that on certain Freightliner Sprinter vehicles (platform 907 (VS30)), the wedge-type stop on the B-pillar (abutting wedge) on the driver & front passenger side may not have been installed as intended. The abutting wedge may have been mounted on holes that were drilled too large and/or incorrectly rotated. If a vehicle has an incorrectly installed abutting wedge and is involved in a severe frontal collision, the front doors could compress into the B-pillar. If this were to occur, significantly greater forces may be required to open the doors, which could make it difficult to exit the vehicle or lead to delay in accessing the vehicle from the outside, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants in the event of a crash.

What will your DEALER DO?

An authorized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dealer will check the installation of the wedge-type stop and correct if necessary.  This service will be provided free of charge. While the minimum repair time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, your dealer can provide you with a better estimate of the overall time for this service visit.  As a matter of normal service process, an authorized Freightliner dealer will also check for other repair measures which might be applicable to your vehicle and this may increase the required working time.  You will not be charged for other service or repairs unless so requested.

 

Schedule an appointment immediately at your preferred authorized Freightliner Sprinter Dealer. See www.freightlinersprinterusa.com/freightliner/owners-resources/recall for the Dealer Locator.   Please mention you are scheduling an appointment to check the wedge-type stop on the B-pillar under Recall Campaign # 2019120002.  You may be asked for your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which for your convenience is located above your name at the top of this letter.

We encourage you to sign up for recall alerts at www.nhtsa.gov/alerts.   In the event that you are no longer the vehicle owner, or have had a change of address, please complete the reverse side and return the updated information in the enclosed envelope.

If this is a leased vehicle and the lessor and registered owner receive this notice, please forward this information by first class mail to the lessee within 10 business days to comply with Federal Regulations.

Should you have any questions difficulty regarding this Recall Campaign, please contact an authorized Freightliner dealer. If for any reason a dealer is unable to remedy your situation, we are always happy to hear from you. Please contact us at 1-877-762-8267.

If an authorized Freightliner dealer for any reason is unable to remedy the situation without charge, or within a reasonable amount of time, pursuant to law 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll-free Auto 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 situation may cause you, but your safety is of utmost concern to Freightliner.

Sincerely,

Daimler Vans USA, LLC
One Mercedes-Benz Drive
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Phone (770) 705-0600

 

IMPORTANT VIN:

If for any reason YOU NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE OR have a CHANGE OF ADDRESS, please COMPLETE THE SECTION BELOW, place in the ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, and DROP IN ANY MAIL BOX. If possible, provide the name and address of the present owner so that we may contact them. 

 

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TO: Freightliner Principals, General Managers, Sales Managers, Service Managers, Parts Managers	FROM: Anthony Washington, Department Manager, Regulations and Certifications
RE: Initial Recall Campaign Notification Model 907 (Sprinter) Model Year 2019 Abutting Wedge	DATE: October 28, 2019

 

IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN INFORMATION

 

 

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Campaign No. :	Campaign Desc. :		Abutting Wedge
2019100010	PDGKEIL
This is to notify you of the upcoming Recall Campaign concerning the wedge-type stop on the B-pillar on approximately 153 MY19 Freightliner Sprinter vans. The recall campaign will be visible on the www.safercar.gov website and may generate questions from customers. All affected VINs will be flagged as “Pending” in VMI.
Background
Issue	Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vans, has determined that on certain Sprinter VS30 vehicles (platform 907), the wedge-type stop on the B-pillar (abutting wedge) on the driver & front passenger side may not have been installed as intended. The abutting wedge may have been mounted on holes that were drilled too large and/or incorrectly rotated. If a vehicle has an incorrectly installed abutting wedge and is involved in a severe frontal collision, the front doors could compress into the B- pillar. If this were to occur, significantly greater forces may be required to open the doors, which could make it difficult to exit the vehicle or lead to delay in accessing the vehicle from the outside.
What We’re Doing	An authorized Freightliner Sprinter dealer will check the installation of the wedge-type stop and correct if necessary in the affected vehicles.
Vehicles Affected
Vehicle Model Year(s)	Model Year 2019
Vehicle Model	Sprinter, VS30 / Platform 907
Vehicle Populations
Total Recall Population	153
Dealer Inventory	29
Given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for a dealer to sell or lease any new MY19 Sprinter vehicles in dealer inventory covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired. Loaner and demonstrator vehicles may continue to be driven, but must not be retailed until repaired. Additionally, given this notice, it is a violation of Federal Law for rental companies to rent new MY19 Sprinter vehicles covered by this notification until the vehicle has been repaired.
Next Steps/Notes
Customer Notification Timeline		An owner notification letter will be mailed in late November, 2019.
AOMS/SOMS		AOMs – This recall may generate questions from your dealers. Please forward this notice to your dealers ASAP.
Rental Fleet Partners		This recall may affect vehicles in your fleet. Please contact your respective DVUSA fleet representative for further information and next steps. For repairs, please contact your preferred DVUSA dealer.
While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, DVUSA is determined to maintain a high level of vehicle quality and customer satisfaction.

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL INTERIM NOTICE
This notice applies to your vehicle
VIN:
Abutting Wedge
NHTSA Recall #19V716

 

November, 2019

 

• A safety defect exists in your vehicle.
• Remedy parts are not yet available for your vehicle.
• We will contact you again once parts are available.

 

2019100010

Dear Valued Freightliner Sprinter Owner:

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

Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Sprinter vans, has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Model Year 2019 Freightliner Sprinter vehicles.  Our records indicate that your vehicle is included in the affected population of vehicles.

MBAG has determined that on certain Sprinter VS30 vehicles (platform 907), the wedge-type stop on the B-pillar (abutting wedge) on the driver & front passenger side may not have been installed as intended. The abutting wedge may have been mounted on holes that were drilled too large and/or incorrectly rotated.  If a vehicle has an incorrectly installed abutting wedge and is involved in a severe frontal collision, the front doors could compress into the B-pillar.  If this were to occur, significantly greater forces may be required to open the doors, which could make it difficult to exit the vehicle or lead to delay in accessing the vehicle from the outside.

We want to assure you that MBAG is taking all necessary measures to remedy this situation for you.  We are also working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) and suppliers to provide a remedy as soon as possible. Unfortunately, replacement parts are not yet available for your vehicle, and we will contact you again once parts become available. As soon as a suitable replacement part is available for your vehicle, we will send another letter notifying you to bring your vehicle to your local Authorized Freightliner Sprinter dealer to repair your vehicle free of charge.

As soon as a suitable replacement part is available for your vehicle, we will send another letter notifying you to bring your vehicle to your local authorized Freightliner Sprinter dealer to repair your vehicle free of charge.  In the meantime, please visit

www.freightlinersprinterusa.com/freightliner/owners-resources/recall and enter your 17 digit VIN in the VIN Look-up tool, then enter your most recent contact information.

We also encourage you to sign up for recall alerts at www.nhtsa.gov/alerts.

In the event that you are no longer the vehicle owner, or have had a change of address, please complete the reverse side and return the updated information in the enclosed envelope. If this is a leased vehicle and the lessor and registered owner receive this notice, please forward this information by first class mail to the lessee within 10 business days to comply with Federal Regulations.

We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause you.

Sincerely,

Daimler Vans USA, LLC
One Mercedes-Benz Drive
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Phone (770) 705-0600

 

IMPORTANT VIN:

If for any reason YOU NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE OR have a CHANGE OF ADDRESS, please COMPLETE THE SECTION BELOW, place in the ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, and DROP IN ANY MAIL BOX. If possible, provide the name and address of the present owner so that we may contact them.

 

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8 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FREIGHTLINER	SPRINTER 1500	2019
FREIGHTLINER	SPRINTER 2500	2019
FREIGHTLINER	SPRINTER 3500	2019
FREIGHTLINER	SPRINTER 4500	2019
MERCEDES BENZ	SPRINTER 1500	2019
MERCEDES BENZ	SPRINTER 2500	2019
MERCEDES BENZ	SPRINTER 3500	2019
MERCEDES BENZ	SPRINTER 4500	2019

 

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13 Associated Documents

Interim Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RIONL-19V716-3405.pdf 72.614KB

 

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Interim Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RIONL-19V716-1066.pdf 143.313KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V716-8702.PDF 214.364KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-1

RCLQRT-19V716-9720.PDF 211.138KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V716-2874.pdf 244.945KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-19V716-6497.pdf 1767.088KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V716-7697.pdf 79.772KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V716-1976.pdf 158.914KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-2

RCLQRT-19V716-8033.PDF 211.237KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-19V716-0197.pdf 618.827KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-19V716-4043.pdf 599.749KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-19V716-1669.pdf 1591.246KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-3

RCLQRT-19V716-4878.PDF 211.32KB

 

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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=19V716&docType=RCL

 

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