TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 1998: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Make : TOYOTA	Model : HIGHLANDER	Year : 1998
Build Dates : 1997-04-24 - 1997-08-12
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 97V135000
Date Owner's Notified: 1997-09-01	Date Received by ODI: 1997-08-18	Date Added to Database: 1997-08-29
Manufacturers Involved: Shyft Group
Manufacturer's Responsible for the Recall:
Manufacturer Campaign Number:
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 262
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPSION, WHICH UTILIZES A NORGREN VALVE AND NEWAY PILOT AIR CONTROL VALVES. THE PURPOSE OF THE NORGREN VALVE IS TO EXHAUST THE AIR SUSPENSION WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE VEHICLE JACKS USED TO LEVEL THE VEHICLE FOR OVERNIGHT PARKING. THE NEWAY PILOT VALVE IS USED TO SPEED UP THE TIMING OF THE AIR EXHAUST. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN A DYNAMIC CONDITION, THE AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE CAN SEND SPIKES OF UP TO 230 PSI. THIS EXCEEDS THE PRESSURE RATING OF THE NEWAY PILOT VALVE CAUSING THE VALVE TO FAIL AND ALLOW THE AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE TO EXHAUST UNCONTROLLABILITY.
Consequence: IF THERE IS AN AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE, IT COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS AND A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AIR PLUMBING TO REMOVE THE THREE "3" NEWAY PILOT VALVES "TWO FRONT SUSPENSION/ONE REAR SUSPENSION" FROM THE AIR SYSTEM. THE NORGREN VALVE WILL BE FULLY UTILIZED TO REPLACE THE VALVES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND A MIDLAND VALVE WILL BE USED IN THE REAR SUSPENSION.
Report Initiator: MFR		V Report
Regulation Part Number:	Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number:
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 1997.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 SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-4277.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.