GENERAL COACH ELF 1998: SUSPENSION:REAR

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 01V361000

Production Dates: 1997-02-01 - 1999-07-31

Manufacturers Involved: General Coach America, Inc.

Component: SUSPENSION:REAR

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 128

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT COACHES. THE TRAILING ARM SHAFT ON THE REAR AXLE COULD SHEAR OFF AT A LOCATION BETWEEN THE INSIDE BEARING AND THE AXLE TUBE. THIS DEFECT DOES NOT ARISE UNTIL THE MILEAGE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE IS IN EXCESS OF 60,000 MILES. IN ADDITION, THE DEFECT APPEARS TO ARISE ONLY IN THE EVENT THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HITS A CURB OR OTHER OBJECT WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURS, THE TRAILING ARM AND THE MECHANISMS ATTACHED TO IT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WHEEL, LODGE UPWARD INTO THE WHEEL WELL OF THE VEHICLE AND STOP THE ROTATION OF THE TIRE.

IN TURN, THE DISLODGED WHEEL BREAKS THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE AND THE AIR SUPPLY LINE TO THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 6, 2001. 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 GENERAL COACH AT 1-800-842-0622.

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.