Equipment: other: labels
- Component
- Equipment: other: labels
- Manufacturer
- WHEELED COACH INDUSTRIES
- Vehicles affected
- 81
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2003-01-03
- Owners notified
- 2002-12-20
Defect description
CERTAIN AMBULANCES BUILT ON FORD F-350 CHASSIS WERE BUILT WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS SIZED TO PRODUCE A FRONT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) OF 4,500 LBS. THE FRONT GAWR WAS MISSTATED ON THE FINAL STATE CERTIFICATION LABEL AS 4,850 LBS.
Safety risk
THE CHASSIS' GAWR WOULD BE TOO SMALL TO SUPPORT THE FINISHED PRODUCT. A DIFFERENT SET OF FRONT SPRINGS WAS USED WITH THE LIGHTER FRONT GAWR.
Manufacturer remedy
NEW CERTIFICATION LABELS WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNERS WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WHEELED COACH AT 1-800-628-8178, IF THEY DO NOT RECEIVE A CORRECT LABEL OR HAVE TROUBLE INSTALLING THE LABEL.