THULE TRUNK MOUNT BIKE CARRIERS PRODUCED AND SOLD BETWEEN JANUARY AND AUGUST 2002, MODEL(S) SPEEDWAY (PN 961, 962, AND 91962) AND BACKPACK (PN 965 AND 966). SOME OF THE BIKE CARRIERS HAVE END CAPS ON THE ARMS THAT ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY TIGHT. THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE BIKE(S) TO SLIDE UP THE HOLDING ARMS OF THE CARRIER, FORCE THE LOOSE END CAPS OFF AND FALL OFF THE RACK.
SHOULD THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A FOLLOWING MOTORIST COULD STRIKE THE BIKE(S), POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
THULE WILL NOTIFY ITS DEALERS AND CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BIKE RACKS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPLACEMENT BIKE RACK WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-848-5391.
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).