Campaign 80V-027

Front rail extension may experience fatigue cracking near the area where the power steering gear attaches to the frame

Defect summary

THE FRONT RAIL EXTENSION MAY EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING NEAR THE AREA WHERE THE POWER STEERING GEAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. IF THE CRACK PROGRESSES THROUGH MOST OR ALL OF THE RAIL SECTION, STEERING SYSTEM FREE PLAY ACCOMPANIED BY METALLIC RATTLE NOISE WILL BE EXPERIENCED.

Remedy

AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE WELD REPAIRED AND A REINFORCEMENT ROD WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE CRACKED AREA.

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; LEFT FRONT FRAME RAIL.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE CRACK CONDITION MAY CAUSE A COMPLETE LOSS OFSTEERING AND AN ACCIDENT.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file, campaign 80V027000. Text as published by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered

10 product lines are covered

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA about structure on these vehicles: 4, of which 1 involved a crash, fire, injury or death. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered by campaign 80V-027
Make	Model	Model years	Complaints on this component
Dodge	B100	1971 to 1978	2
Dodge	B200	1971 to 1978	1
Dodge	B300	1971 to 1978	1
Dodge	CB300	1971 to 1978	0
Dodge	CB400	1971 to 1978	0
Dodge	MB300	1971 to 1978	0
Dodge	MB400	1971 to 1978	0
Plymouth	B100	1971 to 1978	0
Plymouth	B200	1971 to 1978	0
Plymouth	B300	1971 to 1978	0

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls and complaints files. Equipment, tire and child-seat campaigns list products, not vehicles.

Investigation

This recall followed an NHTSA defect investigation

EA79066 STRG GEAR MNTG BKT FAILURE
Opened Apr 10, 1979, closed Jan 21, 1980

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