VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BOAT TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS. THESE WHEELS HAVE A CHAMFERED CENTRAL HOLE WHERE THE AXLE SPINDLE PASSES THROUGH. ON SOME, THE CHAMFER IS TOO SHALLOW CAUSING THE WHEEL BEARING DUST CAP TO PROTRUDE BEHIND THE WHEEL. WHEN THIS CAP IS PROTRUDING, WHEEL LUG BOLT TORQUE WILL NOT REMAIN TIGHTENED.
IF UNDETECTED, WHEEL STUDS CAN BREAK ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
STRATOS HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. THE CORRECTION WAS TO REPLACE THESE WHEELS.
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2000. 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 STRATOS AT 1-800-731-8473.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).