2001 Itasca Spirit

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, THESE UNITS WERE PRODUCED WITH A DEFECTIVE PANEL. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN CIRCUIT PATTERNS ON THE MEMBRANE PANEL, ESPECIALLY OVERLAPPED BY A "JUMPER" OR JUMP WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS.

Risk. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLY A FIRE.

Remedy. SAMSUNG WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. IN THE MEANTIME, CONSUMERS SHOULD UNPLUG THEIR MICROWAVE, IF POSSIBLE. IF THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE, THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR UNTIL THE PANEL IS REPLACED. CONSUMERS SHOULD NEVER USE THE MICROWAVE OVEN FOR STORAGE OR LEAVE ANY TOWELS, PAPER, CLOTH OR OTHER PRODUCTS IN THE MICROWAVE AFTER USE. 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 SAMSUNG AT 800-932-3837 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES BUILT BY AM-SAFE. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.

Risk. SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP BELTS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT WITH A NEW BELT ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 25, 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 AM-SAFE AT 1-219-266-8330 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.

ON 2001 ITASCE SPIRIT 31T MOTOR HOME ON A FORD 450 CHASSIS I EXPERIENCED A BELT/TREAD FAILURE OF A FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S LT225/75R16 TIRE ON THE INNER DRIVERS SIDE REAR DUAL WHEEL POSITION. THERE WAS A LOUD RUMBLE WHICH I AT FIRST THOUGHT WAS CAUSED BY PAVEMENT ROUGHNESS. I SLOWED DOWN FROM APPROX. 60 MPH AT WHICH TIME THE TREAD LET GO WITH A LOUD NOISE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS THE OUTER DUAL TIRE HELD. UPON INSPECTION THE INNER HALF OF THE TREAD HAD LET GO, CAUGHT THE 1/16" METAL PLATE HOLDING THE MUD FLAP WHICH IT BENT UP OVER THE TIRES PREVENTING SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL OF MY MOTOR HOME. I TRIED CONTACTING FIRESTONE AND WAS SENT ON A WILD GOOSE CHASE TO END UP ON A VOICE MAIL AT THE DAYTON ENGINEERING CENTER. I AM REPLACING ALL 7 OF THE TIRES ON MY MOTOR HOME WITH NON FIRESTONE TIRES. THE RISK OF INJURY TO MY MOTOR HOME OR THE POSSIBLE DEATH OF MY WIFE AND I OR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WHO FREQUENTLY USE IT FAR OUTWEIGHTS THE COST OF NEW TIRES. REASEARCHING THE NHTSA WEB SITE I FIND THERE HAVE BEEN 216 COMPLAINTS PRIOR TO MINE AND THAT THERE ARE TWO (2) OPEN ODI'S, DP04-004 AND 005. I AM AT PRESENT CONTACTING LISTONI AND LISTONI OF PASADENA CA WHO PETITIONED FOR THESE ACTIONS AND PLAN TO WRITE LETTERS TO ALL OF THE RV OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ASKING THEM TO MAKE THEIR MEMBERS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF THE STEELTEX R4S TIRES. I BELIEVE THAT WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN NO DEATHS RESULTING FROM FAILURES OF THESE TIRES T

PASSENGER SEAT OVERHEATED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BE SEATED AFTER HALF AN HOUR. DEALER INSPECTED, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM . CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE COST $61,000, AND NO EVEN HAD THE PLEASURE TO BE NEAR HER HUSBAND. SPIRIT, 2003, SEND REGISTRATION COPY. *AK