CarRecordBook

Biggest recalls

Largest vehicle recalls of 1990

101 recalls filed with NHTSA in 1990, covering about 5,062,975 vehicles.

Seat beltsMay 14, 1990

1990 Chevrolet Camaro, 1990 Pontiac Firebird

PLASTIC COMPONENTS OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES DO NOT CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABILIZER, AND EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND ELEVATED INTERIOR TEMPERATURES COULD WEAKEN THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.

90V1050001,500,000 vehicles

Latches/locks/linkagesOct 16, 1990

1990–1991 Subaru Legacy

TORQUE OF LATCH SCREWS ON FRONT DOORS MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME DUE TO A GAP BETWEEN THE LATCH BASE PLATE AND INNER DOOR PANEL UNDER THE SCREW HEAD.

90V184000103,744 vehicles

Service brakes, hydraulicDec 17, 1990

1990 Dodge Monaco, 1990 Eagle PREMIER

ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE HOSE FLEXING RESULTING IN PREMATURE FATIGUE CRACKING OF THE OUTER HOSE COVER.

90V20500097,500 vehicles

VisibilityJun 4, 1990

1990 Subaru Legacy

THE DEFROSTER LEVER PIN OF THE DEFROSTER SHUTTER DOOR MAY BECOME DISLOCATED AND ALLOW THE SHUTTER TO CLOSE, PREVENTING DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING.

90V11000081,000 vehicles

Seat beltsJan 30, 1990

1990 BMW 525, 1990 BMW 535, 1990 BMW 735, 1990 BMW 750

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FRONT SEAT CENTER, FOLD-DOWN ARM REST MAY CONTACT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELEASE BUTTON AND PREVENTING THE BELT TONGUE FROM LATCHING WHEN BUCKLING UP.

90V01600062,000 vehicles

Engine and engine coolingFeb 21, 1990

1990 Hyundai Sonata

THE SPRING CLAMP TANGS ON THE COOLANT BYPASS HOSE MAY CONTACT AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE ENGINE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE.

90V03700043,590 vehicles

Latches/locks/linkagesFeb 21, 1990

1990 Hyundai Sonata

INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE COULD CAUSE THE SAFETY CATCH ON THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH STRIKER TO BIND.

90V03800039,361 vehicles

Fuel system, gasolineJul 2, 1990

1990 Jaguar XJS

EXCESSIVE FUEL VAPOR PRESSURE CAN OCCUR THAT, AFTER PROLONGED CYCLING, COULD WEAKEN THE FUEL TANK STRUCTURE.

90V12300035,000 vehicles

SteeringAug 6, 1990

1990 Nissan Van

POWER STEERING HOSES MAY LEAK FLUID THAT CAN SPREAD TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

90V13600033,000 vehicles

Vehicle speed controlFeb 20, 1990

1990 Jaguar XJS

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VALVES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DUE TO DIRT ENTERING THE VALVES.

90V03500032,749 vehicles

Electrical systemNov 2, 1990

1990 SAAB 9000

ABRASION ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT CARD IN THE COMBINATION NEUTRAL SAFETY/BACKUP LAMP SWITCH OPERATED BY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR MAY CAUSE RESIDUE TO COLLECT IN ELECTRICAL AREA ON THE CIRCUIT CARD.

90V00100024,379 vehicles

Power trainSep 20, 1990

1990–1991 Isuzu Trooper

PUTTING IN MORE TRANSMISSION OIL THAN SPECIFIED CAN CAUSE OIL TO BLEED THROUGH AIR GROOVE ON TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IF OIL TEMPERATURE RISES.

90V16700017,048 vehicles

Service brakes, airJun 25, 1990

1990 Ford L8000, 1990 Ford L9000, 1990 Ford LA9000, 1990 Ford LL9000 and 13 more

SECONDARY SERVICE RESERVOIR AIR CHECK VALVES MAY NOT SEAT PROPERLY DUE TO A MECHANICAL INTERFERENCE CONDITION BETWEEN A CIRCULAR BRASS GUIDE AND THE WALL OF A CYLINDRICAL FERRULE IN WHICH THE BRASS GUIDE IS INTENDED TO MOVE FREELY.

90V12100015,260 vehicles

SeatsAug 6, 1990

1990 Ford Aerostar

THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS A TILT FORWARD FUNCTION. A LATCH RETAINS THE SEAT IN THE NORMAL RIDE POSTION, AND THIS LATCH MAY RELEASE UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT CONDITIONS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO PIVOT FORWARD.

90V14400014,300 vehicles

Engine and engine coolingSep 20, 1990

1990–1991 Isuzu Trooper

IMPROPERLY INSTALLED HOSE ON THE OIL COOLER COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND COULD MELT.

90V16600012,222 vehicles

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 6, 1990

1990 Volkswagen Golf, 1990 Volkswagen Jetta

OMISSION OF AIR DUCTS INTENDED TO GUIDE FLOW OF COOLING AIR TO LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS COULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO EXCEED ALLOWABLE OPERATING TEMPERATURE UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

90V14200011,000 vehicles

SteeringApr 10, 1990

1990 Audi 80, 1990 Audi 90, 1990 Audi Quattro

IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED STEERING LOCK BOLTS COULD BREAK IF DRIVER APPLIES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO A LOCKED STEERING WHEEL IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISENGAGE THE STEERING LOCK.

90V0700006,600 vehicles

Vehicle speed controlApr 17, 1990

1991 Ford Escort

INTERFERENCE OCCUR BETWEEN BOLT THAT SECURES A FUEL LINE SHIELD TO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

90V0760006,000 vehicles

Service brakes, hydraulicNov 9, 1990

1990 Ford F Series Chassis

LOWER END OF BRAKE ROD, WHICH CONNECTS BRAKE PEDAL ARM TO BELL CRANK OF POWER BRAKE ASSEBLY, MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WALL THICKNESS.

90V1900005,000 vehicles

Vehicle speed controlMar 1, 1990

1990 Ford Ranger

THROTTLE LEVER MAY CONTACT THROTTLE BODY AIR INLET TUBE, WITH POTENTIAL FOR THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

90V0440004,000 vehicles

Fuel system, gasolineOct 1, 1990

1991 Dodge Dakota

STEEL BRAIDED FUEL HOSE ROUTING MAY ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE HOSE AND TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS.

90V1760003,500 vehicles

Unknown or otherOct 16, 1990

1991 Harley-Davidson Xl Series

RIGHT SIDE FOOTREST MOUNTS MAY FRACTURE IF SUBJECTED TO HEAVY IMPACT LOADS, SUCH AS WHEN A PARKED MOTORCYCLE FALLS ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

90V1820003,269 vehicles

Electrical systemJun 1, 1990

1990 Harley-Davidson Xl

WIREFORM THAT SECURES RUBBER GROMMETS, WHICH SERVE AS A ROUTING GUIDE FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE, MAY NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS.

90V1020003,268 vehicles

Fuel system, gasolineJun 15, 1990

1990 Buick Skylark, 1990 Oldsmobile Calais

IMPROPERLY TORQUED CONNECTIONS OF FRONT FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSES TO FUEL PIPES AT THE BODY RAIL COULD LOOSEN AND LEAK FUEL INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA.

90V1190003,202 vehicles

Service brakes, hydraulicMay 21, 1990

1990 Ford F Series

INTERCONNECTION OF RETURN LINE PLUMBING FROM HYDROBOOST STEERING GEAR MAY CAUSE LIGHT APPLICATION OF HYDROBOOST UNIT WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL.

90V0970003,200 vehicles

EquipmentOct 3, 1990

1991 Jeep Wrangler

CERTIFICATION LABEL DOES NOT CONTAIN REQUIRED TIRE AND WHEEL INFORMATION.

90V1780002,800 vehicles

Exterior lightingOct 16, 1990

1990 Fleetwood Flair

HEADLAMP SWITCH CONTROL MAY NOT BE IDENTIFIED ON EITHER CONTROL KNOB OR ADJACENT TO THE CONTROL KNOB AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 101.

90V1830002,600 vehicles

VisibilityMay 21, 1990

1991 Ford Explorer

IF SUNROOF GLASS IS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED BY VEHICLE OPERATOR, HINGE ASSEMBLIES CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY IMPROPERLY MATED.

90V0980002,500 vehicles

Fuel system, gasolineJul 27, 1990

1990 Acura Acura

A THREAD ENGAGEMENT PROBLEM MAY CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE.

90E0250002,282 vehicles

Electrical systemNov 4, 1990

1990 Harley-Davidson Xl

A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP DUE TO POSSIBLE CHAFING WHERE THE BATTERY CABLE IS CLOSE TO THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM.

90V0020001,914 vehicles

EquipmentMay 1, 1990

1990 Mercedes-Benz 300

UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE PRERESISTOR FOR THE AUXILIARY FAN MAY MELT, POSSIBLY IGNITING THE PRERESISTOR.

90V0680001,584 vehicles

WheelsAug 28, 1990

1990 Ford Taurus

WHEELS MAY CONTAIN CRACKS THAT COULD PROPOGATE IN RAISED PORTION OF WHEEL CENTER.

90V1590001,212 vehicles

Fuel system, gasolineFeb 20, 1990

1990 Pontiac Grand Prix

DURING A REAR END COLLISION, THE REAR EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD, WHICH IS WELDED TO THE TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY, MAY PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.

90V0360001,121 vehicles

Air bagsFeb 12, 1990

1990 Buick Reatta

THE FORWARD SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY CONSTRUCTED WITH PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE SENSOR REVERSED.

90V031000857 vehicles

Unknown or otherJan 7, 1990

1990 Fleetwood Bounder

THE TELEVISION MOUNTED IN THE FRONT OVERHEAD CABINET MAY BE INSECURELY MOUNTED, AND COULD VIBRATE LOOSE AND FALL.

90V020000748 vehicles

WheelsNov 9, 1990

1991 Geo Prizm

LUG NUTS THAT RETAIN WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS MAY HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO LOWER THAN RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS.

90V191000654 vehicles

SeatsApr 10, 1990

1990 Audi Quattro

A SECURING CLIP ON THE OUTSIDE OF HINGES OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACK MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEATED DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH SEAT COVERING MATERIAL.

90V069000600 vehicles

SteeringJan 22, 1990

1990 Ford L Series

STEERING COLUMNS CONTAIN AN INCORRECT AND POSSIBLY UNDER TORQUED COUPLING TO STEERING COLUMN CLAMPING BOLT.

90V009000500 vehicles

WheelsDec 17, 1990

1991 BMW M5

SCREWS THAT ATTACH WHEEL COVERS ON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS WERE NOT FULLY TORQUED AND MAY GRADUALLY LOOSEN AND SEPARATE FROM WHEELS UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS.

90V204000480 vehicles

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 25, 1990

1991 Volkswagen Jetta

FRONT BRAKE HOSES OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH WERE INSTALLED IN SOME VEHICLES. THESE SHORT HOSES COULD STRETCH AND DEVELOP CRACKS.

90V173000465 vehicles

Fuel system, gasolineMar 20, 1990

1990 Chevrolet L10, 1990 GMC L15

FRAME MOUNTED FUEL FILTER MAY CRACK FROM FLEXING AT THE FUEL INLET MOUNTING NUT AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK IN AREA OF EXHAUST PIPE.

90V055000428 vehicles

VisibilityMar 21, 1990

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

OPERATION OF SUNROOF IN "NON-STANDARD" MANNER MAY CAUSE MALE HINGE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER.

90V056002367 vehicles

EquipmentSep 4, 1990

1991 Dodge Daytona

INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE PLACARD WAS INSTALLED ON CARS; DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110.

90V169000300 vehicles

Seat beltsMar 8, 1990

1990 Ford Festiva

THE "FASTEN SEAT BELTS" WARNING LIGHTS MAY NOT WORK WHEN THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED TO THE "ON" POSITION DURING COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.

90V045000268 vehicles

Fuel system, gasolineSep 6, 1990

1990 Volvo 740

FUEL DAMPER LOCATED BEHIND THE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL RAIL MAY BE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. OVER TIME, THE SOLDER JOINTS COULD ALLOW A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL TO LEAK.

90V165000253 vehicles

SteeringJan 22, 1990

1990 Volkswagen Jetta

POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET IS SUBJECT TO BREAKAGE DUE TO EXCESSIVE TENSION CAUSED BY A LACK OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE PUMP MOUNTING BRACKET AND SEALING FLANGE EDGE OF THE OIL PAN.

90V007000225 vehicles

Fuel system, gasolineJan 22, 1990

1990 Chevrolet Corvette

FUEL FEED AND RETURN LINE CONNECTORS HAVE INCORRECT LINE END FLARE CONFIGURATIONS.

90V008000213 vehicles

Engine and engine coolingJan 24, 1990

1990 Kawasaki ZG1200

MISMACHINING OF LOWER CRANKCASE HAS CAUSED THE OIL FILTER CASE TO BE POSITIONED INCORRECTLY. THIS MISALIGNMENT STRESSES THE OIL AND WATER PUMPS AND COULD CAUSE ONE OR THE OTHER TO FAIL.

90V005000200 vehicles

VisibilityJun 1, 1990

1990 Eagle Talon, 1990 Plymouth Laser

DILUTED PRIMER MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGES PRIOR TO WINDSHIELD GLASS INSTALLATION WHICH WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.

90V106001184 vehicles

Service brakes, hydraulicDec 18, 1990

1991 Jeep Cherokee

SUSPENSION JOUNCE BUMPER COULD CONTACT LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE TUBE WHEN SUSPENSION IS AT FULL JOUNCE (BOUNCE).

90V206000160 vehicles

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 10, 1990

1990 Dodge Caravan, 1990 Plymouth Voyager

INCORRECT SCREWS MAY HAVE BEEN USED IN INSTALLING THE LOAD SENSING BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO ITS BRACKET CAUSING THE CLAMPING LOAD TO BE LESS THAN INTENDED.

90V145000100 vehicles

Air bagsOct 29, 1990

1990 Mazda RX-7

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

90E04300288 vehicles

SteeringJun 1, 1990

1990 Chevrolet P6T042

IMPROPER DRILLING OF HOLE TAPERS IN THE STEERING ARM AND PITMAN ARM MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEATING OF THE DRAG LINK BALL STUD ON EITHER THE PITMAN ARM OR THE STEERING ARM AND TIE ROD END ON THE STEERING ATTACHMENTS.

90V10300074 vehicles

VisibilityJul 10, 1990

1990 Honda Civic

POOR ADHESION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN PAINT LAYERS IN THE WINDSHIELD MOUNTING AREA DUE TO DEFECTIVE PAINT BATCHES OR OVERSPRAYING.

90V12600065 vehicles

Air bagsOct 29, 1990

1990–1991 Acura Legend

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

90E04300336 vehicles

Power trainJan 18, 1990

1990 Isuzu W7HV, 1990 Isuzu W7HVT

THERE MAY BE PAINT IN THE FIXING FLANGE BETWEEN THE PROPELLER SHAFT AND DIFFERENTIAL GEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE THE FIXING (ATTACHING) BOLTS TO LOOSEN. THIS MAY RESULT IN THE SEPARATION OF THE PROPELLER SHAFT FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT.

90V00400034 vehicles

VisibilityJun 1, 1990

1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse

DILUTED PRIMER MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGES PRIOR TO WINDSHIELD GLASS INSTALLATION WHICH WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.

90V10600226 vehicles

Fuel system, gasolineJun 12, 1990

1990 Porsche 928

PLASTIC FUEL GAUGE MOUNTING NUT MAY CRACK AND ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK.

90V11700019 vehicles

Power trainSep 4, 1990

1990 Honda Civic

DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED INTERNAL SHAFT IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE PAWL MECHANISIM MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE WHEN TRANSMISSION IS IN THE PARK POSITION.

90V16300018 vehicles

Vehicle counts are the manufacturer's estimates in its report to NHTSA. Only makes covered by this site are counted, and a recall is counted in the year it was filed.