IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL: NHTSA ID 15E049
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Q-Tower 4 pack (part number 8000124) 2 pack (part number 8000135)
SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: NHTSA Campaign 15E049
June 1, 2015
Dear Yakima Dealer,
Yakima Products has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists with certain Yakima Q-Tower Roof Racks.
REASON FOR RECALL
Yakima has determined that Crossbar Clamping Wedges installed on Q-Tower Roof Rack products manufactured between January 26, 2015 and May 26, 2015 may not meet minimum clamping requirements as specified in Yakima technical documentation. These Clamping Wedges could slide on the crossbars during installation causing a loose fit on the vehicle. Q-Towers sliding on crossbars can cause difficulties installing and/or compromise installed rack integrity. Prior warnings of this defect may include sliding or rattling noises when the Q-Tower rack is in use or identifying a loose fit during the required safety checks defined in the installation manual. A compromised fit could result in a rack ejection, causing a crash or personal injury to persons outside the vehicle.
Crossbar Clamping Wedges without the identifying characteristics are being recalled. If your Crossbar Clamping Wedges have the markings depicted as “Good” in the picture below, it is not affected by this recall. Affected products have a manufacturer’s date stamp range of 5026 through 5146. The manufacturers date stamp is found on the retail packaging on an end panel. Any manufacturers date before or after these dates are not affected by this recall.
- PLEASE INSPECT ANY INVENTORY TO ENSURE AFFECTED UNITS ARE REMOVED AND MADE UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE
- Manufacturing date codes can be found stamped on the end panel of the product packaging (one end only). Any date code between 5026 and 5146 shall be immediately removed from shelves and made unavailable for sale.
- Go to http://recalls.yakima.com/qtowers/dealer for detailed instructions. If you have any questions, contact your outside representative, email qtowerrecall@yakima.com, or contact a unique Customer Service number 888-266-3085.
- PLEASE PROVIDE A LIST OF CONSUMERS THAT HAVE PURCHASED A Q-TOWER BETWEEN FEBRUARY 15, 2015 TO PRESENT.
CONSUMER ACTIONS
Yakima is asking that consumers contact Yakima Customer Service. The consumer is being asked to immediately remove and replace the Crossbar Clamping Wedges that Yakima will provide at no cost.
ADDITIONAL INFO
If you feel that Yakima did not, or was unable to, provide the remedy within a reasonable amount of time, you may write to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590, or contact the Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236; (ITTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to www.safercar.gov
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Our customers are important to us and we care about your safety and satisfaction with our products. Please contact dealer service at 888-266-3085 with any questions.
Sincerely,
Yakima Products, Inc.