Interpretation ID: aiam1646
After Sales Service Manager
Alouette Recreational Products
Ltd.
3700 St. Patrick Street
Montreal 205
Quebec
Canada;
Dear Mr. Laforest: This is in reference to your defect notification campaign involvin 1973 and 1974 Alouette AX-125 motorcycles.; Since four different defects are involved, it has been found necessar to assign four different National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identification numbers. Please refer to these numbers in all future correspondence concerning these campaigns.; Campaign numbers have been assigned as follows: >>>74-0178 - Rear brake pedal lever problem 74-0179 - Kick stand problem 74-0180 - Fuel leakage problem 74-0181 - Rear brake back plate holder lock nut problem<<< Although NHTSA will consider this matter as four campaigns, you ma still combine them in one owner notification letter and in communications with dealers.; The letter which you have sent to the owners of the vehicles which wer sold in the United States of America does not entirely meet the requirements of Part 577 (49 CFR), the Defect Notification regulation. Specifically, the second sentence of your letter does not contain the precise wording that is required by Part 577.4(b). Use of the words 'potential' and 'may' also imply that possibly a defect does not exist and should therefore be deleted from this sentence.; Your letter also fails to adequately evaluate the risk to traffi safety as required by Part 577.4(d). If vehicle crash can occur, the letter must state this. Your letter also does not make clear if the repairs will be performed free of charge and also does not give an estimate of the time needed to perform the labor necessary to correct the defect, as required by Part 577.4(e).; It is therefore necessary that you revise the owner notificatio letters and send a copy of the revised letter to this office and all known owners of the affected vehicles. Since you have stated that owners will receive a second notice at the time that parts have become available, the revised notification letter can be sent to owners at that time.; It is also necessary that you submit a Defect Report in accordance wit Part 573 of the regulations. The first Quarterly Reports, as required by Part 573.5, should be submitted before February 5, 1975, for the period ending December 31, 1974.; Copies of Part 573 and Part 577 are enclosed. If you desire furthe information, please contact Messrs. W. Reinhart or James Murray at this office at (202) 426-2840.; Sincerely, Andrew G. Detrick, Acting Director, Office of Defect Investigation, Motor Vehicle Programs;