Beams Seat Belt Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 03E054000
Manufacturer: BEAMS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 2003
Manufactured End Date: October 31st, 2003
Date of Owner Notification: November 10th, 2003

Defect Summary:
BEAM'S ASSEMBLED SEAT BELTS CONTAINING A TONGUE KNOWN AS BEAM'S MODEL NO. 201, PRIMARILY FOR INSTALLATION IN A VARIETY OF VEHICLES. THE TONGUES WERE ASSEMBLED INTO BEAM'S SEAT BELT UNITS WITH DATES OF MANUFACTURER OF BETWEEN JULY AND OCTOBER 2003 ORIGINATING FROM BATCH NUMBERS 2691 AND 2323. THE MONTHS JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER WILL APPEAR ON THE SEWN-IN TAG OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SEWN-IN TAGS WILL ALSO CONTAIN THE NUMBER "1201." THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence Summary:
." IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE TONGUE MAY RELEASE AND THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD SUSTAIN INJURIES.

Corrective Summary:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 10, 2003. 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 BEAM'S AT 1-888-343-9266 OR [email protected].

Recall Notes:
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 03E046000
Manufacturer: BEAMS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Date of Owner Notification: September 11th, 2003

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN SEAT BELTS, BUCKLE NO. 1524 (NUMBER STAMPED ON BACKSIDE), USED ON SOME SCHOOL BUSES, PASSENGER AND POSTAL VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE METAL FRAME OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY FRACTURE DUE TO POSSIBLE EMBRITTLEMENT OF THE STEEL.

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE BUCKLE CAN RELEASE,INCREASING THE SEAT OCCUPANT'S RISK OF SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
BEAMS INDUSTRY WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 11, 2003. 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 PATRICK BROWN AT 1-888-343-9266 OR E-MAIL TO [email protected].

Recall Notes:
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).