Product Recalls
Press Release: Alcoa recalls 16″ dualie wheels
CLEVELAND, OH — Alcoa Wheel Products is voluntarily recalling 16×6-inch dualie aftermarket wheels manufactured between September 1993 through June 1996. These wheels may contain process-induced stresses which could lead to cracks developing over a period of time. This could lead to air loss from the tire as well as the eventual separation of the wheel and tire.
The recall includes aftermarket wheels only. Alcoa wheels sold through original manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors and Chrysler are not affected.
Customers who purchased a recalled wheel should return it to their local dealer for inspection. Before beginning any work on the wheel or vehicle, the dealer must call the Alcoa Campaign Center at (800) 242-9898 option#1 for instructions and an authorization number. The authorization number is necessary to arrange payment for services and, if necessary, return of the wheel.
If the wheel is affected, Alcoa will replace the wheel at no cost to the customer. Authorized payment includes reasonable costs of demounting, tire balancing and remounting the assembly.
Customers and dealers can determine whether their wheels are included by checking the part number and date of manufacture in the wheel roll stamp. Recalled part numbers are:
Model: LTS
Part Numbers: 160251, 160252, 160261, 160262, 160271, 160272
Model: Classic
Part Numbers: 160231, 160232, 160241, 160242, 160281, 160282, 160291, 160292, 160301, 160302
Recall Customer Notice: Alcoa recalls 16″ dualie wheels
Safety Recall: 16 x 6 Aluminum Forged Light Truck Wheel
LTS and Classic Models
Produced Between September 1993 and June 1996
Dear Customer:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Alcoa has determined that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 16 x 6 forged aluminum light truck wheels. Specifically, Classic and LTS Models which are typically used on vehicles with dual rear wheel axle applications such as the full-ton Ford F-Series Pick-up, full-ton General Motors GMC and Chevrolet Pick-up, full-ton Dodge Ram pick-up and the Econoline E300/E350 Full-ton van. These wheels are aftermarket products, and do not include any shipments we have made to Original Equipment Manufacturers (Ford, General Motors, or Chrysler). The following part numbers are affected:
Model: LTS
Part Numbers: 160251, 160252, 160261, 160262, 160271, 160272
Model: Classic
Part Numbers: 160231, 160232, 160241, 160242, 160281, 160282, 160291, 160292, 160301, 160302
Our records indicate that you may have purchased wheels that were manufactured during the period affected.
These wheels produced between September 1993 and June 1996, inclusive may have certain process induced stresses in the forging. This condition may lead to cracks developing over a period of time, depending on the severity of the application. First indications could be cracks in the bead seat or disc/rim area of the wheel, leading to air loss from the tire. This could possibly progress around the circumference of the tire bead seat and if not heeded, could result in the tire separating from the wheel and a vehicle crash due to loss of vehicle control.
If the tires on your vehicle are losing air and require refilling in order to maintain pressure, stop using the wheels and have them replaced immediately. Call the Alcoa Campaign Center TOLL FREE at (800) 242-9898 option#1 for immediate replacement.
In all cases, to correct this condition, Alcoa will replace the subject wheels at no cost to you.
We need you to take the following actions immediately:
- Please take your vehicle or wheels to a local tire dealer or service center to have your wheels inspected. Please provide the dealer/service center with the enclosed sketch illustrating where the part number stamping and production date stamping can be located on Alcoa wheels.
- Have the tire dealer or service center call the Alcoa Campaign Center at (800) 242-9898 option#1 for additional instructions and an Authorization Number before initiating any work on your vehicle. The Authorization Number will be necessary to allow payment for services, to arrange for billing, and to arrange for returned wheels, if necessary.
- If your wheels are affected by this campaign, arrangements will be made to have your wheels replaced. Alcoa will need to confirm the quantity of wheels on your vehicle, as well as the part number and date of manufacture. If required, new wheels will be ordered and your wheels replaced within eight (8) weeks (for those not experiencing air loss) on a no-charge basis, including reasonable costs of de-mounting of the tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle, changing the tire, balancing and remounting the assembly.
- If you would like to discuss this matter in more detail, or are unclear regarding the direction set forth above, please call the Alcoa Campaign Center at (800) 242-9898 option#1, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. E.S.T. This hotline has been established specifically to handle this issue.
Some people receiving this letter may have purchased wheels that are not one of the listed part numbers or were manufactured after June 1996. Only wheels with the specified part numbers produced before June 1996 are eligible for replacement. If you no longer own the wheels, please complete the specified section of the enclosed card and return it to us. This response is needed to update our records and to locate all of the wheels involved.
If you believe we have failed or are unable to affect the remedy without charge as described in this notification, you may submit a complaint to:
Adminstrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20590
Or call the toll free Auto Safety Hot Line at: (800) 327-4236
We apologize to you, our valued customer, for any inconvenience this campaign may cause. Our primary concern is for your safety, and we are taking great pains to assure that we efficiently manage this situation to minimize the activity required by you. We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Tim D. Myers
Sales and Marketing Manager
Alcoa Wheel Products, Int.
