Yamaha Recalls 190,000 Motorcycles

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

Associated Press Writer

DETROIT

Yamaha Motor Corp. is recalling around 190,000 motorcycles because the passenger seat can fall off the rear fender, federal safety regulators and the company said Friday.

The recall affects XV250, XVS11 and XVS65 motorcycles from the 1988-2005 model years, Yamaha spokesman Brad Banister said. The mounting hardware that connects the seat to the fender can loosen when passengers shift their weight, which eventually can cause the seat to fall off, according to a recall notice sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Banister said the company knows of two minor injuries caused by the defect. Banister said Yamaha decided to recall the vehicles after reviewing quality control reports on the motorcycles in Japan.

“We constantly monitor this sort of thing because we do care about the safety of our customers,” Banister said.

Yamaha will notify owners about the recall this spring. Dealers will replace the seat´s mounting hardware for free.

NHTSA announced two additional vehicle recalls Friday.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is recalling 65,436 Endeavor sport utility vehicles because the parking brake may not work correctly.

The recall affects Endeavors from the 2004 and 2005 model years. NHTSA said a nut in the braking system may not be tightened properly, so the vehicle could roll if it is parked on a slope and the transmission isn´t in “park.”

Mitsubishi will notify owners starting next month. Dealers will inspect vehicles and tighten the nut if necessary.

DaimlerChrysler AG is recalling 43,180 Chrysler Pacifica SUVs equipped with halogen headlights because the headlights may stop working, NHTSA said.

The recall affects Pacificas from the 2005 model year. Dealers will inspect the headlights and replace them for free.

DaimlerChrysler shares rose 40 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $46.25 in afternoon trading Friday on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock has been trading at a 52-week range of $39.67 to $48.63.