Morgan Three-Wheeler puts on the brakes for new recall

The Morgan Three-Wheeler certainly isn’t the fastest performance vehicle money can buy, but it might be one of the coolest. With its V-twin engine hanging out front and styling like nothing else on the road, it draws stares from anyone who sees it and likely a lot of grins from the driver too. As fun as it may be, the quirky roadster is being hit with another brake-related recall, and this one is nearly as absurd as the last.

The new campaign covers 235 units of the Three-Wheeler in the US from the 2012 through 2014 model years. Although we always suggest having your recalls taken care of, attentive drivers probably don’t need to worry too much. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the vehicles, which are considered motorcycles by the agency, don’t have the correct warning lamp telling drivers if the brake fluid is low. This light is one of the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.122a covering motorcycle brake systems.

To make this recall even more bizarre, the Three-Wheeler technically already comes with a brake warning light installed. “The lamp that we have been using shows a (P) type symbol that illuminates red when the park brake is applied or there is a failure in the brake system leading to low brake fluid,” said the company’s noncompliance notice to NHTSA. However, that’s not what the code specifies. Morgan says that it’s sourcing a correct lamp to install in the vehicles.

The company’s previous brake-related recall was because 139 of the Three-Wheelers were missing a mandated sticker on the brake fluid reservoir, last year. Scroll down to read about the latest campaign or read the full noncompliance notice as a PDF, here.

Show full PR text

RECALL Subject : Missing Brake Failure Warning Lamp/FMVSS 122a

Report Receipt Date: JUL 01, 2014

NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V384000

Component(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Potential Number of Units Affected: 235

All Products Associated with this Recall

Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)

MORGAN 3W 2012-2014

Details

Manufacturer: Morgan 3 Wheeler Limited

SUMMARY:

Morgan 3 Wheeler Limited (Morgan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 3W motorcycles. The affected motorcycles were manufactured without a lamp to that illuminates only when the brake fluid level is low. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 122a, “Motorcycle Brake Systems.”

CONSEQUENCE:

Without a warning to the operator that the motorcycle has low brake fluid and that the brakes may fail as a result, there is an increased risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Morgan will notify owners, and dealers will install warning lamp that warns of low brake fluid, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Morgan’s US Agent at 1-505-570-1845.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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