The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·10E036000·Announced 2010-08-09

General Parts Recalls Proven Val Alternators Due to Fire Risk

General Parts, Inc. is recalling certain Proven Val alternators because a damaged voltage regulator can cause engine compartment fires or heat damage.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk of engine compartment fire, which constitutes a significant injury/property-damage report criterion under the rubric for vehicle components.

Plain-English summary

General Parts, Inc. is recalling certain Proven Val alternators sold as replacement equipment for various motor vehicles. The affected units include part numbers 1386A, 8237A, 8237AN, 8274A, 8290A, 8290AN, 8292A, and 8292AN.

The internal voltage regulator in these alternators can become damaged by transient voltage that may occur during the building, testing, and installation processes. When the circuit is damaged, there is a potential to generate sufficient heat to result in an engine compartment fire or heat damage, even when the vehicle is off.

General Parts, Inc. will notify owners of record who purchased the alternators and replace them free of charge. The safety recall began on May 5, 2010. Owners may contact General Parts, Inc. at 1-919-573-3000 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR recall
Affected units
1,898

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.