Euro Light Recalls - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TX76513 · #1 05-16-2003, 04:51 PM

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 21-03
May 16, 2003
Contact: Tim Hurd, 202-366-9550

American Products Company To Pay $650,000 Civil Penalty For Sale of Lamps Not Meeting Safety Standards

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced today that American Products Company (APC) has agreed to pay a $650,000 civil penalty as a result of its manufacture, certification, and sale of replacement lamps that did not comply with federal safety standards.

Over the past several years, APC sold various models of noncomplying replacement tail lamps, commonly sold as “clear” tail lamps or “Eurotail” lamps. Some of the non-complying models replaced red lamps and reflectors with clear ones. Others were missing side marker lamps or reflectors.

APC also sold other noncompliant replacement lighting equipment, including clear corner and bumper lenses and high-intensity discharge (HID) conversion kits. The nonconforming equipment was sold by a variety of retailers. The lamps and lenses have been the subject of four recalls covering thousands of parts.

ebennz · #2 05-17-2003, 07:16 PM

ha ha ha!!!!!!

this is the reason you DON"T BUY this 'off brand','knock off' shhiitt!!!

it doesn't meet safety standards.

they're getting what they have coming.

peter

dkveuro · #3 04-05-2010, 12:56 AM

...and about time too!!!

I was running up the Interstate tonight and a very new Mitsubishi or Mazda stayed behind me ...he had his low beams on but the glare was too much.

His lights 'flared' too much. I was driving a Vanagon, with rear view mirrors higher than sedans but still blinding me. He was about 300 feet back.

I slowed and he passed and watched for the light footprint he threw. Seems to be on the road about where it should be and I must admit did not seem to light the rear of the white pick up he was passing in front of me.

It seems some , although very white or blue do not blind me in my mirror but others are too bright and flare to the extent it becomes irritating.
I can see there is going to be a case or two of road rage one night because of this problem .

The worst offender was a 2010 1ton GMC dually the other night coming towards me on a two lane......you could not see past him so you had no idea if there was anything....like a bicycle or pedestrian, in the road your side.

Anyone else ticked off with these misaligned or unshielded HID's ?

I'm thinking of fitting a wardrobe door mirror across the rear window of the van to give 'em a piece of their own light back at 'em !

Jim B. · #4 04-05-2010, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkveuro

I can see there is going to be a case or two of road rage one night because of this problem .

The worst offender was a 2010 1ton GMC dually the other night coming towards me on a two lane......you could not see past him so you had no idea if there was anything....like a bicycle or pedestrian, in the road your side.

Anyone else ticked off with these misaligned or unshielded HID's ?

I'm thinking of fitting a wardrobe door mirror across the rear window of the van to give 'em a piece of their own light back at 'em !

Aircraft landing light.

layback40 · #5 04-05-2010, 04:26 AM

X2 Jim B They make good reversing lights when they have a manual switch. You see their eyes light up as they dive for the dimmer

davidmash · #6 04-05-2010, 12:14 PM

My smoked, non-reflector, non-side marked tail lights and my Euro non DOT approved head lights both are illegal I suspect. When I lived in L.A. back in the 90's I had to swap the euros for DOT's each year at inspection time.

Eventually I'll get around to adding the side markers on the rear.