Safety Recall NHTSA · 03E004000 Reported January 30, 2003

Bell/safety hammers

Q: What is recall 03E004000?

NHTSA recall 03E004000 was issued by Bell Automotive on January 30, 2003. It addresses: Bell/safety hammers. The recall affects approximately 17,398 vehicles , with the defect involving the N/A component.

Q: Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls . NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

Q: How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Bell Automotive · N/A · 17,398 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID

03E004000

Manufacturer Campaign

NR (Not Reported)

Manufacturer

Bell Automotive

Component

N/A

Vehicles Affected

17,398

Recall Type

Equipment

Report Received

January 30, 2003

Defect Summary

Bell automotive safety hammers identified as "life-saving escape and rescue tool." these hammers were intended to be used as an instrument to shatter automotive safety glass in the event of an emergency. however, the plastic handle was not designed to withstand the force required to shatter automotive glass.

Safety Consequence

As a result, the plastic ribs, which hold the safety hammer's metal heads, can break upon use, rendering the hammer no longer able to perform as intended.

Corrective Action

Bell will reimburse customers who have purchased the safety hammer. notification began february 20, 2003. owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bell at 480-991-5055.

What you should do

Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Bell Automotive dealer and reference recall ID 03E004000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.

View Official NHTSA Notice →

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FAQ: Recall 03E004000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 03E004000?

NHTSA recall 03E004000 was issued by Bell Automotive on January 30, 2003. It addresses: Bell/safety hammers. The recall affects approximately 17,398 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Bell Automotive dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 03E004000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.