Safety Recall NHTSA · 03E028000 Reported April 23, 2003

Alcoa/wheels

Alcoa, Inc · Wheels · 50,432 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
03E028000
Manufacturer Campaign
NR (Not Reported)
Manufacturer
Component
Wheels
Vehicles Affected
50,432
Recall Type
Equipment
Report Received
April 23, 2003

Defect Summary

Alcoa wheel and forged products classic and lts forged aluminum light truck wheels, size 16" x 6", manufactured between july 1996 and june 1999 and sold as aftermarket equipment. part numbers classic 160231, 160232, 160241, 160242, 160281, 160282, 160291, 160292, 160301, 160302 and lts 160251, 160252, 160261, 160262, 160271, and 160272. fatigue cracks can develop in the outboard bead seat area causing air loss in the tires.

Safety Consequence

If the user ignores the problem and refills the tires to maintain pressure, the cracks may propagate around the circumference of the wheel along the bead seat of the tire, causing the face of the wheel to separate from the rim.

Corrective Action

Aloca will notify customers and replace the wheels free of charge. owner notification began july 14, 2003. owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact alcoa wheel service center at 1-888-279-3055 or by fax at 814-797-5797.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Alcoa, Inc dealer and reference recall ID 03E028000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from Alcoa, Inc or involving Wheels.

FAQ: Recall 03E028000

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

What is recall 03E028000?

NHTSA recall 03E028000 was issued by Alcoa, Inc on April 23, 2003. It addresses: Alcoa/wheels. The recall affects approximately 50,432 vehicles, with the defect involving the Wheels component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Alcoa, Inc dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 03E028000 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.