Unknown or other (Ames and Northpole)
Vehicle equipment recall 02E-051. NHTSA received NORTHPOLE USA’s report on Sep 4, 2002.
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The short answer
NHTSA received NORTHPOLE USA’s report on Sep 4, 2002. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IF THE CARRIER FLIES OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN MOTION, IT COULD STRIKE A PEDESTRIAN OR ANOTHER VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR A VEHICLE CRASH.
AMES PANORAMA CARGO CARRIER WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF A VEHICLE.
ALL OF THESE CARRIERS ARE BEING RECALLED.
THE STRAPS CAN RIP AND THE CARRIER CAN FLY OFF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Unknown or other.
What should you do?
NORTHPOLE USA WILL NOTIFY ALL OF THE AMES DEPARTMENT STORES THAT THE CARRIER WAS PROVIDED TO AND REPURCHASE THEM. NOTIFICATION TO CUSTOMERS BEGAN SEPTEMBER 9, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NORTHPOLE USA AT 800-613-1225.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 4,000 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Ames Cargo CarrierNHTSA gives no dates made
- Northpole Cargo CarrierNHTSA gives no dates made
Who is recalling it?
- Made by NORTHPOLE USA.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Which ones, by part or lot: the recall’s report on NHTSA’s site gives them where the maker did; this file gives part numbers only where its maker listed them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.