McHenry, IL — June 15, 2009  - Affinia Global Brake & Chassis (a leading brake component manufacturer whose family of brands includes Raybestos®) has recently discovered a serious potential brake safety concern regarding the replacement and use of certain imported brake rotors that are significantly different from the Original Equipment (OE) rotors they replace.

These replacement rotors deviate widely in thickness, air gaps, vane configurations and overall have a significant reduction in the effective thermal mass or weight. These changes to the rotor makeup and design do not conform to the OE specifications and adversely affect the product performance leading to the possibility of rotor failure and braking system problems. Brake rotors are a safety-related component and should never be compromised from OE design without engineering validation.

As a result of these changes, lightweight rotors run hotter and the brake system cannot absorb and dissipate that heat properly. Therefore, the heat creates thermal stress and strain which induces cracks in the rotor. These cracks lead to, among other things, longer stopping distances and potential wheel lock-up. The heat is also transferred to the brake pads, caliper pistons, and brake fluid and can cause premature wear of these components. Ultimately, left unrepaired, these thermal stresses lead to brake system failures.

If you have had a brake rotor replacement in the last year, and have encountered an early brake rotor failure such as a cracked or separated disc brake rotor, we recommend the following:

1. Return to the service repair facility where your vehicle was serviced.
2. After the vehicle inspection, if the repair facility determines there are cracks in the rotor, have the technician document the incident, including:
• Vehicle year, make and model
• Component, i.e. brake rotor
• Date of original brake rotor replacement
• Mileage at time of replacement
3. Evidence of a defect or non-conforming product should also be registered with NHTSA ODI.
A defect claim can be registered with NHTSA ODI (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defect Investigation) directly at (888) 327-4236 or go to http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm and file a complaint.

As a leading manufacturer and supplier of brake rotors and total braking system components for over 100 years, we can assure you that rotors manufactured and sold by Affinia companies meet OE specifications of fit, form and function and will meet or exceed the required performance levels in your vehicle’s braking system. The safety of the driving public remains paramount in our ongoing commitment to help assure that all importers and manufacturers of brake rotors comply with OE specifications to avoid safety-related defects and potential brake safety issues.
 
Affinia Group Inc. is a global leader in the on and off-highway replacement products and service industries. In North America the Affinia family of brands includes WIX® filters, Raybestos®, AIMCO® and BrakePro® brake products, and McQuay-Norris® and Raybestos™ Chassis parts. South American and European brands include Nakata®, Filtron®, Urba® and Quinton Hazell®. For more information, visit www.affiniagroup.com.