(a) A manufacturer must file a defect information report whenever it determines, in accordance with procedures it established to identify either safety-related or performance defects (or based on other information), that a specific emission-related defect exists in 25 or more Category 1 marine engines, or 10 or more Category 2 marine engines, or 2 or more Category 3 engines or cylinders. No report must be filed under this paragraph for any emission-related defect corrected prior to the sale of the affected engines to an ultimate purchaser. (Note: These limits apply to the occurrence of the same defect, and are not constrained by engine family or model year.)

(b) Defect information reports required under paragraph (a) of this section must be submitted not more than 15 working days after the same emission-related defect is found to effect 25 or more Category 1 marine engines, or 10 or more Category 2 marine engines. Information required by paragraph (c) of this section that is either not available within 15 working days or is significantly revised must be submitted as it becomes available.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each defect report must contain the following information in substantially the format outlined:

(1) The manufacturer's corporate name.

(2) A description of the defect.

(3) A description of each class or category of engines potentially affected by the defect including make, model, calendar year produced, purchaser and any other information as may be required to identify the engines affected.

(4) For each class or category of engines described in response to paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the following shall also be provided:

(i) The number of engines known or estimated to have the defect and an explanation of the means by which this number was determined.

(ii) The address of the plant(s) at which the potentially defective engines were produced.

(5) An evaluation of the emissions impact of the defect and a description of any operational or performance problems which a defective engine might exhibit.

(6) Available emissions data which relate to the defect.

(7) An indication of any anticipated follow-up by the manufacturer.

[64 FR 73331, Dec. 29, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 9786, Feb. 28, 2003]