Chrysler recalls vehicles with defective software

Auburn Hills, Mich. – March 21, 2017 – Fiat Chrysler has recalled more than 25,000 vehicles with incorrectly calibrated software. The recall affects Fiat 500L compact cars produced between March 6, 2013 and Oct. 21, 2014, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The Defect

Models named in the recall are equipped with incorrectly calibrated powertrain control module software, which has been shown to limit engine capabilities. Drivers have experienced instances in which their vehicles will only idle even when the accelerator is fully engaged. Many have been able to regain normal operation after depressing and then releasing the gas pedal, but this can make it difficult to maintain consistent speeds when navigating roadways. This can increase the likelihood of an accident, though no crashes or injuries have yet been connected to this defect.

Timeline of Events

  • On June 14, 2014, engineers at Fiat Chrysler discovered the issue after updating the PCM software on newly produced 500L models, according to the NHTSA. Roughly one month later, the automaker initiated an investigation and ultimately correlated the problem to faulty accelerator calibration. In September, production staff implemented new gas pedal assemblies to improve accelerator calibration.
  • On Dec. 2, 2016, Fiat Chrysler received a field report that indicated diminished drivability among 500L models. The car company launched an investigation and reviewed the performance data included in the field report. Seven days later, engineers determined that accelerator calibration was once again to blame. On Dec. 14, engineers developed revised calibration standards, which were finally published Feb. 6, 2017.
  • On Feb. 10, Fiat Chrysler’s Technical Service Organization issued a service bulletin outlining proposed PCM software updates for 500L models. The car company’s Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance group reviewed the draft document and outlined risk factors associated with the vehicle, including delayed throttle response and vehicle hesitation. Six days later, the VSRC launched an investigation into the 500L, and after an initial data review upgraded the inquiry Feb. 21.
  • On March 2, VSRC notified the Fiat Chrysler home office in Italy and continued to review field reports and other data. By March 6, the group had seen 35 warranty claims, 16 computerized accident reports and 13 field reports related to the defect. On March 9, Fiat Chrysler connected with NHTSA to review the investigation. On March 16, the car maker decided to initiate a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Fiat Chrysler is expected to request that dealers update the PCM software on affected models. The car company will reimburse owners for the repair. However, owners must submit service receipts or alternative proof of payment following the update. Both owners and dealers will receive official notifications May 5, 2017.

MotorSafety.orgChrysler recalls vehicles with defective software

Porsche Recalls Vehicles with Defective Windshield Bonding

Atlanta, GA – Apr. 11, 2017 – Porsche Cars North America has recalled a number of sports cars with defective windshield bonding, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The recall impacts various models produced in January 2017, including:

  • 911 Carrera cabriolet
  • 911 Carrera S cabriolet
  • 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4 cabriolet
  • 911 Carrera 4S cabriolet
  • 911 Targa S
  • 911 Targa 4S
  • 911 Turbo cabriolet
  • 718 Boxster and Boxster S

The Defect

Affected models have improperly bonded windshields that fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard regarding windshield mounting. The adhesive used during the manufacturing loses its sticking properties, allowing for separation between the windshield and vehicle frame. Should a crash occur, the windshield may separate from the vehicle body, further endangering occupants.

Timeline of Events

Porsche engineering personnel discovered the ineffective windshield bonding during post-production repairs Jan. 24, 2017. All of the vehicles in the batch were reviewed and deemed defective. Porsche then analyzed the fabrication process and other associated vehicles to determine a root cause. On Feb. 17, 2017, quality control officials at the automaker came to the conclusion that the defectives were the result of faulty production methods out of step with established company standards. Due to this deviation, the windshield adhesive was improperly mixed, rendering it ineffective. Porsche also found that the defect only affected convertibles, as these models exhibit unique windshield stress ratios.

The Porsche product safety committee reviewed the information and chose to launch a voluntary recall.

The Solution

Porsche has directed dealers to replace the windshields in affected vehicles, free of charge. Because the models are still under warranty, the automaker does not intend to issue reimbursements, according to NHTSA documents. The timetable for dealer and owner notification has not yet been established.

 

adminPorsche Recalls Vehicles with Defective Windshield Bonding

Hyundai Recalls SUVs with Possibly Faulty Tire Pressure Sensors

Fountain Valley, Calif. — Apr. 10, 2017 — According to Hyundai and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some vehicles may have ineffective tire pressure monitoring systems that don’t comply with federal standards.

In 190 2017 Santa Fe SUV’s, the tire pressure monitoring systems may fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. All of the potentially affected vehicles are estimated to have the defect, and were produced between Feb. 1 and Nov. 15 last year in Georgia, as the Part 573 Safety Recall report stated.

The Defect:

The problem comes from the mode the sensors were set to during manufacture. These models reportedly could fail to detect underinflated tires, leading to possible safety issues for occupants, as well as lack of compliance. No injuries have been traced to this recall as of yet. A warning light could turn on if the defect is present.

Timeline of Events:

  • Feb. 2, 2017: As the official chronology said, Kia Motor Manufacturing Georgia, where the vehicles were built, collaborated with Hyundai from Feb. 2 to Feb. 9, specifically looking at vehicles that may have been affected.
  • Feb. 28, 2017: Hyundai decided to conduct the recall.
  • March 6, 2017: This was both the official submission date for the Safety Recall Report and the listed Planned Dealer Notification Date.
  • March 31, 2017: The Planned Owner Notification date is set for this date, according to the report.

The Resolution:

Dealers may have to both inspect and replace the sensors to resolve the matter. The official Technical Service Bulletin on this procedure said the replacement will require just two parts: the new sensor and a wheel sensor nut.

The procedure should also confirm that the replacement sensor works and doesn’t cause any in-system warning lights after installation. The sensor should fall under vehicle warranty and therefore not cost the owner.

adminHyundai Recalls SUVs with Possibly Faulty Tire Pressure Sensors

Honda recalls thousands of Accord vehicles for Takata inflator risk

Torrance, Calif.—April 7, 2017—Honda (NYSE:HMC) is recalling 37,421 cars equipped with potentially dangerous Takata airbag inflators. The recall affects 2003 Honda Accords.

Recall summary

An acknowledgment statement said this action, designated as National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall number 17V-220, deals specifically with vehicles that could already have endured a crash or other accident deploying the air bag.

The source said that the inflators in replacement modules for the passenger-side frontal air bags could accidentally rupture, leaving occupants at risk of injury from metal shards. As with the other Takata inflator recalls, this one concerns units where the risk is higher in humid environments.

Last May, NHTSA said that the Takata recall would eventually include as much as 68.8 million vehicles. Honda has repaired 51.64 percent of the total air bags included in the action, most of them being driver-side air bags.

The repair

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any Takata inflator used in the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 1, 2017.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 37,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of October 19, 2018, – the last date for which information was available – 8,653 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

adminHonda recalls thousands of Accord vehicles for Takata inflator risk

Vehicles in Volkswagen Recalls Could Leak Fuel

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Apr. 07, 2017 — In a March action, Volkswagen plans to recall thousands of Touareg vehicles, with model years ranging from 2007 to 2010, and production dates between Sept. 14, 2006 and March 23, 2010.

The Part 573 Safety Recall Report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said 16,005 vehicles were potentially involved, although the recall database entry itself said that number was 20,908 instead. Regardless, the report said the supplier connected to the fuel system defect was Continental Automotive GmbH in Germany.

The Defect

For affected Touareg models, a deteriorating fuel filter flange could lead to potentially dangerous leaks, as well as a possible fire hazard. The report said this might come from both internal vehicle pressure and aging component parts. Owners may notice this defect in their vehicle if they smell fuel from the leak.

Timeline of Events

  • February, 2017: Volkswagen began reviewing information for possible reports of fuel filter failure, after a previous similar recall action involving Audi vehicles.
  • March, 2017: The company’s product safety committee determined a defect existed on March 1, with the Safety Recall Report submitted exactly one week later.

The Resolution

The report did not specify a date for either dealer or owner notification for this recall, though it did state that it would most likely be in “May 2017.” In the meantime, the defect is not in danger of appearing in further models, since they are reportedly no longer produced.

In terms of the fix itself, it will require an inspection and a possible cover attached later if needed to fit over the fuel filter flanges themselves and reduce the chance of the filter aging. The official NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 17V151000, while the Volkswagen number for the same action is 20Z4.

adminVehicles in Volkswagen Recalls Could Leak Fuel

Extensive Hyundai Recalls Seek to Fix Seatbelt Connector Issues

Fountain Valley, Calif. — Apr. 06, 2017 — A five year span of Hyundai models could be at risk according to a new voluntary safety recall. Two specific vehicle types are involved: The 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and the 2011 to 2015 Sonata Hybrid. As of March 7, the recall was number 17V152000 in the official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database.

The Defect

The Part 573 Safety Recall Report with the NHTSA said that affected vehicles could contain seatbelts at risk of coming apart. This would be because of a linkage problem with the seatbelt connector preventing it from latching completely.

This would put the person in the vehicle at higher risk, and Hyundai said it has already detected a single minor injury attributed to this defect. The report also said that the recall potentially involves 977,778 Hyundai cars, approximately 1 percent of which are thought to have the defect. The component manufacturer was ZF-TRW, from Livonia, Michigan.

  • September- November, 2016: The official chronology document lodged with the NHTSA said that this period saw two different reports of incidents related to this case emerge.
  • December-February, 2016: During these months, Hyundai worked with the component supplier on the issue, sharing information before Hyundai agreed on the recall on Feb. 28..
  • March, 2017: After the recall report submission date of March 8, the dealer notification date is planned for March 31.
  • April-May, 2017: The owner notification actions are scheduled for these months, ranging specifically from April 7 to May 5.

The Resolution

Though the report did not list specifics for the remedy, it did state that dealers could inspect the vehicles and look for problems with the connectors. The auto manufacturer itself has also stopped producing this model, and there was no specific recall schedule given as of this time.

adminExtensive Hyundai Recalls Seek to Fix Seatbelt Connector Issues

New Volvo Recalls Target Faulty Air Bag Systems

Volvo is taking on several different 2017 vehicle models due to air bag problems that could put occupants at risk.

According to Consumer Affairs, these vehicles could fail to deploy air bags when sustaining damage. The source said these issues could represent a lack of compliance with multiple standards.

The main thing this recall affects is the passenger side air bag. Since the inflator igniters in these vehicles might not properly prompt the air bag, the fix will replace them entirely. This should leave the vehicles with better protection systems. The affected models include Volvo S60 and V60 vehicles, as well as the Cross Country versions of each of these and the XC60 vehicles.

Many of these vehicles were also involved in a previous recall pertaining to seat belt issues announced last November.

adminNew Volvo Recalls Target Faulty Air Bag Systems

Kia Recalls Niro Vehicles for Motor Connector Problems

Irvine, Calif. — Apr. 04, 2017 — Kia Motors America identified a motor connector issue that could hurt steering in 135 2017 Niro vehicles. Though only 1 percent of this group is thought to have the defect, Kia still asserted that the problem could put vehicle occupants at risk.

The Defect

According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, the problem may stem from issues with the affected vehicles’ power steering systems. The defect traces back to assembly faults that may have damaged the motor connectors. This won’t disable steering entirely but could affect power steering, making it more difficult to drive normally.

Owners can look for an electronic power steering warning light as a possible sign that the defect is there. The vehicle production dates ranged from Dec. 23, 2016 to Jan. 11, 2017.

Timeline of Events

  • December, 2016: A single supplier assembly line inspection prompted a larger inspection, which didn’t discover any other subsequent examples, according to the official chronology.
  • January, 2017: After hearing of the vehicle issues, Kia investigated affected vehicles, began repairing them and started monitoring the resultant data.
  • February, 2017: The manufacturer went on to discover further related reports, with the American branch of Kia responding to requests from the main business, despite there being no reports of accidents or injuries.
  • March, 2017: Kia decided to conduct a recall and submitted a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Resolution

The report said that the company stopped producing vehicles with the defect as of Dec. 23, 2016. Still, the report said that dealer notification is still on the horizon, planned for April 4, 2017. Dealer notification is set to follow just three days after. The fix will have dealers replacing the faulty motor with a new, intact connector that doesn’t have the same damage.

adminKia Recalls Niro Vehicles for Motor Connector Problems