2017 Volvo XC90: Recall Alert

Cars.com – June 15, 2017


2017 Volvo XC90: Recall Alert

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 1,300 model-year 2017 Volvo XC90 luxury SUVs
The Problem: The micro gas generator — a part used within the right-hand side seat belt retractor for third-row seats — may detach after the seat belt retractor pretensioner is deployed to become a projectile in the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of an injury.
The Fix: Dealers will replace the third-row passenger-side seat belt retractor for free…

Read the entire article on the Cars.com website

Sean Reyes2017 Volvo XC90: Recall Alert

BMW recalls sedans with oil coolant line leaks

 

Westwood, N.J. – June 14, 2017 – BMW of North America has recalled more than 200 vehicles with potentially defective engine oil coolant lines, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017-2018 BMW M760Li xDrive sedans produced between May 10, 2016 and June 1, 2017. The German automaker estimates that roughly 1 percent of the vehicles named in the recall contain the defective cooling component.

The Defect

Affected models could come equipped with incorrect engine coolant lines. These fixtures are prone to leakage and might cause coolant to come into contact with the front brake assembly or the road. This increases the likelihood of an accident. However, BMW has not received any accident reports involving the defective part.

Timeline of Events

In April of this year, BMW issued a recall for M760Li xDrive sedans with incorrectly crimped engine oil coolant lines, according to the NHTSA. The campaign covered nearly 100 vehicles, an estimated 1 percent of which contained the defect. In early May, a BMW parts supplier, Cohline GmbH based in Germany, notified the car company that the root cause identified in the April recall was incorrect. The manufacturer conducted an additional internal review and discovered that a sub-supplier had provided the wrong coolant line hoses. In fact, these components were selected for vulcanization and not fit for production.

On May 18, BMW engineers conducted a test designed to replicate the leakage detailed in the field reports that led to the April recall. The results indicated that incorrect coolant lines were to blame. The supplier immediately examined its production and shipment logs to determine which vehicles had been fitted with oil coolant assemblies containing the wrong tubing. BMW performed a cross-check of its own production logs.

The carmaker initiated a voluntary recall June 7.

The Solution

BMW has ordered dealers to replace the engine oil coolant lines in affected vehicles, free of charge. The automaker plans to notify owners Aug. 7. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

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Chrysler recalls vans with faulty wiring

 

Auburn Hills, Mich. – June 13, 2017 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled more than 200,000 minivans that could be equipped with defective wiring. The campaign affects Dodge Caravans manufactured between August 2010 and July 2015, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The car maker estimates that the defect is present in 1 percent of the vehicles named in the recall, 87,000 of which came from Canadian showrooms.

The Defect
Models named in the recall contain steering wheels with trapped wire harnesses. The electrical lines within these fixtures, some of which support driver-side front air bag functionality, can snag on a tab located between the back of the steering wheel cover and the horn plate. This contact can wear down the wire insulation, eventually causing complete breakage and resulting in inadvertent air bag deployment. This increases the likelihood of an accident. Vehicles with this issue have been shown to warn drivers when a dangerous situation is developing. The illuminated air bag indicator may come on prior to untriggered air bag deployment. Additionally, tests revealed that windshield wipers switch on and steering capabilities decrease immediately following the severance of air bag wires within the steering wheel.

The defect has caused no accidents to date, according to FCA. However, the automaker has connected eight driver injuries to inadvertent air bag deployment stemming from disconnected wires.

Timeline of Events
A recent internal investigation revealed the problem, according to a press release from FCA.

The Solution
The car maker has ordered dealers to inspect steering wheel wiring harnesses and replace them if necessary. FCA will reimburse owners for the expense. However, they must submit proof of payment before receiving refunds. The company notified dealers June 13, 2017 and plans to send communications to owners on or around July 28, 2017, according to a recall acknowledgment filed with the NHTSA. Owners in need of more immediate assistance are encouraged to contact the FCA customer service department or call the NHTSA Safety Hotline, (888) 327-4236.

adminChrysler recalls vans with faulty wiring

New Hyundai recall to address faulty hood latches

 

Fountain Valley, Calif.—June 9, 2017—In a much-publicized recall, Hyundai launched an effort to address possible latch issues in two models: the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport. The model year ranges for these vehicles are the same, spanning 2013 to 2017. This was part of a pair of recent Hyundai recalls for different causes, and was the larger of the two unrelated actions.

The Defect

A recall acknowledgement statement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that 437,400 units were potentially affected. The secondary hood latch in these vehicles could stay unlatched even after the hood is closed, depending on whether or not the actuating cable corrodes and binds. The risk comes from whether or not the hood would then open during travel, as it could potentially do.

The Resolution

The same statement said the manufacturer report date for this recall was June 5, with the recall itself expected to begin on June 30 as of that statement. To fix these affected vehicles, dealers will replace the latch.

The other recent Hyundai recall also concerned corrosion, although this separate case applied to a parking brake warning light switch that could deteriorate and cause potential safety concerns and confusion, as The Car Connection reported.

In 2016, Hyundai also oversaw a recall about hood latches. In a statement about recall campaign details for that action, the manufacturer said that dealer principals and other manager-level staff should inform customers to inspect the latch and hood before driving, and that interim repairs made to the affected vehicles did not indicate that the finished recall repairs were done.

That recall announcement came in June as well, with the recall itself continuing into the July of that year. The solution to that recall also involved dealers replacing the faulty hood latches.

adminNew Hyundai recall to address faulty hood latches

Chrysler recalls hybrid minivans with defective batteries

 

Auburn Hills, Mich. – June 9, 2017 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled more than 1,600 hybrid minivans equipped with defective batteries, according to a company press release. The campaign affects 2017 Chrysler Pacific minivans, roughly 1,300 of which originated from American showrooms. The remaining vehicles were sold on the Canadian market. The car manufacturer is unsure how many of the models named in the recall contain the defective battery.

The Defect
Affected vehicles may include hybrid batteries with improperly functioning control module diodes. These fixtures, which manage the flow of electrical current between the battery and dependent parts, are prone to involuntary shutoff. If this occurs, the vehicle loses propulsion and ceases to operate. This possess a risk to owners, as such a stoppage could result in an accident. However, the automaker has found no accidents or injuries related to the faulty battery diode as yet. Should propulsion suddenly halt due to the defect, drivers will be able to continue their forward momentum and pull over, Road Show by CNET reported.

Timeline of Events
FCA discovered the defect after receiving reports from customers who experienced propulsion loss while driving. Engineers with the car maker investigated the issue and eventually found that defective diodes were to blame.

The Solution
The automaker has requested dealers replace the control modules in affected vehicles with models equipped with working diodes, free of charge. However, FCA is still working on developing a workable alternative, meaning owners will have to wait some time for service. Those in need of immediate assistance can contact the FCA Customer Care Center at (800) 853-1403. They can also call the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

adminChrysler recalls hybrid minivans with defective batteries

Hyundai recalls SUVs with faulty seatbelts

 

Fountain Valley, Calif. – June 5, 2017 – Hyundai Motor America has recalled more than 17,000 sport utility vehicles that could contain defective driver-side seatbelts. The campaign affects the 2017 Santa Fe Sport compact SUV, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The car maker is unsure what percentage of the vehicles named in the campaign contain the defect. The recall carries the NHTSA serial number 17V365000.

This is the second recall involving the Santa Fe this month, according to The Car Connection. Hyundai issued a voluntary safety recall for more than 437,000 2013-2017 models of the popular SUV, citing the presence of ineffective hood latches.

The Defect
The models involved in this recent campaign could feature driver-side seatbelt assemblies with loose anchor bolts. This possess an immediate risk to operators, as their restraints might give way in the event of the crash, causing them serious injury. However, Hyundai has yet to hear of any accidents or injuries connected to the defect.

Timeline of Events
The car manufacturer has traced this fault back to the factory, as it seems the seatbelt anchor bolts on these vehicles were not sufficiently tightened during assembly.

The Solution
Hyundai has requested dealers to tighten the loose bolts, free of charge, according to the company’s website. Owners are expected to receive notification June 30, 2017. Those in need of immediate assistance can contact Hyundai Customer Service at (855) 671-3059 of the NHTSA Safety Hotline at (800) 424-9153.

adminHyundai recalls SUVs with faulty seatbelts

BMW recalls SUVs with incorrect tire data

 

Westwood, N.J. – June 5, 2017 – BMW of North America has recalled a number of sport utility vehicles with incorrect tire information placards. The campaign affects X5 and X6 models produced between April 1 and April 18, 2017, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Approximately 100 percent of the vehicles are expected to include the defective parts.

The Defect
Models named in the recall campaign feature 21-inch tires with information placards that do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, specifically section 110, which stipulates that vehicle manufacturers include air load distribution and other essential data on these fixtures. While the information placards installed affixed to the tires on affected models contain all of the required data, they do not comport with size requirements established in the FMVSS.

Timeline of Events
BMW engineers discovered the defect while conducting a quality check at an American assembly plant May 2, 2017. The tire labels looked unfit upon initial inspection but engineers ordered more exhaustive tests to confirm. Further trials showed that the information placards did not fit the 21-inch tires upon which they were installed and could possibly be in violation of FMVSS section 110. BMW conducted additional tests and reviewed internal records to comprehend the full extent of the defect. Personnel ascertained exact production dates for affected vehicles.

On May 11, QA personnel confirmed that the information placards did not comply with FMVSS section 110. BMW launched an official recall campaign soon after, notifying dealers May 18. As of the recall start date, no wrecks or driver injuries have been connected to the defect.

The Solution
BMW has pledged to replace the tire information placards on affected models, free of charge. The automaker has also ordered dealers to halt all transactions involving new or used vehicles named in the recall until these models have been fixed. Dealers who fail to amend the information placards on models up for sale are liable under federal law and therefore vulnerable to civil penalties under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Owners should expect to receive notification July 10. Those in need of immediate assistance are encouraged to contact BMW customer service or the NHTSA via the vehicle safety hotline (888) 327-4236.

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Toyota recalls 36,000 Tacoma pickups for stalling risk

Fox News – June 2, 2017


Toyota recalls 36,000 Tacoma pickups for stalling risk

Toyota is recalling 36,000 Tacoma pickups in North and South America because they can stall without warning.
The recall involves Tacomas with V-6 engines from the 2016 and 2017 model years. Most of the trucks — 32,000 — are in the U.S. The rest are in Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Costa Rica.
The company says an engine crankshaft timing rotor may have been produced with excessive anti-corrosion coating, which could cause the crank position sensor to malfunction.
If the sensor malfunctions, the vehicle may run roughly, misfire or stall.
Toyota Motor Corp. won’t say if there have been any reports of injuries or accidents related to the defect…

Read the entire article on the Fox News website

Sean ReyesToyota recalls 36,000 Tacoma pickups for stalling risk

Mazda recalls sports cars with defective ball joints

 

Washington, D.C. – June 1, 2017 – Mazda North American Operations has recalled more than 35,000 sports cars with defective ball joints. The campaign affects RX-8 sports cars manufactured between April 10, 2003 and May 7, 2004, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The Japanese automaker is unsure what percentage of the vehicles named in the recall contain the damaged part.

The Defect
Affected models are equipped with ball joints that have been improperly caulked and can therefore damage the joint socket. This structural instability puts immense pressure on the suspension and can even cause the joint to separate from the socket in affected vehicles that are bearing abnormally large loads. Such an event drastically decreases driveability – a symptom of loss of steering control – and compromises occupant safety.

Timeline of Events
In December 2005, Mazda received a field report from a dealer in the U.S. market mentioning the problem, according to a defect timeline filed with the NHTSA. While the automaker was unable to recover the failed part, it ultimately launched an official investigation to further explore the problem cited in the report. Quality assurance personnel closed the inquiry four months later without identifying the root cause. Mazda continued to monitor field reports to look for additional occurrences. In September 2007, the car maker received a report from the Japanese market in which the driver described losing steering power while racing. QA personnel started an official investigation.

Engineers conducted tests between October and November of that year and determined that heavy loads were to blame in this instance of steering loss, after which Mazda resumed field monitoring. The company received two more reports from Japanese drivers between July and September of 2008, both of which detailed sudden steering failure during racing events. Engineers tested these vehicles and determined that the ball joints in both had fractured while the autos were supporting abnormally large loads. Mazda continued to monitor incoming field reports.

The automaker received another field report during the summer of 2009. While the vehicle addressed in the complaint was not used for racing purposes, it did feature a performance suspension. Engineers determined that this fixture had nothing to do with the steering failure but noted it just the same. From October to December 2009, Mazda received two additional field reports pertaining to vehicles used in competition.

Over the next two years, the number of field reports multiplied, most of which applied to RX-8s involved in racing events. Even so, the automaker did implement design changes in late 2012 to reduce the likelihood of steering loss. It also continued to investigate the problem and collect related field reports, eight of which materialized between 2013 and 2014.

In the spring of 2015, another driver in the Japanese market reported that his race-ready RX-8 had suddenly lost its steering power, forcing Mazda to resume more focused investigative efforts. Then, in June, an owner with no experience on the track filed a field report mentioning the problem. QA personnel for the car maker further analyzed ball joint separation in this non-racing model and restarted monitoring efforts to pinpoint other instances in which overloaded RX-8s used exclusively for commuting suffered steering control loss due to ball joint separation. From July to December 2015, Mazda conducted further tests.

In January 2016, engineers for the car company began considering the possibility that the defect was not the result of race-related stress but a symptom of faulty assembly processes. Two months later, QA personnel conducted detailed examinations of existing production workflows. Between April and August 2016, Mazda continued this work and started developing field screening procedures for RX-8s already on the road. Over the course of September and October, these plans were finalized. By April 2017, engineers at the car company were fairly certain the problem was related to defective parts.

On May 29, 2017, Mazda officials decided to launch a voluntary recall campaign.

The Solution
The automotive organization will order dealers to replace the lower control arms in affected RX-8s with new assemblies containing properly caulked ball joint sockets, free of charge. Mazda plans to notify owners July 15, 2017 and owners July 30, 2017. Individuals in need of more immediate assistance are encouraged to contact Mazda customer service or the NHTSA.

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