Fuel Leak and Fire Hazard Prompts Truck Recalls

Fuel Leak and Fire Hazard Prompts Truck Recalls

March 7, 2017 admin

Bellevue, Wash. — Mar. 07, 2017 — In an action announced this month, PACCAR Incorporated is recalling 465 potentially affected trucks due to a fuel system concern. While only half of these vehicles are thought to be affected, the problem could cause a potentially dangerous situation, as the recall acknowledgement statement said.

The Defect

As this letter also noted, the recall included five different types of trucks, including Kenworth and Peterbilt models ranging between the 2015 and 2018 model years. The models included the Kenworth K370, T680 and T880, as well as the Peterbilt 567 and 579.

The defect itself involved faulty plastic tee fittings on the engine that could lead to a dangerous fuel leak, since they’re so close to a possible source of heat. The Kenworth vehicles were produced between Nov. 18 2014 and Jan. 18, 2017, while the Peterbilt vehicle dates range from May 16, 2016 and Jan.18, 2017.

Timeline of Events

  • Jan. 19, 2017: The Indiana-based supplier, Voss, tested for leaks in the engines of affected vehicles after fitting reports appeared, according to a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  • Jan. 23, 2017: Once the parts had been already certified, Peterbilt reviewed the affected tees’ and discovered faults. 
  • Feb. 1, 2017: PACCAR Technical Center tested some of the problematic tees.
  • Feb. 8-10, 2017: After observing the problem, the Peterbilt & Kenworth Safety Committees both decided the leak posed a safety risk.
  • Feb. 15, 2017: The Part 573 Safety Recall Report was submitted to the NHTSA. 

The Resolution

The mold temperature was too low during the production process, leading to the fault, which could create a noticeable fuel leak. Both Kenworth and Peterbilt said they would replace the fuel tees. Though no official dates were given for the notification schedule as of this writing, the report said that it would send notifications out within 60 days of Feb. 15.

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FCA Recalls Vehicles for Defective Tire Pressure Warning System

FCA Recalls Vehicles for Defective Tire Pressure Warning System

March 7, 2017 admin

Auburn Hills, Mich. — March 7, 2017 — Fiat Chrysler Automotive, also known as FCA or Chrysler, is recalling vehicles for possible tire pressure detection concerns. As the Recall Safety Report said, all of the approximately 278 vehicles involved in the action are believed to have this problem, which are 2017 Fiat 500X models.

The Defect:

The problem springs from a possible lack of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 138, which covers tire pressure monitoring systems. Vehicles under this recall could potentially fail to trigger their warning light for tires with low pressure. With no clear way to tell if a tire is underinflated, the driver and passengers could face a risk of crash while driving.

Timeline of Events:

  • December, 2016: Production on the affected models began on Dec. 15.
  • February, 2017: The latest production date for these models was Feb. 20. This was also the month where component manufacturer Magneti Marelli Electronics reported the noncompliance issue before FCA US Italy S.p.A agreed to conduct a voluntary recall.
  • March, 2017: The newly developed software needed for the fix was put into production, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report could be submitted.

The Resolution:

The aforementioned software should be enough to fix this issue, the source said, as FCA US plans to reimburse owners affected by these problems. The report said that both dealers and owner notification should begin “on or about” April 21, 2017. The FCA Customer Services Field Operations did send out a notice about the recall on March 10 in addition to the official NHTSA recall.

Though not directly related, a similar Hyundai recall also addressed problems with the tire pressure sensor system. In that case, the fault was in the external sensor itself, not the internal warning signal.

adminFCA Recalls Vehicles for Defective Tire Pressure Warning System
Hyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue

Hyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue

March 6, 2017 Sean Reyes

Recall Masters – March 6, 2017


Hyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue

In one of the most recent Hyundai recalls, the manufacturer has turned its attention to brake booster systems in thousands of its 2017 Elantra vehicles. Production dates for these models ranged from Sep.12, 2016 to Jan. 18, 2017.

The Defect
Brake boosters in these affected vehicles are possibly subject to a manufacturing error, leaving them prone to failure. The Part 573 Safety Recall Report said that the boosters could lose power after the diaphragm within them comes loose.

Exactly 33,803 vehicles are involved with this action, although the percentage of these thought to have the defect was not reported. The components came from the Georgia-based company Mando America Corporation…

Read the entire article on the Recall Masters website

Sean ReyesHyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue
Hyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue

Hyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue

March 6, 2017 admin

Fountain Valley, Calif. — March 6, 2017 — In one of the most recent Hyundai recalls, the manufacturer has turned its attention to brake booster systems in thousands of its 2017 Elantra vehicles. Production dates for these models ranged from Sep.12, 2016 to Jan. 18, 2017.

The Defect

Brake boosters in these affected vehicles are possibly subject to a manufacturing error, leaving them prone to failure. The Part 573 Safety Recall Report said that the boosters could lose power after the diaphragm within them comes loose.

Exactly 33,803 vehicles are involved with this action, although the percentage of these thought to have the defect was not reported. The components came from the Georgia-based company Mando America Corporation.

Timeline of Events

  • December 2016: The manufacturer investigation into the defect began following customer reports, as well as greater demand from the supplier for the brake booster part.
  • January 2017: Hyundai agreed to launch a safety recall after working with the supplier to both investigate the defect and prevent further models from suffering the same problem.

The Resolution

Owners could, according to the report, check to see if their malfunction indicator lamp is lit to determine if there’s a problem with the internal vacuum system. Regardless, the report said that owners can expect the related repairs to fall under the existing warranty, and that the remedy would simply require an inspection and replacement. This source also listed dealer notification as Jan. 27 and owner notification as Feb. 17.

Manufacturer’s instructions provide more detail about the repair process, mentioning the two different service procedures needed for the same recall, including measures that match different transmission types. Replacement involved just one new product, the vacuum booster itself, matching to either the 1.4 or 2.0 liter engine. For MTM vehicles, the dealers were instructed to use brake fluid as needed.

adminHyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue
BMW Issues Recall Due to Takata Air Bag Defect

BMW Issues Recall Due to Takata Air Bag Defect

March 3, 2017 admin ,

Westwood, NJ – March 3, 2017 – BMW is the latest car manufacturer to recall vehicles containing Takata Corporation air bag assemblies, according to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall impacts around 840,000 vehicles and applies to  several models, including:

  • 2008-2013, 1 Series coupes
  • 2008-2013, 1 Series convertibles
  • 2007-2013, 3 Series coupes
  • 2007-2013, 3 Series convertibles
  • 2006-2011, 3 Series sedans
  • 2006-2012, 3 Series sports wagons
  • 2013-2015, X1 sports activity vehicles
  • 2007-2010, X3 sports activity vehicles
  • 2007-2013, X5 sports activity vehicles
  • 2008-2014, X6 sports activity vehicles

Recall summary

The front air bag assemblies in affected models contain defective driver-side air bag inflator modules and propellant tablets. In the event of a crash, these fixtures can rupture, propelling sharp metal fragments throughout the cabin and causing serious harm to drivers and passengers. Inspectors have since connected the problem to shoddy fabrication practices in plants in Monclova, Mexico and LaGrange, Georgia. While no BMW drivers or passengers have been harmed due to Takata air bag equipment, the defective fixtures have injured and killed individuals operating vehicles from other manufacturers.

On January 21, 2016, Takata announced that some vehicles in the U.S. contained faulty air bar inflators and propellant tablets. BMW reviewed the announcement and discovered that some of its models contained PSDI-5 inflators, which were indeed deemed defective by Takata engineers. This equipment had originated from the Monclova and LaGrange facilities, as well as another Takata production hub located in Freiberg, Germany. BMW reviewed its fabrication records and decided to issue a recall. The automaker notified dealers February 5.

The repair

BMW has ordered dealers to replace the front driver-side air bag assembly, free of charge. However, supplies are limited at the moment, meaning some customers may have to wait. Owners are expected to receive confirmation March 31.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 800,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 631,588 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

adminBMW Issues Recall Due to Takata Air Bag Defect
Headrest Standards Concerns Lead to Chevrolet Recalls

Headrest Standards Concerns Lead to Chevrolet Recalls

March 2, 2017 admin

Detroit — Mar. 02, 2017 — Some Chevrolet Cruze vehicles reportedly have issues with the recliners that could leave the vehicle noncompliant with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Because of this, General Motors Co. targeted 17,197 possibly affected vehicles in the U.S. as part of a recently announced recall action.

The Defect

GM Authority recently reported on the decision. According to the source, the recall would center around improperly secured head restraints. Chevrolet Cruze vehicles from either the 2016 or 2017 model years are part of GM’s concerns. {if they’re just part which vehicles are the rest of GM’s concerns?}

During a crash, the headrests could potentially separate. This not only would put the drivers in possible danger, but would also go against FMVSS 202a the standard that deals with head restraints and comes with height and placement demands.

Timeline of Events

  • July 19-20, 2016: According to an official chronology from GM, the company’s suppliers discovered a welding issue with the affected car brackets on the 19th, and then took measures to improve it the following day, though GM did not learn of this until later.
  • Sept. 16-21, 2016: Three warranty claims for vehicles reportedly containing this defect come to GM’s attention.
  • Nov. 2, 2016: The manufacturer discovered and reported the bracket issue affecting the seat backs.
  • Nov. 21, 2016: GM learned about the supplier actions, among other things, after reaching out to them. 
  • Jan. 9, 2017: The company reviewed the case through its Open Investigation Review board.
  • Jan 19, 2017: After examining relevant computer simulations two days earlier, the company’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority made the noncompliance recall official.

The Resolution

As a repair document released through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said, the fix procedure will take two separate operations: an initial inspection and a follow-up installation, if necessary, to replace the seat back frame.

adminHeadrest Standards Concerns Lead to Chevrolet Recalls
More Than 5,500 Vehicles Involved in Volvo Recalls

More Than 5,500 Vehicles Involved in Volvo Recalls

March 1, 2017 admin

Rockleigh, N.J. — Mar. 01, 2017 — Three different models of light 2017 vehicles from Volvo are included in a new recall action and may suffer from a fault that could put vehicle occupants in danger. Exactly 5,529 vehicles were said to be included in the recall, although the official Part 573 Safety Recall Report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not list a percentage. The recall includes XC90, S90 and V90CC vehicles.

The Defect

The report described the process that could affect certain vehicle parts as “hydrogen embrittlement.” According to this source, the air bag curtains were assembled, in some cases, by faulty bolts treated by Polish supplier Autoliv Poland Sp. Z O.o.

These bolts could potentially weaken over time, eventually leading the inflatable curtain air bags to fall out of place, failing to protect those in the vehicle. There could be noticeable noise before this occurs, the report added, and it could fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 226, “Ejection Migration.”

Timeline of Events

  • Nov. 14, 2016-Jan. 31,2017: Affected models go through production.
  • Feb. 10, 2017: Volvo’s Critical Concern Management Team began preparing for the recall following an initial vehicle report.
  • Feb. 16, 2017: An ongoing investigation continued as the Part 573 report was submitted. Dealer notification also began, extending until Feb. 23.
  • Feb. 24, 2017: The acknowledgement statement for the recall appeared.

The Resolution

Although owner notification is not set to begin until April 1, the manufacturer has already planned for actions to fix the defective bolts, including an inspection and replacement process. Last year, the Volvo S90 was part of an unrelated air bag recall, regarding an air conditioning fault that could gradually affect air bag deployment by leaking moisture into the vehicle’s interior. The fix required replacing an air conditioning drainage hose in some cases.

adminMore Than 5,500 Vehicles Involved in Volvo Recalls
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