Chrysler Recall 4.8 million vehicles over cruise control defect
May 25, 2018
Video
Chrysler Recalls Vehicles with Defective Driveshaft Parts
May 23, 2018
Video
BMW recalls vehicles with defective water pumps
May 18, 2018
BMW Recalls, Mini Recalls
December 16, 2021 Update – BMW of North America has remedied issues with 31,460 models including the 2012 Mini Cooper S, 2012 BMW 650i, and 2012 BMW 550i with Electric Water Pump Failures. Besides this, 902 have been removed from the recall. Three groups of these models were remedied in 2018 and other three groups were fixed in 2019 for unexpected Electric Auxiliary Water Pump Failure in BMW vehicles.
Westwood, N.J. – May 18, 2018 – BMW of North America has recalled almost 48,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective electric auxiliary water pumps, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects numerous models across multiple brands, including:
- 2011-2012 BMW 550i and 550i xDrive sedans produced between April 23, 2010, and Sept. 14, 2011.
- 2010-2012 BMW 550i Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo xDrive sedans produced between July 30, 2009, and Sept. 8, 2011.
- 2012 BMW 650i and 650i xDrive coupes produced between Dec. 10, 2010, and Sept. 15, 2011.
- 2012 BMW 650i and 650i xDrive two-door convertibles produced between Jan. 12, 2011, and Oct. 31, 2011.
- 2009-2012 BMW 750i, 750i xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive and 760Li sedans produced between Oct. 14, 2008, and Sept. 13, 2011.
- 2011-2012 BMW ActiveHybrid7 sedans produced between Sept. 24, 2010, and Sept. 6, 2011.
- 2010-2012 BMW X5 xDrive 50i and X5 M sport utility vehicles produced between July 30, 2009, and Nov. 19, 2011.
- 2008-2012 BMW X6 xDrive 50i and X6 M sport utility vehicles produced between Nov. 15, 2007, and Nov. 18, 2011.
- 2010-2011 BMW X6 Hybrid sport utility vehicles produced between Sept. 14, 2009, and Sept. 12, 2011.
- 2007-2012 Mini Cooper S and JCW coupes produced between June 28, 2007, and Sept. 23, 2011.
- 2008-2012 Mini Cooper S Clubman and JCW Clubman coupes produced between Jan. 28, 2008, and Sept. 23, 2011.
- 2011-2012 Mini Cooper S Convertible and JCW Convertible coupes produced between Oct. 28, 2010, and Sept. 23, 2011.
- 2011-2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman and Cooper S Countryman ALL4 four-door hatchbacks produced between Jan. 19, 2011, and Sept. 13, 2011.
- 2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe and JCW Coupe models produced between June 22, 2011, and Sept. 23, 2011.
- 2012 Mini Cooper S Roadster and JCW Roadster coupes produced between Aug. 11, 2010, and Sept. 21, 2011.
- 2010-2012 Rolls Royce Ghost sedans produced between Jan. 24, 2011, and Sept. 25, 2011.
BMW suspects just 1 percent of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective parts.
The Defect
Affected vehicles contain engine control unit-driven electric auxiliary water pumps that may overheat within high-temperature environments. Specifically, the circuit boards installed in these components are prone to heat due to a critical design flaw. Consequently, electric auxiliary water pumps using these circuit boards might overheat to an extent that causes smoldering, which in turn increases the likelihood of engine fire. This threat poses a serious safety hazard to occupants. However, BMW has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.
Timeline of Events
BMW engineers first noticed instances of electric auxiliary water pump failure back in June 2009, according to an earlier defect report submitted to the NHTSA. This discovery prompted additional internal testing, which revealed an issue with the circuit board assemblies installed in the pumps. Later in September 2009, Mini, a BMW brand, discovered a vehicle that suffered electric auxiliary water pump failure. BMW initiated a field monitoring program in response.
In May and June 2010, the automaker came across two other vehicles that showed signs of engine compartment burning. This finding prompted BMW to form a special task force to address the issue. The group, in November 2010, confirmed that the vehicles experienced engine compartment fires due to electric auxiliary water pump failure linked to circuit board degradation. In September 2017, Chrysler recalled several models that presented the same fire risk due to water pump failures.
The company continued to monitor the field for the next year, during which time 81 vehicles worldwide suffered electric auxiliary water pump failure. Four of these vehicles experienced engine compartment fires.
In December 2011, BMW completed internal tests involving both BMW and Mini vehicles. On Jan. 3, 2012, the automaker initiated a voluntary safety recall involving more than 88,000 vehicles across both brands.
More than four years later in October 2017, BMW received a field report detailing an instance of electric auxiliary water pump failure in a 2011 Mini Cooper S. The company evaluated the vehicle referenced in the report and confirmed the root cause.
BMW then found that this particular model was not included in the 2012 recall, which forced it to reassess its engineering and field data. This review revealed multiple instances in which BMW had inspected damaged vehicles that showed signs of electric auxiliary water pump failure, including BMW 550i and 750i sedans.
The automaker then launched a formal review of the amended electric auxiliary water pump assemblies installed in vehicles following the 2012 recall campaign and found that these fixtures were failure-prone despite the presence of enlarged circuit path spaces, hall sensor holder gaps and improved plating and soldering.
BMW reviewed its production records and determined that models across its brand, Mini and Rolls Royce were affected. On April 11, 2018, the car manufacturer initiated another voluntary safety recall.
The Solution
BMW has directed dealers to replace the electric auxiliary water pumps in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. However, the automaker is still developing replacement parts. That said, the company plans to reach out to owners June 11, and once more when replacement fixtures become available. Owners in need of assistance prior to the start of the recall can connect with BMW customer service personnel by calling (800) 525-7417. Mini owners should call (866) 825-1525, while individuals with recalled Rolls Royce vehicles should use (877) 877-3735. Owners can, of course, contact the NHTSA directly using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
Is your vehicle part of this recall?
Almost 48,000 vehicles are included in this GM recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
9,700 Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG SUVs: Recall Alert
May 18, 2018
Mercedes-Benz Recalls
9,700 Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG SUVs: Recall Alert – May 18, 2018
The Problem: In certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap, which in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The Fix: Dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out for free… Read more on Cars.com
Mercedes Recalls Vehicles with Defective Suspension Parts
May 18, 2018
Mercedes-Benz Recalls, Video
Ford recalls vehicles defective parking brakes
May 17, 2018
Ford Recalls
Dearborn, Mich. – Ford Motor Company has recalled more than 150 vehicles potentially equipped with defective parking brake assemblies, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects Ford F-650 and F-750 diesel and gasoline vehicles produced between March 28, 2018, and April 17, 2018. Ford suspects all of the models referenced in the action contain the defective components.
The Defect
Affected vehicles include improperly calibrated hydraulic or electric brake cables that do not meet tension requirements. Consequently, the cables could become loose and interfere with transmission functionality, specifically the park setting. Should this happen, unintended vehicle movement might occur, increasing the likelihood of an accident. That said, the automaker has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to accidents or injuries.
In addition to posing a safety hazard to occupants, the defective fixtures violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 105, Section 5, which states that “the parking brake system on a multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck or bus (other than a school bus) with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less shall be capable of holding the vehicle stationary for 5 minutes.”
Timeline of Events
The Ford Critical Concern Review Group on April 26, 2018, received a report outlining an instance in which a vehicle was equipped with defective brake cables that did not meet factory tension requirements. Engineers reviewed the concern and found that installation personnel had used improperly calibrated tension gauges. This discovery prompted Ford to assess the impact these features might have on vehicle driveability. At the same time, potentially affected vehicles were quarantined. Over the course of May 2018, Ford conducted statistical analysis on the defective cables to ascertain how they might impact various builds, including disparate axle, tire and transmission assemblies.
On May 14, members of the Field Review Committee evaluated the matter and chose to launch a voluntary safety recall. Ford notified dealers May 18.
The Solution
Ford has directed dealerships to adjust the brake cables in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker intends to notify owners between May 21 and May 25. Owners in need of additional assistance can connect with Ford customer service personnel at (866) 436-7332. Callers should use the internal recall identification code 18C05. Owners can also contact the NHTSA directly using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
Honda recalls vehicles with defective air bags
May 15, 2018
Honda Recalls
Torrance, Calif. – American Honda Motor Company has recalled almost 500 vehicles potentially equipped with defective air bags, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects numerous models across the Honda brand, including:
- 2003-2012 Honda Accord sedans produced between Aug. 30, 2002, and Oct. 27, 2011.
- 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour crossovers produced between Feb. 17, 2010, and April 16, 2010.
- 2001-2011 Honda Civic sedans produced between March 15, 2001, and March 14, 2011.
- 2002-2011 Honda CR-V sport utility vehicles produced between April 24, 2002, and Oct. 5, 2011.
- 2003-2004 Honda Element sport utility vehicles produced between June 27, 2003, and Aug. 25, 2004.
- 2006-2008 Honda Element sport utility vehicles produced between Dec. 13, 2005, and Dec. 4, 2007.
- 2011 Honda Element sport utility vehicles produced Oct. 22, 2010.
- 2007 Honda Fit hatchbacks produced Jan. 23, 2007.
- 2009-2013 Honda Fit hatchbacks produced between Aug. 27, 2008, and Aug. 7, 2013.
- 2010-2012 Honda Insight hybrid hatchbacks produced between March 26, 2009, and April 18, 2012.
- 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey minivans produced between July 26, 2002, and June 25, 2004.
- 2003-2012 Honda Pilot sport utility vehicles produced between July 11, 2002, and May 17, 2012.
- 2012 Honda Ridgeline pickup trucks produced May 17, 2012.
Honda is unsure how many of the recalled vehicles contain the defective parts.
The Defect
Affected vehicles feature front air bag inflator assemblies that may have been installed improperly. Consequently, these components might not function as required in an accident, leaving drivers and passengers exposed should a collision occur. However, the Japanese automaker has yet to receive field reports connecting the defective air bag inflators to any accidents or injuries.
Timeline of Events
Personnel from an American Honda dealership on Feb. 14, 2008, notified regional Honda officials of multiple incorrectly installed and fastened air bag inflators, according to an internal chronology document given to the NHTSA. This finding prompted the automaker to launch an investigation. On March 3, 2018, another U.S. dealership reported the same issue. Honda investigators added the suspected range of affected vehicles at the second dealership to its inquiry. Less than one week later, a third U.S.-based dealership reported finding vehicles with incorrectly installed air bag inflators. Again, Honda widened its investigation.
On March 9, officials for the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation met with Honda personnel to review the developing investigation. During this time, representatives walked NHTSA investigators through the original complaint, as well as the two supplemental inquiries that dealers had submitted since. Following this meeting, the regional stakeholders involved their counterparts in the national office.
On April 11 and April 19, national and regional Honda officials met with the ODI to determine how to address the air bag issue. Eventually, the parties agreed that a voluntary safety recall was necessary. Honda confirmed the VIN numbers for the affected vehicles April 21, and initiated an official recall April 25. The automaker notified dealerships of the impending action April 27.
The Solution
Honda has directed dealers to inspect and, if necessary, replace the defective air bag inflators in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. The car manufacturer intends to notify owners via first-class mail June 1. Individuals in possession of vehicles involved in the action who need assistance ahead of the recall start date can contact Honda customer service personnel by calling (888) 234-2138. Callers should use the internal campaign reference codes K1P and M10. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
Volkswagen recalls SUVs with defective suspension assemblies
May 15, 2018
Volkswagen Recalls
Auburn Hills, Mich. – May 15, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 7,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective suspension components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan sport utility vehicles produced between Jan. 15, 2018, and March 6, 2018, at the Volkswagen Mexico Factory in Puebla, Mexico. The German automaker suspects 32 percent of the vehicles contain the defective parts.
The Defect
Affected models contain rear shock absorbers with lower loops that could separate the base suspension assembly due to defective welds. Should separation occur, the rear shock absorber may detach, causing the vehicle to suddenly lose stability. This issue drastically increases the likelihood of an accident. The defect therefore poses a serious hazard to occupants. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive reports connecting the problematic suspension parts to any accidents or injuries.
Timeline of Events
While conducting post-production test drives between Feb. 19, 2018, and March 3, 2018, Volkswagen engineers at the Mexico facility encountered multiple vehicles that lost stability while in operation. This finding prompted the local engineering department to launch an internal quality analysis campaign. On March 26, 2018, Volkswagen engineers at the plant informed the Pre-Product Safety Committee, which called for further analysis and forwarded the issue to the Product Safety Committee. Soon after, Volkswagen found that the Lake Forest, Illinois-based supplier Tenneco had welded the lower loops with a misaligned arc torch and identified this production error as the root cause.
Both regulatory bodies met April 18, 2018, and decided that a voluntary safety recall was necessary.
The Solution
Volkswagen will direct dealers to replace the rear shock absorbers in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker intends to inform dealers June 22, 2018, and reach out to owners via first-class mail June 25, 2018. Individuals with recalled vehicles in their possession who need more immediate assistance can contact Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298. Callers should use the internal recall identification code 42i7. Owners can also connect with the NHTSA directly using the agency’s toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
GM recalls vehicles with defective safety equipment
May 15, 2018
Chevrolet Recalls, GMC Recalls, Isuzu Recalls
Warren, Mich. – General Motors has recalled almost 13,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective safety equipment, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models across three GM brands, including:
- 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express passenger vans produced between Sept. 9, 2008, and March 23, 2018.
- 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty pickup trucks produced between Oct. 13, 2008, and Nov. 6, 2013.
- 2009 GMC 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series pickup trucks produced between Aug. 20, 2008, and July 31, 2009.
- 2009-2018 GMC Savana passenger vans produced between Sept. 12, 2008, and March 10, 2018.
- 2009 Isuzu F Series diesel commercial trucks produced between Aug. 20, 2008, and Dec. 19, 2008.
GM suspects all of the vehicles involved in the action contain the defective components.
The Defect
Affected vehicles come with portal fire extinguishers that clog easily may become inoperable in the event of an engine fire. Additionally, individuals who attempt to unclog them by force may sustain injury due to nozzle detachment. As a result, these components pose a serious hazard to occupants. However, GM has yet to receive field reports linking these fixtures to any accidents or injuries.
Timeline of Events
Personnel from the Isuzu Technical Center of America on Nov. 4, 2017, learned that fire extinguisher supplier Kidde had recalled a large number of defective products, according to an internal chronology document given to the NHTSA. Isuzu quickly reviewed its production records and found that many vehicles, including some Chevrolet trucks, included these components. On Nov. 14, the brand issued a voluntary recall. Three days later, GM began reviewing historic production records dating back decades to see if other past models had been equipped with the defective extinguishers, some of which could have been used in vehicles assembled in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The automaker conducted this review over the course of nearly three months, evaluating production documents dating from 1992 to the present.
By January 2018, GM had identified approximately 100 different fire extinguisher models used across several brands. Engineers managed to trim this number to 13 – all of which Kidde manufactured – by March. Members of the GM Open Investigation Review assessed this data and transferred the case to the Safety and Field Action Decision Authority, which chose to conduct a voluntary safety recall April 19. GM notified dealers of the forthcoming action April 26.
The Solution
GM intends to notify owners via first-class mail when replacement parts are available, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. By this point, owners will need to contact Kidde directly to receive replacement extinguishers free of charge.
Owners in need of additional assistance prior to or after the start of the recall can contact GM customer personnel at (800) 462-8782. Callers should use the internal recall identification number 18146. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
Honda recalls vehicles with defective seatbacks
May 14, 2018
Honda Recalls
Torrance, Calif. – Honda American Motor Company has recalled dozens of vehicles potentially equipped with defective seatback assemblies, according to documents submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 Honda Civic hatchbacks produced between Aug. 2, 2016, and July 27, 2017, along with 2017 Honda Type R sport sedans manufactured April 7, 2017. The Japanese automaker suspects all of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective features.
The Defect
Affected models are likely to feature driver and passenger seatback pads without openings for seat-mounted side-air bag assemblies. In the event of an accident, these components would interfere with air bag deployment, increasing the likelihood of occupant injury. However, Honda has yet to receive field reports connecting the defects to any injuries.
In addition to posing a safety hazard to occupants, these seatback components installed in the recalled vehicles violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214, which states that passengers must meet side-impact door crush resistance measurements, as well as moving deformable barrier and vehicle-to-pole testing standards.
Timeline of Events
A U.S.-based Honda dealer in November 2017 alerted the automaker to a replacement seatback pad from his inventory that seemed to be missing the slit needed to install and conceal a seat-mounted side air bag, according to an internal defect information report submitted to the NHTSA. This discovery prompted Honda to launch an investigation, which revealed the original schematics for seatback service replacements were incorrect, leading to the production of numerous defective parts. Between January and April 2018, the vehicle manufacturer tested vehicles with the “nonslitted” seatback assemblies to determine the impact of the defective components. These analyses revealed that the parts interfered with normal air bag operations, posing a serious safety hazard to occupants and violating FMVSS No. 214.
Honda quality assurance and safety personnel convened April 19, and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. The automaker notified dealers of the action April 27.
The Solution
Honda has directed dealers to replace the defective seatback pads installed in affected models free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The company intends to notify owners via first-class mail June 1. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Honda customer service by calling (888) 234-2138. Callers should use the internal recall reference codes E1D, U1B and X1C. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
