BMW recalls vehicles with defective steering wheels

BMW recalls vehicles with defective steering wheels

July 3, 2018 Sean Reyes

 

Westwood, N.J. – July 3, 2018 – BMW of North America has recalled more than 50 vehicles potentially equipped with defective steering wheels, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The campaign affects 2018-2019 BMW X-3 xDrive30i, sDrive30i and M40i sport utility vehicles produced between April 26, 2018, and May 2, 2018. The German automaker suspects one-quarter of the vehicles referenced in the action contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected models feature steering wheels with defective Active Lane Keeping Assistant sensors. In the event that these sensors fail, drivers may not be alerted when the steering wheel is unattended, increasing the likelihood of a collision. However, BMW has yet to receive reports connecting the problematic parts to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

On April 30, 2018, BMW’s steering wheel supplier reported that some previously installed assemblies may not have Active Lane Keeping Assistant functionality. Specifically, the sensors installed in the wheels were deemed incompatible with this advanced feature. The car company immediately initiated an engineering, during which time technicians performed field tests and confirmed the suppliers’ suspicions.

Following these findings, BMW reviewed its production records and cross-checked them with data from the parts vendor to determine the breadth of the issue. Then, on May 30, 2018, quality assurance personnel reviewed the matter and called for a voluntary safety recall.

BMW notified dealers of the forthcoming action June 6, 2018.

The Solution

The automaker has directed dealers to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheels in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. BMW intends to notify owners via first-class mail July 23, 2018. Those in need of assistance prior to the start of the recall campaign can speak with BMW customer service by calling (800) 525-7417. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using the agency’s toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Sean ReyesBMW recalls vehicles with defective steering wheels
Volkswagen recalls vehicles with defective seat belts

Volkswagen recalls vehicles with defective seat belts

July 3, 2018 Sean Reyes

 

Auburn Hills, Mich. – July 3, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 54,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective seat belts, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2018 Volkswagen Atlas sport utility vehicles produced between Nov. 17, 21016, and June 5, 2018. The German automaker suspects all of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles contain second-row, bench-seat buckles that may release unexpectedly following prolonged contact with child safety seats and resulting damage. This defect poses a serious safety hazard to passengers. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive reports connecting the problematic parts to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

A Volkswagen employee in May 2017 spotted a vehicle with damaged second-row seat belt buckles. Initially, the automaker treated this as an isolated incident. However, throughout September and October 2017, Volkswagen received multiple field reports referencing vehicles with damaged second-row seat belt buckles. This prompted the car manufacturers to launch internal tests to discover the root cause. Engineers equipped test vehicles with various child safety harnesses and were able to replicate the damage outlined in the field reports.

On April 18, 2018, members of the Volkswagen Pre-Product Safety Committee reviewed the matter and requested more information. The Product Safety Committee then evaluated the potential issue May 30, 2018, and determined that the defect posed a serious hazard to passengers and therefore warranted a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Volkswagen will direct dealers to inspect the recalled vehicles and install replacement buckles if necessary, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. The automaker will also distribute new owners manuals detailing modified child safety seat installation procedures. Volkswagen intends to notify dealers Aug. 2, 2018, and reach out to owners via first-class mail Aug. 3, 2018. Owners in need of more immediate assistance can contact Volkswagen customer service personnel at (800) 893-5298. Callers should use the internal recall campaign reference code 69X1. Owners can also connect with the NHTSA directly using the agency’s toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Sean ReyesVolkswagen recalls vehicles with defective seat belts
Ferrari recalls vehicles with defective air bags

Ferrari recalls vehicles with defective air bags

July 2, 2018 Sean Reyes

Englewood Cliffs, N.J. – July 2, 2018 – Ferrari North America (NYSE: RACE) has recalled more than 1,500 vehicles potentially equipped with defective Takata air bag assemblies, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models, including:

  • 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia coupes 
  • 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider convertible coupes 
  • 2012 Ferrari California convertible coupes 
  • 2012 Ferrari FF hatchback coupes

The Italian automaker suspects all of the vehicles named in the recall contain the defective components.

Recall summary

Affected models include air bag assemblies with non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflators prone to propellant degradation. In the event that the propellant in these fixtures does deteriorate, the material may combust upon air bag deployment, exploding the metal inflator casing and sending steel shards flying through the vehicle cabin at high speeds. This defect poses a serious safety hazard to occupants.

These defective air bag assemblies, 50 million of which have been recalled worldwide, according to the NHTSA,  have claimed the lives of approximately 23 people and injured more than 100 others, Car and Driver reported. However, Ferrari has yet to receive field reports linking the Takata air bags involved in this action to any accidents or injuries.

On Jan. 3, 2017, Takata filed a Defect Information report with the NHTSA, indicating that it intended to recall a slew of new air bag assemblies installed in numerous models across multiple brands. Ferrari immediately reviewed its stock and issued a recall of its own soon after the Takata filing. In May 2018, the car manufacturers reassessed the issue and decided to expand its previous action.

Ferrari notified dealers of its intentions June 15, 2018.

The repair

The automaker has directed dealers to replace the air bag inflators in affected models free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. Ferrari notified owners via first-class mail June 22, 2018.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 1,500 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of January 8, 2020, – the last date for which information was available – 1,263 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesFerrari recalls vehicles with defective air bags
Volkswagen recalls vehicles with defective occupant detection systems

Volkswagen recalls vehicles with defective occupant detection systems

July 2, 2018 Sean Reyes ,

Auburn Hills, Mich. – July 2, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America has recalled almost 140,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective passenger occupant detection systems, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The recall affects multiple models across the Audi brand, including:

  • 2012-2018 Audi A6 sedans produced between April 4, 2011, and April 30, 2018.
  • 2012-2018 Audi A7 sedans produced between Jan. 27, 2011, and April 6, 2018.
  • 2014-2018 Audi RS7 sedans produced between July 25, 2013, and April 4, 2018.
  • 2013-2018 Audi S6 sedans produced between June 25, 2012, and April 26, 2018.
  • 2013-2018 Audi S7 sedans produced between June 27, 2012, and March 23, 2018.

The German automaker suspects all of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles contain PODS with control modules that are prone to overstress and failure. In the event that this occurs, the PODS system may not deploy passenger air bags during collisions. As a result, this defect poses a serious hazard to passengers. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

Volkswagen on Sept. 14, 2016, initiated an internal investigation after an active field monitoring program centered on the PODS modules indicated increased failure rates. Between October 2016 and April 2017, the automaker investigated the issue. Then, in December 2017, the car manufacturer requested engineering staff to develop potential solutions and called for a life-time field monitoring initiative.

The Audi Product Safety Committee reviewed the matter in January 2018. The group then re-evaluated the issue May 28, 2018, and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Volkswagen will direct dealers to install PODS repair kits in affected models free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker intends to notify both dealers and owners July 31, 2018. Owners can use MotorSafety’s free vehicle look up tool to find out if their vehicle is effected.

Sean ReyesVolkswagen recalls vehicles with defective occupant detection systems
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