Nissan Recalls Vehicles with Defective Ignition Switches
August 31, 2018
Nissan Recalls, Video
Large Nissan Recall in U.S. and Canada Over Ignition Switch
August 31, 2018
Nissan Recalls
U.S. – Aug. 31, 2018 – In a recent announcement affected the U.S. and Canada, the Nissan Motor Co. is recalling 166,000 vehicles, according to Consumer Reports. There is a potential issue with the ignition switch, which may be connected to the deployment of airbags or the engine cutting off unexpectedly. Nissan has also been a part of the massive Takata airbag recall this year.
The Defect
The ignition switch where the key is inserted into certain Nissan vehicles is potentially wearing down prematurely. The risk is cars shutting off while the vehicle is in motion if the ignition switch wears down over time. This could offer a risk of an accident, loss of vehicle control or a crash.
Certain Juke SUVs, Frontier pickup trucks, Sentras, Versas, NV and NV200 van models from 2017 and 2018 are part of this particular recall. Nissan vehicles that have keyless ignition are not a part of this specific recall. About 13,000 of these vehicles are in the U.S, while the remaining 153,000 are in Canada. For now, Nissan recommends that all owners and drivers remove additional objects from their key ring that could cause issues, such as key chains and additional keys.
Nissan is also involved in the massive Takata airbag recall this year too, according to Fortune. Airbags are susceptible to explode if exposed to high heat or humidity. Tens of millions of cars are affected by this recall, including Nissan. The Takata recall is the biggest recall in U.S. history, and linked to at least 180 injuries and 20 deaths. 19 different automakers have been affected by the recall, with companies such as Ford, Toyota and Nissan having to pay out large settlements for consumer loss claims.
On the Nissan website, it’s reported that only 39 percent of the recall has been completed to date, meaning there are many more vehicles still on the road with this airbag risk. The automaker is offering incentives such as free repairs and free alternative transportation to those waiting on fixes. They advise to take the airbag recall seriously, as the defect can seriously injure those inside the car, or even be fatal in certain situations.
Timeline of Events
In late August, spokespeople from Nissan confirmed that they would perform the recall on certain vehicle models. There will be official announcements about the plan and execution in the coming days in the U.S., following the announcement by Transport Canada already this week.
Next month, Nissan will officially begin contacting those who may be affected by their recall, including drivers, owners and dealerships. Most likely, Nissan will offer complimentary inspections and repairs to the ignition switches of any of their cars and SUVs that are a part of this specific recall.
The Solution
If drivers, owners and dealerships are concerned about the recent Nissan recall, they can find more information from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) via their website, or call their hotline at 1-800-424-9153. However, the recall has not yet been officially announced on the NHTSA website. To contact Nissan directly in the U.S., those looking for more information can call 1-800-647-7261.
Rear Seat Lock Striker Issue Causes Volvo Recall
August 30, 2018
Volvo Recalls
U.S. – Aug. 30, 2018 – According to US Recall News, Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) has announced a recall for some of its vehicles that have potential faulty seat backs. In the event of a crash or accident, these seat backs could move rapidly and unexpectedly, posing a risk for injury to passengers inside the car. This recall is in line with several others this year by Volvo over interior faulty components, including oil pressure indicators, headlights and starter motor fuses.
The Defect
In the back rear seats of certain Volvos, there might be a missing key component that secured the back of the seat in place. The rear seat back lock strikers are part of the seat back that moves backward and forward for adjusting. In the event of sudden movement, such as hard braking, stopping rapidly or a crash, this lock striker could come loose and not have the seat secured properly. This put the passenger at risk of injury in crash circumstances.
The vehicle model involved in this particular recall is the 2019 Volvo XC40. This is a compact SUV in the Volvo line that comes in three styles: the Momentum, the Inscription and the R-Design. According to Volvo’s website, there will be a full electric version of the XC40 manufactured in 2020.
About 25 vehicles are being recalled for this specific faulty part in the rear seats. So far, there has been no reports of injury or accidents due to the problem with the rear seat backs and lock strikers.
According to Fortune, one of Volvo’s biggest recalls in recent history involved 74,000 vehicles in 2016. It posed a potentially dangerous situation, as there was issues with the seat belt mechanisms found in 2016 and 2017 Volvo S60, S90, V60, VC60 and XC90 models. The lock was not working correctly, putting drivers and passengers at risk for not being secure in the moving vehicle. Volvo offered full inspections of the seat belts and notified all owners by mail, and did further checks at dealerships to unsold cars. No injuries or accidents were reported relating to the specific recall.
This year has seen several other recalls for Volvos, according to Edmunds. More than 7,700 models from 2014 have been recalled due to potential signaling and headlight malfunctions, as well as another 7,800 from 2016 that could have issues with the starter motor fuse. Certain Volvo S60s, about 30,000 total, are also being recalled over a problem with the indicator that alerts drivers of low oil pressure.
Timeline of Events
Earlier this month, Volvo made the recall announcement for certain XC40 models. They are offering repairs to the faulty seat components and vehicle interior checks for owners. If the seat back lock striker is missing from the vehicle, Volvo will replace it free of charge during the inspection. Officially, the recall will begin on October 15, 2018. Owners and drivers will be notified of the issue so they can take measurements to rectify the recall.
The Solution
If drivers, owners and dealerships are concerned about the recent Volvo recall, they can find out if their vehicle is affected by this recall by using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
Volkswagon Recalls Vehicles for Defective Brake Calipers
August 29, 2018
Video, Volkswagen Recalls
Mercedes-Benz Recalls SUVs for Brake Issue
August 29, 2018
Mercedes-Benz Recalls, Video
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to Recall One Million Dodge Trucks Over Tailgate
August 29, 2018
Dodge Recalls
U.S. – Aug. 29, 2018 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced a recall for more than 1.1 million Dodge Ram trucks. According to USA Today, FCA is calling to fix vehicles in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and in other countries globally due to a faulty tailgate issue. The official recall will begin in September of this year.
The Defect
Through an investigation by the automakers, it was discovered that certain power locking mechanisms in the tailgate system have problems. The component that helps automatically latch the tailgate can corrode over time at a faster rate than normal, which can cause the system to not operate correctly. If the tailgate unlatches unexpectedly, it could cause cargo to fall out the back of the pickup truck. This can put drivers and others on the road in danger of an accident, injury or crash.
The trucks affected in the recall include models with the 5′ 7″ or 6′ 4″ truck bed. They are the 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The current models of 2018 and 2019 Ram trucks are not part of this recall over tailgate issues, as they are equipped with new features such as lift-assist.
According to The Drive, the overall average for car recalls per make and model is 0.79 per 100,000 units sold. In the list of top 10 vehicles with the most recalls, the Ram Pickup comes in at number six, behind the Nissan Pathfinder and Dodge Durango. The Ram Pickup has a 1.99 rating per 100,000 units sold, more than double the average. Domestic automakers take up six of the top 10 spaces for the most recalled vehicles, while Japanese automakers are among the lowest.
Four of the top 10 vehicles are offered by FCA: Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler or Fiat. Due to a large recall in May involving 4.8 million vehicles, this tipped the scales for the averages this year. In comparison, some of the least recalled makes and models in the U.S. include the Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Equinox and the Toyota Corolla.
Timeline of Events
Earlier this month, FCA announced the recall for the Ram trucks. So far, there have been no injuries or accidents relating directly to this specific recall. There are exactly 1,149,237 trucks involved in the recall in the U.S. An additional 260,315 vehicles in Canada; 19,432 in Mexico and 25,361 trucks in other countries worldwide are also part of the recall.
Beginning September 14, FCA will officially begin the recall. Any trucks at risk for the faulty tailgate will be able to take their truck in for repairs and fixes of the parts. In the meantime, spokespeople from FCA urge owners to make sure cargo is extra secure and all safety precautions are followed in the Dodge RAM manual.
The Solution
Chrysler announced plans to notify owners of the problem with the tailgates. The automaker also suggests using some of the other features and equipment included in the tailgate mechanisms to ensure cargo can be as secure as possible. This includes (but is not limited to) investing in higher friction truck bed liners, bulkhead dividers, bed extenders and tie-down rings.
If auto dealerships and drivers would like more information, they can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which can be reached via their website. Costumers who would like to contact Chrysler directly in the US can call their helpline at 1-800-334-9200. For reference, the recall official number from FCA is U74. People concerned about the recall globally can reach the FCA helpline for Dodge specifically at 00800-3634-3000.
Mercedes-Benz Recalls Vehicles Over Issue With Air Bag Deployment
August 27, 2018
Mercedes-Benz Recalls
U.S. – Aug. 27, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) announced a recall of certain 2018 and 2019 vehicles that may have a problem with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), according to Car Complaints. This could cause air bags not to deploy in certain situations. MBUSA is looking further into the potential matter to take action on the official recall.
The Defect
The OCS is the electrical system that makes the driver aware if other passengers in the car need to fasten a seat belt. It also allows the car to know if it should deploy an airbag in the event of an accident. Indicators include features like pressure-sensitive mats and weight sensors, which can carry information about the particular passenger. All modern vehicles today have similar systems installed, such as the Seat Occupant Sensors (SOS), Passenger Weight Systems (PWS) or the Occupant Detection System (ODS). In the recalled vehicles, this indicator is said to not react if there is a child or child seat in the front passenger side of the car. This means if there was a crash, the airbag would not be deactivated and the child runs the risk of serious injury.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Child Passenger Safety Week is September 17-23. The CDC advises that no children under 12 years of age should be in the front seat of a vehicle. Child seats should not be in the front seat passenger side, because airbags can pose a risk to the child. This is especially risky for children under 2 who are strongly suggested to be in rear-facing car seats.
Once a child is of the age or weight requirement, they can sit in the passenger seat with a normal-sized belt. Children are said to be safest in a vehicle, in either a regular belt or child seat, that is located in the middle back seat. If parents and guardians are concerned, they can have a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician check seats and anchoring components for proper installation.
Timeline of Events
On August 3, MBUSA made an announcement regarding the recall for the problematic OCS.
The 345 cars included in this recall are certain 2018 Mercedes-Benz E300, E300 4Matic, E43 AMG 4Matic, E400 4Matic, E63S AMG 4Matic+, and 2019 CLS450 4Matic models. An additional 86 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, and CLA45 AMG 4Matic 2018 vehicles are also part of the recall.
As a small side recall, four additional cars of the same models are part of the series that have defective sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof runs a risk of coming detached while driving, which could cause potential injury or a crash.
Starting October 3, MBUSA will start to offer inspections, part replacements and repairs to the vehicles affected by the recall. The OCS can be re-calibrated and corrected to perform like normal. This protocol is free of charge to consumers and dealerships as needed.
The Solution
MBUSA announced plans to directly notify owners of the potential airbag problem. If auto dealerships and drivers would like more information, they can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which can be reached via their website. Costumers who would like to contact Mercedes-Benz directly in the US can call their helpline at 1-800-367-6372.
Volkswagen Recalls 8,416 Vehicles for Breaking Bolt Problem
August 27, 2018
Volkswagen Recalls
U.S. – Aug. 27, 2018 – According to Consumer Affairs, the Volkswagen Group of America Inc. is recalling certain 2017 and 2018 models for a potential brake issue. Consumers and dealerships will be notified of the problem, which could lead to injury or a crash if not properly addressed for repairs and replacement. More than 8,400 cars are involved in the recall.
The Defect
Mounting bolts found in the brake caliper bracket could have a deficiency due to a manufacturing issue. The fasteners directly affect how the brake system operates. If loose or not installed correctly, drivers could potentially lose the ability to brake or control the vehicles, causing a crash or injury to those inside the car.
According to How Stuff Works, the brake calipers are part of the mechanism that squeezes break pads against the brake rotor. Most modern vehicles have disc brake systems in the front, and often in the back, where these calipers would be found. Break fluid is released when the brake pedal is operated, which causes friction between pad and rotor. As the rotor slows down, so does the wheel, completing the braking system. If there’s a compromise in the power of the friction, it’s known as brake fade. So when the caliper potentially has loose bolts, this can put the metal caliper off-kilter to the rotor. The driver will be unable to use brakes correctly, resulting in loss of control or a crash.
When Volkswagen notifies the owners, they will offer replacement parts and complimentary repairs. This includes tightening the brake caliper bolts or re-torqueing them. Mechanics can also check bleeder valves, brake hose bolts and fasteners to ensure all parts are in correct working order. On certain Passat models, the braking cable will also be checked.
Timeline of Events
Earlier this month, Volkswagen made the announcement to recall the vehicles. Those included are some 2018 Volkswagen Atlas models and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. In total, 8,416 cars are involved in this particular recall.
The official recall is expected to begin by October 14, when owners will be notified, and repairs will start to be offered.
Earlier this year, there was an international recall of more than 700,000 Volkswagen vehicles, according to Industry Week. There was an issue with built-in lights that could potentially short circuit. This ran the risk of causing damage to parts of the roof and even fires to the interior of the cars. Models part of the recall were specific Tiguan and Touran vehicles manufactured before July 5 of this year. There is an ongoing investigation into the issue before the cars are officially asked to be brought in for repairs by Volkswagen spokespeople. Drivers in this instance were asked to watch for visible signs of singeing on the roof panels.
Volkswagen vehicles have undergone several recalls this summer, including another 124,000 electric cars. These Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche automobiles had potential carcinogenic cadmium in the batteries that need to be fixed or replaces due to poisoning risk over time.
The Solution
Volkswagen announced plans to directly notify owners of the potential airbag problem. If auto dealerships and drivers would like more information, they can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which can be reached via their website. Costumers who would like to contact Volkswagen directly in the US can call their helpline at 1-800-893-5298. The recall number provided by Volkswagen is 46H6.
Meredes-Benz to Recall Vehicles with Faulty Child Seat Anchoring
August 27, 2018
Mercedes-Benz Recalls
U.S. – Aug. 27, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) announced a recall of particular 2018 vehicles that have issues with their anchoring systems for child seats, according to Consumer Affairs. This could prove to be a high-risk situation for drivers and potentially lead to injuries during crashes, as seats can become prematurely detached due to the faulty part. Steps are in place to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.
The Defect
Proper installation of the child seat anchoring system, or ISOFIX, may have been overlooked in 39 Mercedes cars. Those included in the recall are Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabrios and E400 4Matic Cabrios.
If during a crash the ISOFIX does not work properly, some of the console could tear away from the vehicle unexpectedly. If there is a child seat and child involved, there is a risk for injury.
According to Childcarseats.org, the ISOFIX is an international standard in many vehicles to have certain secure points that pass safety tests with all regulation car seats. As there can be large differences between various seatbelts, seats and how the components are anchored, the ISOFIX can help standardize the variables to provide additional safety checkpoints. Some of these anchor points include top tether metal parts that allow for looping of belts and straps, as well as alligator clips for the bottom. The system can account for child passengers up to 72 pounds in booster seats and regular child car seats. ISOFIX can also be referred to as LATCH, LUAS or Canfix in other countries.
Alongside the ISOFIX system, all child car seats should have proper alignment for the seatbelt strap, adjustments to headrests and options support legs. The system attached to these Mercedes models does not include the child car seat itself or other safety components.
Timeline of Events
On August 2, MBUSA made an announcement that the recall for faulty child seat anchoring components. There was concern for increased risk of injury to children if involved in a crash. So far, there have been no reported injuries related to this specific recall.
Starting October 3, MBUSA will start to offer inspections, part replacements and repairs to the vehicles affected by the recall. This protocol is free of charge to consumers and dealerships as needed.
Recently, there has been a massive recall of Mercedes cars in Germany, according to Adweek. More than 230,000 cars were involved in this recall, which are only part of a string of recalls that could potentially amount to millions. The issue has to do with tracking emissions, which potentially gives false readings. It can make the cars seem like they are qualified to pass emission tests when in reality, they are not. Automaker and MBUSA partner Daimler states they are willing to inspect the issue and replace faulty parts, but claim the issue was not deliberate. Other officials say it may have been to help pass emission tests deceitfully, and there is an ongoing investigation. This effects cars internationally manufactured in various countries across the globe.
The Solution
MBUSA announced plans to directly notify owners of the problem. If auto dealerships and drivers would like more information, they can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which can be reached via their website. Costumers who would like to contact Mercedes-Benz directly in the U.S. can call their helpline at 1-800-367-6372.
Chrysler Fiat Automobiles Recalls 12,000 Vehicles Over Powertrain Problem
August 26, 2018
Chrysler Recalls, Dodge Recalls, Fiat Chrysler Recalls, Jeep Recalls, RAM Recalls
United States – August 26, 2018 – According to Consumer Reports, in a recent string of recalls, the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced a recall of 12,779 vehicles.
Various Jeep, Dodge, Fiat, and Ram SUVs and cars are involved in this particular recall, which is for a faulty part in the powertrain system.
The defect
Due to the powertrain system having a potentially broken or a wrongly manufactured circuit board, the problem can connect directly to stalling and starting the vehicle.
This is on the drivetrain and does not include the main engine of the car. Powertrain systems are in both manual and automatic vehicles and include transmission, drive shafts and differentials components.
Specifically, inside the circuit board, there is a voltage regular chip that helps control some of the automating controlling and driving of the cars. When this fails, the cars will not start or will stall out after being turned on via ignition.
When vehicles stall unexpectedly, there is a risk of an accident or injury from a crash. Issues with starting vehicles can cause drivers to be stranded or without a working car.
Of more than 12,000 vehicles affected, the list includes:
- 2018 Jeep Renegade
- 2018 Jeep Compass
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Ram 1500
- Ram ProMaster
- Fiat 500x
- Dodge Journey
- Dodge Challenger
- Dodge Charger
- Dodge Durango
- Chrysler 300x
- 2018 – 2019 Jeep Wrangler
- 2018 – 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan
- 2018 – 2019 Chrysler Town and Country vehicles
- 2018 – 2019 Jeep Cherokee
- 2018 – 2019 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles
Timeline of events
The recall is expected to officially begin September 28 of this year to solve the ignition problem. FCA states they will replace the powertrain control module free of charge for consumers and dealerships.
Also this month, FCA recalled similar 2018 – 2019 Jeep and Dodge models for brake fluid issues. More than 200,000 vehicles were included in this recall, which required brake fluid to be replaced complimentary to avoid potential bigger issues with the systems. Breaking and steering issues are imperative to fix immediately, due to the higher risks of crashes involved.
In June, a woman in Ohio claimed to have a steering issue with her Jeep, causing it to lockup while she was operating her car. However, FCA and Jeep spokespeople said her particular car did not fall under any current recall.
Alongside the recent recalls, FCA is facing some issues in court as well. According to the Detroit Free Press, Alphons Iacobelli, a former vice president of employee relations for FCA, is facing charges of embezzlement.
The company took funds allocated for worker trainers and used them for extraordinary perks, trips and bonuses instead.
Seven other higher-ups have already been convicted and charged in the scandal. The Justice Department and other government entities may be looking further into investigations that could cost FCA millions, if not billions, in court fees and fines.
However, further actions are speculative due to FCA being incorporated in the Netherlands and the charges happening in the U.S.
The solution
Chrysler announced plans to directly notify owners. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reference number for this recall campaign is 18V524.
To check if your vehicle is part of this recall, use MotorSafety.org’s free look-up tool.
