Toyota Recalls Vehicles with Defective Carrying Capacity Labels
November 6, 2018
Toyota Recalls, Video
Kia Stinger Recalled Over Fire Risk
November 6, 2018
Video
Kia Recalls More Than 16,000 Stinger Vehicles for Wiring Harness Issue
November 5, 2018
Kia Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – November 5, 2018 – Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Stinger vehicles for electrical problems relating to a wiring harness. This recall is expected to affect 16011 vehicles in North America.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the front wiring harness located in the engine and passenger compartment of affected Stinger vehicles may get damaged from contacting a burr on a sheet metal hole on the left fender apron body panel. Such contact can damage the insulation on one or more wires and cause increased electrical short, thereby generating heat. Once sufficient heat is generated, thermal damage may occur to surrounding materials. The damaged wiring harness may then short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Owners may or may not be alerted to an issue by illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Light (“MIL”) or activation of limp home mode.
Timeline of Events
On May 3, 2018, Kia Motors America, Inc.’s (KMA) Consumer Affairs Department was notified by dealer of a fire involving a 2018MY Kia Stinger, which affected other vehicles and a structure. On September 6, 2018, KMA inspected the subject Stinger vehicle and identified the origin of fire to likely have occurred in left rear of engine compartment behind left strut tower and under the left hood hinge support. The potential cause of fire was identified as damage to wiring harness insulation resulting in electrical arcing and/or resistance heating.
KMA subsequently conducted inspection of Stinger vehicles at the port for any potential front wiring harness damage and found none. KMA was able to identify that stamping direction of the left fender apron body panel was changed on April 5, 2018, and although testing was conducted to evaluate any potential relationship between front wiring harness damage and fire, the incident could not be replicated during testing. A potential for thermal damage was confirmed due to an electrical short caused by damaged wires, however, and in late October, KMC made the decision to conduct a safety recall due to the single fire incident. No injuries were reported.
The Solution
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed free of charge. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be repaired, and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall SC170. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-754.
Toyota Recalls Nearly 1300 4Runners for Insufficient Cargo Load Capacity
November 2, 2018
Toyota Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – November 2, 2018 – Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package on which a certification label was incorrect. This recall is expected to affect 1295 vehicles in North America.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Timeline of Events
During a routine data validation audit on in late September 2018, it was discovered that the accessory weight for the TRD Wheel Package was not accurately relayed to the software used to calculate the load carrying capacity modification labels. The TRD Wheel Package is installed by SET at the request of Toyota and is considered standard equipment on the special edition TRD 4Runner from Toyota. However, the TRD Wheel package weight was not included in the final vehicle certification, and should have been included in the load carrying capacity modification label calculation. This led to affected vehicles having the incorrect cargo weight capacity listed and some having a negative cargo carrying capacity.
The Solution
SET will notify the customers by mail of the noncompliance. An accurate label will be provided to apply over the inaccurate label at no charge. Each label will be customized for the corresponding customer’s vehicle based on the net weight of the accessories installed. Fifteen (15) vehicles have been identified which cannot be remedied solely with a revised label. They may require an alternate remedy to remain in line with net weight restrictions and allow cargo carrying capacity to shift out of negative. These customers will be contacted separately, and options provided, one of which may be the exchange or upgrade of accessories at no charge to reduce the overall weight and increase cargo carrying load capacity.
Customers will be notified and arrangements made to provide a suitable remedy. SET expects the mailing of customer notification letters to begin on or about December 24, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET’s number for this recall is SET18A. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-753.
Porsche Recalls More Than 400 Cayenne Vehicles for Seat Belt Buckle Fault
November 1, 2018
Porsche Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – November 1, 2018 – Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2019 Porsche Cayenne vehicles for seat belt buckle weaknesses. The recall is expected to affect 415 units, which were determined based on information received from the supplier and Porsche AG’s related production records.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the rear right seat belt buckle in these vehicles was subject to a manufacturing error and a faulty material batch at the supplier. The buckle is weak and failed to withstand the required breaking load in the tensile test of the belt. The function of the rear right seat belt buckle might fail during a vehicle crash, leading to serious injury or death.
Timeline of Events
On September 28, 2018 Porsche was informed by the supplier about inadequate test results during the tensile belt test. Immediate analysis revealed a manufacturing error which, when combined with a change of the raw material used at the supplier, caused a significant weakness in the right rear seat belt buckles with the part number 9Y0.857.754. On October 17, 2018, the Porsche AG product safety committee determined that a safety defect existed, and the voluntary safety recall was issued. The original defect was corrected in the production line as of October 1, 2018.
The Solution
Porsche plans to begin notifying owners and dealers on December 23, 2018. The vehicles will be recalled to the workshop or dealership and an improved rear right seat belt buckle will be installed free of charge, with the component created from use of an optimized manufacturing process and the correct raw material. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche’s number for this recall is AJ09. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-751.
