Mercedes-Benz recalls 340,000  vehicles with faulty rearview cameras

Jacksonville, FL – May 29, 2021 – Daimler AG (NASDAQ:DDAIF), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 342,366 vehicles whose rearview camera may display no image or reboot while reversing. This limits visibility for the driver, increasing the risk of an accident and injury.  The recall includes 48 model years, including Mercedes Benz GLS vehicles.  The 2019 Mercedes Benz GLE Class cars are not part of the recall.  

The recall includes:

●  2020 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35 

  2020 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 

  2020 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE350

  2020 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE450

  2020 – 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE580

  2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS450

  2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS580

  2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS600

Please see the full list here.

Recall summary 

Due to a software issue, the rearview camera in the recalled vehicles may reboot while reversing or show a blank image.

Risks

Without the video feed from a rear camera, the driver will have limited visibility while backing up. This can lead to property damage or injury. The risk is even greater if the driver relies solely on the backup camera when going in reverse.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

This is not the first time Mercedes-Benz has an issue with their rearview cameras. In the beginning of last year, the 2019 Mercedes Benz A class vehicles were subject to a similar recall due to a software glitch.

The repair

The fix is a software update that will be done for free.  The recall will start on July 13.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Mercedes Benz recall includes over 340,000 different vehicles. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicMercedes-Benz recalls 340,000  vehicles with faulty rearview cameras

Mercedes-Benz recalls vehicles with damaged rear door

Jacksonville, FL – May 26, 2021 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, has announced a recall for 17,800 vehicles due to faulty rear door latches. The latches may cause the rear door to appear closed even if it is not, upping the risk of injury.

The component in question is a door latch with three part numbers, including A4637309701,  A4637309801 and A4639067802.

The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63
  • 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz G550
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz G550

Recall summary 

The recall concerns a faulty rear door latch sensor. Due to a design error, the latch can cause the door to appear closed even when it is not, potentially causing it to open while the vehicle is in motion.

Risks

The damaged latch may not allow the door to open or close while passengers are in the vehicle. The door may also open unexpectedly, resulting in the passengers of the vehicle falling out from the car.

The latter is, unfortunately, not an uncommon occurrence. Between 2011 and 2012 75,000 injuries were reported from falls from cars.

Warning signs

The driver might be notified that a door is open on the digital dash.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

Earlier this year, over 6,000 Mercedes-Benz SUVs were recalled for the risk of “an electrical short due to a water leak.”

About a year and a half ago, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 and 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 were recalled for faulty seat belts.

Repair

The repair is a free rear door latch replacement. Owners will be notified via letter starting July 13th. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

Approximately 18,000 vehicles are part of this Mercedes Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use Motorsafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerMercedes-Benz recalls vehicles with damaged rear door

Subaru recalls Crosstrek and Forester SUVs for suspension issues

Camden, NJ – August 24, 2022 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) has remedied 353,739 vehicles including the 2019 Subaru Forester that was dealing with suspension problems. Additionally, 2,419 of these Subaru vehicles have been categorized as unreachable, and 2,340 have been removed from the recall. Three groups of these 2019 Subaru Forester were remedied in 2021, and another group was remedied in 2022 due to these issues with the rear suspension stabilizer that could cause the car to roll over.

Camden, NJ – May 26, 2021 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 408,271 vehicles with a suspension defect that may make it harder to control the car, which increases the risk of a crash. The recall includes the following SUVs:

  • 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  • 2019 Subaru Crosstrek
  • 2019 Subaru Forester

The component in question is the “Flange Bolt,” part number 01010820.

Recall Summary  

The part of the suspension that connects the rear wheels of the car with each other is called the rear stabilizer. Its job is to prevent the car from rolling over if the driver makes a sudden turn or comes upon an unexpected bump.

In the recalled cars, due to “variations in dimensions,” the bolts on the rear stabilizer bracket may become loose and come off. It is not clear if the variations exist in the bolts or the bracket itself.

Safety risks

If the bolts are not attached, the stabilizer cannot work properly to keep the car upright when turning the corner or engaging into a sudden maneuver. This may lead to the driver losing control of the vehicle and getting into an accident.

Warning signs

The driver may be alerted to this issue when she or he hears an unusual rattling sound from the rear of the vehicle while it is in motion.

Other Subaru recalls

Earlier this month, over 450,000 Impreza and Crosstrek cars were recalled due to the risk of stalling.

A year and half ago, the 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid was among the vehicles recalled due to an unexpected “loss of power” while driving.

The repair

Dealers will check the bolts and tighten them, if necessary, free of charge. Owners will be notified between May 14 and June 11.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 400,000 vehicles are included in this Subaru recall. Want to check for Subaru recalls? Use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Suhas RamachandraSubaru recalls Crosstrek and Forester SUVs for suspension issues

Nissan recalls 2021 Rogue SUVs for brake fluid leak

Franklin, TN – May 20, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has recalled 14,054 vehicles that may leak brake fluid. This may cause the brakes to stop working properly, increasing the risk of a crash. It can also lead to an electrical short, upping the risk of a fire.

The recall includes 2021 Nissan Rogue compact SUVs. The components involved are the right- and left-hand brake caliper assemblies, with part numbers 44000-6RA0C and 44010-6RA0C, respectively.

Recall summary  

The recall concerns the rear brake calipers, which help clamp down on the wheels to slow the car down when braking. The calipers in the recalled cars may be missing a small part that helps make sure the brake fluid stays sealed inside the brakes. Without it, the fluid may leak out, reducing the brakes’ ability to stop the car and possibly causing an electrical short.

Warning signs

According to Nissan, a warning light would appear on the dashboard in the case of an electrical short, but would not warn drivers of weakened brakes.

Risks and safety tips

An electrical short can lead to a fire, increasing the risk of death or injury for the people involved. For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please visit our recent article about a fire-related Hyundai recall.

For tips on what to do if your brakes fail, please refer to this article about a recent Ford Edge recall.

The repair

Nissan knows the serial numbers of the affected calipers, but not precisely which cars they were put into. To find the defective parts and see if a replacement is necessary, dealers will scan the QR code on both left and right rear brake calipers. The inspection and any replacements will be free. Owners will receive information about when and how to seek repairs starting June 10.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 14,000 Rogue SUVs are included in this Nissan recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandNissan recalls 2021 Rogue SUVs for brake fluid leak

Hyundai recalls more than 150,000 SUVs over risk of fire

Fountain Valley, CA – May 19, 2021 – Hyundai  (NASDAQ:HYMTF) is recalling 151,205 vehicles because of a short circuit risk within the anti-lock brake (ABS) system. The short circuit may result in a fire, increasing the risk of death and injury for the occupants of the vehicle.

The affected component is the ABS module, with part numbers that start with 58920. The recall includes certain 2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUVs. 

Recall summary  

The ABS is a safety system that prevents wheels from locking up during braking, which gives the driver better control over the vehicle.  Due to a supplier error, a brake fluid leak can occur within the ABS, which can cause the unit to short circuit and lead to an engine fire. 

This may happen both when the vehicle is parked or while it is in motion.

Warning signs

The illumination of either the malfunction indicator light (MIL) or the ABS warning light can alert the driver to the electrical short within the unit. In the event of a fire, the driver may smell something burning or see the smoke coming from underneath the hood. 

Risks

A fire can be a serious safety concern if it happens while driving. Potential hazards range from failure to stop and evacuate the vehicle in time to being a threat to other drivers and their passengers. In addition, a burning vehicle may damage surrounding structures and vehicles. 

Safety tips

For safety tips – including where to park your vehicle before it is repaired, please see this recent Kia Sportage and Cadenza recall article.

If a fire breaks out during the journey, the driver and all occupants should follow these steps to get themselves to safety quickly.

Other Hyundai ABS recalls

This recall is a part of ongoing fire-related issues that both Kia and Hyundai vehicles are suffering from. Recently, Hyundai recalled nearly 180,000 Tucson SUVs and almost 95,000 of certain Genesis models over the similar fire risk caused by faulty ABS components.  Kia – which is part-owned by Hyundai and builds vehicles on its platform – recalled over 300,000 cars because of a risk of a fire inside the engine compartment caused by a defective ABS module

Separately, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe was among cars recalled in 2018 for a fuel leak that could lead to a fire.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the ABS fuse with one that is less prone to shorting or potentially replace the whole ABS module. The repair is free and the recall is expected to begin on June 25.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 150,000 vehicles are included in this Hyundai Santa Fe recall. To do a Hyundai recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHyundai recalls more than 150,000 SUVs over risk of fire

Stellantis recalls Jeep Cherokees for transmission fluid leak

Auburn Hills, MI – May 15, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) – which owns the Jeep brand – has recalled 18,800 2021 Jeep Cherokee SUVs that may leak transmission oil, creating the risk of fire.

The component in question is called “3.2L TOC Hose,” with multiple part numbers, including 68399015AA.

Recall summary  

The oil cooler is a component of the engine system designed to keep the engine from overheating, while curing is a process that is used to give final shape to some parts of the car, such as rubber hoses and tires.

Due to a supplier error, the oil cooler hose – which carries lubricating oil from the transmission to the oil cooler – has been cured for too long, making it weak and prone to breaking.  

Risks

The weak hose may rupture, igniting the oil and resulting in an engine fire. Vehicle fires are extremely dangerous, putting occupants at a serious risk of injury or death. Read more about what to do in case of a vehicle fire in this article about a recent Kia Stinger recall.

Warning signs 

The manufacturer says there are no warning signs. If your car is part of this recall, take it in for repair immediately! 

Complaints

Stellantis acknowledges that it knows of four customer assistance records, 160 warranty claims, and seven field reports related to this problem. The automaker estimated that 1 in 10 of the recalled vehicles contained a defective hose.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler hose and replace it, if needed, for free. Drivers who paid to have this issue fixed before the recall may be eligible for reimbursement. Owner notifications with more information about when and how to seek repairs will be sent out starting  June 23.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 18,000 vehicles are included in this Jeep recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandStellantis recalls Jeep Cherokees for transmission fluid leak

Ford recalls Explorer SUVs for fly-away roof rail covers

Dearborn, MI – May 12, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has issued a recall of 616,967 SUVs whose roof rail covers may detach and fly off the vehicle while driving. Ford is recalling these vehicles:  

  • 2016 Ford Explorer
  • 2017 Ford Explorer
  • 2018 Ford Explorer
  • 2019 Ford Explorer

The affected part is the “roof rail cover,” with multiple part numbers, including FB5Z-78551A46-BA.

Recall summary  

The recall concerns the roof rail covers, which partly cover the roof rails used to hold cargo (such as a kayak) on top of the car. The covers, after being exposed to sunlight and other wear and tear, may detach from the car and fly off into the road, creating a road hazard for other drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) brought the issue to Ford’s attention a year ago, after receiving 11 complaints of roof rail covers falling off. 

Footnotes

According to Ford, some Explorers have metal plated roof rail covers that do not have this problem. Those vehicles will not be recalled. To see if your 2019 Ford Explorer Limited, for example, needs to be repaired, use our VIN lookup tool.

Warning signs

Drivers with insecure roof rail covers may notice louder wind noise or squeaks and rattles while driving. 

Risks

If a roof rail cover flies off the car while driving, it may force other drivers to make quick maneuvers to avoid it, increasing the risk of a crash. Read more about the dangers of road debris in this article about a recent Land Rover recall over fly-away spoilers. 

Other Ford Explorer recalls

The 2016 Ford Explorer was recalled in November of last year because of a defective part that connects the engine to the front axle, which “transmits the power from the vehicle to its wheels,” as reported.

 The issue can result in the car stalling or losing its ability to stay in park, increasing the risk of death or injury for the car occupants, other motorists and pedestrians.

The repair

Ford or Lincoln dealers will use plastic pins to secure the roof rail more tightly to the roof of the car, free of charge. Owners will receive more  instructions by mail between June 28 and July 2. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 617,000 vehicles are included in this recall. Use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to do a Ford recall check.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Explorer SUVs for fly-away roof rail covers

Subaru recalls Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles over risk of stalling

Camden, NJ – Feb 18, 2022 – Subaru has remedied issues with 359,708 vehicles including the 2018 Subaru Impreza and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek dealing with a programming failure on the engine control module or ECM. Additionally, none of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 4,424 have been removed from the recall. All these Subaru models with ECM software issues were remedied between the second and fourth quarter of 2021.

Camden, NJ – May 11,  2021Subaru (OTCMKTS: FUJHY) has recalled 466,205 vehicles with an incorrectly programmed Engine Control Module (ECM), which is a component that controls over 100 elements in these cars. The issue may cause the car to stall, potentially leading to an accident.

The Subaru ECM Recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2017 Subaru Impreza
  • 2018 Subaru Impreza
  • 2019 Subaru Impreza
  • 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
  • 2019 Subaru Crosstrek

The defective part of the vehicle is the ignition coil,  part number 22433AA741.

Recall summary  

Ignition coils are part of the car ignition system and convert the voltage of the car battery into energy needed to start the car. Due to faulty programming, the ECM is going to continue “instructing” the coils to do their job even after the engine is off. This may result in the coils short-circuiting. If this occurs when the car is in motion, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

This recall follows on the heels of a 2019 recall of the same cars for the same exact issue. It is being conducted again as Subaru discovered that the ECM reprogramming that was done last time was not sufficient to fully remedy the issue.

Safety risks

Stalling while driving may lead to potentially dangerous situations, especially if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic. Stalled cars are very dangerous and kill over 300 people a year on average, as reported. For tips on what to do if your car stalls while you’re driving it, please see this recent Kia article

Warning signsSubaru recall

During the motion of the vehicle, when the occupants feel “irregular vibration.” This may mean that the vehicle is about to lose power.

Other similar recalls

In October of 2019, nearly half a million Subarus were recalled due to a stalling risk.  Subaru of America recalled Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles – whose model years stretch from 2017 to 2019 – that may have faulty engine control modules. Specifically, despite the engine being turned off, the ECM may continue to run, a circumstance that has the potential to cause a short circuit or a blown fuse. This could lead to an accident if either of these outcomes takes place while motorists are traveling.

The repair

Dealers will rectify the flaws in the programming of the ECM and will replace ignition coils and – in some cases – the front exhaust pipes as well. This will be carried out free of charge. The recall began on April 16.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 465,000 vehicles are being included in this Subaru recall To do a Subaru recall check if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Suhas RamachandraSubaru recalls Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles over risk of stalling

Mercedes-Benz recalls SUVs for electrical short

Jacksonville, FL – May 6, 2021 – Daimler AG (NASDAQ:DDAIF), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand has recalled 6,331 SUVs that may experience an electrical short due to a water leak. The recall includes:

  • 2021 Mercedes Benz AMG GLE 53
  • 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE350
  • 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE450
  • 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE580
  • 2020 Mercedes Benz GLS450
  • 2020 Mercedes Benz GLS580

Recall summary  

The recall centers around an issue with the air conditioning drain hose, which may be installed incorrectly. Just like how water beads up on the outside of a glass of ice water, cool air from air conditioning causes water to condense into droplets inside the air conditioner. This water has to drip somewhere, and the drain hose is supposed to move that moisture out of the car, away from sensitive wiring and electronics.

In the recalled vehicles, the incorrectly installed drain hoses may cause water to leak down into the floor of the car. The electrical wiring there is not waterproof, and the water could cause an electrical short, creating the risk of a fire. 

Previous recalls

This recall builds on two previous ones by Mercedes Benz, who recalled 18,392 vehicles in 2019 and 3,615 in 2020 for the same issue in other models. Mercedes blames the loosely connected drain hoses on a “deviation in the assembly process” during manufacturing.

Warning signs

If the air conditioner drain hose is leaking,  drivers and passengers may notice the carpet under their feet is wet, or that the windows are fogged up.

Risks

This water leak poses several risks. The various electronics that may be damaged by the water can disable features related to safety, like the emergency call system that alerts first responders if a crash is detected, and the door locks (which may hinder first responders from opening the doors in an emergency). If the vehicle is suddenly forced into a decreased power mode, the car may slow unexpectedly, creating the risk of a crash. 

Lastly, the risk of fire is serious, and puts passengers at risk of inhaling toxic fumes, getting burned or dying. Read more about the risks of an interior car fire in this article about a recent Hyundai recall over fires caused by the 12-volt “cigarette lighter” outlet.

The repair

Mercedes Benz dealers will check the air conditioner drain hose and make sure it is installed properly, free of charge. Owners will be notified about the recall with more information about when and how to seek repairs starting June 22.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 6,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes Benz recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandMercedes-Benz recalls SUVs for electrical short

Volkswagen recalls Audis for broken suspensions

Auburn Hills, MI – May 5, 2021 – Volkswagen  (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) – which owns the Audi brand – has recalled 40,993 Audis, including a number of 2021 Audi SUVs, because a part of the suspension may break. The recall includes:

  • 2020 – 2021 Audi A4
  • 2019 – 2021 Audi A5
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi A6
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi A7
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi A8
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi Q5
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi S4
  • 2019 – 2021 Audi S5
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi S6
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi S7
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi S8
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi SQ5
  • 2020 – 2021 Audi S5 Cabriolet
  • 2021 Audi Q7
  • 2021 Audi Q8
  • 2021 Audi RS Q8
  • 2019 – 2021 Audi RS5
  • 2021 Audi RS6 Avant
  • 2021 Audi RS7

The component name is ”Lock nut M14x1,5,” part number WHT 007 610.

Recall summary  

The recall stems from an issue with a single nut in the car’s trailing arm suspension. The trailing arms is a type of suspension that helps keep the rear wheels aligned properly. 

Due to a supplier error, the nuts used to connect the trailing arm to the rest of the car were not manufactured “according to specification.” As a result, certain batches of nuts may get corroded or damaged, causing them to break.

Risks

When the nut holding the trailing arm breaks, the rear wheels could become misaligned, changing the direction the car is moving in. “It cannot be completely ruled out that [the car] could suddenly and uncontrollably move in the wrong direction at higher speeds,” Volkswagen says in recall documents. If this occurs, the driver can lose control and crash.

Warning signs

Drivers with a broken trailing arm nut may notice the steering wheel is not aligned when they are driving or that the vehicle lists to one side when they hit the gas or brake. Volkswagen knows of two incidents of this kind; both took place outside the US.

Other Audi recalls

Volkswagen recently recalled over 150,000 Audi A3-generation cars for faulty airbags. These passenger-side airbags are prone to deactivating while someone is sitting in the seat, upping that passenger’s risk of injury in a crash. 

The repair

Volkswagen and Audi dealers will replace the defective nut and will check for existing damage. If the part is already damaged, the whole screw connection will be replaced. Both services are provided for free. The repair is not yet available, but owners will receive more information about the recall by June 25.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 41,000 vehicles are included in this Audi recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls Audis for broken suspensions