Stellantis recalls Ram trucks with faulty airbag inflators

Stellantis recalls Ram trucks with faulty airbag inflators

September 17, 2021 Rebecca Rand , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – September 17, 2021 – Fiat Chrysler, owned by Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), has recalled 212,373 Ram pickup trucks with potentially faulty side-curtain airbag inflators that may rupture and injure vehicle occupants. The recall includes:

  • 2015 -2020 Ram 1500 trucks
  • 2015-2016 Ram 2500 trucks
  • 2015-2016 Ram 3500 trucks

The affected component is the Side Airbag Inflatable Curtain with multiple part numbers, including 68161578AJ.  The airbags were made by Takata’s successor, Joyson Safety Systems.

Recall summary  

As reported, the side-curtain airbags – also known as roof rail airbags – deploy over the windows to drivers’ and passengers’ heads during a crash. The inflators inside them release gas to inflate the airbags quickly.

Due to a manufacturing mistake, moisture got inside some airbag inflators, which could corrode the casing from the inside. The casing could rupture, releasing compressed gas and inflator pieces into the vehicle at high speeds.

Fiat Chrysler is aware of one report of inflator rupture in a 2015 Ram 1500. The automaker expects that 22 percent of trucks in this recall have defective inflators. 

Risks

Read more about the risks of corroded inflator rupture in this recent article about a recall of 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks with corroded Joyson inflators.

Takata airbag recalls

Millions of older cars have been recalled because of faulty airbag inflators that may explode when the airbag is being inflated and hurl sharp metal components at the driver or the passengers. You can read more about these ongoing recalls here.

This recall is not part of the Takata airbag recall, however, because it involves a different type of inflators, according to recall documents.

The repair

Ram dealers will inspect and replace one or both side curtain airbags  as needed. Owner notifications will be sent out starting October 1, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 212,000 vehicles are included in this Fiat Chrysler airbag recall. To see if your Ram truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandStellantis recalls Ram trucks with faulty airbag inflators
General Motors recalls GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox SUVs over loss of vehicle control

General Motors recalls GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox SUVs over loss of vehicle control

September 15, 2021 Mikaela Bolker , ,

Warren, MI – September 15, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE: GM) has recalled 7,082 vehicles whose drivers may lose control of these vehicles due to faulty tires. This increases the risk of a crash or injury.

The recall includes the following SUVs :

  • 2021 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2022 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2021 GMC Terrain
  • 2022 GMC Terrain

Recall summary  

Before going on the road, tires in all vehicles undergo a process that is called “curing.” The curing process is what makes the tires hold their shape and maintain contact with the road while driving. 

Due to a supplier error, the tires in the recalled vehicles were made with an insufficient amount of curative agent. As a result, the tread of these tires – which is the part that makes contact with the road – may separate from the rest of the tire, making the driver lose control of the vehicle.

Warning signs

According to GM, “drivers may hear noise or feel a vibration while driving. A bulge in the tread may also be noticeable.”

Risks

Tread separation may occur at a high speed, increasing the risk of an accident and death or injury for the occupants of the car and motorists around them.

Other relevant recalls

In March, General Motors recalled 33,838 vehicles whose tires may rupture out on the road. The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox was recalled in December of last year because of faulty seat belts that could separate in the event of a crash. In the same month The 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox cars were part of a large-scale recall initiated because of potential fuel leaks in the same month, as reported. 

The 2018-2020 GMC Terrains were also included in the above recall. 

The repair

GM dealers will inspect and, if necessary,  replace vehicles’ tires for free. Owners will be notified around September 20.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 7,000 vehicles are included in this GM tire recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerGeneral Motors recalls GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox SUVs over loss of vehicle control
Nissan recalls Rogue crossovers over unsecured child car seats

Nissan recalls Rogue crossovers over unsecured child car seats

September 13, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Franklin, TN – September 13, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has recalled 47,098 compact SUVs with faulty back seat tether wires, which help anchor children’s car seats. The wires may fail to hold the seat during a crash or a sudden stop, increasing the risk of injury for the child in the seat.

The recall includes 2021 Nissan Rogue SUVs and concerns seat backs with multiple part numbers, including 88650 6RC1A/B and 88650 6RD1A/B.

Recall summary  

There are two ways to secure a child seat: with seat belts or with the so-called lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system. 

The recalled 2021 Nissan Rogues may have some loose car seat anchor points, referred to as “upper tether wires,” that were not welded correctly at the factory. These anchor points are used in car seats with a top tether strap, and may not hold the seat in the event of a crash.

Risks

Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has shown that car seats reduce fatalities by 71% for children under one year old, and by 54% for toddlers between one and four years old. In 2017 alone, car seats saved an estimated 312 lives among children under the age of five. 

If car seats are not properly secured to the car, they will not offer this level of protection. A weak anchor point might fail to hold the car seat during a crash or a sudden stop, increasing the risk of injury to the child sitting in it.

Other Nissan recalls

Over 13,000 2021 Nissan Rogues were recalled earlier this year out of concern that their trunk lids  – called liftgates in auto speak – were to separate in the event of a crash, as reported. In May, the same model year was recalled because of a potential brake fluid leak, also as reported.

Repair

Dealers will replace the seat back if necessary.  For further information about when and how to find out about the repairs, see this copy of Nissan’s owner notification letter. 

Nissan recall check

Over 47,000 vehicles are included in this Nissan Rogue recall. Use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to do a Nissan recall VIN check.

Rebecca RandNissan recalls Rogue crossovers over unsecured child car seats
Ford recalls vehicles for stalling during driving

Ford recalls vehicles for stalling during driving

September 12, 2021 Mikaela Bolker

Dearborn, MI – September 12, 2021 – Ford (NYSE: F) has announced a recall for 27,604 Ford Super Duty F-350 pickups due to the risk of the vehicles stalling while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. 

The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2020 Ford F-350 SD
  • 2021 Ford F-350 SD

Recall summary 

The driveshaft is what transmits power from a car’s engine to the vehicle’s wheels and keeps the vehicle moving and axles are shafts that deliver power to the wheels and rotate with them. Due to a supplier error, the drivershafts in the recalled vehicles may separate from the rear axles, resulting in the vehicle stalling or “unintended movement” while it is stopped.

Risks

A driveshaft that disconnects can lead to a loss of power while driving,  increasing the risk that the car may be hit from behind. Unintended movement may result in the car hitting people or property behind it. Both of these increase the risk of an injury to the car occupants and people around them.

Warning signs

The driver may experience vibration and/or shaking while driving at highway speeds or shuddering upon acceleration.

Other Ford recalls

This is not the first time that Ford F-350 diesel recalls have occurred.  In March 2021, there was a Ford F-350 recall due to incorrect information on labels in the vehicles, as reported. In addition, there have been two other large Ford recalls due to the concern of vehicle rollaway.  In June 2021, 4,436 2021 Ford F-150 pickup trucks were recalled due to faulty driveshafts, During the same month, 192,080 Ford Transit Connect vans were recalled due to the risk of a rollaway. 

Repair

The repair is a free repair or part replacement at any Ford or Lincoln Dealership. Owners were set to be notified starting August 16, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

Approximately 27,604 vehicles are part of this Ford recall. To check if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerFord recalls vehicles for stalling during driving
GM recalls Cadillacs for twisted airbags

GM recalls Cadillacs for twisted airbags

September 10, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Warren, MI – September 10, 2021 – General Motors  (NYSE:GM) has recalled 34,157 Cadillac CT sedans that whose roof rail airbags (also called side-curtain airbags) may fail to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The recall includes:

  • 2020 – 2022 Cadillac CT4 sedans
  • 2020 – 2022 Cadillac CT5 sedans

Recall summary  

These Cadillacs are built with roof rail airbags, which  deploy like “curtains” over the windows to protect vehicle occupants’ heads during a crash. The airbags are stored compactly folded along the sides of the car’s roof. However, the recalled vehicles’ airbags may actually be twisted, meaning that they may not deploy properly in a crash.

The problem was first discovered over a year ago when a roof rail airbag failed to properly deploy during crash testing conducted by a government safety agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The affected part is the roof rail side airbag with multiple part numbers, including 84929315 and 84929316.

Risks

Side and curtain airbags reduce side-impact crash fatalities by an estimated 31.3%, according to NHTSA. If these airbags do not properly deploy in a crash, this safety benefit is stripped away.

Cadillac recalls

Over the summer, GM recalled close to 400,000 Cadillac and Saab vehicles due to faulty suspension. Rear toe links – which is what keeps tires on the ground and the car stable – on these vehicles were misadjusted leading to some of the recalled vehicles veering uncontrollably off the road. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect both left- and right-side roof rail airbags to see if they are twisted and will untwist them if necessary. This service will be free of charge. Courtesy transportation is available for Cadillac CT owners. Customers will be notified about the recall starting September 20, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 34,000 vehicles are included in this GM airbag recall. To see if your Cadillac is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGM recalls Cadillacs for twisted airbags
General Motors issues third Chevrolet Bolt recall following car fires

General Motors issues third Chevrolet Bolt recall following car fires

September 9, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Warren, MI – September 9, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 52,403 2020 – 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV cars whose batteries may catch fire, increasing the risk of death or injury for the car occupants and people around them.

This recall is a result of an ongoing U.S. government investigation, which so far has resulted in three recalls, including this one, and is an expansion of a previous recall conducted in July. There have been multiple fires and at least one injury associated with this recall.

The recall concerns the “High Voltage Battery Pack” with multiple part numbers, including 24042761, 24044172 and  24044527.

Recall summary  

These Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles contain defective high-voltage LG batteries that may catch fire when they are charged to “charged to full, or very close to full, capacity.” In fact, the recall is being conducted on the back of a recent car fire in the recalled population.

The cause of the fire  is the presence of “two rare manufacturing defects in the same battery cell” but it is not clear what these defects are. 

Previous recalls and an investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which regulates vehicle safety in the U.S., opened an investigation in October after receiving two owner complaints alleging that their vehicles “caught fire under the rear seat while parked and unattended.” The investigation resulted in the first recall which was conducted in November 2020 and included over 50,000 2019, 2018 and 2017 Chevrolet Volt EVs. The cars were outfitted with “diagnostic software” and also received new battery modules. The repair, however, may have been insufficient as the same vehicles were again recalled in July of this year.

Risks

Battery fires are serious: One of the Chevrolet Bolt fires reported to NHTSA took three hours for the fire department to put out, and reportedly caused owners smoke inhalation injuries from the “thick and noxious” fumes it produced. Car battery fires pose a number of risks to vehicle occupants and people nearby, and require specialized firefighting techniques to extinguish. For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please visit this article about battery fires in BMW hybrids.

Warning signs

Before the Chevy Bolt fire, owners may notice that the battery emits “smoke or heat” or see the battery or “ other vehicle components” melt or become damaged.

The repair

Dealers will eventually replace defective battery modules for free, but this repair is not yet available. 

Safety tips

You can do the following while waiting for the final repair: 

  • Activate the Target Charge Level (referred to as the Hilltop Reserve mode on the 2017-2018 Bolts) feature to limit the battery charge level to 90% full. If you are unable to adjust these settings yourself, visit your dealer for help.
  • Charge the vehicle after each use.
  • Do NOT deplete the battery further than 70 miles of range remaining.
  • Park the vehicle outside and away from structures after charging.
  • Do NOT charge the vehicle overnight.
  • If you own a 2017, 2018 or 2019 model-year,  visit your nearest Chevrolet dealer to get an important software update, which includes a diagnostic check on the health of the Bolt’s battery system. This service is provided free of charge.

Letters with these instructions will be sent out to owners on October 4, 2021. Owners will receive a second letter when the final repair is available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 50,000 vehicles are included in GM’s Chevrolet recall. To do a Chevrolet recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGeneral Motors issues third Chevrolet Bolt recall following car fires
Nissan recalls more than 30,000 vehicles with faulty signal bulbs

Nissan recalls more than 30,000 vehicles with faulty signal bulbs

September 6, 2021 Bojan Popic

Franklin, TN – September 6, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) is recalling 30,799 cars with defective front turn signal bulbs that may fail to illuminate and show that the car is turning, increasing the risk of injury.

This recall includes the following pickup trucks and subcompact cars: 

  • 2020 Nissan Titan
  • 2021 Nissan Titan
  • 2020 Nissan Titan XD
  • 2021 Nissan Titan XD
  • 2020 Nissan Versa 
  • 2021 Nissan Versa

Recall summary  

Due to a supplier error,  the internal wiring in the affected bulbs was done incorrectly and may cause the glass surface to crack during installation. This can render both the left- and the right-turn bulb inoperable and result in the malfunction of turn signals.

The bulbs are a part of a faulty lot made by a U.S office of a French supplier Valeo Sylvania.  They have multiple part numbers, including 260605EE0A and 260105EE0A.

Risks

If the front turn signal is not working, other motorists and pedestrians will not be aware of drivers’ intentions. This increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Warning signs

The “turn signal indicator light” on the vehicle dashboard will flash faster. An audible alert will also be issued promptly to let the driver know that there is an issue. 

Other Nissan recalls

Both 2020 Nissan Titan and 2020 Titan XD vehicles were recalled at the end of 2020 because of the risk of an engine fire caused by faulty electrical wiring. In addition, some of these trucks were a part of a 127,000-car strong recall that was conducted to search for seven defective tires.

The repair

Dealers will replace the affected bulbs with new ones free of charge. Notifications were set to be sent to the owners on August 20. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Nissan recall includes more than 30,000 of Titan and Versa vehicles. To do a Nissan recall check, please  use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicNissan recalls more than 30,000 vehicles with faulty signal bulbs
BMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure

BMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure

September 6, 2021 Bojan Popic , ,

Westwood, NJ – September 6, 2021  – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY), which also owns Mini and Rolls-Royce brands, has recalled 21,537 vehicles with faulty child restraint systems that increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.

This recall affects some 2021 Toyota Supras made with BMW engines, as well as a wide range of BMW models, including: 

  • 2021 BMW 4 Series, including the 2021 430I
  • 2021 BMW 2 Series, including the 2021 228I
  • 2021 BMW 5 Series, including the 2021 540I
  • 2021 Mini Cooper
  • 2021 Rolls-Royce Phantom
  • 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost

For a complete list of models and model years included, please refer to this page.

The affected component in this BMW recall is a seat belt retractor, which is what is used to hold the seat belt in place.

Recall summary  

This recall is part of an ongoing series of recalls – that already includes Ford and Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz – caused by faulty seat belts provided by Swedish-American supplier Autoliv.  

These seat belts come equipped with two types of retractors – one that immobilizes the seat belt in the event of a crash and one that prevents the seat belt from moving right after it is buckled. The latter is referred to as the automatic locking retractor, or ALR, and is activated by pulling the seat belt “all the way out,” weaving it through the child seat and buckling it in.

But, because of “out of tolerance” parts provided by the supplier, the ALR may deactivate early, “before the webbing fully retracts.” 

Risks

Faulty ALR will not hold the child seat firmly in its place. Although the seat belt would still lock up during a crash, there is an increased  risk of injury during sudden stops. The risk is lower when parents use the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system in place of the seat belts, as reported.

Warning signs 

Drivers may notice that the torso section of the seat belt is not locked firmly while securing the child seat.

Other BMW recalls

Earlier this month, the 2021 Toyota Supra, as well as some of the X and 5 series cars, were recalled because of a brake assist problem. Some of the older X series were recalled in August out of concern that they may stall while in motion due to a faulty fuel pump.

Other Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce recalls

In April, BMW recalled close to 50,000 Rolls-Royce, Mini Cooper and BMW models due to a defective water pump, as reported.  In November of last year, there was a BMW and a Mini Cooper recall due to hybrid batteries that may catch fire.  

The repair

Dealers will replace affected passenger seat belts free of charge during an inspection. It is not yet  known when the owners will receive additional information about this recall.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This recall includes more than 20,000 vehicles and covers several brands and models. To check for this and other recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicBMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure
Jaguar Land Rover recalls vehicles due to incorrect child restraint information

Jaguar Land Rover recalls vehicles due to incorrect child restraint information

September 6, 2021 Mikaela Bolker ,

Mahwah, NJ – September 6, 2021 – Jaguar Land Rover (NYSE:TTM) has announced a recall for 7,027 vehicles due to incorrect information in the owner’s regarding the third-row seats’ child restraint system. The information may lead to a child being “improperly secured,” increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The Jaguar recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2020 Land Rover Defender
  • 2021 Land Rover Defender

Summary

The owner manual of the recall vehicles incorrectly states that the third-row seats are equipped with the so-called lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system “with top tethers.” The system allows parents to secure children with “straps and hooks..and anchor hardware” in place of seat belts.

Risks

This lack of correct information about these Land Rover child seat anchors may lead to the children being “improperly secured,” augmenting the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

There have been no reported injuries from this recall at this time and parents can still use seat belts to secure their children in these seats.

Other Jaguar recalls

Earlier this month, 111,746 Land Rover LR4 and Range Rover Sport cars were recalled because of a potential fuel leak that can lead to a car fire, as reported. In March 2021, 26,805 Land Rover SUVs were recalled for a faulty Auto High Beam (AHB) system. 

Repair

Owners will be mailed a supplement to insert into their current handbook free of charge on September 24, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

An estimated 4,917 vehicles are part of this Land Rover recall. To do a Jaguar recall check,  use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerJaguar Land Rover recalls vehicles due to incorrect child restraint information
Ford recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts

Ford recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts

September 5, 2021 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – September 5, 2021  – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 42,493 vehicles with faulty child restraint systems, which may increase the risk of injury during a crash. This recall include the following vans: 

  • 2021 Ford Transit 
  • 2022 Ford Transit
  • 2021 Ford Transit Connect 

The affected component is the “front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor”, with part numbers LK41-1461294-A/B/D/E. This is the second recall caused by faulty seat belts provided by the Swedish-American supplier Autoliv.

Recall summary  

As reported, seat belt retractors are used to “lock up” the seat belt to protect the occupant from getting thrown from the seat in the event of a crash. There are two types of retractors – the emergency locking retractor (ELR) and the automatic locking retractor (ALR). 

While the ELR only reacts when the system detects a crash, the ALR locks up right away after the seat belt is buckled. For that reason, it is often used to secure a child seat.

In recalled cars, the ALR in the front passenger seat deactivates “after the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor,” causing the child to be inadequately restrained. The defect is caused by “out of tolerance” components provided by the supplier.

Warning signs 

Drivers may notice that an “audible clicking noise” that occurs when the ALR function is active but stops before the seat belt is “fully retracted.” This is the same warning sign provided by Daimler for its recent Mercedes-Benz recall for the same issue.

Risks

A seat belt with a faulty automatic locking reactor will not secure the child seat firmly in its place. This increases the risk of injury during a crash or sudden stops.   

Other Ford Transit recalls

In June, Ford recalled close to 200,000 vans – including the 2021 Ford Transit Connect vehicle – over the risk of a rollaway. The 2020 and 2019 Transit Connect vehicles were recalled in November of last year due to the risk of engine fire, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the seat belt assembly free of charge, if necessary.  Notifications will be sent to owners beginning September 13, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford recall includes more than 40,000 vehicles. To check for Ford recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts
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