February 2022 | Page 2 | MotorSafety.org

Volkswagen recalls Audis due to loss of control

February 13, 2022 Senamile Nkosi Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – February 13, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) is recalling 31,058 vehicles due to premature tire wear which could lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash. This is a redo of a last year’s Audi recall.

The recall includes some the following models:

2020 – 2021 Audi A4
2020 – 2021 Audi A4 Allroad
2019 – 2021 Audi A5 Sportback
2020 – 2021 Audi A5 Cabriolet
2020 – 2021 Audi A5 Coupe
2020 – 2021 Audi A6
2020 – 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
2020 – 2021 Audi A7
2020 – 2021 Audi A8
2020 – 2021 Audi Q5
2019 – 2021 Audi RS5
2020 – 2021 Audi S4
2019 – 2021 Audi S5
2020 – 2021 Audi S6
2020 – 2021 Audi S7
2020 – 2021 Audi S8
2020 – 2021 Audi SQ5

Recall summary

Axles transmit power from the vehicle to the wheels in order to move the car forward. In this Volkswagen recall, the rear axles are misaligned. As a result, the wheels may have less grip on the surface of the road.

The full list of vehicles is available here.

Recall risks

The Audi rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear. When the tires are worn “to the carcass,” they may get punctured, which may lead to a loss of driver’s control of the vehicle.

Background of the recall

Some of the cars included in this recall were recalled in April of last year due to a broken nut in the rear axle, which could also cause a loss of control. Included in the recall were the 2021 Audi RS6 Avant and 2019 Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. However, dealers did not check the wheel alignment when addressing the issue, leading to today’s recall.

Warning signs

The driver may not be able to keep the car straight, especially “when braking or accelerating.” The tires may also show signs of unexpected or premature wear and tear upon inspection.

Other Volkswagen recalls

In December 2021, the 2018-2022 Audi Q5 and 2018—´2022 Audi SQ5 models were recalled due to a defect that could cause reduced engine power.

Repair

The rear axles of the affected vehicles will be inspected and where necessary, be adjusted. Tires will also be checked for premature and uneven wear that may have resulted from the misalignment. All repairs will be done free of charge.

Owners can expect to receive further communication from Audi regarding the repair program by March 25, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 30,000 Audis included in this recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia recalls K900 and Sportage cars over fire risk

February 13, 2022 Bojan Popic Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – February 13, 2022 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 126,747 cars that may catch fire, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. This recall is just of the many Kia and its shareholder Hyundai had to do because of fire-related issues that have been plaguing both manufacturers.

SUVs and sedans that are affected by this recall include:

2016 – 2018 Kia K900
2014 – 2016 Kia Sportage

Recall summary

The anti-lock brake system, or ABS, is a safety system that adjusts the braking force to each wheel, preventing them from locking up while braking hard or on slippery surfaces. On affected vehicles, the ABS modul e may overheat and cause a fire inside the engine bay. The exact reason for overheating is still unknown, although it is suspected to be caused by an “internal electrical short“.

The component in question is the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) – which is part of the ABS module – with part numbers 58920-3T380 and 58920-3W810 for K900 and Sportage, respectively.

Recall risks

For more on the risks of this recall, please visit this article about a similar Kia recall.

Safety tips

Kia advises owners to park their vehicles outside, away from other vehicles and structures. This will prevent additional property damage in the event of a fire when the vehicle is stationary.

Warning signs

The driver may be alerted to the electrical short by the check engine or ABS warning light. Other warning signs include a burning smell and smoke coming from underneath the hood.

Other Kia Sportage recalls

In March 2021, 2018-2021 Sportage cars were part of a recall due to the same issue, as reported.

Additionally, over 50 model-years are currently subject to an ongoing U.S. government investigation to see if the remedies that have been issued for existing recalls are enough to fix the problem. The regulators are also looking into complaints about vehicles not part of these recalls catching fire to see if they need to be recalled as well.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the fuse with an uprated one, which will prevent the HECU from short circuiting and overheating. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on March 31, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This recall caused by Kia engine fires is affecting more than 120,000 vehicles. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Tesla recalls vehicles due to frosted-up windshields

February 13, 2022 Bojan Popic Tesla Recalls

Austin, TX – February 13, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 26,681 sedans and SUVs whose windshields may fail to defrost or defog. This limits driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

This is the company’s fifth recall this year, which affects the following vehicles;

2021 – 2022 Tesla Model 3
2021 – 2022 Tesla Model S
2021 – 2022 Tesla Model X
2021 – 2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

All vehicles that are a part of this recall have a heat, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), whose job is to heat and cool the car as needed. Due to a software error, the system may fail to defrost or defog the windshield and also “cause the loss of cabin heating.”

Recall risks

A fogged up or a frosted up windshield may limit driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Warning signs

If the defrosting feature is not working properly, the driver will get a corresponding warning message from the HVAC system. In addition, drivers may notice that the windshield is fogged up.

Other Tesla recalls

This is Tesla’s fifth recall this year. There was a Model Y recall earlier this month – which also included Model 3, S and X – because of a feature that allowed these cars to “roll” through a stop sign under certain conditions. The automaker already disabled the feature thanks to an over-an-air (OTA) update.

You can read about other recent recalls and Tesla investigations in this article about a recent Tesla recall because of defective seat belt chimes.

The repair

Tesla will take care of this problem by issuing an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update. No Tesla windshield replacement will be necessary. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on April 1, 2022 but it is not clear when the update will be launched.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Tesla defrost recall affects more than 20,000 vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Tesla recalls four models over faulty seat belt chime

February 12, 2022 Joseph Estabillo Tesla Recalls

Austin, TX – February 12, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has issued a recall for 817,143 vehicles across four models over a defective seat belt chime. The absence of an audible reminder to wear the seat belt may cause the driver to operate the vehicle without it, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The recall covers the following models:

2021-2022 Tesla Model S
2021-2022 Tesla Model X
2017-2022 Tesla Model 3
2020-2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

The vehicles have a seat belt chime that activates when the vehicle is started, reminding the driver to fasten the seat belt. This works together with a visual seat belt reminder that can be seen on the vehicle’s dashboard.

If the chime is interrupted when the vehicle was previously used while the seat belt was not fastened, a software error will prevent the chime from sounding off the next time the vehicle is used. This will happen if, for example, the driver left the vehicle while the chime was still going off with the engine running and then returned.

Recall risks

Drivers may not fasten their seat belts, which augments the risk of an injury in a crash.

While the chime will go off at speeds over 13.7 miles per hour (mph), this may not give the driver enough time to fasten the belt before an accident occurs.

Other Tesla recalls

The latest Tesla seat belt recall is the electric vehicle maker’s fourth, barely two months into 2022. There was a Tesla Model 3 recall spanning more than 356,000 vehicles in early January over faulty rearview cameras. This was followed by a Tesla Model S recall involving over 119,000 units for hoods that may open while the vehicle is traveling, obscuring the driver’s view.

The third advisory concerned over 53,000 Tesla vehicles over a “rolling stop” feature that allowed them to go through a stop sign without halting completely, presenting a higher risk of collision with other road users.

In addition to the recalls, the automaker is subject to two investigations, includin g one for potentially allowing drivers to play video games on the front console while on the road.

The repair

Tesla already released new firmware to correct the software error, enabling the chime to go off. The firmware update was deployed over-the-air (OTA) to the affected vehicles in late January and early February.

Owners will also receive letters with more information on April 1, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 800,000 vehicles are included in this Tesla recall. To do a Tesla recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Toyota recalls Venza hybrids with faulty turn signals

February 11, 2022 Bojan Popic Toyota Recalls

Plano, TX – February 11, 2022 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 41,544 Toyota Venza Hybrid 2021 SUVs whose their rear turn signals and hazard lights may become inoperative. The defect makes the vehicle less visible to other drivers, upping the risk of a crash and injury.

Recall summary

Vehicles that are part of this Toyota recall have turn signal lights that may not be sealed properly due to a supplier error. This means that during heavy downpours or even car washing, water can get past the LED bulbs and inside the light housing. If that happens, the moisture might come in contact with the circuit board that powers the bulbs, causing a short circuit.

This may cause “dimming or deactivation of the rear turn signal.”

The components in question are the rear turn signal lights, with part numbers 81540-48010 for the left-hand assembly and 81530-48010 for the right-hand one.

Recall risks

With rear turn signal lights being dimmed or not working at all, other motorists may not be aware of driver’s intentions. This can lead to a crash, which increases the risk of an injury.

Warning signs

If water gets into the circuit board, the driver may notice “a quick flashing of the turn signal indicator on the instrument panel until the condensation on the circuit board dries.”

Other Toyota Venza recalls

Apart from this current issue that is affecting these vehicles, there are no other Toyota Venza recalls at this time. There is, however, a handful of complaints from the owners of these vehicles about the faulty lights, as well as fuel tank issues.

The repair

Dealers will rectify the issue by replacing the LED bulbs, as well as the turn signal light assembly if needed. All repairs will be done free of charge. Notifications to vehicle owners with more information will be sent by mail between March 19, 2022, and March 26, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Toyota turn signal recall is affecting more than 40,000 vehicles. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

NHTSA closes Kia investigation over failing headlights

February 6, 2022 Bojan Popic Kia Recalls

Washington, D.C. – February 6, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) will not have to recall its 2011-2013 Kia Sorento SUVs over failing headlights. The finding follows a U.S government investigation which looked into reports of headlight failures with the goal of identifying a safety-related problem.

Investigation summary

After receiving over 1,300 complaints from owners of these vehicles, the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), initiated the investigation in June 2020. According to the complaints, headlights on the SUVs would shut down on their own, without any apparent reason.

Investigation conclusion

Upon closer examination, the regulator has discovered that headlight issues in question are caused by a connector that may overheat. When that happens, the low beam light may start flickering or even shut down completely. In most cases, this issue was limited to one headlight. And even if both low-beam headlights would shut down, the driver was still able to turn them back on by toggling the headlight switch to the “ON” position.

Because Kia has started replacing these connectors in 2019 as a part of extended warranty, the regulator concluded last month that there was no need for a recall.

Other Kia recalls

Despite the complaints and corresponding investigation, there is no Kia headlights recall or Kia Optima headlight recalls caused by this particular issue. However, Kia and Hyundai are being investigated because of ongoing recalls related to fires, as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This Kia Sorento highlight issue did not result in a recall, although there may be other ones that are affecting these SUVs. To do a Kia recall check and see if your vehicle is due for any of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Tesla recalls cars that don’t stop at stop signs

February 6, 2022 Rebecca Rand Tesla Recalls

Palo Alto, CA – February 6, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 53,822 electric vehicles with beta software that intentionally allows cars to come to a “rolling stop” at a stop sign, an illegal driving maneuver that also ups the risk of an accident.

The recall affects the following models :

2017-2022 Tesla Model 3
2016-2022 Tesla Model S
2016-2022 Tesla Model X
2020-2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

Do Teslas stop at stop signs? Not always.

At the center of this recall is the problematic “rolling stop” feature in Tesla’s self-driving beta software that allows a car to roll through a stop sign at speeds up to 5.6 miles per hour without coming to a complete halt.

The cars are programmed to not come to a complete stop only if certain conditions are met. This includes the absence of “relevant moving cars,” pedestrians or cyclists near the intersection.

However, according to the Associated Press (AP), there are no states where a rolling stop is legal.

The recall is limited to cars with “full self-driving software,” which is currently in beta.

Recall risks

According to the recall report Tesla submitted to the auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “entering an all-way-stop intersection without coming to a complete stop may increase the risk of collision.”

Other Tesla safety concerns

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun to crack down on Tesla’s safety practices, and has recently launched investigations over distracting game features and failures of its Tesla autopilot feature.

The repair

Tesla will stream an over-the-air (OTA) software update to the affected Teslas early this month that will disable the rolling stop feature.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 53,000 vehicles are included in this Tesla recall. Is your car part of a Tesla Model X recall, Tesla Model S recall or Tesla Model Y recall? Run a Tesla recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mitsubishi recalls SUVs that may stall

February 5, 2022 Bojan Popic Mitsubishi Recalls

Franklin, TN – February 5, 2022 – Mitsubishi (NASDAQ:MSBHF) is recalling 16,616 cars whose fuel pumps may fail, causing the vehicle to stall in traffic, which increases the risk of a crash and injury. This recall affects the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SUVs.

Recall summary

Vehicles that are part of this Mitsubishi Outlander recall have a fuel pump with two parts that were incorrectly fused during due to a supplier error. As a result, they may experience “abnormal wear” and eventually render the pump inoperative.

This may cause the car to stall without any prior warning.

Recall risks

Other Mitsubishi recalls

In addition to this fuel pump issue, some of these Mitsubishi Outlander 2022 vehicles are subject to two more recalls. The larger of the two was done in August of last year because of a faulty seat belt retractor that may fail to adequately secure a child seat. That recall was due to a broader issue with the retractor supplier, Swedish-American parts’ manufacturer, Autoliv, and has impacted most major manufacturers.

Outlander’s older model-years were recalled a year ago due to parking brake issues, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will rectify the issue by replacing the fuel pump with an upgraded version free of charge. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on March 18, 2022. Drivers who paid for repairs out of pocket may be eligible for a reimbursement.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Mitsubishi Fuel Pump recall affects more than 15,000 SUVs. To do a Mitsubishi recall check and see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Stellantis recalls RAM trucks with faulty windshield wipers

February 5, 2022 Senamile Nkosi Chrysler Recalls, Fiat Chrysler Recalls, RAM Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – February 5, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Chrysler brand, has recalled 171,789 vehicles due to faulty windshield wipers. This may lead to reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash and injury to the driver and other motorists.

The recall includes the following pickup trucks:

2019 – 2020 RAM 2500
2019 – 2020 RAM 3500

The 2019 – 2020 RAM 3500 cab chassis, 2019 – 2020 RAM 4500/5500 cab chassis and 2019 – 2020 RAM 3500 cab chassis are also included in this recall.

Recall summary

The windshield arms of the recalled vehicles may not function properly due to a loose nut which connects it with the car.

Recall risks

As a result of the wipers failing to function optimally, there may be reduced visibility under certain weather conditions. This poses a higher risk of a crash or injury for the occupants of the car and other motorists.

Warning signs

The driver may notice one or both wiper arms not clearing the windshield properly. In other cases, the wipers “may not sit in their proper rest positions.”

Other recent Stellantis recalls

This is not the first RAM 3500 recall in recent months. In fact, 222,410 RAM trucks were recalled in December of last year due to defective fuel pumps which may cause the vans to stall.

Prior to that, in November, Stellantis recalled 7,082 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUVs due to the high beams being difficult to activate. Much like this recall, this increased the risk of a crash or injury because of reduced visibility.

The repair

To remedy the issue, Chrysler will torque the loose wiper nut, at no cost to the car owner. In cases where an owner has already incurred the costs of repairs, they will be reimbursed upon providing proof of payment. Chrysler is expected to send notifications to owners with more information on March 18, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This RAM windshield wipers’ recall includes more than 170,000 vehicles. To do a RAM recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia recalls five models over defective airbags

February 5, 2022 Joseph Estabillo Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – February 5, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 410,619 units spanning various models over faulty airbags that may fail to inflate in case of a crash, putting the occupants of the car at the risk of injury.

The Kia airbag recall involves the following models:

2017 – 2019 Kia Soul
2017 – 2019 Kia Sedona
2017 – 2019 Kia Soul EV
2017 – 2018 Kia Forte
2017 Kia Forte Koup

Recall summary

These models use airbags that cushion occupants’ heads and prevent them from hitting the vehicle’s interior during a crash. The airbags are regulated by a computer called the airbag control unit (ACU), which is protected by a cover.

Manufacturing defects can cause this cover to make contact with – and possibly damage – the electronics responsible for controlling the airbags. When this happens, the airbags may become deactivated and not work in the event of a crash.

The component involved in this recall is the “Airbag Module Assembly” with multiple part numbers, including 95910-B2050 and 95910-B2600.

Recall risks

Faulty airbags expose the vehicle’s occupants to a higher risk of serious injury during a crash.

Warning signs

If the airbags are deactivated, the airbag warning light will come on the dashboard.

Other Kia recalls

There was a Kia Forte recall in September because of faulty trunk latches, which in rare cases if someone is stuck inside may prevent that person from opening the trunk.

In addition to that, earlier model-years of the same car – as well as close to 3 million of other Hyundai and Kia cars – are being investigated to see if the manufacturers will be required to issue new recalls for these cars based on an increased risk of fire. Kia and Hyundai have been in the crosshairs of the U.S. auto safety regulator for the past couple of years because of their vehicles catching fire, sometimes for unknown reasons, as reported.

The repair

If the airbag warning light is on, the ACU will be replaced with an improved one. If the ABWL is not on, an update to the airbag’s software will be installed. Both measures will ensure that the airbags inflate during a crash to protect occupants.

All repairs will be done free of charge and owners who already paid out of pocket will be reimbursed. Notifications with more information will be sent March 21 and March 25, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 400,000 vehicles are being recalled because of this Kia airbag issue. To do a Kia recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Recall summary

Recall risks

Background of the recall

Warning signs

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Repair

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Recall summary

Recall risks

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The repair

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