US government investigates Ford over brake fluid leaks

US government investigates Ford over brake fluid leaks

September 4, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Washington, D.C. – September 4, 2022 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Ford (NYSE:F) over Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ cars that may leak brake fluid. This may lead to longer stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect an estimated 1.73 million vehicles, including: 

  • 2013 – 2018 Ford Fusion
  • 2013 – 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  • 2013 – 2018 Lincoln MKZ 
  • 2013 – 2018 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on August 8, 2022, following 50 complaints about brake fluid leaks and one crash allegedly caused by such a leak. The leaks are caused by the rupture of brake hoses, which transfer and multiply the force applied to the brake pedal to activate the brakes.

The investigation comes on the heels of an August 2020 recall that was conducted for the same issue and included the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2015-2018 Ford Edge vehicles. The goal of the investigation is to evaluate “the adequacy” of the recall and see if the Fusion and MKZ cars need to be included as well.

Complaints

Complaints indicate that the front brake lines rupture without warning, causing a sudden brake fluid leak. Drivers have reported that the brake pedal became soft, accompanied by a noticeable drop in braking effect. One driver crashed the vehicle while trying to stop because of this failure.

Risks

A leaking brake line will affect the performance of the vehicle’s brakes. In addition, if left unchecked, this leak may result in a loss of brake fluid severe enough to render all brakes inoperable. Both situations increase the braking distance, upping the risk of a crash and injury.  

Other Ford and Lincoln recalls 

There was a Ford Edge recall in June this year due to the risk of these cars rolling away because of transmission issues. The recall also included Escape, Fusion and C-Max cars and was conducted for at least the fifth time in the past four years, as reported.

There was a Lincoln recall for Aviator SUVs due to the risk of electrical fire, also as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Ford brake recall, possibly affecting over 1.7 million vehicles. To do a Ford recall check and see if your car might be a part of it, bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Ford over brake fluid leaks
GM recalls Chevrolets over risk of unexpected hood opening

GM recalls Chevrolets over risk of unexpected hood opening

September 3, 2022 Senamile Nkosi ,

Warren, MI – September 3, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Chevrolet brand, is recalling 120,688 vehicles whose hoods could be opened accidentally while driving, blocking the driver’s view and increasing the risk of a crash. 

The recall supersedes one issued in 2014 for the same issue, comes on the back of multiple crashes, and includes the following models:

  • 2013 – 2015 Chevrolet Spark
  • 2014 – 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV

Recall Summary

The secondary hood latch is a safety measure to prevent the hood from flying open if the main latch is accidentally released while the car is in motion. In the affected cars, the lever of the secondary hood latch “may prematurely corrode at the pivot” due to a supplier fault. This could cause it to not engage as expected.

The components in question are the hood striker assembly, with part numbers 96688513 and 94534170, as well as the hood latch assembly, with part numbers 94534171 and 96966791.

Recall risks

When the secondary hood latch doesn’t engage properly, the vehicle’s hood could open unexpectedly while the car is in motion (for example, if the driver pulls the hood release lever by accident). The hood would block the driver’s view, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

Background of the recall

The current recall is a replacement of the 2014 recall of the same vehicles; GM discovered that the remedy for the earlier recall failed to solve the problem of corroding hood latches. There has been at 22 crashes because of this issue and at least one injury, according to the manufacturer’s data.

Other recent General Motors recalls

In August, General Motors recalled nearly half a million SUVs over a seatbelt fault caused by a supplier error.

In April, more than 600,000 SUVs were recalled due to defective windshield wipers. 

Repair

To remedy the secondary hood latch issue, dealers will replace the affected parts at no cost to owners. Owners will be notified of the repair program on or around October 10, 2022.   

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 120,000 vehicles are included in this Chevrolet recall. To perform a recall check on your vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiGM recalls Chevrolets over risk of unexpected hood opening
Stellantis issues rearview camera recall for Wrangler, RAM and Gladiator cars

Stellantis issues rearview camera recall for Wrangler, RAM and Gladiator cars

September 3, 2022 Senamile Nkosi , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – September 3, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Jeep and Ram brands, is recalling 7,895 vehicles with rearview cameras that may not display an image. This increases the risk of a crash.

The recall includes the following pickup trucks and SUVs :

  • 2020 – 2021 Jeep Wrangler 
  • 2020 – 2021 RAM 1500 
  • 2021 Jeep Gladiator 

Recall summary

Due to a software error, the subject vehicles’ radios may reset repeatedly, interfering with the display and preventing the rearview image from showing while backing up. This reduces the driver’s ability to see behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Only vehicles with EcoDiesel engines are affected.

The component in question is the radio, with part numbers including 68428546AD, 68474392AE and 68428540AC.

Recall risks

When the rearview image does not appear as the driver backs up, the driver’s ability to see behind the vehicle is reduced. This could lead to a collision with pedestrians, property or other vehicles.

Warning signs

A telltale sign of a fault is if the radio resets before the driver shifts to reverse. This is an indication that the radio is not functioning as expected and may prevent the rearview image from displaying.

Other recent Jeep and Ram truck recalls

In early August, Stellantis recalled nearly 100,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles with damaged tail lights.

In April, more than 4,000 2021 – 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUVs were recalled over improperly secured child car seat anchors, which could increase the risk of injury to a child passenger.

Repair

Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to owners. Owners can expect to receive a letter with more information about this radio software issue, on or around October 14, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 7,000 Stellantis vehicles are included in this recall. To perform a RAM or Jeep recall check on your vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiStellantis issues rearview camera recall for Wrangler, RAM and Gladiator cars
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