Volkswagen recalls hatchbacks that may overheat and catch fire

Volkswagen recalls hatchbacks that may overheat and catch fire

October 2, 2022 Bojan Popic

Auburn Hills, MI – October 2, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) is recalling 8,038 cars that may develop a coolant leak. This could cause the engine to overheat and, in some cases, even lead to a fire. This increases the risk of injury and even death for the car occupants.

Models affected by this recall include: 

  • 2022 –2023 Volkswagen Golf R A8
  • 2022 –2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Recall summary  

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a liquid which helps regulate the temperature of the engine.

At the same time, the radiator is a “heat exchanger” which disperses the coolant and helps protect the engine from overheating.

In affected cars, the radiator might have been installed incorrectly during assembly and may become loose. If this happens, the coolant hose that connects it to the engine might come in contact with the engine’s auxiliary belt, which rotates at a speed. This may rupture the hose, causing a coolant leak.  

Recall risks

A loss of coolant, when severe enough, will cause the engine to overheat. If the driver ignores the increase in the engine temperature, the vehicle may stall or even catch fire. Read about the risks of an engine fire here.

The coolant is also slippery and when spilled on the road in large quantities, can up the risk of an accident for surrounding motorists.

Warning signs

A red warning light will pop up on the dashboard if the coolant drops below a certain level.  

Other Volkswagen recalls

Earlier this month, Volkswagen recalled Audi vehicles due to fuel spill risk, as reported.

There was a Volkswagen Golf recall in March over loose engine covers which could lead to a fire, also as reported.

Repair

Dealers will check how the radiator is mounted and secure it into place if needed. If the radiator is loose, they will also check the coolant hose and auxiliary belt and replace them if any damage is found. This repair is free of charge. 

Owners will receive letters with more information about the recall on November 18, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 8,000 hot hatches are being recalled over these Volkswagen Golf radiator issues. To do a Volkswagen recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicVolkswagen recalls hatchbacks that may overheat and catch fire
Ford recalls vehicles with flickering parking lights

Ford recalls vehicles with flickering parking lights

October 2, 2022 Senamile Nkosi

Dearborn, MI – October 2, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 86,050 vehicles whose parking lights may flicker when the headlights are on. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.

This Ford recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2022 – 2023 Ford Bronco Sport
  • 2022 Ford F-150

Recall summary

The subject vehicles’ parking lights flicker in certain circumstances, such as when the headlights are in automatic mode and it becomes dark enough for the “night mode” to be triggered.

The component in question is the LED driver module, with part number NC5A-13B626-FB.

Recall risks

Flickering parking lights can reduce visibility or cause a distraction, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

Other recent Ford recalls

Earlier this month, Ford recalled nearly 200,000 SUVs over fire risk caused by a problem with the air conditioner’s motor.

One of the most recent Ford truck recalls was in August, when more than 50,000 Ford F-150 trucks were recalled over a risk of stalling and rolling away. This was attributed to a fracture in the driveshaft. 

The same month, more than 60,000 Ford Mavericks were recalled over airbags that do not deploy properly. The cause of the fault is still being investigated. 

Repair

To remedy the parking lights issues, dealers will either replace or reprogram the LED driver module at no cost to owners. Owners will be notified about the repair program between October 31, 2022 and November 4, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 90,000 vehicles are included in this Ford recall. To perform a recall check on your vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiFord recalls vehicles with flickering parking lights
Tesla recalls cars over faulty windows, injury risk

Tesla recalls cars over faulty windows, injury risk

October 1, 2022 Joseph Estabillo

Austin, TX – October 1, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 1,096,762 vehicles whose malfunctioning windows may hurt the occupants when closing.

The recall involves the following models: 

  • 2017 – 2022 Tesla Model 3
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model S
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model X
  • 2020 – 2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

Tesla cars use an automatic reversal system for safety on their power-activated windows. If the window encounters an obstacle while closing, it retracts.

In the affected vehicles, the automatic reversal system may not react correctly when it hits an obstacle. It may exert too much force before it stops or retract less than it should.

Recall risks

If the window continues to close when it encounters an obstacle, such as an outstretched body part,  it could cause an injury.

 Other Tesla recalls and investigations

In June 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) escalated its investigation of Teslas crashing into stopped emergency vehicles after it discovered additional crashes that were not associated with emergency scenes. The goal of the investigation is to figure out whether the measures Tesla currently uses to ensure that the driver is paying attention to the road are sufficient.

One of the most recent Tesla Model S recalls occurred in April 2022, when the automaker recalled 594,717 vehicles over a failure to warn pedestrians of the cars’ largely silent approach.

Repair

Dealers will release an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update to the affected vehicles, calibrating the automatic reversal system to safely retract when hitting an obstacle. There will be no cost to owners for this update.

Affected owners will be notified on or around November 15, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 1 million Tesla vehicles are affected by this Tesla automatic window issue. To see if your vehicle is included, run a Tesla recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloTesla recalls cars over faulty windows, injury risk
Kia issues second recall for tow hitch harness’ fire

Kia issues second recall for tow hitch harness’ fire

October 1, 2022 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – October 1, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 70,887 SUVs that may catch fire while driving or parked. This increases the risk of crash, injury or property damage.

This recall comes on the heels of another recent Kia recall for the same issue and includes the following models:

  • 2016 – 2022 Kia Sorento
  • 2021 – 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
  • 2022 – 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
  • 2017 – 2022 Kia Sportage

Recall summary

This recall is very similar to the one from August, which affected certain Kia and Hyundai SUVs. Like in that previous recall, the issue is a defective tow hitch harness module. 

Due to moisture or “foreign material contamination”, the module’s circuit board can experience a short circuit, which can cause overheating or start a fire. Kia has reported at least three vehicle fires and 30 incidences of localized melting as a result of this issue.

The component causing this recall is the tow hitch harness with various part numbers depending on the model, including C6061 ADUS0, C6061 ADUSAQQK and D9061 ADUS6QQK. 

Recall risks

Vehicle fire carries several hazards. You can read more in the above-referenced  article about the earlier Kia and Hyundai fire recall. 

Safety tips

As with the previous recall, Kia advises owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until a remedy is available.

Other Kia recalls

Recent Kia Sorento recalls include one in June 2022 over exploding seat belt retractors. This issue has led to a U.S. government investigation that is currently underway.

In addition, some of the earlier Sorento and Sportage model-years are among the 3 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles at the center of another probe due to multiple non-crash related fires, as reported.

Repair

At this time, Kia is working on a solution and will inform vehicle owners when it becomes available. Once this happens, the repair will be free of charge. 

Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent between November 14, 2022, and November 18, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 70,000 SUVs are being recalled over this Kia fire risk. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicKia issues second recall for tow hitch harness’ fire
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