Subaru recalls cars over risk of fire, tells owners to park away from structures

Camden, NJ December 23, 2022 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling  271,694 of their 2019 – 2022 Subaru Ascent SUVs because their electrical components may overheat and melt. This may lead to a vehicle fire, increasing the risk of property damage, crash, and injury. 

The fire may occur even while the vehicle is turned off and parked. Owners are advised to park away from structures until the issue is addressed. The recall comes on the back of 11 fire-related complaints.

Recall summary  

All listed vehicles are equipped with several heaters, including one inside the dashboard. The dashboard heater helps the engine warm up faster when it is cold out. Its grounding wire is bolted to the chassis with a screw. 

On affected SUVs, these screws might not have been tightened up sufficiently during assembly. This may generate excessive heat which may lead to the grounding wire’s terminal and surrounding components melting if the temperature is high enough. It may also lead to a fire.

The component causing this recall is the tapping screw, with part number 904580002

Recall risks

You can find out all about the risks caused by overheating electrics in this recent Hyundai recall

Warning signs 

The driver or passengers may notice a burning smell if the grounding wire starts to melt. In addition, there might be smoke coming from underneath the dashboard on the driver’s side. 

Safety tips 

If you notice these warning signs, pull over at the first safe spot, turn off the ignition and leave the vehicle with all your passengers.

Keep in mind that your car may still catch fire even when it is not running. This is why you should park it away from structures and other vehicles until the repair is done. 

Other Subaru recalls

Apart from these Subaru electrical issues, the manufacturer recalled nearly 200,000 of their popular Impreza cars because of defective headlights in August 2022

Among previous Subaru Ascent recalls, the one caused by malfunctioning transmission, which took place in January 2022, is the latest

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by installing a new grounding-wire screw. In addition, as a precaution, they will inspect the grounding wire and replace it if needed. The repair is free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will be notified on February 6, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Subaru ground terminal recall affects almost a quarter of a million SUVs. To do a Subaru recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicSubaru recalls cars over risk of fire, tells owners to park away from structures

Hyundai under investigation for recent Palisade windshield wipers’ recall

Fountain Valley, CA – December 18, 2022 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Hyundai (NASDAQ:HYMTF) regarding “the scope and remedy” of a recent recall conducted for faulty windshield wipers.

The investigation could result in a recall of an additional 126,081 cars, including the following:

  • 2021 Hyundai Palisade
  • 2022 Hyundai Palisade
  • 2023 Hyundai Palisade

Investigation summary

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has opened a probe on December 2, 2022 on the back of six complaints about windshield wiper failures in winter conditions. According to these complaints, the wiper motor would work intermittently or malfunction due to accumulated snow or ice. 

Hyundai previously initiated 2020–2021 Hyundai Palisade recalls involving 122,919 vehicles in August 2022 over the problem. However, the vehicles included in the present investigation were not part of that recall.

Risks

Defective windshield wipers prevent drivers from seeing the road clearly when driving in rainy or wintry conditions, increasing the risk of the vehicle crashing.   

Other Hyundai recalls

In September, NHTSA placed Hyundai and sister company Kia under investigation for an estimated 5.2 million vehicles over allegations of a sudden and severe oil leak that can lead to the engine stalling and an increased risk of an accident. In November, Hyundai also recalled 14,928 electric and plug-in vehicles over exploding seat belt pretensioners that pose an increased risk of fire.    

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

More than 126,000 vehicles could be recalled as a result of this Hyundai windshield wiper investigation. To do a Hyundai recall check for your vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloHyundai under investigation for recent Palisade windshield wipers’ recall

Ford recalls pickup trucks that may stall or roll away

Dearborn, MI – December 17, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 18,808 vehicles that may lose power or roll away because of a fractured driveshaft. The latter is a component that transfers engine power to the wheels to propel the vehicle forward.

This increases the risk of a crash. 

The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2017 – 2018 F-250 Super Duty
  • 2017 – 2018 F-350 Super Duty
  • 2017 – 2018 F-450 Super Duty

Recall summary

Radial dampers are circular mechanisms that are used to limit uncontrolled movement inside the driveshaft.

In the subject vehicles, the dumbbell-shaped radial damper may move out of position due to the rubber covering becoming deformed over time. This could eventually lead to the fracture of the driveshaft.

Recall risks

The defect can result in a loss of drive power. A vehicle rollaway is also possible if the parking brake is not engaged when the vehicle is parked. These Ford driveshaft issues increase the risk of a crash.

Warning signs

Tell-tale signs related to this Ford F-Series issue include “noise, vibration, or harshness (NVH) symptoms observable to a driver.

Other recent Ford recalls

One of the most recent Ford truck recalls over a similar matter was in August, where nearly 60,000 F-150 trucks were recalled for the risk of stall and rollaway.

In early December, Ford issued a recall of more than half a million Escape and Bronco vehicles over fire risk. This was the second recall for the same issue, prompted by more than 50 complaints and more than 40 legal claims.

In November, Bronco vehicles were subjected to another recall. This time, more than 40,000 vehicles were included in the rearview image display fault.

The repair

Dealers will replace the driveshaft at no cost. Owners can expect to be notified about the repair program between January 9, 2023 and January 13, 2023.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 20,000 vehicles are included in this Ford F-series recall. To perform a Ford recall check on your vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiFord recalls pickup trucks that may stall or roll away

Stellantis recalls Dodge vehicles over loss of drive power

Auburn Hills, MI – December 16, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Chrysler and Dodge brands, is recalling 5,834 vehicles that may lose power while in motion due to faulty shifter pawls, which are pins that lock gears in place. This augments the risk of a crash.

The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2022 Dodge Charger
  • 2022 Dodge Durango

Recall summary

In the affected vehicles, the shifter pawls have not been properly heat-treated and may bend or fail to engage as expected when shifting between gears.  Heat-treating, as reported, is a normal part of the manufacturing process which ensures that components made of metal can withstand the test of time.

Recall risks

An improperly engaged shifter assembly may slip out of the “Drive” position, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. This increases the risk of a crash. 

Warning signs

A warning sign associated with this issue is “a bent or misaligned shifter lever.” In some cases, the driver may even have difficulty selecting gears. 

Other recent Dodge and Chrysler recalls

In November, more than 40,000 Dodge and Chrysler vehicles were recalled over risk of tire failure. This was a follow-up recall from a July one relating to the same issue.

Prior to that in October, more than 80,000 Dodge Journey SUVs were subjected to a recall over a headlamp issue resulting in poor visibility. This was attributed to a substandard reflector. 

The repair

To fix this Dodge powertrain issues, dealers will replace the shifter assembly  free of charge. Notifications regarding the repair program will be sent to owners on or around January 12, 2023.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 6,000 vehicles are included in this recall. To perform a Fiat Chrysler recall check on your vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiStellantis recalls Dodge vehicles over loss of drive power

Stellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler plug-ins again over risk of engine shutdown

Auburn Hills, MI – December 15, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Chrysler and Jeep brands, is recalling 62,909 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) over a loss of internal communication that may lead to an engine shutdown. This increases the risk of a crash.

This is the third stalling-related recall in two months to affect Jeep Wranglers, and the second to affect PHEVs specifically. At least one injury has been reported leading up to the current recall.

Recall summary

Jeep Wrangler 4xe SUVs that are equipped with the 2.0L Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) engine are at risk of an unexpected engine shutdown. 

The root cause of the issue and affected components are still being investigated and yet to be confirmed.

For now, Chrysler attributes the issue to “diagnostic reactions to faults caused by loss of communication” among the vehicle components.

Recall risks

An engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Background of the recall

To date, Chrysler reports two accidents and one injury related to the issue, as well as 112 customer assistance records, 196 warranty claims and 65 field reports.

Last month, there was another plug-in hybrid recall when 2022-2023 Wrangler plug-in hybrids were recalled for a loose fuse in the battery which could also lead to a stall.

Around the same time, there was another Jeep Wrangler recall over a problem with the fuel pump that could cause the engine to lose power. This was prompted by 250 customer complaints.

Other recent Stellantis recalls

In November, Stellantis recalled almost 250,000 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks over a potential fuel leak which could lead to a fire.

Also in November was a recall of 2022 Chrysler 300s, Dodge Challengers and Dodge Chargers over a faulty tire pressure monitoring system

The repair

Dealers will update vehicle’s software at no cost to the owner. Affected owners will be notified on or around January 12, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 60,000 vehicles are included in this recall. To perform a Jeep recall check or see other Fiat Chrysler recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiStellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler plug-ins again over risk of engine shutdown

Tesla recalls cars in China over inoperable side lights 

Austin, TX – December 14, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is recalling 435,132 electric vehicles made for the China market, as their side markers may fail to illuminate, according to Reuters. This reduces visibility and may lead to a crash, increasing the risk of injury. 

The following vehicles are included: 

  • Tesla Model 3
  • Tesla Model Y 

It is not clear what model-years are affected.

Recall summary

Quarter-panels are panels of a car “between a rear door and the trunk.” The listed cars have side lighting markers placed at the quarter-panels. These may fail to come on. 

Reportedly, these Tesla electrical issues are caused by a software error.   

Recall risks

Inoperable lights make the vehicle less visible to other motorists. In extreme cases, such as thick fog or heavy rain, this may result in a collision, increasing the risk of injury. 

Other Tesla recalls

Light issues caused by faulty tail lamps were the cause of one of the most recent Tesla Model 3 recalls. Certain Model Y cars were affected by this problem, as well.  

In addition, several other Telsa Model Y recalls happened in the past few months, such as one caused by faulty windows, which took place in October 2022

The repair

Tesla will launch an over-the-air software update to ensure side markers are on when they should be.

Owners of vehicles whose software has failed to update will be contacted directly. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 435,000 electric cars are affected by this Tesla China recall. To do a Tesla software recall check and see if your car has any similar issues, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool

Bojan PopicTesla recalls cars in China over inoperable side lights 

Navistar and GM recall buses and trucks over risk of steering loss, vehicle instability

Lisle, IL – December 11, 2022 – Navistar, which owns the International brand, and General Motors, the owner of the Chevrolet brand, are recalling thousands of vehicles because parts of their suspension and steering mechanisms may break apart. This would lead to a loss of vehicle stability, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. The Chevrolet vehicles in question were manufactured by Navistar.

In total, Navistar is recalling 31,467 buses and trucks, including the following models: 

  • 2023 IC Bus 1300FBC
  • 2023 IC Bus CE
  • 2023 IC Bus RE
  • 2023 IC Bus TC
  • 2021 – 2022 International CV 
  • 2021 – 2023 International HV
  • 2023 International HX
  • 2023 International Lonestar
  • 2023 International LT
  • 2023 International MV
  • 2023 International RH

General Motors is recalling 5,861 heavy-duty trucks, including: 

  • 2021 – 2022 Chevrolet 4500HD
  • 2021 – 2022 Chevrolet 4500XD
  • 2021 – 2022 Chevrolet 5500HD
  • 2021 – 2022 Chevrolet 5500XD
  • 2022 Chevrolet 6500XD

Recall summary  

Parts of suspension and steering of the recalled vehicles were made with nuts that were not properly heat-treated when made due to a supplier error. Heat-treating these components is an essential part of the manufacturing process to ensure they can withstand the test of time and hold the vehicles’ joints together.

Because of the error, these nuts – called Navistar hex flange lock nuts – may break. This can lead to the “loss of tension” in both steering and suspension and make the vehicle unstable, difficult to control and hard or impossible to steer.

Recall risks

The defect significantly ups the risk of a crash and injury. No injuries or warranty claims have been reported by either manufacturer.

Warning signs 

Should one or more affected nuts fall apart, the driver could notice the steering and overall vehicle handling become less sharp and responsive. 

Safety tips 

If you notice a “loose feeling” when driving, pull off the road to the nearest safe location. If you cannot identify any obvious causes, such as, for instance, a flat tire, get the vehicle towed. 

Other Navistar recalls

This is not the first time Navistar is having steering issues with their vehicles. Back in June 2022, there was a Navistar school bus recall, because their steering wheels could have detached

More recently, in September 2022, a batch of heavy-duty Navistar International trucks was recalled because they may stall while driving.  

While there are no recent or large recalls regarding GM vehicles in question, in the past six months, the manufacturer recalled over 1.7 million vehicles. Read more about these GM recalls here.

The repair

To fix this Navistar suspension issue, dealers will replace all suspected nuts with those that are made correctly free of charge. 

Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on January 20, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 36,000 commercial vehicles are affected by this Navistar steering issues. To do a Navistar recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool

Bojan PopicNavistar and GM recall buses and trucks over risk of steering loss, vehicle instability

Kia recalls Sportage SUVs over faulty airbags

Irvine, CA – December 10, 2022 – Kia (OTCKMTS:KIMTF) is issuing a recall for 76,918 2023 Kia Sportage SUV crossovers due to faulty airbags. This ups the risk of injury during a crash.

Recall summary

Side curtain airbags are meant to protect the occupants’ heads when a side impact collision happens. In the affected vehicles, which were produced at a Kia facility in Georgia, a worker error during assembly may have resulted in the side curtain airbags being twisted as they were installed in the vehicle.   

The component involved in this recall is the curtain airbag module with part numbers 80410-DW000 and 80420-DW000.

Recall risks

The bags may not deploy properly or even at all in a side impact collision. This brings an increased risk of injury to occupants. 

Other Kia recalls

In February of last year, there was a Kia airbag recall when over 400,000 vehicles of five different models were recalled over airbags that may not deploy during a crash, upping the risk of a serious injury.

Separately, both Kia and its sister company Hyundai are subject to a U.S. government investigation for numerous non-crash related fires and issues dozens of recalls related to the issue over the past couple of years. 

Case in point is the recent Kia Sportage recall, that occurred just last month when over 70,000  2008-2009 model-years were recalled for the second time since 2016 due to several fires that occurred post-repair.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the side curtain airbags and reinstall them correctly as needed, at no cost to the owner. Kia will reimburse owners who had these repairs made before the recall was announced. 

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified on or around December 28, 2022.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 76,000 vehicles are affected by this Kia Sportage airbag recall. To see if your vehicle is among them, run a Kia recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloKia recalls Sportage SUVs over faulty airbags

General Motors recalls Cadillac XT4 crossovers  over rearview camera failure

Warren, MI – December 9, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) which owns the Cadillac brand, has issued a recall for 10,194 2019–2020 Cadillac XT4 subcompact crossovers due to a problem with the rearview camera. This increases the risk of an accident.  

Recall summary

The rearview camera allows drivers to maneuver better by displaying the view of the area behind the vehicle once the Reverse gear is engaged. In the affected vehicles, which are those equipped with the optional Cadillac Surround Vision feature, the rearview camera may work erratically or stop working at all, resulting in no image being shown after the driver shifts to Reverse.

Recall risks

For risks of this recall, please read our recent coverage of an Audi recall for the same issue.

Warning signs 

Drivers may notice the rearview camera working inconsistently or not working at all, indicated by a black or blue screen on the dashboard monitor.   

Other General Motors recalls

In September, GM recalled 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5 and XT6 vehicles (as well as GMC Acadias for the same model year) over a similar problem with the rearview camera image failing to display on the monitor.

General Motors issued a recall for 681,509 2014–2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain models in April 2022 over a problem with the windshield wipers malfunctioning because of rust on the ball joints.

There are no other prominent or recent Cadillac XT4 recalls at this time.

The repair

To fix these Cadillac rearview camera issues, dealers will update the video processing module (VPM) software on the affected vehicles. For 2019 models, the VPM will also be replaced. All repairs will be done free of charge.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified on or around January 9, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 10,000 vehicles are affected by this Cadillac rearview camera recall. To see if your vehicle is among them, or to check for 2023 Cadillac and General Motors recalls, run a General Motors recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloGeneral Motors recalls Cadillac XT4 crossovers  over rearview camera failure

Volkswagen recalls more Audi vehicles over reduced engine power

Auburn Hills, MI. – December 8, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY), which owns the Audi brand, is recalling 50,883 vehicles over a defect that can cause them to experience a partial loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

This is the second Audi recall related to this issue.

The recall covers the following models: 

  • 2019 – 2022 Audi A6
  • 2020 – 2022 Audi A6 allroad
  • 2019 – 2022 Audi A7
  • 2021 – 2022 Audi RS6 Avant
  • 2021 – 2022 Audi RS7
  • 2020 – 2022 Audi S6
  • 2020 – 2022 Audi S7

Recall summary

The gateway control module enables the vehicle’s different control units to communicate efficiently. In the recalled vehicles, if liquid gets into the control module, it will go into a failsafe mode which was designed to prevent vehicle malfunctions. In this mode, the steering and brakes continue to work, but power to the engine is reduced.

The component involved in this recall is the protective cover for the gateway control module with part number 4K0907578A.    

Recall risks

The defect could increase the likelihood of a crash and injury to the car occupants. 

Background of the recall

In December 2021, Volkswagen recalled 288,911 Audi vehicles over the same problem. Following that recall, the manufacturer launched “field monitoring” of Audis A6 and A7 to determine if they were affected by the issue as well. As a result of that, Volkswagen received 38 claims alleging reduced engine power and initiated the current recall.

Other Volkswagen recalls

In September, Volkswagen recalled 13,004 2021–2022 Audi Q3 SUVs due to potential fuel spills caused by a damaged vent pipe.   

In October, Volkswagen announced a recall for 170,296 2021–2022 Audi vehicles on account of a defective rearview camera display

The repair

Dealers will install a protective cover on the control module to protect it against water damage. This will be done free of charge. 

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified on or around January 20, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 50,000 vehicles are affected by this Audi control module issue. To see if your vehicle is among them, or to check for more Volkswagen or Audi recalls,  run an Audi recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloVolkswagen recalls more Audi vehicles over reduced engine power