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Daimler recalls trucks that may pull to side when braking

Daimler recalls trucks that may pull to side when braking

November 16, 2022 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – November 16, 2022 – Daimler (OTCMKTS:DMLRY), which owns Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), is recalling 218,147 heavy-duty trucks because they may pull to a side when braking. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. 

This recall supersedes and expands one conducted in 2020 for the same reason. The affected vehicles will need a new repair.

The following trucks are included in the latest round: 

  • 2021 Freightliner 108SD
  • 2022 Freightliner 114SD
  • 2020 – 2022 Freightliner Business Class M2
  • 2017 – 2023 Freightliner Cascadia 
  • 2021 – 2023 Western Star 47X
  • 2020 – 2023 Western Star 49X
  • 2021 – 2022 Western Star 57X  

Recall summary  

All listed trucks are equipped with a device called Adaptive Cruise Control, or ACC. This comfort and safety feature monitors the road ahead and slows down the vehicle if needed by traffic conditions. On affected vehicles, corrosion within a control module that operates this system may cause the brake force applied to the front wheels to be uneven. As a result, the truck may pull to one side when the ACC activates the brakes to slow it down. Regular brakes the driver applies by pressing the pedal are not affected. 

The component causing this recall is the quick release pneumatic valve, with part numbers  WAB472 196 037 0 and WAB472 196 025 0. 

Recall risks

Uneven brake force may cause the vehicle to suddenly change its direction, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

Background of the recall

Over 164,000 Freightliner Cascadia trucks were recalled for the same issue in July 2020. The manufacturer replaced the affected unpainted valves with painted ones to prevent corrosion. However, in September 2022, it received reports of repaired trucks pulling to the side while braking. On the back of the claims, Daimler decided to conduct another recall which affects both the U.S. and Canada.

Warning signs

The driver may notice the ABS light come on the dashboard,

Other DTNA recalls

A vehicle that pulls to the side while braking may be difficult to control, but so does one whose steering wheel falls off. And this is what happened to certain trucks made by DTNA, which were repaired in Freightliner recalls in June 2022 due to potential loss of steering.

Furthermore, the manufacturer recently recalled some of its buses because their roofs may detach in an event of a crash. 

The repair

Dealers will fix the problem by replacing the modulator valve with an upgraded one, which should not be prone to corrosion. The repair is free of charge.

Owners will be notified on December 30, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 200,000 trucks are being recalled over these DTNA brake issues. To do a DTNA recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can do the same to check all current Western Star recalls. 

Bojan PopicDaimler recalls trucks that may pull to side when braking
Hyundai issues seventh recall for vehicles with pretensioners that may explode

Hyundai issues seventh recall for vehicles with pretensioners that may explode

November 15, 2022 Bojan Popic

Fountain Valley, CA – November 15, 2022 – Hyundai (NASDAQ:HYMTF) is recalling 14,928 electric and hybrid vehicles whose seat belt pretensioners – which remove the slack from the seat belt during a crash – could explode while deploying, injuring the car occupants. This is the manufacturer’s seventh recall for this issue.

The latest edition includes the following models: 

  • 2023 Genesis G80 Electric 
  • 2021 – 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid  
  • 2022 – 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid  

Recall summary  

All listed vehicles are equipped with seat belt pretensioners, whose job is to tighten the seat belt during the crash, additionally protecting the occupants’ torso. The working principle behind this device was already explained in one of the previous Hyundai recalls. 

In affected vehicles, front driver- and passenger-side pretensioners may deploy incorrectly, shattering their housing into pieces and sending pieces of metal flying through the cabin. 

The components in question are seat belt assemblies with pretensioner, with part numbers 888A0-JI500 and 88810-CL000  for the driver’s side and 888B0-JI500 and 88820-CL000 for the passenger’s side. 

Recall risks

Metal fragments flying at high speeds act as shrapnels, potentially injuring occupants if they hit them. 

Background of the recall

This is Hyundai’s seventh recall for this issue. Over 325,000 vehicles have been affected so far and the manufacturer is currently testing additional vehicles that are not part of this recall that may also be affected. The pretensioners in question are made by Korean auto parts manufacturer Samsong, as reported.

In connection with the current recall, no injuries or accidents have been reported.

Other Hyundai recalls

Among previous Hyundai Santa Fe recalls, the most recent happened a few days ago. It was caused by automatic transmissions that may shift out of Drive on their own. 

There was a Hyundai Genesis recall last year due to the risk of these cars catching fire. Both Hyundai and its sister company Kia have issued a tremendous number of fire-related recalls and are currently subject to a U.S. government investigation over adequacy of the remedies issued under some of these recalls, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will install a protective cap into the pretensioner, which should prevent them from deploying abnormally and shattering its housings. This repair is free of charge. 

Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on December 30,  2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Almost 15,000 cars are being recalled over these Hyundai seat belt issues. To do a Hyundai recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHyundai issues seventh recall for vehicles with pretensioners that may explode
Tesla recalls Model 3s with unsecured seat belts

Tesla recalls Model 3s with unsecured seat belts

November 11, 2022 Bojan Popic

Austin, TX – November 11, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 24,064 2017-2022 Tesla Model 3 electric cars, whose seat belts may not restrain occupants in the event of a crash. This ups the risk of injury. 

Recall summary

In the listed vehicles, the second-row left seat buckle and the middle seat anchor are held in place with one bolt. When servicing the vehicles, technicians failed to re-assemble the components correctly. This may result in the seat belts in the second row being loose.

Recall risks

A loose or otherwise defective seat belt might not hold the passenger in place if there is a crash, increasing the risk of an injury. 

Warning signs

If not reassembled properly, one or both of these components will be loose. 

Other Tesla Model 3 recalls

You can find comprehensive information about all Tesla recalls that took place in 2022 in this article. 

Additionally, some of 2017 Tesla Model 3 cars, as well as many others, were recalled last month because their windows may malfunction and catch passenger limbs. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect the seat belt anchoring points on these vehicles and rearrange them correctly if needed. This repair is free of charge. 

In addition, to stop this from happening in the future, Tesla has updated their service procedure manuals. 

Owners will be notified on December 20, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 25,000 electric cars are recalled over this Tesla seat belt issue. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicTesla recalls Model 3s with unsecured seat belts
Hyundai recalls Santa Fe SUVs that may catch fire

Hyundai recalls Santa Fe SUVs that may catch fire

November 10, 2022 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – November 10, 2022 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) is recalling 44,396 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUVs, over the risk of catching fire while driving or parked. This increases the risk of crash, injury, or property damage.

This is the latest in the long list of both Hyundai and its sister company Kia fire-related recalls.

Recall summary  

Affected vehicles are equipped with the anti-lock brake system, or ABS, which prevents the wheels from locking up when braking. Due to the reasons still unknown, the electronic module that controls this system may overheat. In some cases, this may result in a fire inside the engine compartment, where this system is located. 

The component causing this recall is the ABS module with part number 58920-4Z300, made by Korean manufacturer Mando. 

Recall risks

For more on the risks of this recall, please visit the following page about a recent Kia recall caused by the same risk.

Other Hyundai recalls

Just a few days ago, Hyundai recalled a range of their models, including Santa Fe, over the risk of stalling.

Both Kia and Hyundai have recalled countless vehicles due to the risk of fire. You can see a summary of the issues here. Since the publication of that article, another Kia fire recall came out less than a week ago.

The repair

As with previous similar issues, the dealers will replace the fuse for the ABS system with a modified one. This new fuse will blow out if the module starts overheating, cutting power to it and preventing it from catching fire. The repair is free of charge.

Owners will be notified on December 26, 2022. 

Safety tips

Owners should park their vehicles away from structures until the new fuse is installed. For more on what to do in the event of a fire, please visit the following page.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

These Hyundai fire issues are affecting more than 40,000 SUVs. To do a Hyundai recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicHyundai recalls Santa Fe SUVs that may catch fire
Can my Tesla catch on fire?

Can my Tesla catch on fire?

November 6, 2022 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – November 6, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has been getting a lot of public attention lately because several of its electric cars caught fire. In most cases, this happened while driving and, apparently, without any warning signs, resulting in dangerous situations.  

With all that in mind, it is no wonder drivers worry about Tesla electrical issues. In this article, we will go over the reported cases and assess the risks involved. 

Is my Tesla likely to catch fire? 

At this time, there is no evidence to suggest these electric vehicles (EVs) are more prone to spontaneous fires than any other cars. In fact, manufacturers such as Hyundai or Chrysler had much more trouble with this than Tesla. 

However, recently, there has been a string of Tesla fires. It is not known if they are related or are part of a larger issue.

Recent Tesla fires 

August saw five Tesla fires. First, a Tesla Model S Plaid burst into flames when its drive unit malfunctioned. The defect was detected by the vehicles’ onboard computers, which warned the driver to drive slowly. But this, however, did not seem to help, as the car caught fire just a few miles afterward. 

In California, a Tesla Model S burst into flames while driving on the highway, with fire quickly spreading to nearby vegetation. The state also saw a case of a crash-damaged Tesla suddenly erupting in flames after sitting in a junkyard for three weeks.

Just a few days prior, a similar accident happened in Florida. Luckily, no one was severely injured on these occasions.

A Tesla also caught fire at a store in Massachusetts.

Risks

Although not all fires are caused by Teslas’ battery packs, high-voltage modules that Teslas and other electrical cars have are extremely difficult to put out. There are reports about firefighters tackling the flaming batteries for hours, as they would re-ignite several times. Besides being difficult to put out, these flames also reach much higher temperatures. All of this poses an additional risk if the vehicle fire happens near other cars or inside a building. 

What to do if my Tesla does burst into flames? 

While there is nothing to suggest your Tesla might catch fire, familiarizing yourself with the location and operation of door levers may be useful. This is because in Tesla cars, doors are electrically opened from the inside at a push of a button. But if a fire breaks out, it may bring down the whole electrical system, making the doors inoperable. Because of this, Tesla vehicles also have conventional door levers, which occupants may use in an emergency to safely exit the vehicle.   

You can also find more information about what to do if your car catches fire in this Kia fire-related recall.

 Is your vehicle part of a recall?

At this moment, there are no Tesla fire issues or recalls. But to do a Tesla recall check and see what might be troubling your own electric car, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool or see this article for an overview of recent ones. 

Bojan PopicCan my Tesla catch on fire?
Kia and Hyundai recall cars that may stall

Kia and Hyundai recall cars that may stall

November 5, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Irvine, CA – November 5, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS: KIMTF) and sister company Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) are recalling 69,038 sedans and SUVs whose transmissions may shift out of Drive on their own, leaving the vehicle without motive power. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.  

Only the models with a 2.5-liter engine and 8-speed automatic transmission are affected.

 The following models are included:

  • 2021 – 2023 Kia K5
  • 2021 – 2022 Kia Sorento
  • 2021 – 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 2021 – 2022 Hyundai Sonata
  • 2021 – 2022 Hyundai Veloster N
  • 2022 Hyundai Elantra
  • 2022 Hyundai Kona N
  • 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Recall summary

The transmission of the affected vehicles has an oil pump whose role is to “drive the engine to rotate,” according to Japanese auto supplier Toyo. Due to a manufacturing error, the pump may fail. If this happens, the vehicle will alert the driver and then, within several seconds, shift the transmission out of Drive. This will cause loss of drive power.

The component causing this recall is the electric oil pump with part number 46220-2N510. 

Background of the recall

The recall follows on the heels of 265 Kia and Hyunda incidents alleging vehicles stalling while driving. Some drivers have reported “doing 70[miles per hour] on heavy traffic with a huge truck to [the] right” when “the engine stopped responding.” No accidents or injuries have been reported so far.

Warning signs 

About 20 to 30 seconds before the stall happens, a chime and a message to “Stop Safely” will warn the driver about the issue. The malfunction indicator light (MIL) will also come on.

Recall risks

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

Other Kia recalls

Just recently, Kia recalled some of its Sportage SUVs over loose wiring. This may cause the vehicle to stall or, in some cases, even catch fire. 

Owners should also be aware of Kia and Hyundai recalls caused by this issue that took place during this year. 

The repair

Dealers will check the transmissions on affected vehicles and replace them if necessary. In addition, they will reprogram the transmission’s control unit. This repair will be free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will be notified on December 9, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Kia loss of power issue is affecting nearly 70,000 vehicles. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicKia and Hyundai recall cars that may stall
Kia issues second recall for older Sportage SUVs over fire risk

Kia issues second recall for older Sportage SUVs over fire risk

November 4, 2022 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – November 4, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is once again recalling 71,704 2008 and 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUVs due to the risk of these vehicles catching fire while driving or parked.

These cars were previously repaired for the same problem in 2016 but caught fire several times since, prompting the manufacturer to issue another recall. This is the latest chapter in the Kia and Hyundai fire-related saga.

Recall summary

The vehicles in question may experience an “engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU)”, which is part of the anti-lock brake system, or ABS module.

The exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation. However, in at least one case, the vehicle that caught fire had “corroded wiring near connector and foreign substances/corrosion on printed circuit board (PCB),” which is a “medium” used to host the car’s “electronic components.”

Background of the recall

The same vehicles were repaired in 2016 due an electrical short within HECU caused by corrosion from an “improperly sealed” HECU cover. Dealers addressed the problem by inspecting the modules and replacing them if any traces of corrosion were present. 

But it appears that the repair may not have been sufficient, given that the current recall comes on the heels of 8 fires and 15 “melting” incidents that occurred in cars post-repair.

Recall risks

Risks with vehicle fires are well documented here and in previous similar recalls, such as this Hyundai fire issue from August 2022. 

Warning signs

If the HECU module overheats or catches fire, the ABS warning light on the dashboard may illuminate. Apart from that, the driver or occupants may notice the smell of burning or observe smoke.

Safety tips

Kia advises owners to park outdoors and away from buildings or other vehicles until the problem has been resolved. For tips on what to do in the even of fire, please visit the following article about yet another Kia fire recall.

Other Kia Sportage recalls

These fire issues are not the only problem that has been troubling the Korean manufacturer lately. Just a few days ago, they had to recall a batch of brand-new Kia Sportages that might catch fire. 

Vehicle fires are a problem that Kia and its sister company, Hyundai, have been tackling for some time now. These issues have been recapped in this article. 

The repair

At this time, the manufacturer is working on a solution for this Kia fire risk issue. Once available, the final repair will be free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will receive notification about the current issue on or around December 22, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 70,000 SUVs are being recalled over this Kia engine 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 older Sportage SUVs over fire risk
Nissan recalls trucks and SUVs whose rearview cameras may freeze up

Nissan recalls trucks and SUVs whose rearview cameras may freeze up

November 3, 2022 Bojan Popic

Franklin, TN – November 3, 2022 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) is recalling 27,344 trucks and SUVs whose rearview cameras may fail to show an image. This increases the risk of a crash while backing up and a consequent injury.

The following models are affected by this recall:

  • 2022 Nissan Frontier
  • 2022 Nissan Titan 
  • 2022 Nissan Titan XD
  • 2021 – 2022 Nissan Rogue

Recall summary

All listed vehicles are fitted with a rearview camera, as mandated by current road regulations. But on affected cars, due to a software error, the display on the central console may fail to show an image from this camera.

The component causing this recall is the In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system, with different part numbers including 25915 9FY1D and 2591A 6RR1A. 

Recall risks

If unable to see what’s behind the vehicle when backing up, the driver may crash into other vehicles or pedestrians, increasing the risk of an injury. 

Other Nissan recalls

Among previous Nissan Rogue recalls, the one caused by jammed seat belts, which happened in October 2022, is the latest. 

In addition, there were several Nissan Titan recalls during the past few months. One that happened in July 2022 was caused by defective transmissions that may slip out of Park. 

Th repair

The manufacturer will fix the issue by releasing a software update, which will be done “over-the-air”. This means owners won’t have to take their cars to their dealers. And, as always, the repair will be free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will be notified on November 18, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Nissan infotainment system issue is affecting nearly 30,000 vehicles. To do a Nissan recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicNissan recalls trucks and SUVs whose rearview cameras may freeze up
Daimler issues Mercedes-Benz C300 recall for risk of fire

Daimler issues Mercedes-Benz C300 recall for risk of fire

October 24, 2022 Bojan Popic

Jacksonville, FL – October 24, 2022 – Daimler (OTCMKTS:DMLRY), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 6,752 Mercedes-Benz C-class cars due to an electrical problem, which could result in a short circuit and increased risk of fire.  The recall includes the 2022 C300 luxury cars.

Recall summary

These cars have a Mercedes-Benz signal acquisition and actuation module (SAM) that gathers information from the vehicle’s sensors, switches and controllers. This plays an important part in the car’s functions such as showing the correct fuel level, controlling the lights and receiving signals from the key fob transmitter for locking and unlocking the doors.    

In the affected vehicles, water leaking into the trunk area may reach the SAM’s sensitive electronics, causing a short circuit and increasing the risk of a fire.

Recall risks

A short circuit on the SAM could lead to problems with the vehicle’s various features such as exterior lights, power seat adjustment, side mirrors and rearview cameras. It also increases the risk of fire breaking out in the vehicle.  For more on the risks of fire, please visit the following page.

Warning signs

A warning message will appear on the dashboard, corresponding to the particular function affected by the short circuit.  

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls 

In April 2022, Daimler issued a recall for 8,396 Mercedes-Benz cars for the 2021-2022 model years over faulty cruise control features, as reported.

That same month, another Daimler recall covered 126,443 Mercedes-Benz vehicles for the 2018-2021 model years over a software error on the rearview camera, that could prevent drivers from reversing the vehicle safely. 

Repair

Dealers will install a cover on the SAM to protect it against water leaking into the trunk area. The repair will be done free of charge, as all affected vehicles are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Affected owners will be notified on or around November 11, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

These Mercedes-Benz electric issues are causing a recall of over 6,000 vehicles. To see if your vehicle is affected, run a Mercedes-Benz recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Bojan PopicDaimler issues Mercedes-Benz C300 recall for risk of fire
Toyota recalls trucks and SUVs with inoperable parking brakes

Toyota recalls trucks and SUVs with inoperable parking brakes

October 23, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Plano, TX – October 23, 2022 – Toyota (NYSE:TM), which owns the Lexus brand, has recalled 83,725 pickup trucks and SUVs whose electronic parking brakes may stop working. This increases the risk that a vehicle parked on an incline could roll away and crash.

Vehicles affected by this recall include: 

  • 2022 Lexus NX250
  • 2022 Lexus NX350
  • 2022 Toyota Tundra

Recall summary  

All listed vehicles have an electronic parking brake (EPB), which is activated by pushing a button instead of pulling a lever. This device’s operation is controlled by a computer which ensures the parking brake is activated in a safe way. 

In the affected vehicles, as a result of a programming error, the parking brake system may falsely detect an electrical problem, causing it to deactivate and display a warning light and message. When this happens, the driver will be unable to engage or disengage the parking brake.

Recall risks

If the parking brake is not activated when intended, a vehicle parked on an incline may roll away, increasing the risk of crash and injury.

Warning signs

When the driver attempts to set the parking brake, the vehicle will display a message: “Parking Brake Malfunction, Visit Your Dealer.” If the parking brake is already on, the driver will be unable to release it; if it is off, they will be unable to set it.

Other Toyota and Lexus recalls

One of the most recent Toyota truck recalls was in July 2022, when the manufacturer recalled more than 40,000 vehicles whose drivetrain axles may detach while driving.

Some Lexus SUVs were affected by a large-scale recall in May 2022, which was caused by the stability control not turning back on automatically after it is turned off.

Repair

Dealers will update the vehicle’s software with a new version. This repair is free of charge.

Vehicle owners will receive notifications about this recall between October 17, 2022, and October 30, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Toyota parking brake recall affects more than 80,000 vehicles. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can use the same tool to do a Lexus recall check. 

Bojan PopicToyota recalls trucks and SUVs with inoperable parking brakes

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