Bojan

GM to recall SUVs with blinding headlights

GM to recall SUVs with blinding headlights

March 11, 2022 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – April 5, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) formally launched this recall around the time this article came out. The remedy is still under development. Owners will receive letters with more information on April 23, 2022.

Washington, D.C. – March 11, 2022 –  General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the GMC brand, will have to recall approximately 725,000 2010-2017 GMC Terrain SUVs following a rejection of appeal to the U.S. auto safety regulator to avoid the recall.

The headlights on these vehicles are too bright and might temporarily blind other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

The timeline of the recall is not clear.

Summary  

On vehicles that will be a part of this recall, headlights are brighter than federal regulations allow. This issue was originally noticed by the GMC itself, that reported it to the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in June 2019.

In its report, the manufacturer asked NHTSA to consider the defect “inconsequential” given that the reflections from the lights would appear “high above the vehicle… outside the driver view,” among other reasons.

However, on March 4, NHTSA rejected GM’s petition. As a result, GM will have to recall these vehicles to rectify the problem.  

Recall risks

Headlights that are too bright can cause glare, which may temporarily blind drivers of oncoming and surrounding vehicles. This can cause a crash, which increases the risk of an injury.

Other GMC Terrain recalls 

The last 2012 GMC Terrain recall was in July 2016 due to the risk of rollaway. Similarly, the last 2013 GMC Terrain recall also dates back to 2016, when over 360,000 of these cars were recalled due to faulty windshield wipers.

More recently, the 2020-2021 Terrain SUVs were among vehicles recalled due to tire tread separation that could result in the driver losing control of the vehicle, as reported.

The repair

GM said that it would fix the problem by replacing the faulty headlights. Additional details are not yet available but all repairs will be free of charge as it is always the case for recalls.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Because of this GMC Terrain headlights issue, more than 700,000 vehicles will soon have to be recalled. To do a GMC recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicGM to recall SUVs with blinding headlights
Toyota recalls C-HR SUVs with faulty pre-collision warning systems

Toyota recalls C-HR SUVs with faulty pre-collision warning systems

March 11, 2022 Bojan Popic

Plano, TX – March 11, 2022 –  Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 36,558 2021 Toyota C-HR SUVs because their pre-collision warning systems may malfunction, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

Recall summary  

Vehicles that are part of this Toyota recall have a range of driver assistance features, including the so-called pre-collision system (PCS). This safety system uses a camera and radar sensor to scan the road in front of the vehicle. If any obstacles are detected, it will warn the driver and even stop the vehicle if necessary. 

On certain Toyota C-HR 2021 models, the radar sensor may not have been activated during the assembly of the vehicle. With it being inoperable, the PCS may fail to “notice” a potential obstacle and will not know it is inoperative.

The component in question is the “millimeter-wave radar sensor,” with part number 88210-F4070. 

Recall risks

Without PCS, the driver is at a higher risk of a collision.

Other Toyota recalls 

The 2021 Toyota C-HR is not subject to any other recalls.

The 2020 model-year was recalled in December 2019 due to faulty rear seat belts assemblies, as reported.

Separately, in December of last year, over 220,000 Toyota Camry sedans were recalled due to the loss of power brake assistance, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the radar and ensure that it is properly set up. This repair will be done free of charge. Notifications to vehicle owners with more information will be sent by mail between April 11, 2022, and April 25, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Toyota pre-collision braking recall is affecting more than 30,000 vehicles. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls C-HR SUVs with faulty pre-collision warning systems
US government investigates 1.7 million Honda cars over phantom braking

US government investigates 1.7 million Honda cars over phantom braking

March 6, 2022 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – March 6, 2022 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator is investigating Honda (NYSE:HMC) vehicles that may unexpectedly brake on their own. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. 

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

  • 2018 – 2019 Honda Accord
  • 2017 – 2019 Honda CR-V

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on February 21, following at least 278 complaints about phantom braking. 

Based on the complaints, the vehicles’ Collision Mitigation Braking System (MBS) may cause the vehicle to start braking sharply in the absence of any visible threats and without any prior warning.

The Collision Mitigation Braking System, or CMBS, is the automated system that monitors the road ahead and stops the vehicle to avoid a crash if there is an obstacle.

Risks

A vehicle that slams on the brakes hard and unexpectedly may be hit from behind. In addition, the sudden braking may confuse the driver and cause him or her to lose control over the vehicle, amplifying the risk of a crash.

In fact, six people have already been involved in crashes and injured due to this issue, according to NHTSA’s information.

Other Honda recalls 

There was a Honda Accord recall in December, caused by a faulty child restraint system, as reported. The recall also included CR-V, Ridgeline and Insight vehicles.

In April of last year, there was a large Honda CR-V recall due to faulty fuel pumps that may result in the vehicle stalling on the road. The recall spanned over 600,000 cars and also affected Acura, Civic and Odyssey vehicles.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This phantom braking investigation may eventually lead to a Honda brake recall, possibly affecting over 1.7 million vehicles. To see if your car is subject to a recall, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates 1.7 million Honda cars over phantom braking
Porsche recalls vehicles with inaccessible child seat anchors

Porsche recalls vehicles with inaccessible child seat anchors

March 6, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Atlanta, GA  – March 6, 2022 – Porsche (OTCMKTS:POAHY) has recalled 5,305 luxury electric cars with a wiring issue that may prevent rear child seats from being adequately restrained. This increases the risk of an injury to the child in that seat in the event of an accident.

Vehicles affected by this recall include: 

  • 2020 Porsche Taycan
  • 2021 Porsche Taycan

Recall summary  

All vehicles affected by this recall are equipped with an optional rear center seat. Due to a supplier error, the wiring that goes underneath the seat may interfere with the anchoring point for the child seat, preventing it from locking properly.  

Recall risks

The seat may snap out of its anchoring points during a crash. If that happens, the child in the seat may get injured. 

Warning signs

If the wiring is blocking the anchoring point on the rear seat, the person fitting the child seat into the vehicle may notice it does not lock into position.  

Different ways of securing the child seat

There are two ways of securing a child seat. The one that is affected by this recall is known as the so-called  lower anchors and tethers for children system (LATCH) system. Even though the manufacturer does not specify it, parents should still be able to secure the seat using seatbelts.

Other Porsche recalls

There was a Porsche Taycan recall for the same model-years in October 2021 due to hazard lights that may come on on their own, confusing other drivers, as reported. These cars are also subject to a U.S. government investigation due to battery issues that may cause them to stall, also as reported.

As far as child seats go, there was a Volkswagen recall last September due to faulty child seat restraint systems, Volkswagen owns Porsche.

The repair

Dealers will check the positioning of the harness and replace it if necessary. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on April 22, 2022.  All repairs will be done free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

These Porsche child seatbelt issues are affecting more than 5,000 vehicles. To do a Porsche recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicPorsche recalls vehicles with inaccessible child seat anchors
Kia recalls Optima sedans due to risk of fire

Kia recalls Optima sedans due to risk of fire

February 26, 2022 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA  – February 26, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 72,848 2013 – 2014 Kia Optima sedans with 2.0 and 2.4 GDI engines, whose low-pressure fuel lines may develop a leak. This may cause a fire, increasing the risk of injury and a crash. 

These vehicles were affected by an identical recall from February 2020, which apparently failed to solve the issue.

This is the latest recall in a long string of Kia and Hyundai fire-related recalls, as reported.  Both manufacturers are currently subject to a U.S government investigation due to ongoing fire issues spanning millions of vehicles.

Recall summary  

In affected vehicles, the low-pressure fuel line, which goes between the tank and engine, may crack as a result of heat exposure and cause a leak which may lead to a fire.

Background of the recall

This Optima fuel hose issue goes back several years. Kia first addressed it by inspecting the suspected fuel line and replacing those that already developed cracks. As an additional preventive measure, dealers insulated the hose with heat-protective tape to protect it from future deterioration.   

However, on some vehicles, this repair may not have been done properly, necessitating this recall.

The components in question are the fuel feed line, with part numbers 31310-3Q100 for the 2.0L engine and 31310-3Q900 for the 2.4L engine. 

Recall risks

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. You can find out all about the risks caused by vehicle fires in this article about a different Kia fire recall.

Warning signs

A fuel leak would result in a strong gasoline smell and, in case of fire, smoke or melting odor inside the car. In addition, the vehicle may display a malfunction indicator light (MIL) on the dashboard. 

Other Kia Optima recalls

Over 440,000 of 2013-2015 Kia Optimas were recalled in June of last year, also due to the possibility of these cars catching fire because of brake fluid leaking into the cars’ anti-lock brakes (ABS), as reported. For more fire-related Kia recalls, please visit this page.

The repair

Dealers will fix this issue by replacing the low-pressure fuel hose with the updated one. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on April 15, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Kia Optima fuel leak recall is affecting more than 700,000 vehicles. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls Optima sedans due to risk of fire
Ford recalls Mustangs with faulty rearview cameras

Ford recalls Mustangs with faulty rearview cameras

February 26, 2022 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – February 26, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 330,784 2015 – 2017 Ford Mustang sport cars whose rearview cameras may fail to display an image or distort it.  This limits drivers’ field of view while backing up, increasing the risk of crash and injury. 

Recall summary  

Two different issues could cause the 2015-2017 Mustangs’ rearview camera not to be available. In some cases, the harness that goes from the trunk lid may become damaged, interrupting the feed from the camera. Another possibility is for the camera wiring to become loose, also resulting in a “blank or distorted image.”

The components in question are Body Harness, with part numbers FR3T-14A005,  GR3T-14A005 or HR3T-14A005, and the Rear View Camera itself, with part number FR3T-19G490-A.

Recall risks

You can find out more about all potential risks in this Ford rearview camera recall from October 2021. 

Other Ford recalls 

Among previous Ford Mustang Recalls, there is only one recent, which was caused by brake pedal assembly issues that could result in a vehicle rollaway. This recall only affects certain 2015 Ford Mustangs, as well Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ cars.

The repair

Dealers will repair the harnesses and replace the rearview camera if needed. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners between March 7 and March 14, 2022.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

These Ford Mustang rearview camera problems resulted in a recall that includes more than 300,000 vehicles. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls Mustangs with faulty rearview cameras
US government investigates Tesla phantom braking

US government investigates Tesla phantom braking

February 26, 2022 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – February 26, 2022 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating a series of incidents with Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) vehicles that may unexpectedly brake while driving on autopilot. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. 

This investigation may result in a recall, which may affect an estimated 416,000 vehicles, including: 

  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model 3
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model Y

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on February 16, following 354 complaints about phantom braking occurring when the vehicle was driving using the autopilot feature. 

Based on the complaints, vehicles would sometimes start braking “very aggresively”, although there were no obstacles on the road. This happened without any prior warnings or apparent reasons. 

The autopilot  – which is referred to as the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – allows the vehicle to “ brake and steer automatically within its lanes.” 

Risks

A vehicle that slams on the brakes hard and unexpectedly may be hit from behind by oncoming traffic. In addition, a vehicles’ sudden reaction may confuse the driver and cause it to subsequently lose control over the vehicle. 

Other Tesla recalls 

Apart from this ongoing investigation, there were several recent Tesla Model 3 recalls, including one caused by failure to warn the pedestrians about its approach. In addition, there was another previous Tesla Model Y recall in November 2021, which was also caused by sudden and unwanted braking.  Both of the recalls included other Tesla models.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This Tesla phantom braking investigation may eventually lead to a recall, possibly affecting over 400,000 vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check for your own vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Tesla phantom braking
NHTSA closes investigation into Chevy Bolt’s fire issues

NHTSA closes investigation into Chevy Bolt’s fire issues

February 20, 2022 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – February 20, 2022 – The U.S. government closed its investigation into fires among 2017-2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The manufacturer of the vehicles, General Motors (NYSE:GM), has already recalled all of the affected vehicles, as well as 2021-2022 model-years.

Investigation conclusion  

General Motors conducted three recalls to address the reports of fires. Because of this, the regulator concluded in February 2022 that there was no need for additional recalls and closed the investigations. 

The first recall

After receiving two complaints from owners and several field reports, the government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated the investigation in October 2020. According to these complaints, a fire would develop inside the passenger cabin, underneath the seats, when the vehicle was parked.

GM was also aware of the incidents and started investigating to discover what was causing them. Based on initial findings, GM concluded fires were caused by an overheating high-voltage battery, which is located under the seat. The fires would happen when the vehicles were charged to “full or nearly full capacity.”

The manufacturer initially addressed the problem by recalling over 50,000 of the 2017-2019 model-years in November 2020 and reprogramming in a way so its high-voltage battery would only charge up to 90% of its capacity.  Later on in the recall, dealers ran diagnostics tests on the batteries to see if they needed replacing.

Subsequent recalls

As this recall was underway, both General Motors and LG, the battery producer, analyzed the data that dealers collected with the tests. They concluded that the repair offered under the last recall was insufficient and that more batteries needed to be replaced.

That prompted GM to recall all the cars included in the previous recall, as well as additional 2017-2019 model-years in July 2021.

By further analyzing the field data that was coming in from the dealers during the second recall, it eventually became apparent that there were more defective batteries.

As a result, General Motors finally recalled all of 2019-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV vehicles to replace their high voltage batteries. 

Other Chevrolet recalls 

Apart from these Chevy Bolt fire issues mentioned in the summary, there were no other recent Chevy Bolt recalls. Still, other manufacturers have also faced issues with fires caused by high-voltage batteries. One such example is BMW, which had to recall some of its hybrid vehicles back in September 2020 over a similar problem.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This Chevy Bolt battery ire investigation did not result in any new recalls, but your car may need repairs for a different issue. To do a Chevrolet recall check and see if your vehicle is due for any of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicNHTSA closes investigation into Chevy Bolt’s fire issues
Honda is investigated over faulty rearview cameras

Honda is investigated over faulty rearview cameras

February 20, 2022 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – February 20, 2022 – The U.S. government is investigating Honda (NYSE:HMC) over concerns whose rearview cameras may fail to display an image. This increases the risk of a crash and injury while backing up.

If the investigation results in a recall, it may affect 71,008 of the following pickup trucks: 

  • 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  • 2017 Honda Ridgeline

Investigation summary  

On February 7, the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation, following 42 complaints and 10 reports of rearview camera becoming inoperable. 

Based on the complaints, the rearview camera may stop working because of “severe damage to the tailgate wire harness,” which happens right after “the warranty mileage is exceeded.”

The goal of this investigation is to determine if there is a safety defect which may require a recall.

Risks

For more information on the risks, please visit this article about a Ford recall due to malfunctioning cameras.

Other Honda recalls 

Apart from this ongoing investigation, owners should also be aware of a Honda Ridgeline recall from December 2021 which was caused by hoods that may fly open while driving.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This Honda Ridgeline wiring harness investigation may eventually lead to a recall, possibly affecting over 70,000 vehicles. To do a Honda recall check to see if it part of any open recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHonda is investigated over faulty rearview cameras
Hyundai issues yet another fire-related recall

Hyundai issues yet another fire-related recall

February 18, 2022 Bojan Popic

Fountain Valley, CA – February 18, 2022 –  Hyundai (NASDAQ:HYMTF) is recalling 357,830 SUVs that may develop a fire inside their engine compartments, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. This recall is the latest addition to the endless list of fire-related recalls that have been the bane of Hyundai’s existence for quite some time.

Vehicles that are affected by this recall include:

  • 2016 – 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe 
  • 2017 – 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
  • 2014 – 2015 Hyundai Tucson 
  • 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL

Recall summary  

All models listed here are equipped with ABS, which is short for the anti-lock brake system. This is a safety system, whose job is to prevent wheels from locking up while braking. On vehicles that are a part of this Hyundai recall, the ABS control unit may overheat, causing a fire that spreads within the engine bay. The exact reason for overheating is currently under investigation.

The component in question is the ABS module, with part numbers 58920-4Z300, 58920-B8AC0 or 58920-2S820, depending on the model. 

Recall risks

A fire that occurs in the vehicle when driving or when parked carries a range of risks. To find out more about them, please visit this article about a similar Kia recall.

Safety tips

Because the vehicle may catch fire even when parked, owners should park them outside and away from other vehicles and structures. This precautionary measure will prevent additional property damage if the fire does happen. 

Warning signs

Malfunctioning ABS module will disable the system and trigger a warning light, which is the first warning sign. Others may include a burning smell and smoke coming from underneath the hood. 

Other Hyundai Santa Fe recalls 

These Hyundai Santa Fe engine fires are a reoccurring issue that has been affecting many model years of these and other Hyundai and Kia vehicles. There are also previous Hyundai Tuscon recalls, such as one from January 2021, that was caused by a similar problem.  

The manufacturer and its sister company, Kia, are subject to a U.S. government investigation. The government auto safety regulator is trying to determine the effectiveness of recall repairs and if other vehicles need to be recalled as well, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will remedy this problem by inspecting the ABS module, and replacing it if needed. As an additional precision, they will replace the corresponding fuse with an uprated one. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on April 5, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This recall caused by Hyundai engine fires is affecting more than 350,000 vehicles. To do a Hyundai recall check and see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHyundai issues yet another fire-related recall
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