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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
Hyundai and Kia recall SUVs that may burst into flames

Hyundai and Kia recall SUVs that may burst into flames

August 27, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Irvine, CA – August 27, 2022 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) and its subsidiary Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) are recalling 281,447 SUVs that may catch fire while driving or parked. This increases the risk of crash, injury or property damage.

The recall comes on the heels of several fires and includes the following SUVs:

  •  2022 – 2022 Hyundai Palisade
  •  2020 – 2022 Kia Telluride

Recall summary  

Affected vehicles are equipped with a tow package, which, in addition to the tow hitch itself, has a wiring harness and a control module. The module may overheat and, in extreme situations, cause the vehicle to catch fire. 

The cause of the issue is an electric short caused by moisture and other elements ending up on the tow hitch circuit board during the manufacturing process. The circumstances of how that occurs are currently under investigation.

Recall risks

A burning vehicle may damage surrounding structures and vehicles and result in injuries to the car occupants.

Recall background

The recall comes on the heels of at least five vehicles catching fire in the bumper area, as well as multiple “melting” incidents and warranty claims.

Other Hyundai and Kia Telluride recalls

This Hyundai Palisade recall is the latest in a series of fire-related recalls the Korean manufacturer has been experiencing lately. However, most of the previous Hyundai fire risks were caused by faulty ABS modules or fuel leaks. 

Separately, aside from this Kia Telluride tow hitch recall, the 2022 model-years were also subject to a recall about a year ago due to blank instrument clusters, as reported.

Repair

Both manufacturers are still developing the repair for this Kia and Hyundai tow harness issue. 

In the meantime, dealers are set to inspect the tow hitch wiring on suspected vehicles and remove the corresponding fuse which will effectively disconnect the tow module. This and future repairs will be offered free of charge. 

Kia will send the affected owners letters with more information on October 17, 2022, while Hyundai will do the same on October 17, 2022. 

Safety tips

Owners should park their vehicles away from structures until the repair is done.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

These Hyundai and Kia electrical issues are affecting more than a quarter million SUVs. To do a Hyundai 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 Kia recall check. 

Bojan PopicHyundai and Kia recall SUVs that may burst into flames
Ferrari recalls cars whose brakes may fail

Ferrari recalls cars whose brakes may fail

August 26, 2022 Bojan Popic

Englewood Cliffs, NJ – August 14, 2022 – Ferrari (NYSE:RACE) is recalling  23,555 cars that may develop a brake fluid leak, causing a partial or complete loss of brakes. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. 

A lengthy list of affected vehicles includes: 

  • 2005 – 2009 Ferrari 430
  • 2019 – 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista 
  • 2010 – 2011 Ferrari 612
  • 2010 – 2011 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 
  • 2018 – 2022 Ferrari 812 
  • 2009 – 2017 Ferrari California 
  • 2015 – 2017 Ferrari California T
  • 2013 – 2017 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta 
  • 2020 – 2022 Ferrari F8 Spider
  • 2020 – 2022 Ferrari F8 Tributo
  • 2012 –2016 Ferrari FF
  • 2018 – 2020 Ferrari GTC4LUSSO
  • 2018 –2019 Ferrari GTC4LUSSO T
  • 2013 –2015 Ferrari LaFerrari
  • 2019 –2022 Ferrari Portofino
  • 2021 – 2022 Ferrari Roma 
  • 2017 Ferrari F12 TDF
  • 2016 Ferrari F60 America
  • 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta

Recall summary  

The brake fluid reservoir stores brake fluid and keeps from getting contaminated by moisture and dirt, allowing the car’s brake to function in the best way possible. The cap on top of the reservoir is vented to maintain adequate pressure inside.

In the affected vehicles due to a supplier error, the cap may not be ventilated properly. This can result in a brake fluid leak which in turn, can result in partial or total loss of braking action. 

The component causing this recall is the brake fluid reservoir cap, with part numbers 259047, 242849, 743123, 307671 and 203903.

Recall risks

Reduced braking ability increases the risk of a crash and consequent injury.  

Warning signs

The car will use various warning methods to alert the driver about potential brake issues, depending on the model. Most older vehicles will have a warning light on the dashboard, while newer cars will have a “Brake fluid level low, Go to dealer slowly” message, accompanied by an audible buzzer in some cases. 

Other Ferrari recalls

This is not the first time the Italian manufacturer has had brake-related issues. In November 2021, Ferrari recalled almost 10,000 cars with potentially malfunctioning brake boosters. 

There are no recent Ferrari LaFerrari recalls. The cars were a limited edition and have not been produced since 2018.

Repair

Dealers will replace the brake reservoir cap with a redesigned one, which vents as it should. In addition, they will update the car’s software to warn the driver about any brake fluid losses more adequately.  

Vehicle owners will be notified on September 24, 2022. All repairs will be done free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Ferrari brake recall affects more than 20,000 vehicles. To do a Ferrari recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFerrari recalls cars whose brakes may fail
GM recalls SUVs with faulty seat belts

GM recalls SUVs with faulty seat belts

August 21, 2022 Bojan Popic , , ,

August 21, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands, is recalling 484,155 SUVs seat belts that may not protect the occupant in the event of a crash. This increases the risk of an injury.  

Vehicles affected by this recall include: 

  • 2021 – 2022 Cadillac Escalade 
  • 2021 – 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV
  • 2021 – 2022 Chevrolet Suburban  
  • 2021 – 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe 
  • 2021 – 2022 GMC Yukon
  • 2021 – 2022 GMC Yukon XL

Recall summary  

Affected vehicles have a third row of seats with seat belts that are held in place by metal fasteners called rivets which are part of the belt buckle.

Due to a supplier error, these rivets were not formed correctly during manufacturing and could break during a crash. 

Recall risks

The occupant may get ejected from the car and get seriously hurt in a crash.

Other GM recalls

Among previous Chevrolet Tahoe recalls the one from October 2021 caused by stalling issues is the most recent. 

There was a small GMC Yukon recall in January of this year due to “a loss of drive power,” according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) records. Both recalls included other vehicles.

Among other GM recalls there was one for Terrain SUVs due to a blinding-headlights’ issue in March, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will inspect how the seat belt is secured and replace the buckle if needed. The repair is free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will be notified on September 26, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This GM seat belt recall is affecting almost half a million SUVs. To do a GM or Chevrolet recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicGM recalls SUVs with faulty seat belts
Ford recalls F-150s that may stall and roll away

Ford recalls F-150s that may stall and roll away

August 20, 2022 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – August 20, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 58,203 2021-2022 Ford F-150 trucks that may roll away and stall due to a fracture of one of the most important components of the car – the driveshaft.

This recall only affects the Crew Cab models with a 4×4 drive and 145” wheelbase and can increase the risk of injury for the car occupants and people around them.

Recall summary  

Underbody insulators are sheets that reduce the road noise inside the cabin. The driveshaft is a component that connects the transmission and differential, effectively transferring the engine power to the wheels and propelling the vehicle forward.

The insulators were installed on the affected vehicles by mistake and could become loose. 

When that happens, they can come into contact with the driveshafts beneath it and scratch them. This could damage the driveshaft and eventually fracture it.

Recall risks

With a snapped driveshaft, the truck will not be able to transfer the engine to its wheels and may lose power. In addition, it may also roll away if the parking brake is not engaged.

Warning signs

Besides noticing one or both insulators hanging below the vehicle, drivers may hear a rattling or clicking noise that only appears while driving.  In addition, scratches may be visible on the driveshaft. 

Other Ford truck recalls

A large batch of trucks with properly installed insulators was recalled over an identical issue in December 2021. 

Among more recent Ford F-150 recalls, one from May 2022, caused by airbag issues, is the latest one. 

The repair

Dealers will check if the truck has underbody insulators, and if it does, secure them in place using suitable fasteners. In addition, they will inspect the driveshaft for any signs of damage. The repair is free of charge. 

Truck owners will be notified between September 5, 2022, and September 9, 2022.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

These Ford driveshaft issues are causing more than 50,000 trucks to be recalled. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls F-150s that may stall and roll away
Kia recalls vehicles with loose headliners

Kia recalls vehicles with loose headliners

August 14, 2022 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – August 14, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 257,998 2012 – 2013 Kia Optima whose headliners  – the vehicles’ ceilings – may detach during a crash and hit the car occupants, increasing the risk of injury. 

Recall summary  

Headliners are plastic panels that are part of the interior trim. They serve two purposes. – One is to conceal the bare metal elements and wiring running above it, and the second is serve as a cushion in a crash.

In affected vehicles, headlines may not be sufficiently secured, allowing them to detach if a side curtain airbag deploys.

Recall risks

A piece of the interior trim that detaches during a crash and flies through the cabin may hit and injure the car occupants. 

Other Kia recalls

Both Kia and its parent company Hyundai are subject to an ongoing U.S. government investigation due to non-crash related fires, as reported.  The last Kia Optima recall due to this issue was in February, also as reported.

There were at least two Kia airbag recalls this year. In February, over 410,000 cars were recalled due to airbags potentially failing to deploy in a crash. In March, Kia Souls were recalled for the same reason, as reported.

Repair

Dealers will use an “industrial-grade adhesive tape” to secure the headliners in place. This repair is free of charge. 

Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent between September 26, 2022 and September 30, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Kia headliner plates’ recall affects more than 200,000 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 vehicles with loose headliners
Volkswagen recalls SUVs that may stall while driving

Volkswagen recalls SUVs that may stall while driving

August 7, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Auburn Hills, MI – August 7, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY), which owns the Audi brand, is recalling 49,443 SUVs whose fuel pumps may malfunction. This causes various running issues, including engine stalling, which increases the risk of an injury in the event of an accident.

Vehicles affected by this recall include: 

  • 2020 – 2021 Audi Q7
  • 2029 – 2021 Audi Q8

Recall Summary  

Listed SUVs have a fuel delivery module within the tank that transfers the gasoline towards the engine. In affected vehicles, a component inside this module may fall apart and damage the pressure sensor within the module. This results in incorrect fuel pressure, causing the engine to run rough or even preventing it from starting. In some cases, the fuel pump may fail resulting in the vehicle stall.

The component causing this recall is the fuel delivery module made by Vitesco Technologies, with part numbers 4M0919087F or 4M0919087G.   

Warning signs

Apart from the engine running issues, drivers may notice an “Emission control system” warning on the dashboard. 

Recall risks

A stalled car could get hit by faster-moving traffic, increasing the risk of an injury. 

Other Audi recalls

Some of these vehicles may have been affected by one of the Audi A8 recalls from May 2021, caused by a collapsing rear suspension.  

In addition, Audi is one of the car makers that has been facing a number of issues and consequent recalls caused by Takata airbags. 

Repair

Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module on affected vehicles with an improved version, whose design makes it resilient to pressure variations. This repair is free of charge. 

Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on September 16, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Audi fuel pump recall affects almost 50,000 SUVs. To do a Volkswagen or Audi recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicVolkswagen recalls SUVs that may stall while driving
Jaguar recalls SUVs with malfunctioning seat belts

Jaguar recalls SUVs with malfunctioning seat belts

August 3, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Mahwah, NJ – August 3, 2022 – Tata Motors (NYSE:TTM), which owns Jaguar Land Rover, has recalled 4,927 SUVs whose seat belts may not tighten properly in an accident. This increases the risk of an injury.

Vehicles affected by this recall include: 

  • 2022 – 2023 Land Rover Defender 
  • 2022 – 2023 Land Rover Discovery
  • 2022 – 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport 
  • 2022 – 2023 Range Rover Sport
  • 2022 – 2023 Range Rover Velar

Recall summary  

The pretensioner is part of the seat belt retractor, whose job is to tighten the seat belt and secure the occupant. On affected vehicles, damaged pretensioners may have been installed during manufacturing in the driver and front seat passenger seats. As a result, they could fail to operate as intended during a crash. 

The component in question is the seat belt assembly made by the Swedish-American supplier Autoliv, which was recently in the center of another seat belt recall that affected over 266,000 vehicles across different manufacturers, as reported.

Part numbers differ depending on the particular model, but include CPLA-611B08-AC8AAM and LK72-611B08-AB8PVJ.  

Recall risks

Pretensioners that fail to deploy as intended prevent the seat belt from tightening properly in a crash, increasing the occupant’s risk of injury. 

Other Land Rover and Range Rover recalls

In April, the company recalled a batch of Range Rovers over a problem with the seat belt’s emergency locking retractors. The retractors were also manufactured by  Autoliv.

In February, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SUVs were recalled over faulty airbag system, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will check the pretensioner assembly on affected vehicles and replace it if needed. The repair is free of charge. 

Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on September 16, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Jaguar seat belt recall affects almost 5,000 SUVs. To check your vehicle for this and other Land Rover recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicJaguar recalls SUVs with malfunctioning seat belts
US government investigates Stellantis over stalling PHEV minivans

US government investigates Stellantis over stalling PHEV minivans

July 31, 2022 Bojan Popic

Auburn Hills, MI – July 31, 2022 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator is investigating incidents with Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) PHEV minivans that may stall while driving, even at highway speeds, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

If this investigation leads to a recall, it could affect an estimated 21,348 minivans, including the following: 

  • 2019 – 2021 Chrysler Pacifica  
  • 2019 – 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on July 22, 2022, following 40 complaints about vehicles stalling while in motion. 

According to the complaints, the PHEV minivans would lose power while traveling at speeds higher than 25 miles per hour (mph). In some cases, a charging system failure message would appear on the dashboard. Based on initial findings, the malfunction was related to a transmission issue.

Risks

If a vehicle stalls while driving, it could be hit from behind by oncoming traffic, especially on the highway. In addition, it may be difficult for passengers to get out of the vehicle safely in such situations.   

Other Chrysler Pacifica recalls 

Earlier this year, in February, Chrysler Plug-In hybrid vehicles were recalled over a fire risk, with vehicles suddenly bursting into flames. Apart from that, there was another fire-related recall affecting these minivans in June 2020.  

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation into the Chrysler stalling issue may eventually lead to a recall, possibly affecting over 20,000 minivans. To do a Chrysler recall check for your vehicle, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Stellantis over stalling PHEV minivans
US government investigates Stellantis over unintentional braking

US government investigates Stellantis over unintentional braking

July 31, 2022 Bojan Popic

Auburn Hills, MI – July 31, 2022 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator is investigating a series of incidents with Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) vehicles whose parking brakes may activate while driving.  If that happens, the car would stall and stop on the road, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

This investigation, if it leads to a parking brake recall, could affect an estimated 1.34 million 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokee SUVs. 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on July 22, 2022, following 80 complaints about unexpected and sudden handbrake activation in affected Jeep Cherokees.

These SUVs have an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), which allows the driver to activate it by a push of a button instead of pulling a lever. Parking brake activation is performed by an electric motor, with an EPB module controlling its operation. Based on initial findings, water may find its way into the module and cause electrical shorts. This could lead to unintended parking brake activation while driving.

It appears that Jeep was aware of the problem as early as 2016 when it issued dealer communication advising dealers to check for “corrosion” if there was an issue with the parking brake not releasing. There was also a recall issued in 2015 which dealt with short circuits inside the liftgate module caused by water leaks. Although the “symptoms” are unrelated, both modules are located in a similar area within the SUV.  

Risks

A vehicle that unexpectedly activates its parking brake may be hit from behind by oncoming traffic. In addition, a sudden activation may confuse the driver and cause it to lose control of the vehicle. 

Potential warning signs

Drivers have reported that either the parking brake or ABS light or “most warning lights” would come on prior to the handbrake activation. However, in some cases there was no warning.

Other Jeep recalls 

Apart from this ongoing investigation, there were several other Jeep Cherokee recalls in the past. Among them, the one from May 2022, caused by a transmission leak, is the most recent. 

In addition, some Grand Cherokee and Durango models also suffered from parking brake issues, leading to a recall in June this year. 

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation into the Jeep electronic parking brake issue may eventually lead to a recall, possibly affecting over 1.3 million vehicles. In the meantime, you could do a Jeep recall check for your vehicle using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Stellantis over unintentional braking

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