Volkswagen recalls Taos SUVs over risk of stalling

Auburn Hills, MI – March 3, 2022  – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has remedied issues with 4,304 2022 Volkswagen Taos dealing with Engine Control Unit (ECU) problems. So far none of these 2022 VW Taos vehicles have been declared unreachable or removed from the recall. In total Volkswagen remedied the issues with the Engine Control Unit software in one group all during 2021.

Auburn Hills, MI – September 22, 2021  – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 5,087 vehicles that may stall, increasing the risk of an injury or a crash. This recall is limited to 2022 VW Taos “equipped with all-wheel drive.” 

The Volkswagen Engine Control Unit (ECU ) – which controls engine operations –   is the cause of the recall. In 2017, the Audi brand, which is part of the Volkswagen group, also recalled several 2017-2018 Audi A3 vehicles due to software problems in the ECU.

Recall summary  

VW Taos vehicles involved in the recall run ECU software that controls the engine cooling system. 

For reasons that are not currently known, the ECU may cause the engine to shut off when coming to a stop. The ECUs that may exhibit such behavior have part numbers  05E.906.013.C and 05E.906.013.F. 

Recall risks

Although the driver should be able to restart the vehicle immediately after stalling, situations like this are still potentially dangerous to both its occupants and other motorists, especially if they happen in high-speed or dense traffic conditions. For tips on what to do in the event of an engine stall, please see our coverage of a similar Ford recall.

Other VW recalls

The same 2022 Volkswagen Taos vehicles may also be affected by a separate VW recall due to a risk of an engine fire.

In September, older Audi vehicles were recalled because of potentially deadly Takata airbags which may explode and flung sharp metal fragments at the car occupants.

The repair

To resolve the issue, dealers will update the ECU with a software version that is not prone to such issues.  Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on October 5, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This VW recall includes more than 11,000 vehicles. To check for this and other VW recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicVolkswagen recalls Taos SUVs over risk of stalling

Volkswagen recalls vehicles over risk of engine fire

Auburn Hills, MI – September 19, 2021  – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) is recalling 16,737 vehicles that can stall or catch fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. This recall affects 2022 VW Taos

Recall summary  

The engine in these Volkswagen Taos cars receives fuel through a series of hoses that are joined together with quick connectors. Due to a manufacturing issue, the connection in the recalled vehicles may not be tight enough, allowing the connector to slip from the fuel line.  This may cause a fuel leak that may result in the vehicle stalling and also bring about a fire as fuel drips on the hot engine components.

The components in question here are the fuel line with part number 5Q0-200-059-KE and the quick connector with part number 05E-133-723-BE) that were manufactured by Volkswagen de Mexico.

Risks

A fire increases the risk of an accident, as flames and smoke may distract drivers and cause them to panic. Another associated risk is stalling while driving on a highway or the inability to stop and leave the vehicle in time, which may lead to an injury.   For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please see our recent coverage of a BMW recall.

Warning signs

A fuel leak could result in a strong gasoline, smoke and melting odor inside the car. In addition, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) may come on on the dashboard. 

Other VW recalls

Some of these 2022 Volkswagen Taos were recently recalled because of a software bug, which may cause the engine to stall. Meanwhile, defective fuel components manufactured in Volkswagen de Mexico continue to plague the manufacturer, such as last year’s 2020 Volkswagen Jetta recall for loose engine Fuel Rail bolts

The repair

VW authorized dealers will inspect how the fuel line is connected and replace the fuel line and quick connector if needed. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on October 19, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This VW recall includes more than 16,000 vehicles. To check for this and other VW recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicVolkswagen recalls vehicles over risk of engine fire

Ford recalls Explorers for fourth time due to steering loss

Dearborn, MI  – September 18, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 644,055 cars in 23 states because of faulty suspension. This issue may reduce steering control and result in a crash and an injury. This is an expansion of three previous recalls conducted by the manufacturer and also affects some cars that have previously been repaired.

Vehicles that are part of this recall include:

  • 2013 Ford Explorer
  • 2014 Ford Explorer
  • 2015 Ford Explorer
  • 2016 Ford Explorer
  • 2017 Ford Explorer

Recall summary  

One of the components of suspension in the recalled vehicles setup is a toe link, which holds the back wheel at the correct angle. The link can fracture due to multi-year exposure to road salt which these states regularly use on the roads to de-ice them.

Faulty toe links are part of the “rear suspension knuckle assembly” with part numbers DB5Z-5B759-B for the left and DB5Z-5B758-B for the right

Risks

A broken rear suspension toe link will affect how the vehicle behaves on the road and may result in a “loss of steering control.” This increases the risk of a crash and injury to its occupants, other motorists and nearby pedestrians. 

Other Ford Explorer recalls

This recall is a continuation of an ongoing series of rear suspension recalls that affect several models in Ford’s lineup. 

Other similar 2013 Ford Explorer recalls include one from 2017, which addresses a wheel hub bearing issue that may cause the wheel to fall off. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect the ball joints on both the right and left toe links. If worn or have seized, the dealer will replace the affected toe link with an updated version. Owners were set to receive a notification as early as August 23, 2021.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford Explorer rear toe link recall includes more than 600,000 vehicles. To check if yours is part of this recall, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls Explorers for fourth time due to steering loss

Nissan recalls more than 30,000 vehicles with faulty signal bulbs

Franklin, TN – September 6, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) is recalling 30,799 cars with defective front turn signal bulbs that may fail to illuminate and show that the car is turning, increasing the risk of injury.

This recall includes the following pickup trucks and subcompact cars: 

  • 2020 Nissan Titan
  • 2021 Nissan Titan
  • 2020 Nissan Titan XD
  • 2021 Nissan Titan XD
  • 2020 Nissan Versa 
  • 2021 Nissan Versa

Recall summary  

Due to a supplier error,  the internal wiring in the affected bulbs was done incorrectly and may cause the glass surface to crack during installation. This can render both the left- and the right-turn bulb inoperable and result in the malfunction of turn signals.

The bulbs are a part of a faulty lot made by a U.S office of a French supplier Valeo Sylvania.  They have multiple part numbers, including 260605EE0A and 260105EE0A.

Risks

If the front turn signal is not working, other motorists and pedestrians will not be aware of drivers’ intentions. This increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Warning signs

The “turn signal indicator light” on the vehicle dashboard will flash faster. An audible alert will also be issued promptly to let the driver know that there is an issue. 

Other Nissan recalls

Both 2020 Nissan Titan and 2020 Titan XD vehicles were recalled at the end of 2020 because of the risk of an engine fire caused by faulty electrical wiring. In addition, some of these trucks were a part of a 127,000-car strong recall that was conducted to search for seven defective tires.

The repair

Dealers will replace the affected bulbs with new ones free of charge. Notifications were set to be sent to the owners on August 20. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Nissan recall includes more than 30,000 of Titan and Versa vehicles. To do a Nissan recall check, please  use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicNissan recalls more than 30,000 vehicles with faulty signal bulbs

BMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure

Westwood, NJ – September 6, 2021  – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY), which also owns Mini and Rolls-Royce brands, has recalled 21,537 vehicles with faulty child restraint systems that increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.

This recall affects some 2021 Toyota Supras made with BMW engines, as well as a wide range of BMW models, including: 

  • 2021 BMW 4 Series, including the 2021 430I
  • 2021 BMW 2 Series, including the 2021 228I
  • 2021 BMW 5 Series, including the 2021 540I
  • 2021 Mini Cooper
  • 2021 Rolls-Royce Phantom
  • 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost

For a complete list of models and model years included, please refer to this page.

The affected component in this BMW recall is a seat belt retractor, which is what is used to hold the seat belt in place.

Recall summary  

This recall is part of an ongoing series of recalls – that already includes Ford and Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz – caused by faulty seat belts provided by Swedish-American supplier Autoliv.  

These seat belts come equipped with two types of retractors – one that immobilizes the seat belt in the event of a crash and one that prevents the seat belt from moving right after it is buckled. The latter is referred to as the automatic locking retractor, or ALR, and is activated by pulling the seat belt “all the way out,” weaving it through the child seat and buckling it in.

But, because of “out of tolerance” parts provided by the supplier, the ALR may deactivate early, “before the webbing fully retracts.” 

Risks

Faulty ALR will not hold the child seat firmly in its place. Although the seat belt would still lock up during a crash, there is an increased  risk of injury during sudden stops. The risk is lower when parents use the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system in place of the seat belts, as reported.

Warning signs 

Drivers may notice that the torso section of the seat belt is not locked firmly while securing the child seat.

Other BMW recalls

Earlier this month, the 2021 Toyota Supra, as well as some of the X and 5 series cars, were recalled because of a brake assist problem. Some of the older X series were recalled in August out of concern that they may stall while in motion due to a faulty fuel pump.

Other Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce recalls

In April, BMW recalled close to 50,000 Rolls-Royce, Mini Cooper and BMW models due to a defective water pump, as reported.  In November of last year, there was a BMW and a Mini Cooper recall due to hybrid batteries that may catch fire.  

The repair

Dealers will replace affected passenger seat belts free of charge during an inspection. It is not yet  known when the owners will receive additional information about this recall.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This recall includes more than 20,000 vehicles and covers several brands and models. To check for this and other recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicBMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure

Ford recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts

Dearborn, MI – September 5, 2021  – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 42,493 vehicles with faulty child restraint systems, which may increase the risk of injury during a crash. This recall include the following vans: 

  • 2021 Ford Transit 
  • 2022 Ford Transit
  • 2021 Ford Transit Connect 

The affected component is the “front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor”, with part numbers LK41-1461294-A/B/D/E. This is the second recall caused by faulty seat belts provided by the Swedish-American supplier Autoliv.

Recall summary  

As reported, seat belt retractors are used to “lock up” the seat belt to protect the occupant from getting thrown from the seat in the event of a crash. There are two types of retractors – the emergency locking retractor (ELR) and the automatic locking retractor (ALR). 

While the ELR only reacts when the system detects a crash, the ALR locks up right away after the seat belt is buckled. For that reason, it is often used to secure a child seat.

In recalled cars, the ALR in the front passenger seat deactivates “after the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor,” causing the child to be inadequately restrained. The defect is caused by “out of tolerance” components provided by the supplier.

Warning signs 

Drivers may notice that an “audible clicking noise” that occurs when the ALR function is active but stops before the seat belt is “fully retracted.” This is the same warning sign provided by Daimler for its recent Mercedes-Benz recall for the same issue.

Risks

A seat belt with a faulty automatic locking reactor will not secure the child seat firmly in its place. This increases the risk of injury during a crash or sudden stops.   

Other Ford Transit recalls

In June, Ford recalled close to 200,000 vans – including the 2021 Ford Transit Connect vehicle – over the risk of a rollaway. The 2020 and 2019 Transit Connect vehicles were recalled in November of last year due to the risk of engine fire, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the seat belt assembly free of charge, if necessary.  Notifications will be sent to owners beginning September 13, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford recall includes more than 40,000 vehicles. To check for Ford recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts

Kia recalls vehicles with faulty trunk latches

Irvine, CA  – September 1, 2021 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 253,074 cars with truck latches whose interior emergency release may become faulty. This prevents the person inside the trunk from opening the trunk gate, which increases the risk of injury. Vehicles involved in this recall include:

  • 2016 – 2018 Kia Forte
  • 2018 – 2019 Kia Rio

Recall summary  

On vehicles that are affected by this recall, including a 2017 Kia Rio, trunk latch may not be opened from the inside using the interior emergency release. This happens because of the damage to the internal components of the trunk latch which is caused by high temperature

The affected components installed in Kia Forte have part numbers 81230-A7010 or 81230-A7030, while those in Kia Rio have part numbers 81230-H9011 and 81230-H9031. 

Risks

A faulty trunk release would prevent the person closed inside the trunk from getting out of it, increasing the risk of injury or even death.

Warning signs

Owners may notice that the trunk sometimes fails to open or close. 

Other Kia vehicle recalls

Among previous Kia Forte recalls, one that covers potential issues with the oil pump that may cause engine damage is the most recent. 

There are no other Kia Rio recalls associated with the 2018 or 2019 model years.

As reported, thousands of Kia and Hyundai cars – including 2012-2015 Kia Forte sedans – have been subject to ongoing recalls due to fire risk.

The repair

Kia authorized dealers will replace the affected trunk latch assemblies with improved ones. Owners should receive their notifications by mail around October 5, 2021.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This trunk latch recall includes more than 250,000 vehicles. To check if yours is part of this recall, please  use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls vehicles with faulty trunk latches

BMW recalls vehicles over a risk of engine stalling

Westwood, NJ – August 31, 2021  – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) has recalled 11,216 vehicles which may stall, increasing the risk of injury or a crash. This recall affects a wide range of diesel vehicles, including: 

  • 2014 – 2018 BMW 328D
  • 2015 – 2017 BMW X3
  • 2014 – 2016 BMW 535D
  • 2014 – 2018 BMW X5 
  • 2015 BMW 740LD

The affected component in this recall is the BMW high-pressure fuel pump with part number 7810696 and 7283473

Recall summary  

Vehicles in this recall have diesel engines with a so-called “common rail” fuel system, which allows better performance and fuel economy. Part of that system is a high-pressure fuel pump, whose internal components may wear excessively due to factors such as using low-quality fuel. In certain scenarios, the pump may shut itself down as a preventive measure, causing the vehicle to stall. 

Warning signs 

A warning light on the dashboard will illuminate when the fuel pump is not performing properly. 

Risks

A vehicle that stalls while driving may lead to situations that are potentially dangerous to both its occupants and other motorists, especially if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic conditions. To read more

Other BMW recalls

All of these diesel vehicles were involved in a previous BMW recall where a potential coolant leak could result in a fire.

The repair

BMW authorized dealers will solve the issue by replacing the fuel pump with an improved version, which is less susceptible to wear. This repair is free of charge, and notifications will be sent to owners on  September 20, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This BMW recall includes more than 11,000 vehicles. To check for this and other BMW recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicBMW recalls vehicles over a risk of engine stalling

Subaru recalls vehicles due to risk of engine stall

Camden, NJ – August 28, 2021  – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 165,026 vehicles in which the engine may stall while driving, which increases the risk of a crash. This recall includes the following models, some of which were developed in partnership with Toyota, which owns a minority stake in the company:

  • 2018 – 2020 Subaru Outback
  • 2018 – 2019 Subaru BRZ
  • 2018 – 2020 Subaru Impreza 
  • 2018 – 2020 Subaru Legacy
  • 2018 – 2019 Subaru WRX
  • 2019 – 2020 Subaru Ascent
  • 2018 – 2019 Toyota 86 2-Door
  • 2018 Subaru Forester

The affected component is the fuel pump, with different part numbers, including 42022CA000 and 42022FL02A.

Recall summary  

These cars are equipped with an impeller, which is a rotating plastic disk that draws fuel from the tank and directs it to the fuel pump. Due to what appears to be a supplier error, the impeller does not have enough density,  which makes it prone to cracking or becoming deformed. This may cause the fuel pump to stop working and result in the engine stalling, which may cause a crash.

Warning signs 

The ‘check engine’ or malfunction indicator light (MIL) may appear on the dashboard and the engine may run rough. Other potential symptoms include various engine running issues, ranging from sluggish performance to hesitation during accelerations.  To learn more, please refer to this article about a recent Nissan recall for the same issue.

Risks

A vehicle that stalls while driving may lead to situations that are potentially dangerous to both its occupants and other motorists. This is especially true if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic conditions.

Other Subaru recalls

A year ago, there was a similar Subaru Impreza recall caused by the same fuel pump issue. The recall also included Ascent, Legacy and Outback vehicles. The last 2020 Subaru Outback recall occurred in December 2020, also due to glitchy rear view cameras, as reported.

The last 2018 Subaru BRZ recall occurred in late 2018 when these cars were among roughly 70,000 units that had to be repaired due to faulty rear view cameras. The 2019 Subaru BRZ has not been subject to any additional recalls.

The repair

To solve the problem, Subaru authorized dealers will replace the fuel pump inside the tank that includes an impeller with a higher density at no charge. Owners will be notified beginning September 13, 2021. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Subaru fuel pump recall includes more than 160,000 vehicles. To check for this and other Subaru recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicSubaru recalls vehicles due to risk of engine stall

Stellantis is recalling vehicles over a risk of windshield detachment

Auburn Hills, MI  – August 18, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) – that owns both Chrysler and Dodge brands – has announced a recall for 21,258 vehicles whose windshields may have been improperly fitted. This may lead to its separation from the vehicle during a collision, which increases the risk of injury. This Dodge and Chrysler recall includes the following vehicles: 

  • 2020 Chrysler 300
  • 2021 Chrysler 300
  • 2020 Dodge Challenger
  • 2021 Dodge Challenger
  • 2020 Dodge Charger
  • 2021 Dodge Charger

Recall summary  

The vehicles affected by this recall may have been painted with a “non-conforming” coat which does not adequately bonds the windshield with the metal beneath it. As a result, the windshield could detach from the vehicle during a collision.  

Risks

A large piece of glass that is flying out of control can injure passengers inside the vehicle, other motorists and nearby pedestrians. In addition, such vehicles fail to comply with a U.S. safety standard which requires at least half of the windshield to stay in place during a collision. 

Other Dodge Challenger recalls

In April of last year, the 2019 Dodge Challenger was part of a 300,000-unit strong recall for a lingering rearview camera image which could distract the driver and lead to a crash. The 2020 model-year is not subject to any additional recalls.

Other Dodge Charger recalls

The 2018, 2019 and 2020 Dodge Charger were recalled in August of last year because the backup camera image would not display when these cars were in the so-called stealth mode, as reported. The 2021 model-year does not have any additional recalls outstanding.

The repair

Chrysler and Dodge authorized dealers will fix this issue by removing the windshield and applying a different type of urethane sealant which will ensure that the windshield will stay in place. Notifications will be sent to owners around August 27. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Chrysler and Dodge recall includes more than 20,000 vehicles. To see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis is recalling vehicles over a risk of windshield detachment