Bojan

Subaru recalls Ascent, Outback SUVs over loss of transmission

Subaru recalls Ascent, Outback SUVs over loss of transmission

January 2, 2022 Bojan Popic

Camden, NJ – January 2, 2022  – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 198,255 vehicles whose transmission may malfunction, which increases the risk of a crash and injury. This recall supersedes and expands the one conducted for the same issue in 2019 and affects the following vehicles:

  • 2019 Subaru Ascent  
  • 2020 Subaru Ascent
  • 2020 Subaru Legacy
  • 2020 Subaru Outback

Recall summary  

Affected vehicles have automatic transmission that operates using hydraulic pressure. Upon startup, it takes a brief moment before this pressure is sufficient to move the vehicle. 

Although this only takes a second or two, due to a software issue, the clutch of the affected vehicles may engage before adequate pressure within the transmission is achieved. This may result in the drive chain – which transfers power to the wheels – slipping and the driver not being able to use the gear selector. 

In the long-term, the drive chain may break, which could cause the vehicle to stall while driving.

The component in question is the Transmission Control Unit, or TCU, with multiple part numbers including  30919AG75A and 30919AH14D. 

Recall risks

If the transmission malfunctions in traffic, the vehicle will lose its ability to move. That may increase the risk of a crash or injury, especially if it happens in dense traffic. 

Several complaints associated with this recall mention the car “lurching forward and then back,” sometimes on a multi-lane highway. Another driver describes a harrowing experience of “losing power twice going up the steep hill” and “narrowly avoiding a collision due to slippery road.”

Other Subaru recalls 

In addition to this one, there was a recent Subaru Outback recall in August, caused by a possibility of an engine stall. The culprit was a faulty fuel pump.

Background of the recall

Over 75,000 2019 Subaru Ascent SUVs that are part of this recall were previously recalled for the same issue in December 2019. As of July 22, 2021 – the last date for which information is available – most of them have been repaired. However, according to the manufacturer, they will need to have the new remedy applied to be safe on the road. See information about the remedy further in this article and use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to see if your Subaru is affected.

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by updating the TCU software. Additionally, they will conduct appropriate inspections to determine if the transmission has sustained any damage, and replace it if needed. The remedy is expected to be available in April 2022. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners by mail on February 7, 2022, and owners who repaired the transmission on their own dime may be eligible for reimbursement.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Subaru Recall 2021 includes almost 200,000 vehicles. To check if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicSubaru recalls Ascent, Outback SUVs over loss of transmission
Nissan recalls Rogue SUVs that may stall

Nissan recalls Rogue SUVs that may stall

January 1, 2022 Bojan Popic

Franklin, TN – January 1, 2022 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) is recalling 24,793 2021 Nissan Rogue SUVs whose fuel pumps may fail. This may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

Recall summary  

A fuel pump is an electrical component inside the fuel tank that transfers the gasoline towards the engine.  As a result of incorrect assembly by a supplier, the pump may overheat and stop working. When that happens, the engine may stall and will not restart as if the car were out of gasoline.

The component in question is the Fuel Pump Assembly, with part number 17040 6RE0A for two-wheel drive (2WD) vehicles and 17040 6RE1A for four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles.  

Recall risks

For more on risks of stalling while driving, please visit this article on a recent RAM truck investigation.

Other Nissan recalls 

The 2021 model-year is subject to four additional recalls. About 2,000 of these cars were recalled about a year ago for fuel pump issues, as reported. More recently, some of these vehicles were affected by a September recall because of poorly secured child seats.

The repair

Dealers will replace the fuel pump free of charge. Notifications about this Nissan Rogue fuel pump replacement will be sent to vehicle owners on January 26, 2022.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Nissan Rogue recall includes more than 20,000 vehicles. To do a Nissan recall check and see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicNissan recalls Rogue SUVs that may stall
Ford recalls trucks whose tailgates may open

Ford recalls trucks whose tailgates may open

January 1, 2022 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – January 1, 2022 – Ford (NYSE: F) is recalling 57,591 2018 Ford F-150 pickup trucks whose tailgates may open on their own. This may allow the cargo to fall on the road, putting other motorists in danger.

Recall summary  

Ford trucks have latches on their tailgates that hold them in place when closed. On vehicles that are affected by this F-150 tailgate recall, the latching mechanism may unlatch under certain loads due to a design error. This allows the tailgate to open unexpectedly while driving or being stationary.

The component in question is the Tailgate Latch, with part numbers JL3A-9943150-AC and JL3A-9943150-BC. 

Recall risks

If the tailgate opens while driving, the cargo inside may slide out and drop on the road, becoming an obstacle. Other motorists may crash into it or while avoiding it, increasing the risk of an injury. Read more about the danger of road debris in this article about Land Rover fly-away spoilers.

Warning signs

The driver may notice that the tailgate is unlocked “prior to entering the vehicle.”

Other 2018 Ford F-150 recalls 

There were several previous 2018 F-150 recalls, with one from April concerning potential loss of wheel control being the latest. In addition, some of these trucks may have been affected by a March recall caused by tires prone to breakage.

Separately, newer model-years are affected by several recent recalls, including one from December for a faulty component of the drivetrain which may result in the loss of motive power and vehicle control, as well as “unintended movement” when parked.

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by replacing the tailgate latches on both left and right sides of the vehicle. All repairs will be done free of charge. Notifications about this replacement will be sent to vehicle owners between January 31, 2022 and February 4, 2022. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This F-Series recall includes more than 50,000 vehicles. To do a Ford recall check and see if your truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls trucks whose tailgates may open
Stellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler hybrids with faulty odometers

Stellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler hybrids with faulty odometers

December 26, 2021 Bojan Popic ,

Auburn Hills, MI – December 26, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Jeep brand, has issued a recall for 2,903 2021 Jeep Wrangler Plug-In Hybrids (PHEV) whose odometers may fail to display the distance traveled. This may cause the driver to miss out on critical maintenance, augmenting the risk of injury and crash. 

Recall summary  

In vehicles that are part of this Jeep Wrangler recall, the instrument panel cluster, or IPC, is programmed incorrectly. As a result, the odometer will only display two dashes after the mileage exceeds 13,342 miles. 

The component in question is the Instrument Panel Cluster, with multiple part numbers including 68499481AH and 68499482AF. 

Recall risks

If the owners do not know how many miles their vehicles have traveled, they may unknowingly skip out on the required maintenance. This may lead to the failure of “safety-critical” components, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

Warning signs

When checking the overall distance traveled, drivers may notice the two dashes instead of a numerical value.  

Other Jeep Wrangler recalls 

Some of these 2021 Jeep Wrangler Hybrid vehicles may have been affected by a recall in January, caused by a potential risk of fire. 

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by updating the IPC, if the odometer reading is below 13,342 miles. In case the vehicle has done more miles than that, dealers will replace the whole instrument cluster. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on January 28, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Jeep Odometer recall includes approximately 3,000 vehicles. To do a Jeep Recall check and see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis recalls Jeep Wrangler hybrids with faulty odometers
Stellantis is recalling vehicles with faulty headlights

Stellantis is recalling vehicles with faulty headlights

December 26, 2021 Bojan Popic , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – December 26, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), which owns the Jeep brand, has recalled 36,929 vehicles whose headlights may suddenly “become inoperable,” increasing the risk of a crash and injury. This recall is affecting the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUVs. 

Recall summary  

Vehicles that are part of this Jeep recall have a smart lightning module, or SLM, which controls the headlight operation. As a result of an incomplete software update, this module may malfunction in the recalled vehicles. If that happens, one or both headlights could fail to engage without any prior warning. 

The component in question is the Headlamp Assembly, with multiple part numbers including 68376974AE and 68376993AE. 

Recall risks

Inoperable headlights will reduce drivers’ visibility and impact their ability to spot any potential obstacles. In addition, other motorists and pedestrians may fail to notice a moving vehicle that is not illuminated. Both situations increase the risk of a crash and injury. 

Other Stellantis recalls 

There were several previous Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls, with one concerning airbags that may fail to deploy being the most recent one. Additionally, some of these vehicles may have been affected by a  November recall caused by difficult high-beam activation. 

The repair

To fix this issue, dealers will reprogram the smart lighting module with an updated software version. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on January 28, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Jeep Grand Cherokee headlights’ recall includes almost 200,000  vehicles. To do a Fiat-Chrysler Recall check and see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis is recalling vehicles with faulty headlights
Toyota recalls vehicles over steering issue

Toyota recalls vehicles over steering issue

December 19, 2021 Bojan Popic

Plano, TX – December 19, 2021  – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 22,462 vehicles whose steering may develop a leak. The resulting loss of hydraulic fluid will make the steering harder, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. This recall affects the following SUVs and pickup trucks:

  • 2021 Toyota Sequoia
  • 2022 Toyota Sequoia 
  • 2021 Toyota Tundra

Recall summary  

Vehicles affected by this recall have a steering system with hydraulic power assistance, which reduces the effort needed to turn the steering wheel by introducing fluid into the power-steering assembly. 

Because of a supplier error, the assembly may develop a leak. This allows the fluid to escape, which eventually causes a loss of power steering assist.  

The component in question is the power steering gear assembly, with part numbers 44250-0C121 and 44250-0C131. 

Recall risks

Although the driver will still be able to steer the vehicle without power-steering assistance, this will require considerably more effort. If this happens suddenly during low-speed maneuvering, it may result in a crash. 

Other Toyota recalls 

There was a recent Toyota Tundra recall in October, caused by faulty headlight wiring that may result in a fire. There are no other Toyota Sequoia recalls concerning the vehicles from this range. 

The repair

To rectify the issue, dealers will inspect the steering rack for leaks. If any are detected, the rack will be replaced with a new one. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on January 22, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Toyota Tundra oil leak recall includes almost more than 20,000  vehicles. To check if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls vehicles over steering issue
Volkswagen recalls Atlas SUVs whose airbags may accidentally deploy

Volkswagen recalls Atlas SUVs whose airbags may accidentally deploy

December 12, 2021 Bojan Popic

Auburn Hills, MI – December 12, 2021  – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS: VWAGY) is recalling 54,429 vehicles that may develop a water leak that could cause the airbag to accidentally deploy.  This increases the risk of an injury and may also lead to a crash. This recall includes the following vehicles: 

  • 2021 VW Atlas
  • 2020 VW Atlas Cross Sport
  • 2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport

Recall summary  

During its operation, the air-conditioning system of a car generates condensate, which is drained outside the vehicle through a flexible tube. In affected Volkswagen Atlas vehicles, this drain tube may be blocked due to a supplier error, causing the condensate to build up within the dashboard. There, it can find its way into the airbag control module, causing it to malfunction.  

The drain tube in question is part of the Evaporator Housing with part number 3QF.820.007.  

Recall risks

With a malfunctioning control module, airbags may not deploy in a collision or may inadvertently deploy, although there is no crash. Both situations increase the risk of an injury. 

Warning signs  

If the airbag control module malfunctions, it will trigger airbag warning lights on the dashboard. 

Other Volkswagen recalls 

In addition to VW Atlas air conditioning issues, these vehicles had several recalls that affected them in the past. In February, they were recalled due to a possible loss of steering control, while in March, some 2018 and 2019 Atlas SUVs had to have their tires replaced as part of a larger tire recall due to possible breakage.

The repair

To rectify the problem, dealers will inspect the drain tubes and replace them and the airbag control module if necessary. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on January 14, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This VW Atlas recall includes more than 50,000 SUVs. To do a VW Recall Check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicVolkswagen recalls Atlas SUVs whose airbags may accidentally deploy
Ford recalls SUVs over reduced braking performance

Ford recalls SUVs over reduced braking performance

December 12, 2021 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – December 12, 2021 – Ford (NYSE: F) has issued a recall for 114,996 vehicles with decreased braking performance. The issue prolongs stopping distance, upping the risk of an accident and injury.

The recall includes the following SUVs: 

  • 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
  • 2022 Ford Bronco Sport
  • 2021 Ford Escape
  • 2022 Ford Escape

Recall summary  

Vehicles that are part of this recall have rear brake pads that contain calipers whose role is to stop the car when the driver presses the brake by clamping down on the wheels.  Due to a supplier error, the calipers in the recalled vehicles do not generate sufficient friction to do that properly. As such, it may be harder to stop the car, especially if the brake booster malfunctions.

The component in question is the rear brake caliper with part numbers NX61-2D251-BNA for the left and NX61-2D250-BNA for the right one. 

Recall risks

The issue increases the risk of a crash and injury.  

Other Ford recalls 

In September, there was a Ford Bronco recall that also included 2021 Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair. The recall was caused by  the possibility of an engine stall. 

Last November, there was a Ford Escape recall because of a faulty rearview camera. The recall also included close to 430,000 other vehicles and was subsequently subject to scrutiny by the auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), because of its timeliness and scope, as reported.

The repair

Dealers are set to rectify the problem by replacing rear brake pads with ones that ensure sufficient friction. This solution, however, is still under development. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners between January 10 and January 14, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This recall includes more than 100,000 SUVs. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls SUVs over reduced braking performance
Stellantis recalls Ram trucks with faulty rearview cameras

Stellantis recalls Ram trucks with faulty rearview cameras

December 11, 2021 Bojan Popic

Auburn Hills, MI – December 11, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), which owns the RAM brand, has recalled 38,157 2021 Ram 1500 trucks whose rearview cameras may fail to display an image. This limits drivers’ visibility when backing up, increasing the risk of crash and injury.

This recall appears to be an expansion of a previous recall conducted for the same issue in the summer.

Recall summary  

Vehicles affected by this Ram 1500 recall have software – known as the Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) –  which assists the driver when backing up a vehicle with a trailer by displaying the image behind the truck.

For unknown reasons, the rearview camera may fail to display an image. 

The component that causes this issue is the TRSCM, with part numbers 68423566AE and 68423566AF. 

Warning signs  

Drivers may notice the image on display not showing up while reversing. When that happens, the Electronic Throttle Control warning will light up on the dashboard. 

Recall risks

Lack of visibility while backing up increases the risk of a crash or injury and may even cause accidents with tragic outcomes. That is why rearview cameras have been mandatory on all vehicles since May 2018.

Other Stellantis recalls 

This recall appears to be an expansion of a previous recall conducted in July for the same issue.

Earlier model-years of Ram 1500 trucks, as well as Ram 2500 and 3500 are subject to a September recall caused by faulty airbag inflators. 

The repair

At this time, the repair is still being developed. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners around January 12, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ram trailer reverse guidance recall includes more than 30,000 trucks. To do a Ram recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis recalls Ram trucks with faulty rearview cameras
Daimler recalls trucks over risk of electrical fire

Daimler recalls trucks over risk of electrical fire

December 11, 2021 Bojan Popic

Portland, OR – December 11, 2021 – Daimler (NASDAQ: DDAIF), which owns Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), is recalling 7,128 vehicles that may develop an electrical discharge inside the engine compartment. This may cause a fire, which increases the risk of an accident and injury. 

This recall supersedes a previous recall conducted for the same issue in 2018.

Trucks affected by this recall include:

  • 2017-2019 Western Star 4700
  • 2017-2019 Western Star 4900
  • 2017-2019 Western Star 5700
  • 2017-2019 Western Star 6900

Recall summary  

Vehicles affected by this recall have a power stud inside the engine bay, which looks like a bolt with an electrical cable attached to it. The stud can be used to jump-start the truck and is usually isolated from the so-called bulkhead, or a partition that separates the passenger space from the engine bay.

However, for reasons not explained by the manufacturer, the stud can come in contact with the bulkhead, creating an electrical arc. This may lead to a fire.

The component in question is the Pass-Thru Stud, with part numbers ranging from A23-14242-000 to A23-14242-003. 

Recall risks

A fire increases the risk of crash and injury, as the driver may not be able to stop the burning vehicle in a safe and timely fashion. 

Other Daimler recalls 

This recall supersedes one that was conducted in 2018 because of the same issue. After further analysis of unforeseen circumstances, Daimler has reconsidered the repair actions. 

In July 2021, 122,056 Daimler heavy-duty vehicles were  afflicted by electrical faults due to incompatible wiring materials which resulted in broken battery cables. 

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by replacing the pass-through power studs with improved components. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners around January 09, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Daimler Trucks North America recall includes more than 7,000 heavy-duty trucks. To check if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicDaimler recalls trucks over risk of electrical fire

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