Ken

Ken Boyd is a five-time Dummies book author, including Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, and a frequent contributor at QuickBooks.

Hyundai recalls Genesis cars that may catch fire

Fountain Valley, CA – April 26, 2021 – Hyundai Motor Company  (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 94,646 vehicles, due to a short circuit risk in the anti-lock brake system (ABS). The short circuit risk may cause a fire,  increasing the risk of a crash.

The component in question is the hydraulic controller for the ABS, with part numbers 58920-B1010, and 58920-B1110. The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  • 2017 Hyundai Genesis
  • 2017 – 2020 Hyundai Genesis G80 

Recall summary  

The ABS module prevents the wheels from locking, which helps the driver maintain steering control when the brakes are applied. In recalled cars, the ABS module may short-circuit, resulting in an “engine compartment fire,” when the vehicle is parked or while driving.

A small number of Genesis G70 vehicles are being recalled for the same issue under a separate recall. Hyundai Genesis SUVs are not part of either recall.

Warning signs

For warning signs, please see our article about a recent Hyundai Kona recall for fire risk.

Risks

If an engine fire occurs, pull over, move all of the occupants away from the vehicle and call 911. For more information, see this article about a hybrid BMW recall

Safety tips

As in other fire-related recalls, you should park your vehicle “away from structures,” such as your home, other buildings or a garage until it is repaired.

Other Hyundai and Kia fire recalls

This recall is the latest in the long string of Hyundai and Kia fire-related recalls. In March, Hyundai recalled over 4,500 electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries that resulted in multiple fires and at least two rounds of recalls outside the U.S. In January, the manufacturer expanded an old recall of Hyundai Tucson vehicles because of a component of the ABS system that could result in the unit short-circuiting.

In December, Kia – which is part-owned by Hyundai – recalled close to 300,000 vehicles due to a risk of engine fire. No clear cause has been identified.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the ABS module fuse. The repair is free and the recall is expected to begin May 7, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 94,000 vehicles are included in this Hyundai recall. To check if your Hyundai G80  is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydHyundai recalls Genesis cars that may catch fire

Hyundai recalls Kona and Ioniq vehicles that may catch fire

Fountain Valley, CA – May 26, 2022 – Hyundai North America has remedied issues with 3,159 vehicles including the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric dealing with short-circuit problems caused by their lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, 62 of these Hyundai Ioniq EV’s have been categorized as unreachable and 9 have been removed from the recall. Three groups of these 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric with Lithium-Ion Battery Issues were remedied during 2021 and one group in 2022.

Fountain Valley, CA – March 31, 2021 – Hyundai North America (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 4,696 vehicles equipped with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The batteries may short circuit and potentially cause an engine fire. The recall includes Hyundai Kona 2019 and 2020 Electric vehicles (EV) and 2020 Hyundai Ioniq EV sedans.

Recall summary  

Due to a manufacturing error, the Li-ion batteries in these Hyundai Ioniq Electric and Hyundai Kona EVs may short-circuit and lead to an engine fire

The U.S. recall is being conducted as part of a global recall announced by the manufacturer last month. Among the included countries is South Korea that recently launched its second recall on the back of at least 11 Kona EV fires.

Fire reports

In 2019, three parked Hyundai Kona EV sedans caught on fire in Korea, two in Canada and one in Europe. In each case, the parked vehicle had a full battery charge. Seven more fires were reported in 2020. In each case, Hyundai suspected that the fire was caused by an electrical short in the Li-ion battery. The cause of the issue was identified earlier this year and turned out to be incorrectly folded battery cells.

South Korean recall and subsequent fire

In October of last year, the manufacturer issued a recall South Korea for more than 25,000 Kona Electric vehicles due the risk of fire. After a recalled and repaired Kona caught fire, Hyundai issued another recall in the country.

Warning signs 

The electrical short may take place when the vehicle is parked or while driving. The driver may smell smoke or a burning/melting odor when a battery fire occurs. Additionally, the malfunction indicator (MIL) or the battery lights may come on.

Risks

A fire can injure occupants and a crash due to a fire may injure other drivers or pedestrians. For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please refer to this recent article about a different Hyundai recall

The repair

The recall is set to begin on April 30. In the short-term, the repair is a software update that the owners can conduct themselves or through their dealer.

The long-term repair is for dealers to replace the Battery System Assembly (BSA). This work will be performed once parts are available.  It is important to note that the recalled Kona EV that caught fire in South Korea only received a software update, but not the battery replacement, according to press reports.

Until the repair is completed, do NOT park your car inside. Instead, park it away from structures, including your home, garages and carports.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,600 vehicles are included in this Hyundai recall. To perform a Hyundai recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydHyundai recalls Kona and Ioniq vehicles that may catch fire

Nissan Sentras recalled for brake light malfunction

Franklin, TN – March 18, 2021 – Nissan (NASDAQ:NSANY) has recalled 807,376 Nissan Sentra vehicles, due to a brake light switch issue that may prevent the brake lights from illuminating, increasing the risk of a crash.  The components in question are stop light switch and grommet, with part numbers 25320 AX10A and  24268 6KE0A, respectively.

The recall includes the following compact cars:

  • 2016 Nissan Sentra
  • 2017 Nissan Sentra 
  • Nissan Sentra 2018 
  • 2019 Nissan Sentra 

Recall summary  

Brake light, or stop light switches are what transmits power to the brake lights, warning other drivers that you are slowing down. Due to an unknown issue, the switches in the recalled vehicles may become contaminated by the grease that is used in the “surrounding components.” This may lead to the brake lights not turning on when the brake is pressed, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.

Additionally, as a result of the brake light contamination, the car may not start.

Warning signs

The malfunction indicator light (MIL) may turn on and the driver may notice that brake lights do not work.

Risks 

A collision may result in injuries or a loss of life for everyone involved.

Other Nissan Sentra recalls

Older model years of Nissan Sentra are subject to a December recall due to the Takata airbag inflators. As reported, the inflators are prone to exploding when the airbag is deployed and hurling shrapnel at the occupants. This may lead to the people inside the car getting killed or injured.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet – or a ring – over the edges of the switch to prevent future problems. The repair is free of charge and owners will notified beginning on April 7.

Additional repair parts should be available in the fall. Nissan will contact the owners again to let them know when the parts are available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 807,000 vehicles are included in this Nissan recall. To do a Nissan recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydNissan Sentras recalled for brake light malfunction

Mercedes-Benz recalls vehicles due to defective tires

Jacksonville, FL – March 10, 2021 – Daimler AG – known as Mercedes-Benz – (NASDAQ:DDAIF) is recalling 2,529 vehicles because of defective tires. The defect may cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2018 Mercedes GLE350 luxury cars, 2018 GLE43 AMG crossovers and 2018 GLE400 vehicles that operate with tires made by auto parts manufacturer Continental.

Recall summary  

This recall is caused by defective tires that were reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by Continental in February.  Due to a “process deviation,” the sidewall of the tire may break, causing a “sudden air loss” in the tire. The break may also cause the tire tread – which is the part that comes in contact with the road– to separate from the tire. This is very dangerous as it may result in the driver losing control of the car, especially when moving at a high speed.

Warning signs

Drivers may notice visible tread wear on the tire, a bulge in the tread area or experience excessive vibrations in the vehicle.

Risks 

If the driver loses control, the vehicle may crash into other vehicles, into an object or hit a pedestrian. The occupants of vehicles and pedestrians may be injured. The risks increase if the tire failure occurs at high speeds.

Other Mercedes recalls

The 2018 GLE 350 luxury car has had recalls for wheels, brakes and other issues. For example, the model was recently amongst 1.4 million Mercedes-Benz cars recalled because it may potentially lead first responders to the wrong place when the car occupants need assistance after a crash. The issue was caused by a “disruption in the car’s power supply,” as reported. 

Older GLE 350 model years were recently part of a recall involving over 40,000 luxury SUVs due to faulty stability control software. A software error may result in these vehicles jerking to a side while trying to avoid a crash,  ironically increasing the possibility of a collision.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will inspect the tires and replace them as needed. The repair is free of charge. The recall is slated to begin April 27, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 2,500 vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydMercedes-Benz recalls vehicles due to defective tires

BMW recalls X models, Alpina for faulty rearview cameras

Westwood, NJ – March 9, 2021 – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) is recalling 13,858 vehicles, due to an issue with the rearview camera. The recall includes the following models:

  • BMW X models, including BMW X3 2021 and 2019-2021 BMW X3 sDrive30i crossovers
  • BMW Alpina, including 2019-2021 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive sports car

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

Recall summary  

Rearview cameras became required on all new cars in 2007. Due to a software bug, when these recalled cars are shifted into reverse, the drivers may not see the entire rearview image or the screen may fail to illuminate altogether.  

Risks 

A malfunctioning rearview camera may result in a crash, as the driver may fail to notice a person or an object behind them. This issue may cause injury or even death.

The cars in question, however, are equipped with a Park Distance Control (PDC) system, which alerts drivers to objects behind the vehicle, reducing the risk.

To read more about why rearview cameras were made standard, please visit our recent article about a Ford recall for a similar issue.

BMW xDrive recalls

BMW has just recalled over 14,000 cars – including 228i xDrive coupes and M235i xDrive high-performance cars – over a faulty sunroof that is prone to continuing to close after the car is turned off. This may result in an injury to a small child or a person inside the car.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and perform a free update, if necessary.  The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 13,800 vehicles are included in this BMW recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydBMW recalls X models, Alpina for faulty rearview cameras

Ford recalls F-350 trucks for incorrect tire and payload information

Dearborn, MI – April 14, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) has remedied issues with 2,489 2020 Ford F350 Super Duty vehicles with incorrect Tire and Loading labels. Additionally, 205 of these vehicles were categorized as unreachable and 0 were removed from the recall. All these incorrectly labeled 2020 Ford F350 Super Duty were remedied in one group during 2021.

Dearborn, MI – March 5, 2021 – Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has recalled 9,979 Ford F350 trucks, due to incorrect information on labels in the vehicles, which may increase the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2020 Ford F350 Super Duty trucks.

Recall summary  

In recalled vehicles, the following information may be incorrect:

  • Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) Label: The Ford F350 payload capacity is the maximum amount of weight the driver can safely add to the truck as cargo. The payload capacity value may be overstated.
  • Accessory Reserve Capacity (ARC) values: This value estimates the total weight of accessories and equipment that can be added to the truck. The value on the Safety Certification label may be overstated.
  • Truck Camper Loading documentation: This data explains how a camper can be added to the truck, including the maximum weight allowed. The weight values may be overstated.

Other Ford recalls

These same trucks – as well as the Ford F250 Super Duty 2020 model – are among the vehicles subject to a recall for a poorly attached windshield, as reported. The issue makes the windshield more likely to crack or break altogether, exposing the car occupants to road debris and broken glass. 

At the same time, 2019 F-250 and F-350 were among Ford recalls in 2020 because of faulty front axles, as reported. The axles – that transmit the power from the body of the car to its wheels – were built using “non-conforming” parts, as reported.

Risks 

If the driver loads the vehicle based on the incorrect Ford F350 payload value on the TREAD label, the truck’s suspension will be overloaded and the vehicle will require increased stopping distance. 

When tires are loaded above rated capacity, they are more likely to wear unevenly. Finally, if the camper is overloaded, driving the truck may be unsafe.

Each of these issues increases the risk of an accident.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the TREAD and Safety Certification labels, as well as the Truck Camper Loading document, as needed.  The repair is free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 22, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 9,900 vehicles are included in this Ford recall 2020. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydFord recalls F-350 trucks for incorrect tire and payload information

Nissan Rogue vehicles recalled for stall and fire risk

Franklin, TN – February 24, 2021 – Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. (NASDAQ:NSANY) has remedied issues with 1,787 vehicles, including the 2021 Nissan Rogue SV, that had been dealing with a fuel hose disconnecting from the fuel tank. Additionally, none of these Nissan vehicles have been categorized as unreachable or removed from the recall. All these 2021 Rogue SV models were remedied by Nissan during the first and third quarters of 2021.

Franklin, TN – February 24, 2021 – Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. (NASDAQ:NSANY) has recalled 2,146 Nissan Rogue vehicles, due to a risk of a fuel leak, which may cause the engine to stall or result in a fire. The recall includes 2021 Nissan Rogue SUVs.

Recall summary  

The issue arose when Nissan took the fuel pumps of these 2021 Rogue SUVs apart to “confirm [their] performance.” When the manufacturer put them back together, certain parts may not have been properly secured. As such, the fuel pumps may become loose or disconnect completely, causing a fuel leak and potentially, an engine fire. Additionally, the car may stall and not restart.

Warning signs

If the fuel hose or some of its parts are not locked into their position, the driver may smell a fuel odor and see the Malfunction Indication Light (MIL) illuminate.

Risks 

If this Nissan Rogue 2021 stalls in traffic, it may hit another vehicle, stationary objects or pedestrians. It may also block traffic and get hit by other vehicles.

A vehicle fire can injure or kill the SUV’s occupants and people around them. If you suspect a fire, turn off the SUV, move all occupants away from the vehicle and call 911 immediately.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will need to inspect and reposition the fuel hose and the lock ring. There will be no charge for the repair. Recall is to begin on March 1.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 2,100 vehicles are included in this Nissan recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydNissan Rogue vehicles recalled for stall and fire risk

Volkswagen recalls Atlas vehicles for steering issue

Auburn Hills, MI – February 23, 2021 – Volkswagen AG (NASDAQ:VWAGY) has recalled 10,303 vehicles, due to a manufacturing error that may cause the front steering knuckles – which is what allows the wheels to turn – to fracture, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2021 VW Atlas SUVs and 2020-2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The affected component’s part number is 3QF.407.255.E-256.

Recall summary  

Steering knuckles – also known as spindles – connect the car’s wheels to the suspension and steering components. Each front wheel has their own knuckle. Because of a supplier error, one or both of the front steering knuckles may fracture, and the driver may lose control of the vehicle.

Risks 

If the knuckles fracture while the vehicle is moving, the driver may immediately lose control, which greatly increases the risk of a crash. Without the ability to steer properly, the driver may hit other vehicles, stationary objects or a pedestrian. 

Other recalls, lawsuit

The 2020 Atlas SUV has been recalled for front seat frame, improperly aligned headlights, tires and rearview camera issues. In March of 2020, Volkswagen was the subject of a class action lawsuit regarding warranties on the Atlas and other vehicles.

VW’s Atlas 2021 cars are not subject to any additional recalls.

The repair

To fix the VW recall issue, dealers will need to inspect and possibly replace both steering knuckles. The repair is free of charge. Owners will be notified on March 26.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 10,300 vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydVolkswagen recalls Atlas vehicles for steering issue

Mercedes-Benz vehicles recalled for front seat belt issue

Jacksonville, FL – February 12, 2021 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand has remedied issues in 21.343 vehicles including the 2017-2021 c300 and 2017-2020 c43 that were dealing with front seat belts problems. Additionally, 0 of these Mercedes-Benz models have been categorized as unreachable and 0 have been removed from the recall. Four groups of these 2017-2021 c300 and 2017-2020 c43 dealing with front seat belt issues that may not fully retract were remedied in 2021 and two groups were remedied in 2022.

Jacksonville, FL – February 12, 2021 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand, has recalled 24,550 vehicles with front seat belts that may not retract as designed. If the seat belt does not fully retract, occupants may become frustrated and not wear it, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. The recall includes:

  • 2017-2021 Mercedes Benz C300 sedans
  • 2017-2020 Mercedes Benz C43 AMG sedans
  • 2017-2020 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG sedans

Recall summary  

When the seat belt is unlocked, its webbing should fully retract into the stowed position. In recalled vehicles, a design flaw prevents the front seat belt retractor from operating properly.

If the seat belt does not fully retract, a person in the front seat may skip wearing it, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. 

Risks 

Airbags do not provide sufficient protection for occupants who are not wearing seat belts. If an occupant does not wear a seat belt and is thrown from the vehicle in a crash, the risk of death is high. Passengers may be injured within the car during an accident, if not secured by a seat belt.  To read more about this issue, please visit our recent article about another Mercedes-Benz seat belt recall.

Mercedes AMG C63 and 2019 C300 recalls

The 2019 Mercedes C300 was among the cars recalled over two years ago because of the potential to lose power and access to essential functions post-crash.

In July of last year, Daimler recalled eight models of its high-performance AMG vehicles, including the 2019-2020 AMG C63 for issues with software that aids in steering and braking.  

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will inspect the front seat belts to determine if the retraction function is working properly and make adjustments to correct the issue. The repair is free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 23, 2021.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 24,500 vehicles are included in this Mercedes Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydMercedes-Benz vehicles recalled for front seat belt issue

Nissan Infiniti QX50 vehicles recalled for tire information placard issue

Franklin, TN – February 4, 2021 – Nissan Motor Company (NASDAQ:NSANY) has recalled 8,291 vehicles, because the text on the tire and loading information placard is not legible. Owners need the information on the placard to confirm the vehicle’s tire size and tire loading capacity, along with other information. The recall includes 2020 Infiniti QX50 SUVs. 

Recall summary  

The tire and loading information placard is typically located on the driver’s door jamb. It lists tire size, recommended tire pressure and the seating capacity of the vehicle. A manufacturing error may cause the black text on the placard to become illegible.

Risks 

If the loading capacity for the tires is not legible on the placard, the owner may over inflate the tires, which increases the risk of a crash. It can also cause the following issues:

  • If tires are overinflated, they are more rigid than normal and may not be as flexible as needed when running over an obstacle. 
  • The tires are more susceptible to damage from potholes, cracks or hitting a curb.
  • Overinflated tires may wear unevenly, which affects tire performance. You may have to replace the tires sooner than scheduled, due to uneven wear.

In addition, the placard may cause confusion about the required tire size, and incorrect sized tires may be installed.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will need to inspect the placard and determine if the text on the placard is legible. If not, the placard will be replaced. The repair is free of charge, and the recall is expected to begin March 16, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 8,200 vehicles are included in this Nissan recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydNissan Infiniti QX50 vehicles recalled for tire information placard issue