rebecca

Rebecca Rand is a freelance science and technology writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She drives a 2010 Toyota Yaris.

Volvo XC60 recalled for loose windshield wipers

Volvo XC60 recalled for loose windshield wipers

October 13, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 4, 2022 – Volvo Car USA LLC (OTCMKTS: VLVLY) has remedied issues with 82,889 SUV models including the 2018-2020 Volvo XC60 Compact that were dealing with windshield wipers installation issues. Additionally, 3,699 of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 77 have been removed from the recall. Two groups of these 2018-2020 Volvo XC60 Compact were remedied in 2020, 4 groups in 2021, and 1 other group was remedied in 2022 due to these issues with the windshield wipers that might loosen and prevent them to work properly.

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 27, 2020 –Volvo Car USA LLC (OTCMKTS: VLVLY) has recalled 87,226 compact SUVs with improperly attached windshield wipers. The recall includes model year 2018-2020 Volvo XC60 compact SUVs.

Recall Summary  

The wipers on the recalled Volvos may not be properly screwed into the car. The nuts holding the wipers to the windshield could loosen and keep the blades from effectively clearing water from the windshield, causing visibility problems for the driver. 

The issue has been traced to a mistake in the instructions Volvo gave to the Swedish and Chinese factories who build their XC60s. The mistake has since been corrected, so only cars manufactured before May 20, 2020 are implicated in the recall.

Risks

Nearly 1,235,000 crashes each year are weather-related, and 40% of these occur in the rain. It is important to maintain good visibility in wet weather so that you can react as quickly as possible to hazards and other driving obstacles. Poorly attached windshield wipers can seriously affect visibility in these conditions, making driving on wet roads even more dangerous.

The repair

Volvo will tighten the loose windshield wiper arm on the affected vehicles for free. The recall repair is currently available and should take less than half a day.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 87,000 vehicles are part of this Volvo recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandVolvo XC60 recalled for loose windshield wipers
BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra recalled for in-your-face headlights

BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra recalled for in-your-face headlights

October 12, 2020 Rebecca Rand ,

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 28, 2020 – BMW of North America LLC (OTCMKTS: BMWYY) has recalled 4,265 cars with faulty headlights that may create glare for oncoming drivers, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes: 

  • 2019-2020 BMW Z4 roadsters
  • 2020 Toyota Supra sports cars

Recall summary  

Due to a manufacturing mistake, the headlights on these vehicles are able to be pointed left and right. This is not allowed by federal motor vehicle safety regulations, which state that the low beams – used to light the road ahead of the car – must not be horizontally adjustable.

What does Toyota have to do with it? 

The 2020 Toyota Supra is part of the BMW Z4 recall because both vehicles are the result of a collaboration between Toyota and BMW. The Supra uses many BMW parts and is built at the same plant as the Z4.

Risks

It is important for headlights to work properly to maximize visibility for everyone on the road. Beams that are not aimed properly may cause glare, blinding oncoming drivers. At the same time, lights that are not bright enough limit how much the person behind the wheel can see. Both increase the risk of collisions.

Of all the fatal accidents in the United States, about half happen at night, when only a quarter of trips take place. So not only is reduced visibility responsible for more accidents, these accidents are also more severe.

The repair

BMW dealers will inspect vehicles’ headlights and correct the problem for free. The recall repair is currently available and should take less than half a day.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,000 vehicles are part of this BMW recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandBMW Z4 and Toyota Supra recalled for in-your-face headlights
RAM recalls pickups for engine fire risk

RAM recalls pickups for engine fire risk

October 7, 2020 Rebecca Rand , ,

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 28, 2020 – Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) (NYSE: FCAU)  has recalled 32,318 Ram pickups for an engine oiling issue. The recall includes:

  • 2019-2020 Ram 3500 heavy duty trucks
  • 2019-2020 Ram 4500 commercial trucks
  • 2019-2020 Ram 5500 commercial trucks

Recall summary  

The vehicles in questions are equipped with 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engines. A software problem can starve engine parts of oil as the car warms up. This could damage the engine and the related parts and cause a fire.

Risks

Car fires kill over 300 people a year on average and injure over a thousand, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Their report blames at least 20% of vehicle fires between 2009 and 2017 on equipment failures.

FCA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have not received any reports of injuries or deaths resulting from the Ram software problem. 

Fire safety tips

If you suspect your engine is on fire:

  • Stop your car someplace safe. 
  • Do not open the hood. Oxygen will rush in and feed the flames. 
  • Get yourself and others away from the vehicle, at least 100 feet. 
  • Call the fire department at 911 when you are in a secure location.
  • Do not return to the vehicle for any reason.

The repair

The fix is a free software update that a dealer will upload to your vehicle. The new software will make sure that plenty of oil is sent to the engine as the car warms up. The repair should take less than half a day, and is currently available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 32,000 vehicles are included in this Fiat Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandRAM recalls pickups for engine fire risk
Nissan recalls compact cars for crooked headlight

Nissan recalls compact cars for crooked headlight

October 5, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 27, 2020 – Nissan (OTCMKTS: NSANY) has recalled 5,520 compact cars with crooked headlights that may affect the driver’s ability to avoid collisions. The recall includes 2020 Nissan Sentras.

Recall summary  

The right-side LED headlight on these 2020 Sentras is misaligned. That goes against the federal safety guidelines that require headlights to adequately light the road without blinding oncoming drivers.

Risks

Headlights that are not adjusted properly may reduce the visibility for drivers coming your way.  At the same time, lights that are too dim limit how much the person behind the wheel can see. Both create a higher risk of accidents. 

As such, out of all the fatal accidents which occur In the United States, about half happen at night. Considering that only about 25% of all driving takes place at night, this means the nighttime fatality rate is about three times as high as the daytime rate. Data also shows that the more poorly lit a road is, the more severe its accidents are.

The repair

Originally, Nissan planned to have dealers replace the faulty headlights, starting October 5.

But, on August 27, 2020 Nissan notified dealers that it was filing a petition arguing that the defect did not warrant a recall because of how minor it is. If the supervising agency National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sides with the manufacturer, the lights would not be replaced.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 5,000 vehicles are part of this Nissan recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandNissan recalls compact cars for crooked headlight
Volkswagen recalls six models with potentially dangerous backrests

Volkswagen recalls six models with potentially dangerous backrests

September 30, 2020 Rebecca Rand ,

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 27, 2020 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS: VWAGY)  has recalled 4,854 vehicles with faulty front-seat backrests that may break in the event of a crash. The recall includes:

  • 2020 Volkswagen Jetta compact cars
  • 2020 Audi Q5 and SQ5 compact SUVs
  • 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SUVs
  • 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUVs
  • 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs

Recall summary  

The seat-back adjustment mechanism on these vehicles’ front seats was not “welded properly” and may break if the car is rear-ended.

Volkswagen discovered the issue in July during a road test but it is not the first time the company faces backrest woes.

Risks

If the backrest breaks during a rear-end crash, the occupants of both the front and back seats may be hurt by the instability. 

The breakage is especially perilous for children in the backseat who could suffer the worst of the injuries and even be killed. In a 2016 verdict, Volkswagen’s Audi unit was ordered to pay $124.5 million to the parents of Jesse Rivera Jr. after a weak driver’s seat broke during a crash and collapsed into the seven-year-old, leaving him with permanent brain damage.

The company argued that neither the driver – the boy’s father – nor the child wore seat belts, a fact that the family denied.

A 1960s standard 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) standard for seat back strength has not been updated since the 1960s and – as of 2016 –  the bar was set so low that even a cheap banquet chair could pass.  

Despite that, several manufacturers have increased the seat strength and the NHTSA may be moving in the same direction.  Last July, the agency released a study showing that the seat back rotation should be reduced to “prevent injury to the seat occupant and occupants seated directly behind it.” 

Where to put children

The backseat is still the safest place for children, though safety experts now recommend putting children behind unoccupied seats or the lightest front seat passenger.

The repair

Not all the recalled vehicles are certain to have defective backrests, but owners may be able to tell that there’s something wrong if the backrest is unstable or makes noises.  Regardless of whether anything appears wrong, it is recommended that owners contact their dealer without delay. 

Volkswagen will inspect the front seats to see if they’re defective, and will replace any seats if needed, free of charge.  This remedy is currently available, and should take less than half a day, but may take longer if a replacement seat is needed.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,000 vehicles are part of this Volkswagen recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls six models with potentially dangerous backrests
Fiat-Chrysler recalls Grand Cherokees and RAM 1500s with stalling risk

Fiat-Chrysler recalls Grand Cherokees and RAM 1500s with stalling risk

September 25, 2020 Rebecca Rand , ,

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 14, 2020 – Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE: FCAU) has recalled 58,016 SUVs and pickup trucks that may stall on the road. The recall includes:

  • 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs
  • 2014-2018 Ram 1500 pickup trucks

Recall summary  

The recall stems from an issue inside these vehicles’ diesel engines. The car uses a magnet-coated wheel to keep the engine in sync. The magnetic material, however, may chip off, causing the engine to get out-of-sync and stall. 

Fiat-Chrysler started looking into the issue in March. As of July 31, Chrysler had identified 13 customer complaints (which Fiat-Chrysler calls “CAIRs”), 1,020 warranty claims, and six field reports related to these failing magnetic wheels. 

Risks

Stalling in moving traffic can raise the risk of crashes, injuries, or worse. Vehicles may not be able to react in time and could ram a stalled car from behind. Even if the driver safely gets to the shoulder, they are still at risk of being hit. 

If your car stalls, turn on the emergency hazard lights. If you can do so safely, try to shift into neutral and maneuver your car to the side of the road. Call  your roadside assistance provider and be sure to stay in the car. The shoulder is very  dangerous for pedestrians.

The repair

Fiat-Chrysler will offer a free software update that will keep the car from stalling in the case that the magnetic wheel is damaged. Chrysler will notify owners of the recall on October 2. The repair should take less than half a day.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 58,000 vehicles are part of this Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFiat-Chrysler recalls Grand Cherokees and RAM 1500s with stalling risk
Mercedes-Benz issues recall for fly-away spoiler

Mercedes-Benz issues recall for fly-away spoiler

September 23, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – August 15, 2020 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand, has recalled 10,644 compact SUVs whose spoilers may detach from the car while driving. The recall covers 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB250 SUVs.

Recall summary  

The recall concerns the rear spoiler, which may not be fully attached to the car. The spoiler, which sits above the tailgate, was not fully welded due to a production error. 

Mercedes-Benz launched an investigation into the defect in March, following a customer complaint. The automaker discovered missing welding on the spoiler. The investigation traced the defect back to a supplier in Mexico.

Risks

The defective spoilers, which could detach while driving can become an obstacle in the roadway, forcing drivers to make quick maneuvers that could result in a crash. The fly-away spoilers may also directly hit  another vehicle.

Between 2011 and 2014, road debris played a role  in around 200,000 crashes  and caused close to 40,000 injuries and 500 deaths, according to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.  Over 75,000 of those crashes were caused by debris flying off of one vehicle and striking another.  

Can you tell?

GLB250 owners may be able to tell that their spoiler is loose if they hear a noise when they open the trunk or see scratches in the paint on the tailgate. They may also see that the spoiler simply does not seem to fit right. Drivers noticing these issues should contact their dealer.

The repair

Authorized dealers will check the SUV’s rear spoilers and replace them if they’re not fully attached.  Owners will be notified about the recall on around October 20. The repair – as with all recalls – is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 10,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandMercedes-Benz issues recall for fly-away spoiler
Nissan recalls Leaf hybrids for back-up camera glitch

Nissan recalls Leaf hybrids for back-up camera glitch

September 14, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – July 18, 2020 – Nissan (OTCMKTS: NSANY) has recalled 6,157 hatchback hybrids with malfunctioning back-up cameras. The recall includes 2020 Nissan Leaf hybrids.

Recall summary  

Due to a software issue in these Leaf hatchbacks, the back-up camera display can suddenly disappear when the car is in reverse and be replaced with the previous image. This is especially prone to happen when the car is first started and the reverse speed is greater than usual.

Risks

Rearview cameras are supposed to help prevent back-up crashes by showing the driver a 10-foot to 20-foot area behind the vehicle. If the camera is not functioning properly, there is a risk that the driver runs over the person or an object behind them.

The history of rearview cameras

Back-up cameras became mandatory on all new vehicle models in mid-2018. This was precipitated by the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007 that was named after 2-year-old Cameron who was tragically killed by a backing up SUV that could not “see” him. After the passage of the act,  Congress issued safety standards to prevent child deaths and injuries from back-over accidents. 

Before the passage of the new standards, back-up crashes killed an estimated 284 people and injured around 12,000 annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The repair

Dealers will update the back-up camera software for free. The software update is currently available, and should take less than half a day.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 6,000 vehicles are included in this Nissan recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandNissan recalls Leaf hybrids for back-up camera glitch
Honda minivans and SUVs recalled for faulty control panel

Honda minivans and SUVs recalled for faulty control panel

September 11, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – July 29, 2020 – Honda (NYSE: HMC) has recalled 607,784 vans and SUVs with malfunctioning instrument panels and rear view cameras.  This is one of the five recalls Honda issued so far this year. This recall includes:

  • 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey minivans
  • 2019-2020 Honda Passport SUVs
  • 2019-2021 Honda Pilot SUVs

Recall summary  

Due to a glitch in programming, the vehicles’ instrument panels have been known to randomly turn off depriving the driver of vital information – such as the car’s speed and oil level – and disabling the rear view camera display.  The shutdown has sometimes been accompanied by a continuous beeping or crackling noise that has been really distracting to drivers.

Risks

Rearview cameras display a 10-foot to 20-foot zone directly behind the car to avoid backover crashes. If the camera malfunctions when the car is in reverse that can result in an accident. In fact, one of the Honda drivers reported leading up to the recall that the frozen rearview camera display caused him to nearly hit his neighbor when backing out of the driveway!

Separately, not having access to vital safety information such as the car’s speed or oil level is very dangerous. It can, for example, cause the driver to go over the speed limit or bring about the engine’s failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Finally, having the infotainment system fail – or hearing any kind of unusual noises – while driving can be very distracting.  Distracted driving is dangerous— in 2018, distracted driving killed 2,841 people and injured 400,000 more. 

The repair

Honda will update the car’s software, which should stop the infotainment system from crashing. The update is available for free at dealerships now, and should take a half day or less to be completed.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 600,000 vehicles are included in this Honda recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandHonda minivans and SUVs recalled for faulty control panel
Mercedes-Benz recalls A-class sedans over water damage risk

Mercedes-Benz recalls A-class sedans over water damage risk

September 4, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – July 18, 2020 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 3,615 compact sedans with an air conditioning hose that may leak water into the cabin. The recall includes 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedans(A220).

Recall summary  

Due to a manufacturing error, certain 2019 A-Class vehicles may have an improperly-installed air conditioning hose that could leak water into the floor of the vehicle. The hose is designed to carry condensation out of the vehicle, but a loose seal allows water to seep into the floors and center tunnel of the car. The center console hosts the dashboard, one of the most important pieces of equipment in a vehicle.

The seepage can have more serious consequences than  wet carpets— the water can damage or short-circuit various electrical components in the floor and center of the car, creating a safety hazard.

Risks

The leak can damage or impair important electrical components, including the module that controls the airbags. If the module is damaged, the airbags may not be able to protect drivers or passengers in the case of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. 

It may also activate the car’s “limp-home” mode, which drastically reduces the car’s speed. If you are driving and your car enters this mode, the check engine light will illuminate and the car may feel sluggish. If you are on the freeway, it is best to pull over and call for help, as your reduced speed may make you a traffic hazard.

Finally, it could lead to a car’s “failure to start” or malfunctioning of other elements, such as the fuel pump.

If your car suffers this kind of leak, you may notice fogged  windows or wet carpets in the area where your foot pedals are located.

The repair

An authorized dealer will check the air conditioning drain hose and make sure it is tightly fastened. This free service is currently available, and should take less than half a day to complete.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 3,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandMercedes-Benz recalls A-class sedans over water damage risk
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