rebecca

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

Honda issues a second recall for faulty sliding doors

Honda issues a second recall for faulty sliding doors

September 2, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – July 29, 2020 – Honda (NYSE: HMC) will recall 324,194 vans whose sliding doors might not fully latch and could slide open while the car is moving.  The recall includes:

2018-2020 Honda Odyssey

Recall summary

The recalled vehicles were designed with reduced moisture protection. As a result, in cold temperatures, water can seep in and freeze on cables inside the door handle. The frozen cables cannot move properly, which could keep the door from fully latching shut.

This is the second time the manufacturer conducts a recall for the same issues.  As a result of the first recall, Honda replaced the door latches, but some vans’ doors continued to slide open while driving. 

The issue has not resulted in injuries or crashes but there have been 31 incidents so far, according to Honda.

Risks

If a car door suddenly opens while a vehicle is moving it poses a safety hazard to occupants who could fall out of the car. Falls from vehicles account for 17% of all non-crash vehicle fatalities, according to a 2015 report by the National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHTSA). These falls caused 75,000 injuries between 2011 and 2012, the report says.

Repair

Honda will replace the cables inside the door handle at no cost to the owner. The repair is already available, though official owner notifications will not be sent until September 23.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 300,000 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 issues a second recall for faulty sliding doors
Honda recalls minivans for rear view camera leak and software glitch

Honda recalls minivans for rear view camera leak and software glitch

August 31, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – May 10, 2022 – Honda Motor Company (NYSE:HMC) has remedied issues with 159,860 2019-2020 Honda Odyssey Minivans that had failures with the rearview camera. Additionally, 297 of these vehicles have been categorized as unreachable and 686 have been removed from the recall. Two groups of these 2019-2020 Honda Odyssey Minivans with rearview camera failures were remedied in 2020 and three groups were remedied during 2021.

Pleasanton, CA – July 28 2020 – Honda (NYSE: HMC) has recalled 212,068 Odyssey minivans with faulty rear view cameras. The recall includes 2019 and 2020 Honda Odyssey Minivans.  

Recall summary  

The rear view camera display on the recalled vehicles may fail to appear, look distorted or produce an error message.

This is a result of one of the two issues. The first one is that – because of a design flaw – moisture can penetrate the camera via the mounting holes, damaging it or disabling it altogether. The rearview image may also fail to display due to a programming glitch that disables the camera in bright environments. 

2018 Honda Odysseys may also experience these issues and will be provided with the same fix as the vehicles above.

Risks

Back-up crashes kill an estimated 284 people a year and injure around 12,000, according to the NHTSA. Rearview camera systems are intended to help prevent back-up crashes by showing the driver a 10-foot to 20-foot area behind the vehicle.

Since 2018, the National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHTSA) has required all new vehicle models to be made with rearview cameras. Now a necessity rather than an accessory, it is required by law that these cameras function properly.

The repair

Honda will replace the rear-view camera with a redesigned one, free of charge. The company will notify owners on or around September 23. Because there are several open recalls on Honda 2018-20 Odyssey vehicles, you may be able to have multiple recall repairs completed at once. This could take about a day, according to the experience of some Honda owners.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 200,000 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 recalls minivans for rear view camera leak and software glitch
Hyundai recalls over 200,000 cars for interior fire hazard

Hyundai recalls over 200,000 cars for interior fire hazard

August 27, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – July 3, 2020 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) is recalling 272,126 light vehicles for a fire hazard related to the  12-volt accessory outlet. The recall includes:

  • 2012 Hyundai Accent
  • 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra
  • 2011-2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  • 2012 Hyundai Veloster

Recall summary

In June, Hyundai determined that 12v “cigarette lighter” outlets inside the cars had been installed too tightly during assembly, disabling the component designed to prevent overheating.

This can lead to the recalled cars smoking or catching fire when fixing a flat tire using the outlet. The tires are inflated using a tire mobility kit which gets plugged into the outlet and come standard on these models.

Hyundai first received a report related to this defect in October 2011.  In November 2018,  a  car caught fire inside someone’s garage  while the tire inflator was in use. Despite that, the car manufacturer was unable to replicate the smoke and burning in tests until this summer.

Safety risks

In the tests Hyundai conducted while investigating this issue, the outlets generated smoke and melted parts of the dashboard. Inhaling smoke from a burning vehicle may pose a health hazard to drivers and passengers, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Modern cars, the administration warns, are made with many synthetic materials, like plastic, that emit dangerous gases when they burn.

If you smell burning plastic or smoke while driving, stop the car someplace safe. Once stopped, turn off the engine and exit the vehicle. If you suspect a fire, stay 100 feet away from the car and call for help.

Repair

The recall will officially begin on August 28, when the company will notify dealers and owners of the issue. However, the repair is not yet available. In the meantime, owners should not use the tire inflator until their 12V outlets have been repaired.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 200,000 cars are included in this Hyundai recall. Check and see if your car is one of them using Motorsafety.org’s free recall lookup tool.


Rebecca RandHyundai recalls over 200,000 cars for interior fire hazard
Mercedes-Benz recalls high-performance cars with faulty stability control software

Mercedes-Benz recalls high-performance cars with faulty stability control software

August 24, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – July 7, 2020 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 5,039 high-performance AMG vehicles for a problem with the software that reduces the risk of skidding. The recall includes:

  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63
  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 53 
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S

Recall summary

The recall concerns vehicles’ Electronic Stability Control (ESP) software. The ESP ensures that the car goes in the direction the driver wants it to go. If it determines that the driver may have lost the control of the car, it applies brakes or reduces the engine power to help the driver regain control. The software has been installed on all new cars sold in the U.S. since 2012.

Due to an error on the part of the supplier – Bosch Engineering – the ESP on the affected cars was not primed to interact with certain brakes and sensors being installed on the Mercedes Benz vehicles in question The issue first came to light in mid-2018.

Safety risks

Because the ESP aids in steering and braking, it can seriously impact the speed and direction of the car. If the ESP responds incorrectly, it could veer the car in the wrong direction and increase the risk of a crash. 

Repair

The repair is a software update. Mercedes has not indicated when it will become available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 5,000 cars are included in this Mercedes recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to check your car for open recalls.

Rebecca RandMercedes-Benz recalls high-performance cars with faulty stability control software
Volkswagen recalls Tiguan and CC for out-of-the-blue airbags

Volkswagen recalls Tiguan and CC for out-of-the-blue airbags

July 31, 2019 Rebecca Rand

Auburn Hills, MI – July 17, 2019 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 27,822 vehicles whose may airbags may randomly go off  or not go off when needed. The recall includes:

  • 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUVs
  • 2016 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan compact SUVs
  • 2015 VW CC cars
  • 2016 VW CC cars

Recall summary  

The recall concerns the airbag control module that is in charge of deploying the airbags. A defective capacitor – a device that sits in the module and powers the airbag – may deactivate the airbags or,  in rare cases, cause them to go off unexpectedly.

The defect is caused by an error on the part of the supplier, ZF Group. Since 2018, the German auto parts manufacturer has been subject to at least 68 lawsuits, as reported.

Risks

If the airbags inflate without a warning, they can injure vehicle occupants and cause the driver to crash. If they fail to deploy in a crash, occupants are less protected from impact. In fact, their risk of fatal injury is 11% higher than it would be if the airbags were working properly. 

Warning signs

A turned on airbag warning light may indicate airbag failure. Drivers are advised to immediately take the car in for repair if the light comes on.

The repair

Volkswagen dealers will update the car with software that will monitor the electrical activity in the airbag control module. If the software detects a problem within a 10-year extended warranty period, Volkswagen will replace the module for free. The update has been available since November 13, 2019.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Close to 10,000 vehicles still need to be fixed under this VW airbag recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Note: February 22, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have rewritten it to include the best, most up-to-date information.

Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls Tiguan and CC for out-of-the-blue airbags
Ford recalls 1.2 million F-150s for faulty automatic transmission

Ford recalls 1.2 million F-150s for faulty automatic transmission

February 11, 2019 Rebecca Rand

Dearborn, MI – February 11, 2019 – Ford  (NYSE:F) has recalled 1,263,051 F-150 trucks that may suddenly downshift to first gear, possibly causing the driver to lose control of the truck, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2011-2013 Ford F-150 trucks with six-speed automatic transmission.

Recall summary  

The recall concerns issues with Ford’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM) which is the car’s brain, responsible for over 100 elements, including changing gears in an automatic transmission. The module needs information from an Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor to know how fast the car is going, and thus which gear to use. The recalled vehicles may intermittently lose the signal between this sensor and the PCM, potentially resulting in the car unexpectedly shifting into first gear.  This may cause it to suddenly slow down or the rear tires to slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

Other F-150 recalls and causes 

Previously, Ford recalled several F-150 models with a particular automatic transmission, including the 2011 and 2012 F-150, for the same issue. This action expands that recall to include all 2011-2013 F-150s with six-speed automatic transmission.

“Various causal factors” may be to blame for the defect, including “contamination, power short to ground, connector corrosion, connector pin swaging, and incorrect outputs from the OSS sensor.” In the previous recall, Ford blamed the problem on a manufacturing error by a molded lead frame supplier which caused the circuit carrying the OSS sensor signal to break.

Safety concerns and complaints

Sudden downshifting may increase the risk of an accident that can hurt the drivers and other people on or off the road.  In fact, an investigation into the Ford transmission downshifting issue uncovered 10 crashes and three injuries caused by this defect. 

Over 1,000 complaints were logged by the distressed F-150 owners to both NHTSA and Ford and there were  “many instances” where the issue caused drivers to swerve out of their lanes or off the road.

One  of them said when the gears changed without warning, “it [felt] like you got hit from behind, causing you to slam your head and body on the seat.” Another one said that its 2013 F-150 would lose power, stall or shift on its own, “leaving the truck a wreck waiting to happen at any time.”

Warning signs 

Downshifting in these instances typically happened without warning. Besides the gear switch, drivers may notice problems with their speedometers, erratic gear shifting, and the transmission stuck in one gear. Most drivers who complained reported that they were able to continue driving after stopping and restarting the car.

The repair

Dealers will reprogram the recalled Ford F-150’s PCM, free of charge. The repair is currently available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

As of July 29, 2020 – the last date for which information is available – 756,000 vehicles in this Ford truck recall have been repaired.  To see if your F-150  is amongst those that still need to be fixed, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool.

Note: February 8, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have rewritten it to include the best, most up-to-date information.

Rebecca RandFord recalls 1.2 million F-150s for faulty automatic transmission
Late-model Jaguars Being Recalled Over Air Bag Danger

Late-model Jaguars Being Recalled Over Air Bag Danger

January 28, 2018 Rebecca Rand ,

Mahwah, New Jersey – Jan. 28, 2018 – Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling more than 8,900 late-model Jaguar XF sedans as part of the broader Takata air bag recall, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall includes:

  • 2009 Jaguar XF sedans
  • 2010 Jaguar XF sedans
  • 2013 Jaguar XF sedans

As with all other vehicles in the Takata recall, the XF sedans come with faulty passenger frontal air bag assemblies that were either original equipment or replacement parts.

Specifically, 2009 model-year XFs sold in what has been designated Zone C are part of the recall, and were produced from Dec. 4, 2007, to Feb. 11, 2009. The 2010 XFs – all produced between Sept. 24, 2008, and March 2, 2010 – were sold or registered in Zone B. The model-year 2013 XFs sold or registered in Zone A were produced from May 15, 2012, to Sept. 13, 2013.

Zone A includes a number of southern states, Hawaii, Texas and outlying territories like Puerto Rico and Guam. Zone B includes several populous states in the Midwest and Appalachia, as well as Washington, D.C.

Finally, Zone C includes all of New England, New York, a number of states in the Upper Midwest and Mountain region, as well as the Pacific Northwest.

All vehicles in the recall are believed to carry this defect.

Recall sumamry

If exposed over a long enough period of time to extreme temperature changes or high humidity, the propellant that ejects the air bag in the event of a crash could cause the bag to degrade.

Consequently, if a crash  leads to deployment of that air bag, the inflator may rupture, resulting in metal fragments being ejected from the air bag compartment at high speeds. This can increase the risk of operators and passengers in the vehicle being struck with the fragments, which can lead to injury or death.

In mid-May 2016, Jaguar Land Rover learned of the broader issue with the frontal passenger air bags from Takata, and opened its own investigation into the problem just a few days later. The automaker’s Product Safety and Compliance Committee quickly determined which of its produced vehicles had been outfitted with the faulty air bags, but that there had not been any incidents related to the issue, and no injuries have been reported to date. Nonetheless, it determined to conduct a recall of the vehicles to remediate the problem.

Since then, the company has worked with the NHTSA as part of the government organization’s coordinated remedy program. This recall as part of the program’s Phase 3.

The repair

Jaguar has already begun the process of notifying dealers about the recall, starting on Jan. 11, 2018. It likewise expects to begin notifying owners of the affected vehicles on or around Feb. 28, 2018.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 8,900 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, – the last date for which information was available – 7,358 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Rebecca RandLate-model Jaguars Being Recalled Over Air Bag Danger
New Jaguar recalls pertain to XJ air bag issues

New Jaguar recalls pertain to XJ air bag issues

July 6, 2017 Rebecca Rand

Mahwah, NJ—July 6, 2017—In a new recall, Jaguar has addressed airbag software in thousands of its XJ vehicles. According to a posting on Car Complaints, the affected autos were from the model years of 2010 and 2011, and the software in the restraint control module was said to not allow them to function properly. The recall follows an investigation into the calibration of these systems, which changed after an improper update.

The recall is set to begin this August and will, as the source said, make up for the fact that the warranty period has expired in these vehicles. Fixing these vehicles will involve updating the software to reflect the correct calibration, and therefore help reduce air bag deployment issues in the event of impact.

Earlier this year, the Jaguar XJ was part of a different air bag-related recall. A Research.com piece on the action said that these vehicles were produced between September and October in 2016 and had issues with the deflators instead of the software.

In both cases, the danger arose from a possible flaw that would keep the airbag from expanding correctly, and the earlier recall specifically involved the passenger side air bag. This recall had a manufacturer number of J080 and a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall number of 16V943000.

Unlike the more recent recall, this previous one, submitted to the NHTSA on Dec. 22, 2016, only pertained to 16 vehicles, though 100 percent of these were estimated to have the defect, according to a Part 573 Safety Recall Report for the action.

The France-based manufacturer of the key recall component was NCS Pyrotechnie et Technologies SAS, and the original owner notification date was given as Feb. 20, almost a month after the initial dealer notification date of Dec. 28.

Rebecca RandNew Jaguar recalls pertain to XJ air bag issues
Recall Lookup
Enter your vehicle(s) below to check the current recall status.

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories