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

Nissan recalls hybrids with software issue causing stalls

October 24, 2021 Rebecca Rand Infiniti Recalls, Nissan Recalls

Franklin, TN – October 24, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has recalled 7,634 hybrid electric vehicles with a software issue that may stall the car. The recall includes:

2014 – 2017 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid
2015 – 2016 Nissan Murano Hybrid
2014 – 2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid

The affected component is the Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCM) Module with multiple part numbers, including 237A13JV9B and 237A13JV9C.

Recall summary

A hybrid powertrain transfers “power to the driving wheels” of a hybrid car. The recall stems from an issue with the HPCM, a small computer that controls the car’s hybrid powertrain while monitoring other parts of the car. If the HPCM detects damage to a certain bearing, it may determine that the car is overheating and cut off the power, causing the car to stall.

Recall risks

Stalls pose a risk to drivers on the road, who may get hit by faster-moving traffic. Read more about stall-related safety issues in this article about a Chrysler recall.

The repair

Nissan and Infiniti dealers will reprogram the HPCM for free. Nissan will send owners notification letters with further instructions starting on December 3.

Recent Nissan recalls

Earlier this month, Nissan recalled over 10,000 Pathfinders with potentially defective headrests, and 5,895 more Pathfinders whose seats could detach during a crash. More stall-prone Infinitis were recalled this past spring due to a separate control module software issue.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 7,600 vehicles are included in this Infiniti and Nissan Hybrid recall. To do a Nissan recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Detaching windshields prompt 2021 Ford Mustang recall

October 24, 2021 Rebecca Rand Ford Recalls

Dearborn, MI – October 24, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 17,692 Ford Mustang 2021 Mach-E SUVs whose windshields may detach, placing vehicle occupants at risk of accident or injury.

Recall summary

The recalled vehicles’ windshields may not be glued properly in place, violating federal safety standards. Ford did not disclose the cause of the problem in recall documents, but is conducting “on-going evaluations to confirm root cause” for this defect.

The company says they are unaware of any accidents or injuries resulting from these problems.

Warning signs

Ford Mach-E owners may notice the sound of wind whistling through the sides of the front windshield or water leaking around the edges.

Recall risks

Windshields that are not securely glued in place are at risk of cracking or even falling out of their frames. Occupants of the car could be injured by flying glass or other debris and may result in a crash. Additionally, unsecured windshields increase the chance of injury in an accident.

Other Ford recalls

In March, Ford recalled nearly 80,000 F-series trucks in February over loose windshields that were also poorly glued to the car. Unlike this recall, the cause was a known issue with primers and paints.

Earlier this month, over 13,000 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E were also recalled for the same issue—inadequate urethane bonding—affecting their panoramic glass roof panels.

There is potentially some overlap between the two recalls as the total number of 2021 Mach Es sold in the U.S. as of the end of September was plus the stock at the dealerships or in transit was around 23,855. However, the sum of two recalls is around 31,326 meaning that over 7,000 cars are likely subject to both recalls.

Repair

Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield for free, using proper gluing procedures to ensure the windshield is secure. Owners should receive a notification letter with further instructions between October 27 and November 3.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 17,000 Mustangs are included in this Ford recall. To do a Ford recall check use MotorSafety.org’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volvo recalls sedans over exploding airbags

October 22, 2021 Rebecca Rand Volvo Recalls

Ridgeville, SC – October 22, 2021 – Volvo (OTCMKTS:VLVLY) has recalled 259,383 cars because the driver-side airbag may explode during deployment, sending dangerous shrapnel flying at vehicle occupants. The recall includes the following sedans:

2001 Volvo S60
2002 Volvo S60
2003 Volvo S60
2004 Volvo S60
2005 Volvo S60
2006 Volvo S60
2007 Volvo S60
2008 Volvo S60
2009 Volvo S60
2001 Volvo S80
2002 Volvo S80
2003 Volvo S80
2004 Volvo S80
2005 Volvo S80
2006 Volvo S80

Recall summary

Airbag inflators protect drivers and passengers in the event of a crash by burning fuel inside the inflator and inflating the airbag.

The inflators in this Volvo airbag recall degrade over time because of moisture and high temperatures, among other factors. The degraded chemicals generate a much bigger explosion than intended “during deployment”, bursting the inflator into pieces, which can fly through the vehicle cabin at high speeds and impale occupants.

This issue is eerily similar to the infamous Takata airbag but the inflators in question were made by a different supplier, German-American parts’ manufacturer ZF.

Background of the recall

In June 2019, Volvo became aware of one driver who died from an exploding ZF airbag. That death, which is now the subject of a lawsuit, touched off a 54,000-car recall in November 2020. This early recall only covered some of the models now under recall, and only those in hot or humid regions, where the explosives are known to degrade faster.

In late September, Volvo deemed the airbag defect “critical” and initiated the larger recall. The recall applies to cars in all regions of the U.S.

Recall risks

The risks posed by this defect are nearly identical to those in the Takata airbag recall: The metal airbag inflator, blown to pieces, hurls shrapnel at high speeds into the bodies of vehicle occupants. The resulting injuries sometimes resemble gunshot or stab wounds, and can be fatal. Takata airbags have killed at least 28 people worldwide.

The repair

All owners of vehicles in this recall are entitled to a free airbag replacement from a Volvo dealer. Notification letters with more instructions will be sent out on November 29.

Recent Volvo S60 recalls

Volvo recently recalled over 19,000 cars – including the 2021 Volvo S60 – over a seatbelt issue affecting children. The company also recalled over 85,000 cars – including the 2020 Volvo S60 – with defective fuel pumps this summer.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 250,000 US vehicles are included in this Volvo recall. To check if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

General Motors recalls new SUVs over stalling issue

October 17, 2021 Rebecca Rand Cadillac Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Warren, MI – October 17, 2021 –General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 14,901 SUVs that may stall due to a fuel pump issue. Stalling on the road can result in a crash, increasing the risk of injury for the occupants of the car and their fellow motorists. The recall includes the following models:

2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

The faulty component that caused this recall is the “Fuel Pump Power Control Module,” part #13537053.

Recall summary

The recalled Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs contain a faulty fuel pump power control module. The module is a small computer that delivers power to run the car’s fuel pump, which in turn, delivers fuel to the engine.

The defective control module may fail, causing the fuel pump to shut down which may starve the engine of gasoline and stall the car. GM blamed the defect on the supplier, Vitesco, but did not provide a specific cause for the fault.

The recall is based on 617 related complaints and 229 reports of stalls drawn from warranty claim data. GM said it was not aware of any injuries related to this issue to date.

Recall risks

Stalling out on the road puts the car at risk of being hit by faster-moving traffic. Read more about the risks of stalling and what to do if your car stalls in this article about a recent Chrysler recall.

Warning signs

Drivers may notice a few different “symptoms” if this problem is occurring:

The check engine light may illuminate.
The engine is running rough.
The vehicle may enter into a “reduced power” mode, causing sluggish acceleration.

Other related recalls

General Motors recalled the same Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, and Yukon vehicle models over a rec e nt power steering failure that affected 26,847 SUVs.

In June, there was a Cadillac Escalade recall because of faulty airbag warning lights, as reported. The recall also included Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban and Yukon vehicles.

There was a Chevrolet Tahoe recall in March because of the risk of flat tires.

There have been many Chevy recalls, including one in October 2019 for unintended braking.

The repair

GM dealers will replace the power control module on the recalled Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade SUVs for free. All owners will be officially notified about the recall starting November 8, but the repair is already available. Customers are eligible for courtesy transportation if they are concerned about driving their cars.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 14,000 vehicles are included in this Chevy, Cadillac and GMC recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ford recalls Mustangs with fly-away roof panels

October 16, 2021 Rebecca Rand Ford Recalls

Dearborn, MI – October 16, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 13,544 vehicles with a glass roof panel that may fly off the vehicle while driving, potentially injuring other motorists.

The recall affects 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E SUVs.

Recall summary

Recalled Mustang Mach Es may have a panoramic glass roof panel that is improperly secured to the roof of the car. Internal inspections by Ford revealed that some of the panel’s urethane glue was “inadequate” to hold the glass to the roof, increasing the hazard of glass flying off the vehicle.

The company does not know as of yet why or how this happened; however, with factory records, they were able to determine which Mustang Mach-Es require inspection and repair..

Recall risks

Much like the recent Mercedes-Benz sunroof recall, the flyaway glass panels pose a threat of striking other drivers and becoming a potentially dangerous obstacle in the road. Read more about the risks posed by road debris in this article about Land Rover’s fly-away spoiler recall.

Warning signs

If the Ford Mustang Mach-E has an unsecured glass roof panel, drivers may hear a “wind noise” while driving or notice that water is leaking through the roof.

The repair

Ford and Lincoln dealers will fix the faulty roofs for free, cleaning the window frame and the glass, and applying additional glue to hold it in place. Ford will send owners notification letters in the mail detailing how and where to get repairs starting October 27.

Recent fly-away roof recalls

Unfortunately, unsecured roof panels are not uncommon. Tesla also recently recalled cars with fly-away roof panels due a problem with the adhesive used to attach the panels.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 13,000 vehicles are included in this Ford Mustang recall. Check for Ford recalls with MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ford recalls another round of Explorers for toe link suspension issues

October 16, 2021 Rebecca Rand Ford Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – October 16, 2021 – In an expansion of a previous recall, Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 126,033 more SUVs due to a suspension issue that could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.

The recall includes 2011-2013 Ford Explorer SUVs and concerns the “left rear knuckle” and the “right rear knuckle” (#DB5Z-5B758-B and #DB5Z-5B759-B).

Recall summary

The rear toe links hold the car’s back wheels at the correct angle so that the vehicle actually goes in the direction that the driver is steering. The recall centers around a particular joint in the suspension that could become corroded and “seize up”, causing the toe links to snap.

The joint is vulnerable to corrosion from salt, which is used to de-ice roads in cold areas. The recall includes vehicles that were sold in, or at any point, registered in, the following “salt-belt” states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

If you own a used car, check this page to make sure you will be alerted if your car is part of this recall.

Recall risks

If the knuckle joint seizes up and breaks the toe link, it will allow the wheel to wiggle around and misdirect the car. You can read more about the risks in this article about a related 2021 Ford toe link recall.

While these older cars have not yet caused any accidents or injuries, problems relating to the 2020 recall caused at least 13 accidents and six injuries.

Background of the recall

On July 8, 2021, Ford recalled over 644,000 2013-2017 Explorers in the United States based on 48 reported toe link fractures, but the company was concerned that pre-2013 cars could pose a problem, too.

These vehicles were built before Ford started routinely installing the faulty knuckle joints in 2013 cars. However, Ford believes around 2,800 older vehicles may have been subesquently repaired using the faulty knuckle joints, which is why the older Explorers are being recalled now. Ford must check over 126,000 cars to identify these 2,800 vehicles and inspect them for damage.

The repair

Ford dealers will inspect recalled cars to see if they contain a faulty knuckle joint. If they find one, they will check its tightness and replace it if necessary. The inspection and replacement will be performed for free. Notification letters with more details will be sent to owners starting November 1.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles are part of this 2011 – 2013 Ford Explorer recall. Check for Ford recalls using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Porsche recalls Cayman and Boxster cars over loss of control

October 9, 2021 Rebecca Rand Porsche Recalls

Atlanta, GA – October 9, 2021 – Porsche, a subsidiary of Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 4,934 luxury cars with faulty transmission and suspension that can cause drivers to lose control. This increases the risk of a crash and injuries.

The recall includes the following models:

2013 – 2015 Porsche Boxster
2013 – 2014 Porsche Boxster S
2015 Porsche Boxster GTS
2014 – 2015 Porsche Cayman
2014 – 2015 Porsche Cayman S
2015 Porsche Cayman GTS

Recall summary

The recalled vehicles have a problem with side sections of the rear axle carrier (sometimes called “the differential.”) The differential is how the rear axle – which is responsible for transmitting the power from the vehicle to the wheels – connects to the body of the car. The differential is part of both suspension and transmission as transmission drives the rear axles through the differential which is mounted on rear suspension.

The carriers in question may be weak due to a manufacturing mistake—the metal casing contains more strontium than it is supposed to. Strontium is an element sometimes added to these aluminum car parts to make them stronger. In this case, too much of this additive has weakened the axle carrier, which could crack or break.

Recall risks

If the rear axle carrier fractures, the driver could lose control of the vehicle and crash. You can read more about axle issues in this article about a recent Ford axle recall.

Warning signs

A rattling noise at the rear of the car could indicate a problem in advance. However, this warning sign “is not ensured” to always happen before a fracture.

The repair

The problem is not with the whole rear-axle carrier—just the side sections of it. Porsche will replace these side parts for free. Owner notifications with more information about this repair will be sent to owners on November 1.

Other Porsche recalls

There was a Porsche Cayman recall in 2019 because of the risk of a fuel leak in a crash. The recall also included Boxster vehicles. A much smaller and a more recent recall included 2021 Porsche Cayman GT4, Cayman GTS 4.0, 718 Spyder, and Boxster GTS 4.0 vehicles because of the risk of engine damage, a stall or a fire.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 5,000 vehicles are included in this Porsche recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Stellantis recalls RAM vans with unsecured child car seats

October 2, 2021 Rebecca Rand Chrysler Recalls, Fiat Chrysler Recalls, RAM Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – October 2, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns Fiat Chrysler and the RAM brand, has recalled 8,379 RAM cargo vans whose seat belts may fail to securely hold children’s car seats and increase the risk of an injury to the child in the event of a crash.

Although it is known as a cargo van, some RAM ProMaster vans have rear seats where children are most likely to be situated.

This recall is part of a series of ongoing recalls and includes:

2021 RAM ProMaster cargo vans
2021 RAM ProMaster City cargo vans

The faulty component in this recall is the Seat Belt Assembly with multiple part numbers, including 5PC00LK3AB and 1ZS83JXWAB.

Recall summary

There are two ways to secure a child car seat in a vehicle, using the regular seat belt or the so-called lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system.

The former comes with two retractors, which are things used to hold it in place – the emergency locking retractor (ELR) and the automatic locking retractor (ALR). The ELR only locks in if there is an accident, while the ALR locks in as soon as the belt is unspooled and buckled. This makes it ideal for securing child seats to prevent them from moving around.

Due to faulty parts provided by Swedish-American supplier Autoliv, the ALR may malfunction and allow the seat belt to move around.

Background of the recall

Before the recall was issued Autoliv recommended that car companies petition government safety regulators to consider the safety risk “inconsequential” and release the companies and Autoliv from responsibility to repair and replace the defective seat belts. The petition was not granted and the recall is moving forward but it could have delayed the recall for a long time, as was the case for the December General Motors’ Takata recall, as reported.

Recall risks

Faulty seat belts posed “an increased risk of injury” to children in car seats secured with the seat belt, according to Autoliv.

Safety tips

The defect would not affect car seats secured using anchors and tethers using the LATCH system. You can read more about which car seats use the LATCH system in this article.

Fiat Chrysler recalls

There were two Fiat Chrysler recalls last month. Over 200,000 RAM trucks were recalled due to faulty airbag inflators which may rupture and maim the vehicle occupants. Later in the month, over 14,000 Jeep Wranglers were recalled because of a potential fuel leak, as reported.

The repair

Starting October 29, 2021, Stellantis will notify owners, instructing them to take their vans to an approved RAM repair shop. Workers will inspect the seat belt assemblies and replace them, if needed. The inspection and repair are free.

Other recalls

This recall is just one in a series of recalls by manufacturers who used Autoliv seat belts in their vehicles. The other affected manufacturers are:

Volkswagen
Mercedes-Benz
Ford
Volvo
Lamborghini
BMW
Maserati
Bentley
Porsche
Jaguar Land Rover
Nissan
Mitsubishi

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 8,000 vehicles are included in this Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

General Motors adds more cars to Chrevrolet and Buick recall

September 30, 2021 Rebecca Rand Buick Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls

Warren, MI – September 30, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 32,894 cars with rear suspension toe links that may break. The issue may result in the driver losing control of the car.

This is an expansion of a previous recall for the same issue conducted in December 2020 and only includes “sold or registered” in the 23 states that use road salt in the winter, which may corrode the suspension.

The following vehicles are included:

4,473 2013 Buick Lacrosses recalled
492 2013 Buick Regals recalled
27,929 2013 Chevrolet Malibus recalled

The recall affects the “Rear Suspension Toe Link,” part numbers 13219171 and 22924230, built by Shanghai Huizhong Automotive Manufacturing.

Recall summary

The recall, like its 2020 predecessor, stems from a problem with the car’s rear toe links, a part underneath the car body that holds the rear wheels straight. The supplier applied too much protective coating to the toe links, paradoxically causing the coating to flake off. The protective coating repels debris and prevents corrosion from road salt. Without the coating, the metal toe links may wear down and snap, allowing the rear wheels to wobble left and right.

Background of the recall

The expansion is a result of an internal GM investigation conducted on the heels of a previous recall.

Recall risks

The rear suspension toe links hold the back wheels straight. A car with a broken toe link becomes difficult to control and may crash. Read more about the risks of a broken toe link in this article about a Ford toe link recall.

Other GM recalls

GM recently recalled over 7,000 vehicles – whose faulty tires may cause the drivers to lose control of the car. Over 50,000 Chevrolet Bolt cars were recently recalled for the third time since 2016 because of an increased risk of a battery fire, also as reported. There have been no meaningful Chevy Malibu recalls lately, aside from this one.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 32,000 vehicles are part of this Buick and Chevy recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Stellantis recalls 2020 Jeep Wranglers over risk of fuel leak

September 27, 2021 Rebecca Rand Fiat Chrysler Recalls, Jeep Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – September 27, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns Fiat Chrysler, has recalled 14,410 Jeeps that may suffer a fuel leak in the engine compartment due to a fuel supply line issue. The issue may result in a fire, greatly endangering the lives of the car occupants and those around them.

The recall affects 2020 Jeep Wrangler SUVs with 2.0-liter engines.

Recall summary

The Jeep Wrangler recall was launched over concerns that fuel may leak from a cracked plastic connector on the fuel supply line. The fuel supply line is a long narrow pipe which carries gas to the engine. If gas leaks into the engine compartment, it can cause a fire.

Recall risks

Car fires pose a serious risk not only to vehicle occupants but to people and buildings around them. You can read more about the risks of engine compartment fires and how to address them in this article about a recent Fiat Chrysler recall of RAM trucks.

Warning signs

Drivers and passengers may smell gasoline—the only warning sign before a fire could start.

Background of the recall

The manufacturer discovered the faulty part after investigating two similar vehicle fires in July. As of mid-August, the company had received over 800 warranty claims of Jeep Wrangler issues that were “potentially related” to this issue.

Other Wrangler recalls

In February 2021, Stellantis recalled Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators for burnt-out clutch components that may overheat and fracture.

The repair

Jeep dealers will inspect and replace the fuel supply line on cars affected by the Fiat Chrysler recall. Owners who repaired this problem on their own dime before the recall was announced may be eligible for reimbursement. Stellantis will send owners further instructions on repair and reimbursement in a recall notification letter around October 15, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 14,000 vehicles are included in this Jeep recall. To see if your 2020 Wrangler is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

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