rebecca

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

US government investigates Tesla autopilot crashes

Washington, D.C. – August 19, 2021 – A United States auto safety regulator has opened an investigation into Tesla’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) autopilot feature over concerns that it may not stop cars from crashing into parked emergency vehicles. Collisions with civilian vehicles represent one of the leading causes of death for first responders and this investigation was opened on the back of 17 injuries and one death.

The investigation could implicate 765,000 vehicles and covers the majority of Tesla models that have been made in the U.S., including:

  • 2017 – 2021 Model 3 sedans
  • 2014 – 2021 Model S sedans
  • 2015 – 2021 Model X SUVs
  • 2019 – 2021 Model Y compact SUVs

Summary  

On August 13, the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation based on 11 reports of Tesla cars crashing into first responders’ vehicles parked at emergency scenes on the road.  

All the Teslas involved were using autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC) features when they crashed and most crashes occurred at night.

The Teslas, which use eight cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors to monitor the road, did not stop driving, despite many visual signs of an emergency scene, including cones, flares and flashing lights on emergency vehicles. At least in one case, the car only detected the emergency vehicle just 0.49 seconds before it made impact.

Scope of the investigation

The investigation will look into Tesla autopilot’s ability to respond to these scenes on the road and will also focus on how Tesla vehicles make sure that drivers are actually paying attention when autopilot is on. 

Tesla’s autopilot is not the same as a self-driving car and drivers are still supposed to watch the road while driving. Tesla’s manual instructs owners to keep their hands on the wheel while autopilot is on. However, Tesla’s autopilot only requires drivers to occasionally tap the steering wheel to keep the autopilot running.

At the same time, some autopilot systems, such as GM’s super cruise, use infrared cameras to monitor drivers’ eyes to make sure they are still watching the road.

Safety tips

If you see an emergency vehicle, please slow down and move over to the right so that the vehicle can respond to the incident as soon as possible. Do not try to beat an ambulance or a police car at a light and keep your eyes on the road while driving. Keep in mind that your car is likely soundproof and you may only have a couple seconds to react to an emergency vehicle before it is too late. Do not engage in conversations with your passengers and try to avoid eating and drinking while driving.

Investigation process

The safety agency’s investigation is currently in a preliminary stage that usually lasts under four months. If evaluators find a safety defect, the agency will escalate the investigation to decide whether to mandate a recall. This typically takes up to a year to complete.

Tesla recalls in 2021

Earlier this summer, Tesla recalled Model Y and Model 3 cars first due to potential loss of tire pressure and then because of faulty seatbelts. In February, the manufacturer issued a Tesla Model S recall over impending loss of essential safety features due to a memory issue. In addition to Model S vehicles, this recall also included Model X crossovers.

Will your vehicle be part of a recall?

Around 765,000 cars could be involved in a future Tesla recall. To see if yours is one of them, bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool and check back for open recalls in the future.

Rebecca RandUS government investigates Tesla autopilot crashes

GM recalls Chevrolet and GMC pickups with dangerous airbags

Warren, MIAugust 15, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 410,019 pickup trucks with potentially dangerous airbags embedded in the vehicles’ roof-rails. The airbag inflator might rupture, propelling gas and the inflator’s end-cap into the vehicle at high speeds, which could injure vehicle occupants. 

The recall includes:

  • 2015 – 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • 2015 – 2016 Chevrolet  Silverado 2500
  • 2015 – 2016 Chevrolet  Silverado 3500
  • 2015 – 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  • 2015 – 2016 GMC Sierra 2500
  • 2015 – 2016 GMC Sierra 3500

The affected component is roof rail airbags with multiple part numbers, including 84487867 and 84487868. The bags were manufactured by a successor of Takata, Joyson Safety Systems, in Mexico.

Recall summary  

The pickup trucks’ roof rail airbags deploy like “curtains” over the windows to protect vehicle occupants’ heads during a crash. Inflators within these bags do what you expect them to do.  

Due to a manufacturing mistake, moisture “was introduced into the [inflator] vessel,” which may result in its corrosion. This may allow compressed gas to escape from the inflator and  result in the parts of the inflator hurling themselves into the car occupants, causing injury.

Background of the recall

Initially, GM recalled a smaller group of approximately 9,000 trucks this past November. The automaker expanded the recall in June after it became aware of three additional roof rail airbag inflator ruptures in Florida and Texas. General Motors noted that “thermal cycling” (i.e. very hot days and cool nights) exacerbate the defect, making the inflator more likely to rupture. 

Risks

If the airbag inflator ruptures and the inflator’s end cap or other parts go flying into the cabin, they could hit vehicle occupants at high speeds, potentially injuring them. 

This defect is different from the infamous Takata airbag defect. Takata airbag inflators do not randomly explode. Rather, they deploy “too hard” during a crash, blowing the inflator to pieces that can impale vehicle occupants. The recalled cars’ inflators, on the other hand, explode because the container holding the compressed gas becomes too weak to hold it. This can occur at any time–not just when the airbags are triggered during a crash. Both are dangerous and should be repaired as soon as possible.

The repair

Chevrolet and GMC dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the right- and left-side roof rail airbags for free. Owners will be warned about the recall by mail around August 16 and will receive a second letter once recall repairs become available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 410,000 vehicles are included in this Chevrolet and GMC recall. To see if your truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGM recalls Chevrolet and GMC pickups with dangerous airbags

GM issues second recall for Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras over fire risk

Warren, MI – August 14, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns GMC and Chevrolet brands, has recalled 331,274 pickup trucks over the risk of an engine fire caused by an electrical short in the engine compartment heater. The recall includes the following vehicles that have a Duramax 6.6- liter engine and are equipped with an optional engine heater power cord:

  • 2017 – 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  • 2017 – 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  • 2017 – 2019 GMC Sierra 2500
  • 2017 – 2019 GMC Sierra 3500

At least some of the above vehicles were previously repaired under a separate recall for the same issue in 2019.

Recall summary  

The problem originates with the engine block heater, which helps warm up the engine so it starts more easily in cold climates. The heater plugs into an outlet and uses electricity to warm up coolant around the engine block. This coolant might leak out and come in contact with the heater’s electrical wiring, causing the system to short-circuit. The leak is caused by “contamination of the sealing surface” of the block heater during manufacturing.

Previous recall

Some of the vehicles in this recall have already been repaired under another campaign in 2019 which addressed the same problem with the engine block heating system. However, post-recall and repair, GM received “24 reports of potential fires,” prompting the manufacturer to issue a second recall.

Risks

An electrical short can damage the engine and cause a fire in the engine compartment. Read more about what to do in the case of a vehicle fire in this article about a recent Kia recall.

Warning signs

Warning signs for this recall include:

  • Smoke or a burning smell
  • The engine block heater is not working well
  • Tripped circuit breakers or blown vehicle fuses
  • Signs of damage to the engine block heater, the heater’s cable or other engine components
  • Coolant leaking and pooling under the vehicle

Parts affected

Parts: Engine-block heater power cord, Engine-block heater

Names: CORD ASM-ENG COOL HTR, HEATER ASM-ENG COOL

Part Numbers: 12681380, 12705875, 19419326, 84303149

Manufacturer: Electronics Components International, Canada

The repair

GM has not yet developed a permanent solution for this problem. For now, Chevrolet and GMC dealers will disable the engine block heater for free to prevent electrical shorts. In trucks not yet repaired under the 2019 recall, heater cords will be re-routed to prevent chafing and damage. Owners will be notified about the recall on August 16.

When GM has a permanent remedy for this issue, the company will contact owners who had their block heaters disabled and offer a replacement. Owners who already paid for repairs before the recall was announced may be eligible for reimbursement. Courtesy transportation is available to owners whose vehicles are still covered under warranty. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 330,000 vehicles are included in this GMC and Chevrolet recall. To see if your truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGM issues second recall for Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras over fire risk

Ford tells owners not to drive F-series pickups with wheels that may fall off

Dearborn, MI – August 2, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 17,616 pickup trucks with potentially loose wheel hub extenders that may cause the wheel to fall off of the car. This defect is serious enough where Ford is telling owners NOT TO DRIVE the car, even to the dealership.

It includes the following vehicles:

  • 2021 Ford F350 SD pickups
  • 2021 Ford F450 SD pickups
  • 2021 Ford F550 SD pickups
  • 2021 Ford F600 SD pickups

Recall summary 

The recall concerns the front wheel hub extender, which extends the size of the wheel hub on pickups with wide front body axles and dual rear wheels. The extenders – that are typically used for aesthetic purposes or to provide more stability while driving – may not be screwed in all the way.

Background of the recall

The Michigan factory where the trucks’ axles were assembled has an “automated torque station” that checks to make sure everything is screwed in properly. Ford believes the recalled trucks must have bypassed this checkpoint and estimates that 80% of the recalled trucks have loose hub extenders.

Risks

This defect puts the wheel hub extenders and the wheels at risk of detaching from the truck, greatly increasing the risk of a crash. Ford has received two reports of wheels falling off trucks as a result of this flaw. Neither resulted in an accident or injuries.

Detached wheels not only put the driver at risk of losing control, but the tires themselves become a dangerous, fast-moving road hazard that could cause other cars to crash.

Warning signs

According to the manufacturer, drivers might, while driving, experience vibration and noise, as the nuts loosen.

The repair

The risks posed by this defect are high enough that Ford is telling owners NOT to drive their recalled car — not even to the dealership. Dealers have been told to send someone out to fix the car, and if this is not possible, to tow the car to the dealership. The dealer will check that the hub extenders are screwed in properly. If the hub extenders are loose, the dealer will tighten them. This inspection and repair, including necessary towing services, will be offered free of charge.

Owner notifications and instructions

Ford mailed notifications to owners in mid-June. The notifications include instructions for car-savvy owners on how to perform the inspection/repair themselves.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 17,000 vehicles are included in this Ford recall. Check your truck for Ford recalls using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord tells owners not to drive F-series pickups with wheels that may fall off

US government investigates Dodge and Chrysler vans’ sliding door issues

Washington, D.C. – July  21, 2021 –  The arm of the U.S. government that regulates vehicle safety is conducting an investigation to determine if Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) will need to recall 233,084 2016 Chrysler Town and Country and the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan vans because of faulty sliding doors. The doors may allegedly become stuck, potentially trapping passengers in the vans in the event of an emergency.

Summary  

The vans in question are equipped with power sliding rear doors that open at the push of a button inside the car or on the key fob. However, 426 drivers complained that they could not get the doors to open, even manually. This prompted the regulator – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – to open an investigation on July 9. 

Consumer complaints

Many of the complaints described “consumers having to remove passengers in the rear of the vehicle through the front doors, the second sliding door (if it was operational), the windows, or the rear hatch of the vehicle.”

Previous issues

Stellantis, Dodge and Chrysler’s parent company, has been aware of the issue since 2016, when they issued a bulletin to dealers instructing mechanics to replace sliding door lock actuators on vans whose doors got stuck. The automaker discovered a defect in the lock actuators that would cause the doors to get stuck, sometimes emitting a loud buzzing noise when the car was locked or unlocked.

It is not clear how big the population affected by this issue was or how many cars were actually repaired at the time.

Risks

Many complaints NHTSA received expressed concern that in an emergency or crash, vehicle occupants could become trapped inside the vehicle.  This represents a grave risk in the event of, for example, vehicle fires, where occupants need to leave a vehicle quickly.  If someone is hurt, first responders may also have a hard time getting to the patient quickly if they cannot open doors from the outside.

More dangers

Through the investigation, NHTSA is set to find out how often these rear door failures, confirm the risks that the complaints are referring to and potentially flesh out any additional dangers.

Next steps

The investigation is currently in the “preliminary evaluation” stage, which NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) usually completes within four months. If the evaluation shows a potential safety defect, the office will conduct an engineering analysis to decide whether to initiate a safety recall. That stage usually takes around a year, as reported.

Will your vehicle be part of a recall?

Over 233,000 vans could be implicated in a future Fiat Chrysler recall or Dodge recall. To see if your van is one of them, bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool and check back for open recalls in the future.

Rebecca RandUS government investigates Dodge and Chrysler vans’ sliding door issues

Mercedes-Benz recalls SUVs for water leak

Jacksonville, FL – July 16, 2021 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, has recalled 5,680 SUVs because water may seep into the floor at the front of the car, potentially damaging electronics installed there.  This may lead to a stall, upping the risk of a crash and injury.

The recall affects 2020 Mercedes GLB 250 SUVs.

Recall summary  

The recall concerns a leak between the front wheel wells and the front footwells, where drivers and passengers put their feet. The 2020 GLB 250 4matic SUV’s body may not have been sealed properly during manufacturing, allowing water to leak inside. 

Previous recalls   

This recall expands on a 26-car recall from May  2020 for the same issue. Mercedes received reports in October 2020 that vehicles which had supposedly been “fixed” at the factory were still showing signs of water damage in the front  footwells. Because Mercedes-Benz can no longer be sure that all GLB250s in production were fixed, the automaker will recall the whole lot to make sure every SUV is properly sealed.

Risks

Sensitive electronics installed under vehicle occupants’ feet could be water-damaged by this kind of leak. This damage could cause the car to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. It could also black out the information panel, including important warning lights for the engine and brakes. 

Read more about what to do if your car stalls on the road in this article about a Chrysler truck recall.

Potential fire risk?

While the manufacturer does not say it explicitly, its previous water leak recall also carried a risk of electrical short, which may lead to a fire. For tips on what to do in the event of a car fire, please visit this article.

Warning signs

Mercedes SUV owners should keep an eye out for wet carpets in the front seat and fogged-up windows, which could be a sign that a puddle is forming under their feet.

The repair

Mercedes Benz dealers will check the front footwells for  signs of water and will, if needed, properly seal the front of the car and repair any water-damaged components. This inspection and repair are free. Mercedes will notify owners by mail in early August.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 5,600 vehicles are included in this Mercedes Benz recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandMercedes-Benz recalls SUVs for water leak

Porsche recalls over 10,000 Taycans following government investigation

Atlanta, GA – July 8, 2021 – Porsche (OTCMKTS:POAH) has recalled 10,373 luxury electric cars that may stall due to a software issue. The recall comes on the heels of a recent investigation by an auto safety regulator and includes the following models:

  • 2020 – 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo
  • 2020 – 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S
  • 2020 – 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S
  • 2021 Porsche Taycan
  • 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo
  • 2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
  • 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo
  • 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo

The affected part is “power electronics.” There is no part number available.

Recall summary  

The axles of a car are responsible for transferring  the power from the car to the wheels, which is what moves the car forward, as reported.

In  the recalled Taycans, software designed to monitor communication between two computers on the front and rear axles may incorrectly sense a problem and trigger a shutdown of the car’s powertrain, causing the car to stall.

Investigation

Porsche discovered the issue while it was reviewing complaints brought forward by an investigation, conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about stalls in Taycan vehicles. The administration’s investigation focused on potential issues with the electric cars’ batteries, which are not mentioned in the recall documents.

It is not clear whether Porsche believes all the stalls in Taycans under investigation were caused by this software issue, instead of the battery issue proposed by NHTSA.

Warning signs

If the software error occurs, a warning message will appear on the car’s display, notifying the driver of a “motor control error” and instructing him or her  to stop the car in a safe place. Once the car is stopped, Porsche says, the vehicle can be restarted by pressing the on-off button. 

Read more about what to do if your car stalls in this article about a recent Chrysler recall.

Risks

According to Porsche’s own evaluation, stalls “can increase [the] risk of a crash in certain traffic situations.” Indeed, stalls put a car at risk of being hit by faster-moving traffic behind it.

The repair

Porsche dealers will update the problem software for free. Owners will be notified about the recall by August 27.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

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

Rebecca RandPorsche recalls over 10,000 Taycans following government investigation

BMW recalls cars over Takata airbag malfunction

Westwood, NJ – July 2, 2021 – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) has recalled 4,511 cars equipped with faulty Takata airbag inflators that may cause the airbag malfunction during a crash. This may result in the driver-side airbag exploding during an accident, hurting the driver with metal shrapnel. It may also cause the airbag to become under-inflated, failing to protect the driver from injuries in a crash.

The affected component is the driver-side airbag with multiple part numbers, including 1095767 and 1095763.

BMW will pull Takata airbags from BMW 3 series vehicles, including: 

  • 1999 – 2001 BMW 3 Series
  • 2000 – 2001 BMW 323CI
  • 1999 – 2000 BMW 323i
  • 2000 – 2001 BMW 325Ci
  • 2000 – 2001 BMW 328Ci
  • 1999 – 2001 BMW 328i
  • 2000 – 2001 BMW 330Ci
  • 1999 – 2001 BMW 330i
  • 1999 – 2001 BMW 330xi
  • 2001 BMW 323 i

Recall summary  

The recalled BMWs’ airbags contain Non-Azide Driver Inflators (NADI), which  have been subjected to several recalls since 2019. The recalled inflators may have a faulty seal, allowing moisture to get into the inflator and degrade the explosive chemicals inside

The NADI airbags have a defect that is similar to – but separate from – the larger Takata airbag recall. That larger recall has affected millions of vehicles across the country, and cost BMW 131 million dollars in a 2017 BMW Takata class action settlement. 

Previous recall

The airbags in question were inspected under a series of prior recalls in 2019, but not replaced. At least one of the prior recalls was associated with several injuries and a fatality outside of the U.S.

Risks

When moisture degrades the explosives in the inflator, the airbag inflator could generate more or less force during deployment than it should. Too much force will explode the airbag inflator, sending dangerous shrapnel through the vehicle, potentially maiming or killing occupants. Too little force will under-inflate the airbag, which could fail to protect someone during a crash, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Some of the BMWs recalled in 2019 were considered so dangerous that BMW instructed owners to not drive the car until the repair was completed.  This time, BMW is telling owners that they can continue to drive the car, but is also imploring owners to schedule a free recall repair appointment as soon as slots become available.

The repair

Dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator with a newly designed inflator for free. BMW will notify owners about the recall by mail starting on July 19.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,500 vehicles are included in this BMW recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandBMW recalls cars over Takata airbag malfunction

Tesla recalls 285,000 cars in China over cruise control problem

Beijing, China – June 30, 2021 –Tesla  (NASDAQ:TSLA) will recall 285,520 cars in China because drivers can accidentally activate cruise control, causing the car to unexpectedly change speed. The recall includes:

  • Tesla Model 3 vehicles built outside of China between January 12, 2019 and November 27, 2019
  • Tesla Model 3 vehicles built in China between December 19, 2019 and June 7, 2021
  • Tesla Model Y SUVs built in China between January 1, 2021 and June 7, 2021

Recall summary  

According to a statement by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation, the recalled Tesla Model Y’s and 3’s “may cause the driver to incorrectly activate the active cruise function” while shifting out of drive or while making a sharp turn. If cruise control is inadvertently turned on, and then the driver presses the brakes, the car will suddenly accelerate back to its original speed once the brakes are released, without the driver pressing the accelerator.

The recall, a voluntary move by Tesla, follows an investigation by the Chinese government into the defect. 

Risks

This kind of unexpected acceleration could confuse or surprise drivers,  potentially causing a crash. 

The repair

Tesla will remotely stream a cruise control software update to recalled Tesla Model 3’s and Y’s. Tesla will contact owners of cars that can not be reached by the update through their dealers. All owners will be notified about the recall and coming update.

Recent Tesla recalls

In the United States, 2020 – 2021 Tesla Model Y SUVs have been recalled three times this year over issues with brakes and seatbelts. Two of these recalls also affected 2020 Tesla Model 3 cars.

Will your vehicle be affected by this recall?

Over 285,000 vehicles are included in China’s 2021 Tesla recall. There is no recall in the United States yet. Bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to stay on top of potential Tesla recalls affecting your car.

Rebecca RandTesla recalls 285,000 cars in China over cruise control problem

Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz recalls Sprinter vans over faulty airbag wiring

Sandy Springs, GA – June 23,  2021 – Daimler (OTCMKTS:DMLRY), the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, has recalled 4,078 Sprinter vans with a wiring issue that may prevent the side airbags from working properly. This issue may reduce the risk of injury in a crash. The recall includes:

  • 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500 vans
  • 2019-2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter extended cargo vans
  • 2019-2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500 vans

The vans are commonly used to haul people, cargo or even as trendy refurbished camper vans as part of a new trend called “Van Life.”

Recall summary  

The recalled Sprinters’ front seats contain side airbags that are meant to protect a person’s torso in the case of a side-impact crash. These front seats can swivel around to face the inside of the van. The problem is that the wiring connecting the side airbags inside the seats to the rest of the car (including the sensors and computers that control these airbags) may get pinched when the seats are rotated.

“Worst case scenario,” Daimler stated in recall documents, “the side airbag may either deploy inadvertently or may not deploy as designed in the event of a crash.” 

Risks

Side airbags, together with curtain airbags, reduce side-impact crash fatalities by an estimated 31.3%. This level of protection disappears if the airbags fail to deploy or deploy at the wrong time. 

Other Freightliner van recalls

In January, Daimler recalled over 9,000 Freightliner Sprinter vans with “electrical parking brake (EPB) systems” due to a potential brake fluid leak.  The issue  may change how the brake pedal operates, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall includes some of the same model-years that are included in this recall.

The repair

The Sprinter’s seat wiring is held together by something called a wiring harness. Mercedes or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will inspect the front seats’ seat wiring harnesses and will re-route the wires in a way that they will not get pinched when the seat is rotated. This repair will be performed for free. Owners will be notified about the recall approximately one week after it launches, on or around July 6.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes recall. To see if your van is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandDaimler’s Mercedes-Benz recalls Sprinter vans over faulty airbag wiring