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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 Infiniti sedans at risk of stalling

April 28, 2021 Rebecca Rand Infiniti Recalls, Nissan Recalls

Franklin, TN – April 28, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has recalled 12,943 cars that may stall because of a software issue. The recall includes:

2021 Infiniti Q50 sedans
2021 Infiniti Q60 sedans

Recall summary

The engine control module (ECM) is a computer that controls the engine and over 100 elements in the car. Because of a software issue, when accelerating rapidly, the ECM may “shut off” the fuel supply, resulting in the car stalling. In normal circumstances, the fuel supply will not be cut off.

Warning signs

According to Nissan, drivers may be warned of the impending stall if the car “suddenly feels sluggish” and the check engine light comes on. Both of these indicate that the car entered a “limp-home” mode during which its speed is significantly reduced since the engine is not operating at full capacity.

The good news is that the car should drive normally after it is restarted.

Risks

Stalling, particularly in high-speed areas, can be dangerous, as approaching vehicles run the risk of hitting the slowed or stationary car. Read more about stalling risks and what to do if your vehicle loses power on the road in this article about a recent Chrysler recall.

The repair

Infiniti dealers will reprogram the ECM to correct the software issue. Owners will be mailed recall notifications with more information about when and how to seek repairs starting on May 25.

There has been one crash related to this issue so if you do not feel comfortable driving your Infiniti, towing is available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 13,000 vehicles are included in this Infiniti recall. To see if your car is one of them, check for Nissan recalls with MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Toyota recalls Venzas for driver-side airbag malfunction

April 21, 2021 Rebecca Rand Toyota Recalls

Plano, TX – February 18, 2022 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) has remedied issues on 16,996 2009-2015 Toyota Venza models with side curtain airbags issues that may not display properly during a crash. Additionally, 2,992 of these Toyota Venza models have been categorized as unreachable and 33,535 have been removed from the recall. All these 2009-2015 Toyota Venza vehicles with side curtain airbag problems were remedied during the last quarter of 2021.

Plano, TX – April 21, 2021 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) has recalled 279,040 mid-size crossover SUVs whose driver-side side and curtain airbags may fail to deploy in a crash. The recall includes these models:

2009 Toyota Venza
2010 Toyota Venza
2011 Toyota Venza
2012 Toyota Venza
2013 Toyota Venza
2014 Toyota Venza
2015 Toyota Venza

The component in question is the “wire harness for [the] front driver door,” with multiple part numbers, including 82152-0T100 and 82152-0T140.

Recall summary

The recall stems from a wiring issue inside the Venza’s driver-side door. The wires connecting an airbag sensor in the door to the supplemental restraint system (SRS) – which is a computer that controls these airbags – may rub against a metal ring holding them together.

This could eventually cause the wires to fracture, disabling the driver’s side and curtain airbags. In a crash, these airbags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to people in the vehicle. For additional details on this, please read the NHTSA Safety Recall Report.

Warning signs

Venza drivers may notice that their SRS warning light turns on, indicating that airbags have been deactivated.

Risks

Like many other vehicles, 2009-2015 Toyota Venzas use side and curtain airbags to protect the driver’s head and torso, particularly in side-impact crashes.

Side and curtain airbags reduce side-impact crash fatalities by an estimated 31.3%, but this protection is stripped away if these airbags deactivate and fail to deploy.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the wiring inside the driver-side door and, if necessary, replace the wiring system with a new one for free. Owners who already paid for repairs related to this problem may be eligible for reimbursement. Instructions on when and how to seek repairs or reimbursement will be sent to owners by June 12.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 279,000 Venzas are included in this Toyota airbag recall. To do a Toyota recall check, use MotorSafety’s free recall lookup tool or visit Toyota’s Lookup Safety Recalls and Service feature.

General Motors under investigation for airbag failures

April 19, 2021 Rebecca Rand Cadillac Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Washington, D.C. – April 19, 2021 – The U.S. government’s highway safety regulator is investigating General Motors (NYSE:GM) over reports of an airbag malfunction. The investigation cites 15 complaints and covers the following vehicles:

2020 – 2021 Cadillac CT4
2020 – 2021 Cadillac CT5
2020 – 2021 Cadillac Escalade
2020 – 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2020 – 2021 Cadillac XT5
2020 – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2020 – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2020-2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2020 – 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2020 – 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
2020 – 2021 GMC Sierra 2500
2020 – 2021 GMC Sierra 3500
2020 – 2021 GMC Yukon
2020 – 2021 GMC Yukon XL
2020 GMC Sierra Denali
2021 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD

Complaints

Of the 15 complaints, consumers submitted to the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), six mention serious crashes where the airbags failed to deploy, while eight highlight injuries that occurred in connection with the problem.

One complaint from Dayton, Ohio graphically describes the consequences when one driver’s airbag failed to deploy in an accident, resulting in a serious head injury. During the accident, “something hit [the driver’s] face while the “steering wheel airbag” failed to deploy. The driver remembers crawling out of their overturned Cadillac Escalade and being taken to the hospital. Upon being discharged, the person experienced “loss of taste and smell” except for the “smell of brain matter” from “fluid” dripping down their nasal cavity.

Other complaints describe the airbags failing to deploy despite the driver hitting several trees.

Cause of the problem

The administration’s investigation points to a bulletin GM posted for dealers and repair shops in March, addressing problems with the airbag warning light. The bulletin blames the problem on “rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver airbag inflator.”

However, according to a statement obtained by the Associated Press (AP), GM said it was unaware of any airbags failing to deploy due to this problem, adding that its own analysis of the issue found that airbags would still deploy in a crash even if the malfunction light was on.

Warning signs

Some of the complaints describe the airbag and “service safety restraint system” warning lights coming on as often as “every two to three minutes when driving.”

Other GM airbag recalls

GM has recently recalled close to 6 million cars because of potentially lethal Takata airbags that may rupture when deployed. Separately, in April NHTSA launched another investigation after multiple car manufacturers – including GM – recalled airbags that were improperly folded during the installation process and could fail to deploy. The airbags were manufactured by Joyson, a successor of Takata.

It is not clear who produced the GM airbags at the center of the current investigation.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 749,000 vehicles could be recalled as a result of NHTSA’s investigation. To do a GM recall check, bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool and come back to the site when more details become available.

Mercedes-Benz recalls nearly 5,000 vehicles for possible loss of steering

April 14, 2021 Rebecca Rand Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Jacksonville, FL – April 14, 2021 – Daimler AG (NASDAQ:DDAIF) – which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand has recalled 4,992 vehicles with a flaw in the steering shaft, which links the wheel and steering gear. This flaw may make it harder to steer or result in a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes:

2017 – 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45
2017 – 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG
2017 – 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA250
2017 Mercedes-Benz B250E
2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250

(2018 CLA 250 models are not included in this recall). The affected part is the steering shaft with multiple part numbers, including A0009909118 and A2464600409.

Recall summary

The recall stems from an issue in a joint attached to the steering shaft. The connection between the two may be slightly loose and allow for increased “play” between the two parts over time. Initially, the issue could cause noises when steering or steering that is less “precise” than usual. If left unrepaired, the steering shaft could separate from the joint entirely, causing the driver to lose the ability to steer the car.

Risks

This kind of break is most likely to occur at lower speeds, such as while parking, as this is when the greatest force is required to steer the car. Even at low speeds, however, loss of steering ability is unsafe and increases the risk of a crash.

So far there has been only one known instance of the shaft separating from the joint. It did not cause any crashes or injuries.

The repair

Mercedes-Benz dealers will check the car’s steering shaft and replace it, if necessary. All repairs will be provided for free. Owners who already repaired their drive shafts on their own dime may be eligible for reimbursement. Notifications with more information about this, and about when and how to seek repairs, will be sent out on April 30.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

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

GM recalls Chevrolet and GMC vans for fire risk

April 13, 2021 Rebecca Rand Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Warren, MI – April 13, 2021 –General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 10,154 cargo and passenger vans whose batteries may short-circuit, which could cause a fire under the hood. The recall includes:

2021 Chevrolet Express vans
2021 GMC Savana vans

The affected part is the positive battery cable, with multiple part numbers, including 84911210 and 84911211.

Recall summary

The recall centers around the vans’ battery cable terminals, which connect the car’s electrical system to its battery. Certain tabs on the terminals could touch other parts of the car, causing the battery to short out. If that happens, drivers may get a “low battery voltage warning or experience a dead battery.” It can also lead to a fire.

The affected cars are equipped with 6.6-liter gasoline engines.

Risks

Car fires can pose a serious risk to drivers, passengers and nearby people and structures. GM has received at least three reports of fires related to this issue. To read more about the risks of vehicle fires, check out this article about a recent Kia Stinger recall.

Safety tips

Just like in the recent Chrysler and Hyudai recalls, the manufacturer and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommend to NOT park the car close to structures and “flammable materials” – such as houses, garages and “vegetation” – until the issue is resolved. If you do not feel comfortable driving the car and it is still within warranty, contact your dealer to arrange for courtesy transportation.

Other GM recalls

2018-2021 Chevrolet Express vans are part of a recent recall concerning tires that were left to “cure” for too long, making them brittle and prone to breakage.

The repair

GM dealers will trim away part of the tab on the battery cable terminal so that it is no longer at risk of touching other parts of the car. However, if the tab has been trimmed down too much in a prior repair, the whole battery cable will be replaced. Both of these services are free of charge. Recall notifications with more details about when and how to seek repairs will be sent out to owners starting May 3.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 10,000 vehicles are included in this Chevrolet/GMC recall. To see if your van is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mercedes-Benz recalls cars for fly-away sunroofs

April 12, 2021 Rebecca Rand Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Jacksonville, FL – March 20, 2022 – Mercedes Benz has remedied 1,856 coupe models including the 2015-2020 C300 and 2016-2020 GLC300 dealing with panoramic sunroof problems. None of these models have been deemed unreachable as well none were removed from the recall. In total Mercedes remedied the sunroof problems in one group all during 2021.

Jacksonville, FL – April 12, 2021 – Daimler AG (NASDAQ:DDAIF)– which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand – has recalled 15,096 vehicles whose sunroofs could fly off while the car is in motion, creating a road hazard. The recall includes 76 models that have previously had the sunroof repaired:

2017-2020 Mercedes Benz C300 Coupe
2017-2020 Mercedes-Benz C43 Coupe AMG
2017-2020 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG
2015-2020 Mercedes-Benz C300
2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz C350e
2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 Coupe AMG
2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
2015-2019 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
2016 Mercedes-Benz C450
2015-2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG
2016-2020 Mercedes Benz GLC300
2017-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC43 AMG
2017-2019 Mercedes Coupe AMG GLE43
2016 Mercedes Coupe GLE450

For a complete list, please visit the following page.

The affected component is called the “Cover OSR” and has multiple part numbers, including A1177800022 and A1567801200.

Recall summary

The sunroof in these vehicles is bonded to the car with a front roof panel that is adjacent to the windshield. Dealers did not attach the panel to the car correctly during a prior repair, making the panel and sunroof prone to falling off the vehicle while it is moving. Back in 2017, Mercedes recalled thousands of vehicles, including the GLC 300 with a similar sunroof issue.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received seven complaints concerning the “the detachment” of the panel while driving.

Complaints

A driver of a C-class vehicle complained last year that the sunroof no longer closed and was shaking and rattling, creating a potential “safety issue during a possible rollover.” Another said that his or her car got wet after a piece of sunroof “flew off.”

Warning signs

Before the panel detaches, the driver may notice “excessive wind noises in the area of the sunroof while driving” or notice that the panel is partially separated from the vehicle.

Risks

The flyaway roofs pose a safety risk to the driver and other motorists, who may crash as they try to avoid the debris or if the panel hits them. You can read more about the dangers of road debris in our recent article about Land Rover’s fly-away spoiler recall.

The repair

Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the front roof panel with a new one, using the correct process and chemicals to adhere it to the car. Owners who already paid to have their roof panels re-attached may be eligible for reimbursement. More information about when and how to seek repairs will be sent out to owners in the week of May 14.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 15,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ford recalls Lincoln Aviators over faulty backup camera display

April 9, 2021 Rebecca Rand Ford Recalls, Lincoln Recalls

Dearborn, MI – April 9, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) – which owns the Lincoln brand – has recalled 34,952 luxury SUVs whose backup camera displays may stop working. The recall includes the 2020 Lincoln Aviator and the 2021 Lincoln Aviator.

The affected part is called the “Image Processing Module – B” and has multiple part numbers, including LC5T-19H423-AF and LC5T-19H423-AG.

Recall summary

The image processing module helps process everything the backup camera is “seeing” behind the car, displaying it on the screen up front. Due to a software issue in the recalled Aviators, the module might fail to transmit the video feed to the car’s display screen.

As a result, the driver may see a “blank” or “distorted” image.

Risks

A rearview camera that fails to display what is behind the car reduces the driver’s rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

All cars built after mid-2018 are required to have functioning backup cameras. Read more about backup camera safety in this article about malfunctioning cameras in Nissan cars.

Other Ford backup camera recalls

In September, Ford recalled over 600,000 vehicles for a similar issue, as reported. The recall included Lincoln Nautilus crossovers and Lincoln Corsair compact SUVs.

The repair

Ford and Lincoln dealers will update the image processing module’s software for free. Ford will send owners notification letters with more information about when and how to get the repair starting May 19.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 35,000 vehicles are included in this Lincoln recall. To perform a Ford recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Honda recalls over 600,000 cars that may stall

April 6, 2021 Rebecca Rand Acura Recalls, Honda Recalls

Torrance, CA – April 6, 2021 – Honda (NYSE:HMC) has expanded a previous recall to include 628,124 of additional vehicles with faulty fuel pumps that may cause the car to stall. The pumps are manufactured by Denso, (OTCMKTS:DNZOY) – an auto parts maker that forms part of the Toyota Group – that is behind this and other recalls by major car manufacturers starting last summer.

This recall includes:

2019 Acura ILX
2019 – 2020 Acura MDX
2019 – 2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid
2019 – 2020 Acura RDX
2019 – 2020 Acura TLX
2019 – 2020 Honda Accord
2019 Honda Accord Hybrid
2019 – 2020 Honda Civic
2019 – 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
2019 Honda Civic Type-R
2018 – 2019 Honda CR-V
2019 Honda Fit
2019 Honda HR-V
2019 – 2020 Honda Insight
2019 Honda Odyssey
2019 Honda Passport
2019 Honda Pilot
2019 Honda Ridgeline

Recall summary

The Denso fuel pumps at the center of the recall have a small plastic component, called an impeller, that sucks gas from a car’s fuel tank to pump it into the engine. Some of the impellers were manufactured in a way that can cause the plastic to weaken and become misshapen, causing the whole fuel pump to malfunction. Without a pump moving fuel into the engine, the car might not start or could stall while driving.

Background of the recall

The original Honda recall was announced in May of last year and included some of the model and model years listed above. Overall, Denso had manufactured over two million defective pumps which has caused Toyota. Honda and Subaru to recall their cars starting last summer.

Warning signs

The driver may be alerted to the fuel pump malfunction if he or she notices that the malfunction indicator light (MIL) or the master warning indicator come on. Additionally, the engine may run “rough” when the car is started or idled. This means that you may hear weird noises or feel the car vibrate or shake. Take the car in for repair as soon as you notice these signs to keep the situation from getting worse.

Risks

You can read more about the risks posed by these faulty fuel pumps in our article about Toyota’s Denso fuel pump recall.

The repair

Honda and Acura dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly for free. Notifications with more information about when and how to seek repairs will be sent to owners starting on May 18.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 628,000 vehicles are included in this Honda and Acura recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volkswagen recalls over 153,000 Audis due to airbag malfunction

April 2, 2021 Rebecca Rand Audi Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – April 2, 2021 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY), which owns the Audi brand, has recalled 153,152 Audi A3-generation cars whose passenger-side airbags may deactivate while someone is sitting in that seat, increasing that passenger’s risk of injury in a crash. The recall includes the following convertibles, sedans and crossover SUVs:

2015 – 2020 Audi A3
2016 – 2018 Audi A3 e-tron
2017 – 2020 Audi RS3
2015 – 2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet
2015 – 2020 Audi S3

The component in question is the “repair kit for passenger seat occupant detection,” part number 8V0898522.

Recall summary

This recall addresses an ongoing problem with the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS), which senses when there is a passenger sitting in the front seat. The PODS is supposed to deactivate the passenger airbag when the seat is empty, but in the case of recalled cars, the airbag “turns off” even when the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of an injury to the passenger in a crash.

The deactivation may occur sporadically and “for a limited amount of time.”

Previous recall

A previous recall for this issue was conducted in 2019 but failed to fix the issue as the manufacturer kept receiving reports that some repaired PODS have continued to malfunction.

Recent customer complaints about this issue highlighted that this was a “known problem” for “many Audi models, not just A3 and S3” and that, in addition to the airbag issue, some of these models also experienced a seat belt malfunction. The seat belt warning kept going off even though there was no one in the seat.

Risks

Data shows that airbags reduce crash fatalities by 11%, but they can only protect people if they actually deploy. Deactivated airbags cannot protect passengers in a crash.

Safety tips

Vehicle occupants need to pay attention to the airbag indicator light, which will illuminate if the airbag system has been deactivated. Along with the light, the occupants should also hear a chime and see an error message in the instrument panel. If the warnings come on:

Have the front passenger sit elsewhere in the car.
Do NOT use the front passenger seat going forward.
Take the car to the nearest dealership as soon as possible.

The repair

Audi is still investigating the problem and has not determined what the repair will be. Owners will receive letters in the mail with more information about the recall on May 21.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 153,000 vehicles are included in this Audi recall. To see if your Audi is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ford recalls vehicles in search of 19 faulty Continental tires

March 25, 2021 Rebecca Rand Ford Recalls

December 9, 2021 Update – Ford (NYSE:F) is has remedied issues with 3,258 F-series trucks and Ford Escapes suffering from Continental Tires air loss issues. 369 vehicles were also deemed unreachable and none were removed from the recall.

Dearborn, MI – March 25, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 15,769 vehicles to find 19 Continental brand tires at risk of rupturing. The recall includes 2019 Ford Escape compact SUVs and Ford F series trucks, specifically:

2018 Ford F 150
2018 Ford F 250 SD
2019 Ford F 250 SD
2020 Ford F 250 SD
2018 Ford F 350 SD
2019 Ford F 350 SD
2020 Ford F 350 SD

The affected part is Continental tire with multiple part numbers, including CJ5C-1508-AA and JC3C-1508-ZA.

Recall summary

The Continental tire recall has recently affected several major car manufacturers, including General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan.

Due to a manufacturing error, these tires were cured for too long, making them prone to rupture. Curing is what sets rubber tires in their final shape.

This recall follows on the heels of a recent Nissan Continental tire recall where the manufacturer has also recalled a large number of cars to find just a few defective tires.

Risks

In addition to rupturing, the tire tread, which touches the road, could also split off from the rest of the tire. Both of these events could cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and crash, especially if they occur at highway speeds.

Warning signs and safety tips

Other automakers recalling Continental tires, like Mercedes-Benz, have said a bulge or a “bubble” on the tire tread is a sign of a problem. For information on what to do if you notice a bulge or if your tires blow out while driving, please refer to this article about Nissan’s Continental tire recall.

The repair

Ford dealers will inspect numbers on the tires’ walls and replace any that match the list of suspect tires from Continental. If the dealer finds a match, they will also replace the tire on the opposite of the car and move the newest tires to the rear axle. Owners will be notified about the recall the week of March 29.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 15,000 vehicles are included in this Nissan recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

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