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Ford recalls trucks with damaged seat racks

Ford recalls trucks with damaged seat racks

October 4, 2017 Recall Masters

Dearborn, Mich. – Oct. 4, 2017 – Ford Motor Company has recalled more than 620 pickup trucks possibly containing seat racks with defective welds, according to a company press release. The campaign affects multiple models, including:

  • 2017 Ford F-150 pickups produced at the Dearborn Assembly Plant Nov. 2-3, 2016.
  • 2017 Ford F-150 pickups produced at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Missouri Nov. 4-7, 2016.
  • 2017 Ford Super Duty pickups produced at the Kentucky Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky between Nov. 2, 2016 and June 4, 2017.
  • 2017 Ford Super Duty pickups produced at the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio Nov. 7-21, 2016.

Approximately 504 of the vehicles originated from American dealerships while 57 came from those in Canada and 63 from those in Mexico.

The Defect

The trucks referenced in the recall could come equipped with seat rack assemblies with welds that have not sufficiently penetrated between the seatbelt anchor and seat cushion frame. This poses a serious safety hazard to owners, as the seats in these vehicles may not effectively restrain occupants during collisions. However, Ford has not yet received reports connecting the defective features to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

The automaker has not released details into the internal investigation that revealed the defect.

The Solution

Ford has directed dealers to replace the manual front passenger seat tracks in affected vehicles, free of charge. Owners should expect to receive notification of the recall action via first-class mail. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Ford customer service personnel at (800) 392-3673. Callers should use the internal recall identification code 17C17. Owners can also contact the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration directly via the agency’s 24-hour Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888() 327-4236.

Recall MastersFord recalls trucks with damaged seat racks
Ford recalls vehicles with loose tie rod nuts

Ford recalls vehicles with loose tie rod nuts

October 3, 2017 Recall Masters

Dearborn, Mich. – Oct. 3, 2017 – Ford Motor Company has recalled nearly 80 pickups believed to be equipped with loose castellated tie rod nuts and cotter pins, according to an organizational press release. The campaign affects 2015 Ford F-650 and F-750 pickups with production dates ranging from March 4, 2015 to April 27, 2015. All vehicles involved in the recall originated from American dealerships.

The Defect

The trucks referenced in the action could include front tie rods with castellated nuts and cotter pins that were not properly torqued to specification. These fixtures could cause the tie rod to loosen and disconnect from the steer axle, stalling the steering system. This poses a serious threat to occupants, as drivers may lose the ability to control their passenger-side wheels while traveling at low speeds, increasing the likelihood of accidents. However, Ford has yet to receive field reports that connect the defective features to any collisions or injuries.

Timeline of Events

The automaker has not released details into the internal investigation that uncovered the defect.

The Solution

Ford has directed dealers to inspect the castellated tie rod nuts and cotter pins in affected vehicles and tighten them, if necessary, free of charge. Owners should expect to receive notification of the recall via first-class mail. Those in need of immediate assistance can contact Ford customer service representatives at (800) 392-3673. Callers should use the internal recall identification code 17S30. Owners can also connect with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration through its 24-hour Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Recall MastersFord recalls vehicles with loose tie rod nuts
Nissan recalls vehicles with incompatible air bags

Nissan recalls vehicles with incompatible air bags

October 2, 2017 Recall Masters

Franklin, Tenn. – Oct. 2, 2017 – Nissan North America has recalled more than 800 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective driver-side air bag assemblies, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 Infiniti Q50 and Q50 Hybrid sport utility vehicles with production dates ranging from Dec. 22, 2016 to Jan. 19, 2017. The car company suspects 1 percent of the models referenced in the recall actually contain the defective feature.

The Defect

The vehicles named in this campaign could include driver-side air bag assemblies with insufficiently welded initiator collars and closure plates. This could cause cracks to form during deployment and allow gas to leave the initiator housing. Consequently, air bag assemblies in the recalled vehicles may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury for drivers. However, Nissan has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In April 2017, parts supplier Nihon Plast contacted Nissan regarding an instance in which an installed air bag assembly failed to deploy properly during a low-temperature test conducted at -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The automaker investigated the test result and found that a crack in the inflator welding had inhibited air bag deployment. Nissan then requested Nihon to quarantine the affected parts to be used in a forthcoming root-cause investigation. In May, Nissan met with Nihon and the Daicel Corporation, which supplied parts for the air bag assembly involved in the failed test. The three parties agreed to conduct a joint investigation. This inquiry revealed that staff at Daicel had not effectively cleaned and inspected weld jigs during the air bag assembly process, resulting in misalignment of closure plates and poor welding.

In June, Nissan requested Daicel to conduct internal tests in an effort to duplicate the defective parts and further understand the mechanisms of the ineffective processes that led to their creation. Daicel agreed and launched this initiative, along with a parts collection program to analyze other previously fabricated fixtures. Both of these efforts concluded in July. Nissan then met with the parts provider to review the results, which included data on inflator weld strength. One month later, the automaker confirmed the root cause of the failed air bag deployment observed during the April trial. Quality assurance personnel then reviewed internal records to identify possibly affected vehicles and launched an internal investigation to study the safety risks associated with the defective air bag assemblies.

On Sept. 7, Nissan confirmed that the defective parts posed a serious threat to owners and issued a voluntary safety recall. The car company notified dealers Sept. 15.

The Solution

Nissan had directed dealers to replace the driver-side air bag inflators in the affected vehicles free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgment document from the NHTSA. The automaker plans to notify owners via first-class mail Oct. 30. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Infiniti customer service personnel at (800) 662-6200. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly through the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Recall MastersNissan recalls vehicles with incompatible air bags
Chrysler Trucks Recalled For Airbag Malfunction

Chrysler Trucks Recalled For Airbag Malfunction

November 12, 2015 Recall Masters

Detroit, MI — November 12, 2015 — In some recalled Chrysler vehicles, a wiring problem can lead to an airbag being unnecessarily deployed on the driver’s side.

According to the NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling more than a million trucks of five different model years and types. In the official Recall Acknowledgement document, the source said that the wiring harness on the steering wheel could accidentally trigger the airbag when it is not needed. This poses an obvious threat to the driver.

The manufacturer has assigned two fixes to this problem: dealers will both secure the harness and add protective caps to the air bag retainer spring ends if necessary after inspection.

Thank you for watching! Be sure to check back for more information on important auto recalls.

Recall MastersChrysler Trucks Recalled For Airbag Malfunction
Nissan Recalls Vehicles for Door Latch Issues

Nissan Recalls Vehicles for Door Latch Issues

October 1, 2015 Recall Masters

Kyushu, Japan — October 1, 2015 — A new safety recall from Nissan targets multiple models that might have door latch problems. According to the recall report, nearly 7,000 vehicles with the model year 2015 are potentially subject to this action. Of these, the majority are Nissan Sentras, which make up over 5,000 of the total. Also included are 1,200 Versa Notes and 41 Rogues.

In these autos, the door locks on the driver and rear left side doors may not latch properly. This is because of an error from the supplier, Magna Closures, and leaves passengers at risk if the doors open while the car is in motion. Nissan dealers will solve the problem by inspecting recalled vehicles and replacing affected door locks, a process that is both free and can take as little as one hour to complete.

Thank you for watching, and please check back for the latest major recall news.

Recall MastersNissan Recalls Vehicles for Door Latch Issues
Thousands of Cadillacs Added to Sunroof Related Recall

Thousands of Cadillacs Added to Sunroof Related Recall

August 4, 2015 Recall Masters

Detroit, MI — August 4, 2015 — General Motors is adding to a recall for thousands of Cadillacs around the world as it addresses a possible sunroof switch issue.

The defect

We’ve covered similar types of defect before, and in this case the affected vehicles feature overly sensitive switches that close the sunroof too quickly.

This is an extension of an already existing recall launched earlier this year that now totals more than 82,600 Cadillac ATS sedans around the world: of these, 63,665 are in the Unites States.

Even though the recall now includes added numbers, the company has yet to identify any injuries related to this problem.

It might seem like a less severe threat than a problem affecting the engine or steering systems, but the sunroofs in these Cadillacs could close faster than expected and catch fingers in the cracks, as General Motors noted in a statement quoted by Edmunds.com.

The solution

To fix the problem, dealers will have to simply replace the switch trim plate.

According to this source, the switch problem also violates standards, putting the owners in possible danger. “The power-operated roof panel systems on these vehicles will auto-close when the non-recessed portion of the ‘slide’ or ’tilt’ switches are pressed and the roof panel is open,” the company said.

“Because these switches are not fully recessed, they can be actuated with less force than required to comply with applicable federal standards,” the company added.

Verifying what difficulties in vehicles constitute violations is part of the process of promoting better car care and awareness. Only when recall statements are released to the widest possible owner audience can dealers be sure that the right message is getting out.

Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Recall MastersThousands of Cadillacs Added to Sunroof Related Recall
Volkswagen recalls thousands of SQ5 vehicles

Volkswagen recalls thousands of SQ5 vehicles

July 30, 2015 Recall Masters

Detroit, MI — July 30, 2015 — According to documents published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, Volkswagen Group of America has recalled thousands of Audi SQ5 vehicles that may suffer an defect that shuts down electric power steering for the driver during inopportune times. Although the source describes the 5,625 vehicles as having been “potentially affected,” it also states that 100 percent are estimated to have defect.

The recall action dates back to this February, when power steering warranty complaints were issued in regards to the cold weather, and concerns SQ5’s produced in two separate timeframes: between May 22 2013 to May 28 2014, and between May 20 2014 and April 14 2015. The recall was also spurred on after a vehicle inquiry issued from Transport Canada in March.

As the safety recall report describes, the steering failure poses a special threat in low speeds, in which it will be harder to control the vehicles. Fortunately, owners can count on some warning signs to preemptively take action.

“If a customer sees a power steering indicator light come on in the instrument panel and the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, they should immediately contact the nearest authorized dealer or qualified workshop in order to have the vehicle inspected,” the source states. The remedy will include an update to the power steering software in these vehicles.

When defects in vehicles only show themselves in certain circumstance, an owner can accidentally put themselves in danger without realizing it. Auto recall statements need to reach everyone at possible risk, and entrusting this task to professionals is one way to ensure it gets done correctly.

Recall MastersVolkswagen recalls thousands of SQ5 vehicles
Subaru recalls thousands of vehicles for airbag sensor issue

Subaru recalls thousands of vehicles for airbag sensor issue

July 27, 2015 Recall Masters

Detroit, MI — July 27, 2015 — Although there have been many reports of issues with airbag deployment systems themselves, several thousand Subaru Imprezas have suffered from a defect outside the airbag itself that makes it difficult to activate the airbags when they are needed. Sensors in these vehicles are overly sensitive and liable to be shut off during unexpected and seemingly benign situations.

Fortunately, the defect doesn’t come completely without warning signs. Top Speed’s Jonathan Lopez reports that an airbag warning light will appear on the dashboard if the sensor has been compromised. Affected Imprezas were built between 2011 and 2012, and featured poor calibration, making the vehicle sensors unable to respond in different conditions.

The manufacturer has, at the urging of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) begun contacting owners. While no injuries have been connected to this issue, the company has received 26 different complaints related to it.

Lopez describes some of the ways that the sensor might be accidentally deactivated during the drive.

“These conditions include a passenger touching an electrically grounded part of the car (like the metal seat adjuster), using an electronic device (like a phone) plugged into the accessory power outlet, or sitting with damp clothes,” he said. “It’s also reported that a cell phone left on the seat or a splash of water on the seat could trigger the failure.” He notes that this is a comparatively minor recall, especially considering the much-publicized Takata efforts.

Coupled with other measures for addressing recalls, the right marketing systems will generate a high level of engagement through accurate and comprehensive statements.

Recall MastersSubaru recalls thousands of vehicles for airbag sensor issue
More than 1 million Chrysler vehicles recalled for hacking concern

More than 1 million Chrysler vehicles recalled for hacking concern

July 26, 2015 Recall Masters , , ,

Detroit, MI — July 26, 2015 — Vehicle recalls can occur not just because of faulty components, but out of fears for outside attacks on vulnerable systems. According to the Detroit Free Press, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) latest recall addresses cybersecurity issues within affected vehicles that could have massively damaging consequences for owners. Dodge Ram, Jeep Grand Cherokee and other vehicles from model years 2013 to 2015 reportedly have potentially dangerous software flaws in their “radios.”

While most of the recalls this blog has covered concern internal problems with defective autos, this issue is a concern because of the way it could potentially be exploited by hackers. The official recall acknowledgement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that outsiders could gain “unauthorized remote modification” of vehicle systems through these vulnerabilities.

As alarming as that may sound, there are some factors that mitigate the potential danger somewhat. For one, the manufacturer has already taken steps to prevent outsiders from accessing the vehicle, leading to real risk for only 3 percent of mobile hot spot subscribers.

The recall safety report issued for this action also emphasizes the unlikelihood that an exploit might take place, given how much knowledge is needed to put one into action. The remedy for this problem is a software update that can be downloaded to a USB drive.

“Some 2013-2015 MY vehicles equipped with RA3 or RA4 model radios have certain software security vulnerabilities which could allow unauthorized third-party access to some networked vehicle control systems,” the source says. “Exploitation of the software security vulnerabilities required extensive technical knowledge, physical access to a subject vehicle and a long period of time to write applicable code.”

Along with acknowledgment and government action, recalls should be supported through education and informative services that encourage drivers and owners to respond correctly.

Recall MastersMore than 1 million Chrysler vehicles recalled for hacking concern
Parking brake worries lead to new Ford recall

Parking brake worries lead to new Ford recall

July 24, 2015 Recall Masters

Detroit, MI — July 24, 2015 — Nearly 8,000 vehicles in North America are affected by a new Ford recall that looks to address parking brake concerns. The manufacturer is addressing a series of autos, including Explorers, Tauruses and Lincoln sedans. Carscoops reported on the action, which hopes to remedy a failure that would keep the parking brake from fully engaging.

Most of the vehicles included in this recall are in the United States, while around 800 are in Canada and one solitary vehicle is in Mexico. All of the defects originate from the same Chicago Assembly Plant where these models were first constructed earlier this year.

Though the company has said that no injuries have been reported from this fault yet, the affected vehicles will have their parking brake controls replaced for free after an inspection. In the official press release on the action, Ford provided the details on the individual vehicles being recalled. These include “certain 2015-2016 Ford Explorer, and certain 2015 Taurus and Flex, as well as Lincoln MKS and MKT vehicles.”

“In these vehicles, the parking brake might not engage fully, which is a compliance issue with FMVSS 135 regarding brake systems,” the statement continues. Earlier this month, Ford also issued a recall for hundreds of thousands of different vehicles, also with for the 2015 model year, due to an issue that prevents the engine from turning off, even after the owner has pressed the “stop” button.

All recalls are only as effective as the means of alerting customers and dealers to problems they need to address and the ways to do it. Proper systems for proliferating statements are a crucial first step to compliance and safety.

Recall MastersParking brake worries lead to new Ford recall
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