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Recently Produced Trucks Part of Bumper-Related Toyota Recalls

February 14, 2017 admin Toyota Recalls

Torrance Calif. — Feb. 14, 2017 — Some of the 2016 and 2017 Toyota Tundra vehicles produced in recent years could be subject to a new recall for exterior issues that could affect safety. Late in January, a safety recall report appeared online in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall database, describing an ongoing effort.

The Defect

According to the report, the issue involved bumper resin brackets on the rear steps of these vehicles. These brackets may not be able to withstand some damage, the source said, and could weaken the bumper, causing it to fall off if someone stepped on it. The problem seems to stem, at least in part, from the use of ineffective brackets, and affects 72,847 vehicles produced within a time span of more than a year, from July 29, 2015 to Dec. 22, 2016.

Timeline of Events

Early 2016: Although a Toyota field report claimed that a customer had broken off a piece of a vehicle bumper, the company was unsure of the source of the defect and determined that it was not due to “external influence,” according to an official chronology.
Mid 2016 to Early 2017: Further investigation by the company revealed the link between initial damage to bumper brackets and subsequent damage to the bumper itself. More reports about this issue also spurred Toyota’s efforts to discover the cause, eventually leading to 40 total related warranty claims (only seven of which are confirmed).
Early 2017: The recall safety campaign was confirmed Jan. 18 and the manufacturer reported it Jan. 24. The Recall Acknowledgement letter submitted to the NHTSA is dated for Feb. 6, 2017.

The Resolution

While the dealer notification date has already passed, the owner notification dates were listed to fall between Feb. 15 and March 25, 2017. The remedy will reportedly involve replacing the bumper tread covers in affected vehicles, as well as steel brackets to replace those made of resin.

Ford Safety Compliance Recall Addresses Display Issues

February 13, 2017 admin Ford Recalls

Dearborn, Mich. — Feb. 13, 2017 — As part of a joint recall announcement, Ford Motor Company recently explained an effort to correct an instrument cluster display problem. Affected vehicles could end up failing the Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard if the instrument clusters lose power.

Released in January, the statement has added timeliness because the issue is increasingly likely in cold conditions. The company noted that the recall involved around 8,000 vehicles, with 6,792 of them in the U.S. and the rest in Canada and Mexico.

The Defect

The Part 573 Safety Recall Report said that the panel cluster’s display could fail to show important indicators. These include some warning chimes and lights, as well as the transmission gear a driver has currently selected. The display could be affected for up to several minutes, leaving the driver confused and liable to make a critical mistake. This is a particular risk while driving in low temperatures, as this could cause the power supply to function incorrectly.

Timeline of Events

Oct. 4, 2016: The earliest production date for the affected Ford F-150 vehicles.
November 2016: Multiple display problems caused Ford to halt the F-150 from shipping, with the company undertaking an investigation based on initial observations.
December 2016: Ford and the supplier, Visteon, continued looking into the matter as engineers discovered the link between the defect and cold temperatures. While Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group asked for more details, the engineering department investigated further.
January 2017: The offending power supply chip was discovered, and the Ford’s Field Review Committee approved the recall after review, similar to another recall announced around the same time.

Resolution

The recall report said that owner notification would be finished by Feb. 13, 2017. The repair, covered by the affected vehicles’ original warranties, would reportedly involve reprogramming the instrument clusters as necessary, with no cost to the consumer.

Pair of 2016 Models Part of New Ford Recalls

February 10, 2017 admin Ford Recalls

Dearborn, Mich. — Feb. 10, 2017 — A shared defect has two different Ford models from 2016 included in a new recall. This action stems from structural issues within just 17 vehicles across these models, which had already prompted attention.

The Defect

The apron joints on the left side of floor pans in affected vehicles are, according to documents from the NHTSA, incorrectly welded in these autos. The 17 vehicles included in the recall are all in the U.S. and cover 2016 Ford Focus and C-Max vehicles from the company’s Michigan assembly plant. Both of the models were produced in the last full week of October last year.

As the source described, the improper welding means the fronts of these vehicles would be weakened, making them more susceptible to damage. In a Jan. 26 statement, Ford said that no accidents or injuries were yet connected to this problem.

Timeline of Events

Oct. 25, 2016: The day before the first production for both of these brands. The joints were actually already repaired before the vehicles were originally released with rivets, but later tests showed possible dangerous errors in the process.
Jan. 17, 2017: After two months of analysis, the manufacturer’s Field Review Committee approves the recall action, which is covered under the original vehicle warranties and will therefore be free of charge for owners. The decision only came after the Critical Concerns Review Group prompted analysis in an earlier response.

Resolution

To fix the issue, car owners will be instructed to take the vehicles to their dealer to get them fixed. This could involve inspecting the rivets and replacing as needed. While the original Part 573 Safety Recall Report said the dealer notification date was set for Jan. 25, owners are not slated for notification until the first full week of March.

Nissan Recalls Altima Vehicles for Rear Door Problem

February 7, 2017 admin Nissan Recalls

Washington, D.C. – Feb. 7, 2017 – A Nissan recall could target certain newer Altima models over possible door latch concerns. This represents the most recent door-related issue for this vehicle in a series of several.

The Defect

This recall affects 341,005 Altima vehicles with the 2015, 2016 and 2017 model years. According to the recall acknowledgement statement submitted Jan. 18, a poorly routed lock could mean the rear door in some of these vehicles accidentally opens when the rear window is lowered. This is because the latch-lock cable in affected vehicles could interfere with the window regulator.

Timeline of Events

According to an official Part 573 Recall Report, the manufacturer noticed the defect between July and August. Although Nissan determined the cause by the start of October, it didn’t confirm the need for a recall until later in the year, making the official decision on Jan. 10, 2017. Despite early estimates that this was confined to a single vehicle, later tests showed how the production process could create the same defect again.

Resolution

As of this writing, there was no official owner notification date listed on the latest recall report. However, the initial acknowledgement did state that the fix would involve an update to the cable to prevent this issue in the future.

Last January, a different Nissan recall concerned the hood latches in 2013, 2014 and 2015 Nissan Altima vehicles. That error left affected vehicles at risk of opening hoods while driving, as the secondary latches stuck in open position. A patch will reportedly make the door’s sealing screen more effective, as the vehicle accommodates the proper cable housing.

The recall affected 846,000 vehicles subject to earlier recalls, and the 2016 recall was meant to replace the earlier efforts as dealers installed more up-to-date hood latches into these vehicles.

Honda Recalls World’s Only Air Bag-Equipped Motorcycle

February 6, 2017 admin Honda Recalls, Takata Airbag Recalls

Torrance, Calif. – Feb. 06, 2017 – Honda is recalling 882 motorcycles equipped with potentially dangerous Takata airbags. The recall affects the Honda Gold Wing motorcycle – the only motorcycle in the world today equipped with an air bag. The recall covers the following models:

2006-2007 Honda GL1800 Gold Wings
2012 Honda GL1800 Gold Wings

Recall Summary

According to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the propellant wafers in some air bag inflators may degrade over time due to excessive heat or humidity. If the air bags are activated, they could do so with excessive force, causing the inflators to rupture and spread shrapnel at the rider. In addition, some defective air bags in automobiles have inflated without warning, causing injury and death. As of this year, 11 deaths and more than 180 injuries have been attributed to faulty Takata air bags around the world.

Due to the impact of climate on the air bags, the recall will focus on specific regional zones:

All of the above models sold and registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Island.
Model year 2006-2009 motorcycles sold and registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Model year 2006 – 2008 motorcycles sold and registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Honda previously recalled 2,701 2006 – 2010 Gold Wing motorcycles for a similar air bag issue in June 2016. The effort was also largely focused on areas of the U.S. where high heat and humidity was the norm.

The repair

Honda will notify all motorcycle owners of the recall, and dealers will replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall will occur in phases, based on risk levels. Those manufactured between 2006 and 2010 will be recalled first, while the rest will be handled next. If customers have already chosen to have a dealer deactivate the air bag while they wait for replacement parts, it is important for them to determine that the module has indeed been completely turned off before getting a replacement. This can be done by disconnecting the negative battery terminal and checking the fuse plate.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 800 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 24, 2018, – the last date for which information was available – 434 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Bus Manufacturer Addresses Emergency Brake Problems

February 2, 2017 admin Miscellaneous Recalls

Middlebury, Ind. – Feb. 02, 2017 – ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC, announced that it would have to recall some of its buses in response to a defect that may lead to sudden, accidental brake engagement.

The Defect

ARBOC will recall model year 2015-2016 ARBOC Spirit of Liberty buses manufactured between Nov. 7, 2014 and July 29, 2016. According to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the parking brake on these vehicles can engage if the doors are opened at any speed. If the door happens to open accidentally, this could cause the bus to suddenly slow down and stop. It is believed that an electrical flaw in the system caused the two functions to connect.

Timeline of Events

Oct. 10, 2016 – The manufacturer received a notice that a driver had experienced a sudden parking brake activation when the entry door was opened. This notice was then sent to dealers.
Dec. 6, 2016 – A Freightliner repair shop told the manufacturer that a bus had come into the shop after its parking brake failed while driving at highway speeds. The bus had not been fixed yet, and at the time the repair was considered optional. However, the high-speed failure led the manufacturer to consider a full recall.

Resolution

All dealers will notify affected customers, the process of which may take up to two weeks to complete. Once this is done, vehicle owners will be able to bring their buses in to dealers, who will make adjustments to the parking brake. Owners will then be able to file warranty claims with the manufacturer.

BMW Motorcycles Suffer Loose Bolts

January 31, 2017 admin BMW Recalls

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – Jan. 31, 2017 – BMW has announced that it will recall two motorcycle models due to defects that may result in loose rear suspension bolts. If not addressed, these issues could result in worse handling while on the road.

The Defect

BMW will recall model year 2016-2017 BMW S 1000 RR motorcycles manufactured between June 8, 2016 and Nov. 16, 2016, as well as model year 2017 BMW S 1000 R motorcycles manufactured on Oct. 12, 2016. According to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it appears that one of the bolts connecting the rear suspension deflection levers could become loose during operation. Either the bolts connecting these levers to link struts – or the bolts connecting them to rear wheel swing arms – may have been tightened improperly during the manufacturing process.

Timeline of Events

Dec. 8, 2016 – An internal quality report from within a motorcycle assembly plant alerted BMW to the possibility that the connector bolts may not have been built properly. BMW then conducted reviews of motorcycle production records and determined the dates on which these bolts may not have been tightened according to their specifications.
Dec. 20, 2016 – BMW determined that the problem could result in a safety issue if left undressed. Though no accidents and injuries related to the defect have been reported, the company announced a voluntary recall.

Resolution

Owners of affected motorcycles will be notified beginning in February. Loose bolts will be replaced and tightened according to specifications. This work will be done free of charge.

Ford Trucks Risk Fuel Leak

January 30, 2017 admin Ford Recalls

Dearborn, Mich. – Jan. 30, 2017 – Ford has announced that it will recall two different types of light trucks due to a fuel systems leak that could result in a fire of not addressed.

The Defect

Ford will recall model year 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks manufactured between Aug. 10, 2016 and Sept. 17, 2016, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some of these vehicles appear to have been built without a necessary frame reinforcement bracket attached to the front fuel tank strap. Without this component, regular wear and tear to the vehicle will eventually cause the fuel tank strap to separate from the frame, which could cause the tank itself to move and possibly hit the ground. Any resulting damage could lead to a fuel leak and possibly a fire.

Timeline of Events

September 2016: A frame supplier notified Ford that a pickup frame had been manufactured without the necessary fuel tank strap reinforcement. Further inspection revealed that out of about 4,000 uninstalled frames, 58 were improperly built. At the time, it was not yet clear if any defective frames had been installed on vehicles and sold.
October 2016: Further analysis allowed Ford to pinpoint the dates on which the defective frames were built. The manufacturer confirmed that some had indeed made it onto vehicles that were shipped.
December 2016: Ford’s Field Review Committee approved a recall.

Resolution

Ford will notify affected owners by mail and will advise them to bring their vehicles to the nearest Ford or Lincoln dealers for inspection. If the trucks lack reinforcements brackets, replacements will be installed, free of charge.

Canadian Bus Manufacturer Issues Two Recalls

January 24, 2017 admin Miscellaneous Recalls

Drummondville, Canada – Jan. 24, 2017 – Corp. Micro Bird Inc., a major manufacturer of school buses, has announced the recall of numerous bus models as a result of multiple defects, affecting bus operation and safety.

The Defects

Corp. Micro Bird will be recalling model year 2015-2017 Micro Bird T-Series buses. Two groups will be recalled in response to two separate defects. The first includes buses manufactured between Aug. 24, 2015 and Nov. 30, 2016. The second involves those built on Ford chassis and manufactured between Oct. 1, 2014 and Dec. 15, 2016.

The first group is being recalled as a result of a defective battery-powered wheelchair lift. These lifts contain interlocks that can be deactivated by drivers, allowing the bus to be operated while the lift is down. This may destabilize the buses as they are driven, and may also increase the risk of damage and injury to other nearby vehicles.

The second recall is in response to defective frame extension adaptors. During an accident, force that is applied to seat belts on seats installed just above the frame extension adapters will put pressure on the adapters, causing them to deform. This, in turn, can increase the chance of injury to passengers.

Timeline of Events

Nov. 9, 2016 – Corp. Micro Bird conducted a mandatory test of seats attached to the last rows of the affected buses, located over the frame extensions. During the test, mechanics observed significant damage to the frame extension adapters and the floors of the buses.
Nov. 11, 2016 – Corp. Micro Bird received pictures of results of the initial tests. However, they were not clear enough to indicate the specific causes of the damage observed.
Nov. 23, 2016 – Bus chassis were sent to a Corp. Micro Bird facility for further inspection. Mechanics determined that the problem was not due to a defect in the specific vehicle, but rather a component design issue that would have affected all buses manufactured during a specific time frame.
Nov. 30, 2016 – Meanwhile, another routine inspection of different buses from the same manufacturer noted that some vehicles could be started even when the power-lift switches were in the off position. This prevented the lift from being operated, so that if it was stored it could not be deployed, and if it had been deployed it could not be retracted, even if the bus was moving. The manufacturer decided that this issue presented a safety risk that would have to be addressed by the recall process.
Dec. 8, 2016 – Corp. Micro Bird decided that the frame extension adapter issue posed a risk to all vehicles with a similar design, and decided that a safety recall would be the most prudent option.

Resolution

Remedy of the powered wheelchair lift issue will be the responsibility of bus owners. Corp. Micro Bird will send materials and all necessary instructions to each owner. This will be done free of charge. Meanwhile, the recall schedule for the frame extension adapter issue has not yet been determined, nor has the specific remedy. The manufacturer plans to release a recall schedule soon, and owners can contact Corp. Micro Bird for more information.

Wheel Hubs May Fail On Volvo Trucks

January 23, 2017 admin Volvo Recalls

Jan. 10, 2017 – Greensboro, N.C. – Volvo Trucks North America has announced a safety recall of numerous vehicle models due to overloaded wheel hubs that threaten to cause control losses and crashes.

The Defect

Volvo will recall model year 2017 VHD, VNL and VNM buses manufactured between Feb. 19, 2016 and June 21, 2016, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The front hubs on these vehicles do not support the gross axle rating of the front axles. The company revealed that hubs rated for 13,200 pounds were used along with axles rated for 14,600 pounds.

The problem is that this defect could cause hubs to fail prematurely due to the weight. If front hubs separate from front axles, drivers could quickly lose control and potentially face injury or death. Volvo views this recall as a proactive measure, as no incidents of hub failure have been reported as yet.

Timeline of Events

Sept. 15, 2016 – Volvo noticed that there may have been an error with hub rating identification.
Oct. 12, 2016 – The Volvo Product Safety Working Group opened an investigation into the issue.
Nov. 21, 2016 – Following this preliminary investigation, the issue was elevated to the Product Safety Committee for further consideration.
Dec. 13, 2016 – Volvo determined that the issue was indeed a serious safety defect.
Dec. 20, 2016 – Volvo notified the NHTSA of its intention to conduct a safety recall.

Resolution

Volvo will replace the hubs with those that are properly rated for the weight they need to bear. This will be done free of charge. The recall will begin in February 2017.

The Defect

Timeline of Events

The Resolution

The Defect

Timeline of Events

Resolution

The Defect

Timeline of Events

Resolution

The Defect

Timeline of Events

Resolution

Recall Summary

The repair

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The Defect

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The Defect

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The Defect

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