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Hyundai Launches Entourage Recall Over Failing Hood Latches

Hyundai Launches Entourage Recall Over Failing Hood Latches

December 14, 2016 admin

Fountain Valley, Calif. – Dec. 14, 2016 – Hyundai Motor America has just announced the recall of certain Entourage vehicles that have defective hood latches, which could contribute to reduced driver safety if not addressed.

The Defect

Hyundai will recall Entourage vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years that were manufactured between Feb. 16, 2006 and June 30, 2008, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The problem is that these vehicles have a secondary hood latch that might corrode and remain open, even when the hood is closed.

The purpose of this secondary latch is to act as a fail-safe in case the primary latch does not fasten. But if both fail, the hood could open unexpectedly. If this occurs when the vehicle is in motion, it could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Timeline of Events

June 2016 – A customer in Pennsylvania contacted Hyundai to complain about a latch disengagement on a 2007 Entourage. Further inspection could not replicate the problem or determine a potential cause.

September 2016 – Hyundai received another report from Massachusetts about latch problems on a 2008 Entourage, but the car was repaired before an investigation could be completed.

October 2016 – A report of a latch problem on a 2007 Entourage from New York was investigated, and Hyundai discovered corrosion on the secondary latch.

November 2016 – Hyundai conducted a recall of affected vehicles.

Resolution

Owners of vehicles sold or registered in the following states may have their latches replaced by a dealer, free of charge: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Owners of vehicles registered in other states may visit a dealer to have the latch either replaced or lubricated, depending on the extent of the corrosion.

adminHyundai Launches Entourage Recall Over Failing Hood Latches
Volvo Issues Recall Over Bus Engine Stalling

Volvo Issues Recall Over Bus Engine Stalling

December 12, 2016 admin

Greensboro, N.C. – Dec. 12, 2016 – Volvo Bus Corporation announced a safety recall of buses suffering from potentially severe engine issues. If left unaddressed, these flaws could create safety problems for drivers and passengers.

The Defect

Volvo is recalling certain buses manufactured between Jan. 7, 2008 and Aug. 25, 2016, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The engines in these vehicles have power feed relays that are meant to control both the engines and transmissions. There is a chance, however, that these relays can be undersized, leading to failure. In this instance, the affected engines might stall during operation.

Timeline of Events

  • Aug. 18, 2016 – Volvo received reports of potential safety-related issues in some of its buses. At the time, the specific problems had not yet been identified.
  • Aug. 19, 2016 – The manufacturer opened its investigation into the vehicles.
  • Aug. 25, 2016 – Volvo issued a delivery stop of all buses that may have been potentially affected while conducting the investigation.
  • Aug. 29, 2016 – Volvo received information from the investigation detailing the defect and how it might affect vehicles.
  • Sept. 14, 2016 – The manufacturer presented its findings to the North America Product Safety Working Group and Volvo Group North
  • America Regulatory Affairs.
  • Sept. 27, 2016 – Volvo also shared Information shared with the Product Safety Committee.
  • Nov. 10, 2016 – Volvo concluded that it had a safety-related defect and issued a voluntary recall.

Resolution

Volvo will notify owners and dealers of its recall program and replace the affected power relays, free of charge. The replacements will separate engine and transmission power into two circuits, which should reduce the load on each and prevent future problems.

adminVolvo Issues Recall Over Bus Engine Stalling

VW sued by the state of California [Video]

December 8, 2016 admin

The German automotive manufacturer, Volkswagen, is being sued by the state of California for $86 million, according to USA Today. What’s the reason for the hefty lawsuit? Volkswagen sold vehicles that were putting out more pollution than they were legally allowed to do. If you think $86 million is a lot of money, consider this: V-W is in the middle of a $14.7 billion settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency. The state government is not the only group that is expected to receive money from V-W, however. The car manufacturer is expected to offer owners of affected vehicles $5,000 each.

adminVW sued by the state of California [Video]

Chevy police cars recalled [Video]

December 6, 2016 admin

Chevrolet is in the process of recalling more than 6,000 Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicles that were manufactured between May 15, 2013, and March 3, 2016, according to Auto Blog. The police department in La Grange, Illinois, first reported the problem in September of 2015.

An investigation into the matter revealed that corrosion in the power steering and torque sensor can lead to a loss of electric power steering. To fix the issue, dealerships are replacing the steering gear assembly.

The new parts have gold-plated terminals to prevent future corrosion. Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths or injuries from the defect.

adminChevy police cars recalled [Video]
Toyota Recalls Minivans For Sliding Door Malfunction

Toyota Recalls Minivans For Sliding Door Malfunction

December 5, 2016 admin

Nov. 22 – Torrance, California – Toyota recently announced a recall of Sienna minivans in response to electrical problems that may affect the operation of power sliding doors.

The Defect

According to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problem appears to have affected Sienna vehicles from the 2011-2016 model years – specifically, those manufactured between Jan. 4, 2010 and Aug. 12, 2016. The issue can arise when something impedes the normal operation of the power sliding doors, such as ice in the winter. When this happens, the motor stalls, generating current and operating the fuse for the door motor. There is a chance that this can cause the door to open unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving.

Timeline

January 2014  – April 2015 – Toyota first received reports of a malfunctioning door from a dealer. While an initial inspection found that the door cable was not attached to the latch mechanism, the parts still functioned normally when reattached and no abnormalities in the cable installment process were found. At the time, Toyota concluded that this was an isolated incident.

November 2015 – April 2016 – Toyota received more reports of similar issues. In some vehicles, the sliding doors refused to latch. Two reports indicated that doors opened while the vehicles were moving. Further investigation determined that these problems tended to emanate from cold climates.

May 2016 – November 2016 – Toyota determined that freezing could cause the sliding door motor to stall, leading to further malfunctions down the road. The company then announced its voluntary safety recall campaign.

Solution

Toyota will mail notices to affected vehicle owners by Jan. 21, 2017. This letter will include instructions for those owners who have already paid for repairs and wish to apply for reimbursement from the automaker.

adminToyota Recalls Minivans For Sliding Door Malfunction
Daimler Vans Recalls Vehicles For Faulty Brake Lights

Daimler Vans Recalls Vehicles For Faulty Brake Lights

December 1, 2016 admin ,

Atlanta – Nov. 11, 2016 – Daimler Vans USA has announced a recall of Dodge and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans due to problems with brake warning light illumination.

The Defect

According to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Daimler will recall vans from the 2003-2006 model years – specifically, those manufactured between June 30, 2003 and Aug. 31, 2006. The problem is that the brake warning lamps located on the vehicles’ instrument clusters are failing to illuminate during startup.

This initial illumination is a good way to let the driver know that the light is functioning as intended. After that point, as long as the light remains off, drivers can be reasonably confident that they do not have any serious brake issues to address. The purpose of the lamp is to warn occupants of low brake fluid, which could severely impact their ability to stop on command.

Timeline of Events

April 2015 – Fiat Chrysler reportedly asked Daimler Vans for support with Dodge vehicles that failed the bulb check during New York State inspections. Daimler Vans examined numerous vehicle models from different years, as well as different instrument clusters, to locate the problems. This was a challenging process that required the manufacturer to study instrument cluster coding and analyze each system to determine the underlying cause. At first, Daimler Vans did not have access to all of the information necessary, forcing it to use other methods to replicate the problem.

October 2016 – Daimler Vans received more information about the faulty bulb, including the proper instrument coding. This allowed the manufacturers to determine exactly which vehicles were being affected.

The Solution

Daimler Vans will conduct a voluntary recall to examine each vehicle’s instrument cluster coding and fix any problems that can be found. This will be done free of charge. A schedule has not yet been announced.

adminDaimler Vans Recalls Vehicles For Faulty Brake Lights
Takata Airbags A Problem For Chevrolet

Takata Airbags A Problem For Chevrolet

November 14, 2016 admin

General Motors has announced a recall of Chevrolet Malibu vehicles from the 2016 model year. These cars are suffering a defect in their Takata-manufactured airbags – marking yet another problem for the embattled company.

The Defect

General Motors will recall 2016 Chevrolet Malibu models manufactured between Nov. 18, 2015 and June 7, 2016, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. The cars have defective modules in their seat-mounted side-impact airbags that may cause the fabric of the airbag cushions to tear during deployment. This increases the risk that the airbags will not perform as designed, threatening the safety of the vehicles’ occupants.

Timeline

  • June 13, 2016 – Airbag supplier Takata discovered the fabric tear during a routine Lot Acceptance Test. Takata informed General Motors and then quarantined the entire shipment of supplies to confirm that the module was the cause of the problem. Specifically, the inflator may have been loaded with more propellant than necessary.
  • June 24, 2016 – General Motors opened an investigation into the issue after a report was filed on its Speak Up for Safety System.
  • July 13, 2016 – General Motors assigned a product investigator to look closely into the module issue.
  • Aug. 11, 2016 – General Motors learned that other inflators not included in the original quarantine may have similar problems, requiring further testing. The company’s Open Investigation Review then sought more data regarding the inflators.
  • Aug. 26, 2016 – Takata told General Motors that it found 18 modules with inflators that were heavier than they were supposed to be – meaning they could contain too much propellant.
  • Oct. 19, 2016 – General Motors decided to conduct the safety recall.

Resolution

Chevrolet dealers will inspect side airbags and replace them at no charge if faulty inflators are detected. Buyers are encouraged to contact their dealer as soon as possible.

adminTakata Airbags A Problem For Chevrolet
Isuzu Faces Accelerator Problems

Isuzu Faces Accelerator Problems

November 10, 2016 admin

Isuzu Technical Center has recently announced the recall of NPR and NPR HD vehicles, as well as the Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 3500 and 4500, due to faulty throttle pedals. These components have flaws that could prevent vehicles from decelerating as expected.

The Defect

Isuzu will recall vehicles from the 2014-2016 model years. The throttle pedals on these cars may get stuck under steel stopper bolts, causing the pedal to remain in the full-throttle position, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This makes it difficult for drivers to safely stop their vehicles and maintain control while on the road.

Timeline

  • July 2016 – Isuzu learned about a driver of a Model Year 2015 N-Series Gas vehicle who struggled to slow down when letting off the gas. The driver had to hit the brake in order to lose speed.
  • August 2016 – Isuzu received a warranty claim for another vehicle of the same model. Further investigation uncovered that some accelerator pedals may be susceptible to additional lateral force. In addition, the company reopened several prior investigations to see if there was a larger trend that had been missed. One pedal assembly was missing a fastener, while another had an excessively deformed bracket.
  • October 2016 – Isuzu issued the recall for all model years where similar issues have been reported.

Resolution

Isuzu will remove stopper bolts and replace them with flanged plates that will be bolted to the floor. This will prevent lateral movement and lessen straining on the components. This will be done free of charge, and any customer who has already paid for a replacement will be reimbursed.

adminIsuzu Faces Accelerator Problems
Subaru Addresses Potential Engine Fires

Subaru Addresses Potential Engine Fires

November 9, 2016 admin

Subaru is recalling several vehicle models in the U.S. due to engine problems that have the potential to cause fires. The defect was the result of an inappropriate manufacturing process, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Defect

Subaru is recalling 100,127 Foresters from 2009-2013, Legacy and Outback models from 2007-2009 and WRX and STI models from 2008-2014. All models are equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The problem is that a faulty relay in these engines can cause the secondary air injection pump to fail. The pump may then end up working constantly, possibly overheating and melting and then igniting. Subaru believes that the check engine light would be lit if this had a chance of occurring in an affected vehicle.

Timeline

April 25, 2011: Fuji Heavy Industries, Inc. learned of a secondary air injection pump failure that caused the check engine light to go off, but did not result in fire. Fuji investigated and found that the relay associated with the pump had insufficient contact point pressure.

Oct. 10, 2013: Fuji learned of another secondary air injection pump catching fire, but could not investigate it properly.

May 8, 2015: Fuji was able to investigate a separate fire report and determined the cause.

Sept. 30, 2016: Fuji advised Subaru that it would have to conduct a recall of all affected vehicles in the United States.

Proposed Remedy

Subaru dealers will replace the affected secondary air injection pump with a countermeasured replacement pump. This will be done free of charge for all owners.

adminSubaru Addresses Potential Engine Fires
Ford Recalls Mustangs Over Engine Defect

Ford Recalls Mustangs Over Engine Defect

November 8, 2016 admin

Detroit, MI – November 08, 2016 – Ford has announced the recall of Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustangs, due to a defect that could lead to serious oil leaks, engine damage and possible fire hazards.

The Defect

Autoblog reports that Ford will be recalling 8,000 total vehicles of both models from the 2015-2017 model years. The issue is an engine oil cooler tube that could have poorly designed or insufficient crimps, which could lead to hose separation during operation. This could potentially result in an oil leak and engine failure. Owners could face an increased risk of crash or fire.

As yet, Ford says that it has no knowledge of any fires or accidents that have been caused by this defect.

Timeline Of Events

August 2016 – Ford received reports of an engine oil cooler tube replacement. The Ford Critical Concern Review Group determined that the hose in question had separated from a crimp joint.

September-October 2016 – Ford’s engineering teams attempted to analyze parts collected from the field, and determined that the hoses had not been secured properly. Specifically, the crimp process was conducted improperly, making it difficult to control crimp jaw location and hose insertion depth.

The Solution

Ford will soon notify owners of the recall, and will begin the repair process Dec. 12, 2016. Ford will replace the engine oil cooler tube at no cost to owners. Meanwhile, AutoBlog reports that Shelby GT350 Mustangs are still available for purchase, though they will not be delivered to customers and may not be driven until new parts are procured.

adminFord Recalls Mustangs Over Engine Defect
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