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Toyota Issues Recall for Seat Heating Issues

August 17, 2016 admin Toyota Recalls

Jacksonville, Fla. — August 17, 2016 — A June 8 statement posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website described a new Toyota recall affecting 14 different models. According to this letter, a total of 7,749 vehicles may potentially be at risk for a fire hazard due to possibly damaged electrical wiring in seat heaters.

If some of these cushions are compressed, the source said, a short circuit could occur. This would happen because of worn electrical wiring within the copper strand heating element. The model years for the affected vehicles range from 1988 to 2012 – some of the brands include the Toyota Avalon, Camry, Tacoma and Tundra. Together, all of the vehicles were produced between Dec. 5, 1987 and Jan. 27, 2012.

The Part 573 Safety Recall Report said that a short circuit could potentially injure an occupant and burn through the seat cover. The component manufacturer involved in this case, Marketing World Wide, Inc., was said to no longer be in business.

While the report set June 1 and 2 as the dealer notification date, owners aren’t scheduled for notice until later this month, between July 14 and 29. The recall will include “all potentially affected vehicles,” the report said, and dealers will disconnect the relevant seat heaters.

A press release from the manufacturer announced another pair of Toyota recalls in late June. The U.S. arm of the company recalled “approximately 482,000” units for possible cracks in the weld area of the air bag inflators.

This could cause the inflator to separate, putting occupants in possible danger. To remedy this, dealers will reportedly add retention brackets to the impacted vehicles’ curtain shield air bag inflators. This issue seems unrelated to the millions of vehicles involved in the widespread Takata air bag recalls.

Recall for 2016 Mercedes-Benz Vehicles Addresses Drive Shaft Problems

August 16, 2016 admin Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Montvale, N.J. — August 16, 2016 — Approximately 136 2016 Mercedes-Benz vehicles are potentially involved in a recent recall, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration document submitted May 16. This Safety Recall Report also stated that 23 percent of the vehicle population were estimated to have the defect, with production rates ranging from June 1 to July 24, 2015.

All of the suspected autos are two-door light Mercedes-Benz AMG GTS vehicles with a gas power train. The drive-shaft adhesive in these vehicles could be weak, leading to a dangerous separation between it and the flange. Drivers can lose traction in this case and may see an instrument cluster warning signal. The report doesn’t list any other possible identifiers.

Daimler AG reportedly discovered this issue in October 2015, though it wasn’t seriously analyzed until around two months later. Though the first field case listed in the report was in the U.S., other instances were later found in Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Though no specific notification date was given in the original report, owners were said to be notified sometime in June. To remedy this issue, dealers were instructed to replace carbon-fiber drive shafts if needed.

A later document from the manufacturer said the recall is scheduled once parts become available July 1. It also stated that it will send letters to customers “approximately one week after the recall launch.” This action also includes a stop sale for any two 2016 AMG GTS vehicles.

Other newer Mercedes-Benz recalls include a October 2015 action for 52 autos, including GLE63 and GLE450 units, also with the 2016 model year. Rear drive-shaft bolts in these vehicles could possibly loosen and detach the shaft from the transmission altogether. Dealers were prompted to tighten these bolts if necessary.

In Recalled GM Vehicles, Key Could Be Removed in Wrong Gear

August 11, 2016 admin GMC Recalls

Warren, Mich. — August 11, 2016 — According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, a new GM recall addresses ignition concerns in some vehicles. The Part 573 Safety Recall Report said that approximately 2 percent of 7,620 vehicles are estimated to have this defect.

Altogether, the impacted model years encompass a wide range, from 2010 to 2017. The earliest collective production date is September 28, 2009 and the latest is May 27, 2016. The latter of these applies to the latest recalled model, the 2017 Buick Verano. Buick, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles are all included in the recall.

In these vehicles, the ignition system could allow users to remove the keys. This not only represents a possible Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard violation, but it also could put the car and any occupants in danger if the driver removes the key without first engaging the parking brake or putting the vehicle in park.

Unlike with many recalls, the Part 573 Report said that this outcome is also one of the ways to identify that the issue is present: If the key can be taken out while a different gear is in use, the recall may apply. This problem seems to stem from Electronic Park Lock damage in some steering column assemblies.

According to the report, dealers will inspect and replace the lock housing. A July 2016 bulletin updated the original response method, which includes nine steps. Three of these involve a repeated testing of the ignition key and transmission. This is supposed to help dealers see whether or not they can remove the key in gears aside from park. If the vehicle contains the defect, dealers are instructed to hold it and keep it from further sale.

Transit Vans Part of New Ford Recalls

August 4, 2016 admin Ford Recalls

Dearborn, Mich. — August 04, 2016 — Approximately 605 Transit Connect vans are included in a new Ford recall, according to official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents. The action addresses recent vehicles produced between February 22 and April 9 this year. The Part 573 Safety Recall Report said that affected vehicles could include a hydraulic control unit pump with metallic debris.

While the source did not give an estimate for the percentage of these vehicles with the defect, it did describe said potential defect in greater detail. Debris in the Hydraulic Control Units could potentially render these vehicles unfit under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. It would particularly represent noncompliance with FMVSS 126: “Electronic Stability Control Systems.” The debris is said to come from a “poorly modified piercing tool.”

The report did not list any specific signs of the defect, though it said that brake system performance could degrade “without warning.” Ford first observed the issue through its Critical Concern Review Group on May 19.

The Field Review Committee approved an official field action just over a month later on June 20. While the dealer notification date was listed as June 28, owners are not scheduled to hear about the issue until the four-day period between August 8 and 12. During this time, owners will be directed to contact an appropriate dealer to address the issue, perhaps removing the HCUs as necessary.

This is only the most recent of Ford recalls to impact this brand and model year. Earlier this year, the 2016 Transit Connect was subject to a separate action involving 37,066 potentially affected units. That was due to a badly oriented side curtain air bag fold, according to other NHTSA documents.

Possible Seat Back Welding Issue Discovered in Some Ford Vehicles [Video]

August 3, 2016 admin Ford Recalls, Video

Ford is addressing an issue that could push vehicles outside of safety standard requirements. According to a recent statement, nearly fifty-three hundred vehicles could be at risk due to a seat back welding problem.

The recall affects two different 2016 vehicle lines: the Ford F-150 and Ford Explorer. In both of these autos, the bad weld could leave the seat back looking loose. Occupants may notice a squeaking or rattling sound.

Dealers will examine the assemblies of these vehicles and replace the seat back frames if necessary. The official owner notification will take place between the nineteenth and fifteenth of August.

We’ve covered other Ford recalls in our blog. Check out our May twenty-seven article about a shifting issue to learn more.

New Action Stops Sale for Several BMW Vehicles

August 2, 2016 admin BMW Recalls

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — August 02, 2016 — The M-Series represents multiple types of cars under the BMW label. This month, the automaker revealed three new “Competition” models in this line in Australia alone. In the U.S., however, BMW has put a hold on M-series deliveries to address an important rear differential problem.

As of this writing, this is not a recall and the company has yet to disclose the exact nature of the concern. A Service Information Bulletin delivered to Bimmerpost and cited by Autoblog said that 3,800 cars have been affected and the number could continue to change.

The original notice said that just 202 vehicles could be affected. The rear differential will have to be replaced in these autos, and repair instructions were said to come as they’re available. The impacted vehicles includes eight different models: including a total of five different “M” vehicles including coupes, convertibles and sedans. The manufacturing dates range from May 12 to July 6 this year.

Other recent BMW recalls have involved BMW M models. A December 14 acknowledgement addressed both the M3 and M4 models from 2015 and 2016. These vehicles were singled out for containing driveshafts with dry slip-joints that didn’t contain enough grease.

The vehicles involved in this effort were manufactured as far back as May 29, 2015, and as recently as September 11, 2015. The slip-joint issue reportedly left users at risk of a sudden stop, which could have threatened occupants. Just 42 vehicles were included in this effort, and the same action also involved a delivery halt from the manufacturer, perhaps suggesting that this newest action could lead to a recall as well.

GM Recalls Chevrolet Impalas Over Faulty Sensors

July 29, 2016 admin Chevrolet Recalls

Warren, Mich. — July 29, 2016 — One of the latest General Motors recalls concerns approximately 289,254 2009 and 2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. These units might put occupants in danger because the passenger presence sensor wire might deteriorate and accidentally deactivate the passenger air bags when they’re needed.

According to the official Part 573 report for this recall, the PPS module wiring could get damaged if the front passenger seat frame rubs against it. While this might not happen in all vehicles – and only 1 percent of the recalled population are believed to have the defect – the problem is still considered potentially serious. Affected vehicles were produced between April 25, 2008 and February 16, 2010.

The damage has to be severe to prevent the air bags from functioning properly. If owners notice the air bag telltale light, the air bag status indicator or the service air bag message switched on, then this could indicate a possible problem. The same sensor issue might also affect alerts within the vehicle. The first employee indication of this issue dates back to a March 8 report through the company’s Speak Up for Safety program.

To update impacted cars and correct this problem, affected wires will be updated with anti-abrasion tape. This should help strengthen the wires and keep them from wearing down as easily. Though the report was submitted June 29, the same date planned for dealer notification, the accompanying recall acknowledgement wasn’t dated until July 20. No owner notification date was included.

In a Global Safety Field Instructions note also released June 29, the manufacturer announced that the GWM Investigate Vehicle History screen would be scheduled for a July 1 update. The statement also lists the passenger presence sensor and instrument cluster malfunction as the prompt for the recall.

Mitsubishi Corrosion Issues Prompt New Recall

July 28, 2016 admin Mitsubishi Recalls

Cypress, Calif. — July 28, 2016 — Mitsubishi Motors North America recently recalled four different models over a period of 11 model years, according to an acknowledgment statement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Report. The statement said that approximately 174,382 vehicles are part of a new effort to address problems from possible corrosion in these vehicles.

Exposure to salt water, particularly through road salt, could wear away at sections of the suspension, as the NHTSA source said. If this occurs, the front control arm could detach completely, making it more difficult to control the vehicle.

Impacted models include the Lancer, Lancer Evolution, Lancer Wagon and Outlander, all of which are light four-door vehicles. The recall specifically applies to a range of 22 states and Washington D.C., including locations in New England and the Midwest. The regional distribution is important, because it indicates the areas where high salt density is especially problematic.

The Part 573 Report said that the first indication of this problem came from Canada in 2014. After this initial indication, the company began a two-year investigation culminating in the official recall decision itself June 13.

Though the report didn’t list a specific owner notification date, it did say the automaker would encourage owners to get their vehicles inspected. Corroded cross members will be replaced, while less severe instances may just require a sealing/anti-corrosion agent. Even though this recall was issued this summer, it follows the possible dangers of snow melt water on vehicle exteriors.

Dealers should identify the condition during an inspection. However, the report didn’t list any sign of the problem that owners would be able to tell on their own, meaning a dealer inspection might be necessary to determine if the issue exists.

New Chrysler Vehicles Part of Seat Belt Related Recall [Video]

July 27, 2016 admin Chrysler Recalls, Video

Chrysler has a new recall on its hands for some recently produced vehicles. More than thirty-five hundred twenty seventeen Pacifica autos may feature fragile seat belt parts.

Official documents stated that some of the stow clips could break in affected models. If so, the occupants would not be able to use the seat belt as intended. The recalled vehicles were made between February and April twenty sixteen.

The broken stow clips were first discovered earlier this year as part of a March twenty-sixth inspection at the FCA Windsor Assembly Plant. The manufacturer itself did not launch a recall until June twenty-first.

Learn more about the latest Fiat Chrysler recalls by reading our blog, and thanks for watching!

Toyota Recalls Several Vehicles for Load Carrying Labels

July 20, 2016 admin Scion Recalls, Toyota Recalls

Jacksonville, Fla. — July 20, 2016 — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently published documents about a label-related Toyota recall. The official Recall Safety Report from this source said that 2,520 vehicles could potentially bear an incorrect load-carrying-capacity modification label.

This needs to be accurate to within 1 percent of an auto’s weight, under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110 S10. The Report stated that the vehicles involved in this recall do not meet this standard.

All of the recalled models have either 2015 or 2016 model years and were produced between May 6, 2014 and May 13, 2016. The issue may be present in Toyota Camry, Highlander and Tundra light vehicles from these years, as well as Scion FR-S and tC units.

A closer look at the issue

The report defined the origin of the incorrect labels. According to that source, Southeast Toyota submitted incorrect weight figures for certain accessories. The manufacturer first noticed discrepancies after an audit on May 9, 2016.

All units involved in this recall are thought to have the defect. Whether or not a manufacturer needs to add these labels depends on whether additions were made to the vehicles before sales. Incorrect load-bearing information may lead owners to misjudge how much their vehicle can carry, leaving them at risk of a crash or injury if they add too much weight.

The recall remedy

This report was submitted on June 7, several days after the planned dealer notification dates of June 2 and 3. Owners will not be notified until July 14 and 15, and Southeast Toyota is currently working to determine the correct owner addresses.

The manufacturer has taken other steps to enforce proper practices during this action. In statements distributed to dealers, the company reminded locations to avoid selling any vehicles that may not comply with regulations.

Part of this includes using Inspection Reminder Hang Tags, which could help distinguish which vehicles are in need of an impending inspection. Dealer associates with the proper certification are expected to follow the technical instructions for installing the correct weight labels.

One person at least has to verify the quality of the repair, the statement said. Customers should receive the right Accessory Weight addendum label, but replacement labels can be made if the Vehicle Identification Number can be confirmed.

Other Toyota recalls for the same models

As of June 20, the 2016 Toyota Camry has only been part of one other recall: an April 2016 effort concerning occupant classification systems. Incorrect calibration led to possible noncompliance with the FMVSS on multiple counts.

Due to this error, some air bags would not deploy in certain situations, leaving passengers in increased danger. The remedy requires dealers to recalibrate the system themselves. As with the most recent recall, Toyota discovered this issue during an audit, and found that the problem occurred in some 2016 Toyota Avalon vehicles as well.

While the 2016 Toyota Highlander is not involved in any other recalls so far, the 2015 Toyota Tundra underwent a similar recall for bearing the wrong tire inflation information more than a year ago. The Recall Acknowledgement letter on this action said that 144 of these vehicles were in danger of failing FMVS 110.

The 2015 Tundra tire label recall

The tire placards in this case may display incorrect pressure information, causing drivers to potentially leave the tires underinflated. As the owner notification statement said, the pressure information became inaccurate after Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires were added to the vehicle.

The notice, dated June 30, 2015, also prioritized residents in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, saying that they should visit their dealers immediately, as opposed to those living in other states. Repair was said to take “30 minutes or less,” as the dealers installed the correct placard instead.