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Jaguar Recalls Vehicles at Risk of Fire

May 25, 2016 admin Jaguar Recalls

Mahwah, New Jersey — May 25, 2016 — Fuel tank problems may lead to an enhanced fire risk in several 2010 Jaguar XF vehicles, according to a safety recall report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These affected autos, produced between December 2008 and April 2009, could contain a cracked fuel outlet flange within the tank, leading to a possible fluid leak underneath the vehicle.

Owners will be notified on May 20, according to the report, more than a month after the dealer notification date of April 5. Authorized sources will fix these vehicles by replacing the flange with a new unit that meets safety standards. No reported accidents have been traced to this issue.

Drivers will reportedly have multiple signs that the issue may be present, including fuel odors or a lit Malfunction Indicator Lamp. No description of the cause for this recall was given, and there was no description of how the new component will specifically improve on the faulty one. Just 28 vehicles are part of this action.

A chronology also included by the NHTSA detailed the steps leading up to this voluntary recall. The first reports of a flange failure in these vehicles date back to 2012, when investigations first began. Jaguar Land Rover launched a previous recall campaign that same year, after a company Field Review Committee decided that the fuel leak constituted a safety hazard.

More recently, the Senior Review Panel decided that newer vehicles included in the recall should follow the previous recall strictures. Liquid is explicitly only stated to appear under affected vehicles when they are “static,” and when they pose the largest risk (if a heat source is present). In a message to dealers, the manufacturer stated that dealers need to hold affected new cars.

BMW Recalls 7 Series Vehicles as Precaution

May 19, 2016 admin BMW Recalls

Westwood,NJ — May 19, 2016 — Due to air bag concerns, BMW has launched a voluntary recall to address issues that may affect deployment. On March 24, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received a report of the company’s recall, which includes 6,110 vehicles. These models are all part of the company’s “7 Series,” which encompasses the BMW 740Li, 750 Li and 750 Lxi.

According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report for this case, the affected vehicles could malfunction due to a buildup of “metallic stamping particle residue.” This material could potentially short circuit the air bag modules, leaving occupants unprotected during a collision. Though the air bag would only be temporarily disabled during a short, it could theoretically be enough to cause a safety risk.

If the reset does occur, the report stated, the air bag warning lamp might also turn on, although this is not listed as a possible indicator showing a warning. The manufacturer chose to perform this voluntary recall action more than three months after the supplier warned them about possible problems with the module. The particles in the module housing can detach and hit the circuit board, leading to the possible system reset.

May 24 is the planned owner notification date. The report doesn’t go into details on the remedy program, simply saying that dealers will replace the air bag control module. A spokesman confirmed to Reuters that the effort is indeed purely precautionary and not in response to specific claims, as the company has produced 47,000 vehicles for this particular series.

The recall also has international consequences, the article added, with other vehicles recalled in China and Germany. The affected vehicles were produced between July 1, 2015 and December 11, 2015 and are all classified as “light vehicles.”

Nissan Addressing Actuator Issues in New Recall

May 18, 2016 admin Nissan Recalls

Franklin, TN — May 18, 2016 — Brake fluid issues are the source of a new series of Nissan recalls for Murano and Maxima model vehicles, with 2016 or 2017 model years. Only the 12,622 vehicles included in this effort are subject to the recall since they contain a specific type of anti -lock braking system actuator. As with a Toyota recall announced earlier this year, the Nissan action concerns vehicles with weakened O-rings: this condition could lower brake pressure to dangerous levels.

The Part 573 Recall Safety Report stated that the efforts behind the recall go back to January 2016, when a Nissan plant operator discovered a possible issue within a pair of actuators. Nissan officially decided to enact the voluntary recall on March 30, with a plan to notify owners within 60 days, with the recall proper beginning on June 6. Affected vehicles could violate the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Dealers can help owners by replacing any actuators that fall within the range of the recall. Though there is reportedly no field information related to this issue, the company began looking for any relevant field data between February and March. The affected parts come from the supplier ADVICS North America, based in Lebanon, Ohio.

The similar Toyota recalls were announced on April 6, with the company warning of damaged actuator components. This case involved 12,400 ES350 vehicles, among others, and only concerned 2016 model year vehicles.

Dealers were instructed to use the serial number to find whether or not a brake actuator is included in the recall. The actuator in this case doesn’t just control anti -lock braking, but also traction and vehicle stability control, posing possible larger issues for drivers when something goes wrong.

Shifting Concerns Prompt Worldwide Dodge Charger Recall

May 17, 2016 admin Chrysler Recalls, Dodge Recalls, Jeep Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI — May 17, 2016 — An issue in many Fiat Chrysler autos has led to a wide-ranging recall concerning vehicle transmission systems. Drivers in these affected vehicles may put themselves at risk if they don’t fully understand what gear is currently engaged

Although there are already alerts in these cars that should signal that a vehicle is parked, the company reports that this isn’t always enough. As a result, at least 41 injuries may be traced to this issue, though a press statement insists that it is not due to any equipment failure.

The source lists three models included in the Chrysler Recalls: Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Model years range from 2012 to 2015, and the majority of the units (811,586) are in the United States. The manufacturer is making efforts to contact affected owners as needed while the recall continues. The new shift strategy will keep the vehicles from moving unexpectedly, further protecting users who don’t understand the initial suggestions.

Currently, these vehicles feature electronic indicators, including lights, to let drivers know if their vehicles are currently in park. To avoid confusion, the adjusted cars will include an automatic stop in case drivers don’t realize their car is able to start rolling away. The gear shift lever is not a reliable signal of which gear the car is using, the source stated.

The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee was also subject to a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s statement from March 22 said that 14,768 units may contain front left brake calipers that might break. This issue was a significant risk because it could prevent drivers from stopping their vehicles early enough and leave them vulnerable to a collision.

Honda Recall Looks for Wrong Airbags [Video]

May 16, 2016 admin Honda Recalls

Torrance, CA — May 16, 2016 —More than 11,600 Honda Accord Sedans are part of a new recall addressing airbag issues. According to a press release, these airbags do not meet U.S. standards and could put vehicle occupants in danger. Though the source didn’t say exactly which features aren’t compliant, it noted that customers should receive notifications starting this May.

Airbag modules in these vehicles were accidentally made to South American standards instead of those of the United States. There have been no reports of injury, though the manufacturer has received more than 30 warranty claims. The potentially faulty vehicles were produced between 2003 and 2007.

Once they receive the official notification, owners can work with dealers to replace the faulty modules.

Visit our blog for more airbag recall news, including details on the Takata airbag inflator recalls.

Systems in New Toyota Recalls Could Deactivate Air Bags

May 13, 2016 admin Toyota Recalls

Plano, TX — May 13, 2016 — The Occupation Classification System in several thousand Toyota sedans could make it hard for regular air bag deployment, according to a new press release. Autoblog quoted the statement, which mentioned that multiple airbags in each of the affected vehicles may not function correctly in the event of a crash. As of April 13, the manufacturer is reaching out to owners to keep them informed while recall actions continue.

The recall will include 58,510 total vehicles, 41,630 of which are Camry sedans and 16,880 of which are Avalon autos. Both models are from the 2016 model year, and could fail to engage the general front passenger airbag and the front passenger knee airbags.

If the OCS in these vehicles were not properly calibrated, the OCS could keep airbags restrained when they should be deployed. Fixing this issue will require dealers to re-calibrate the OCS for more accurate detection.

Other automakers have struggled with this issue in recent years. In 2014, Nissan recalled 989,701 vehicles for a similar problem in several car models. That recall only concerned the front passenger seat airbag, and resulted in at least two field incidents, according to Edmunds.com, although there were no fatalities connected to the issue, at least at the time of the company’s statement.

More recently, Mercedes-Benz announced a recall for unexpected airbag deployment, although this instance was due to wiring harness problems, not the OCS. It also affected far fewer vehicles than the other two examples, with only 888 cars from two different model types recalled.

These SUVs have the 2016 model year and were built between last June/July and November. Fixing this issue requires dealers to replace the harnesses and inspect them afterwards as necessary. The same issue could also stall affected vehicles.

Tesla Recalls Model X Vehicles

May 12, 2016 admin Tesla Recalls

Palo Alto, CA — May 12, 2016 — Weak seating in around 2,700 Model X vehicles have led to a Tesla recall. According to Forbes, the affected vehicles contain lackluster seats that could fold in on themselves in the event of a crash.

This represents a possible safety risk, so the company is conducting a voluntary action to address the problem quickly. The source adds that Tesla hopes to complete the recall-related repairs within five weeks, during which time vehicle owners should avoid using their third row seats. The recall will address Model X vehicles that were specifically built before March 26.

The Los Angeles Times published part of the email sent to Model X owners regarding the issue and what the manufacturer has done about it so far.

“We are emailing to inform you of a proactive action Tesla is taking to ensure your safety as a Model X owner,” the message reportedly says. “Tesla’s internally conducted crash testing demonstrates that Model X will be the first SUV to receive the highest safety rating in every category, and we are committed to ensuring that it remains the safest SUV in the world.”

The Times also quoted Tesla’s sales head John McNeil, who said that there were no reported issues connected to his company’s vehicles. He stressed the voluntary nature of the recalls, intended to show the business’ interest in better safety.

A pair of complaints listed with the National Highway Traffic safety Administration noted other issues related to the 2016 Model X, particularly claims of “faulty latches” that allow the doors to spring open unexpectedly. One complaint filed on March 17 lists “rear seats not in place” as one of many problems, such as a depression in the rear seat.

GM Recalls Pickup Trucks for Seatbelt Problems

May 11, 2016 admin GMC Recalls

Detroit, MI — May 11, 2016 — A new General Motors recall will include hundreds of thousands of domestic pickup trucks. A press release published by Autoblog detailed the seat belt structure issues that could exist in 895,232 trucks, including thousands of newer vehicles that need to be stopped on their lots. The international recall will account for slightly more than 1 million vehicles in countries across multiple continents, including Latin America and the Middle East.

The problem in these vehicles comes from weak cables in the bodies that could eventually sever over time. Drivers can cause wear to the cable as they move in and out of the front seat. Dealers will solve the problem by inspecting and fixing the tensioner. This will require them to either add a pusher bracket or replace the tensioner assembly altogether, as need be.

The recall affects two different models: the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra 1500. For both, the model years of concern are 2014 and 2015, with these same years also holding true for the related stop-sale notice.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the GMC 1500 is the source of other recent owner complaints from across the country. On April 5, a consumer in Port Byron, Illinois, noted exterior lighting problems that made it difficult to see while driving at night. An earlier issue, observed in Hiram, Georgia, concerned the abnormal vibration in the vehicle’s cabin. This persisted even after the rear suspension and tire were replaced on advice of the dealer.

Both Silverado and Sierra trucks, from the same years as this recall, were involved in a different one launched last October. In that case, the company and the NHTSA noted that the ignition lock actuator could keep keys stuck forward and make it difficult to remove them.

Chrysler Recalls Ram Vehicles for Power Steering

May 4, 2016 admin RAM Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI — May 04, 2016 — Earlier this month, Fiat Chrysler announced a new recall centered around a series of Ram trucks. These vehicles were built between last January and September, and represent a possible threat to occupants due to power steering circuit contamination.

The investigations officially began in August 2015: A chronology document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that was when electronic power steering systems appeared in user complaints. It started tracking possibly affected parts January 11, 2016.

The contamination issues could impact a total of 442 Ram 1500 DS or DX vehicles. The affected circuit boards may have been constructed during a single day at the production plant. A Part 573 Report listed with the NHTSA cited the Nexteer Automotive Corporation, also based in Michigan, as the supplier involved in this case. They helped the manufacturer trace suspicious EPS units.

Drivers that see a lit up Malfunction Indicator Lamp may want to proceed with caution, the report added. If the control circuit components suffer a short, the power steering function may permanently and suddenly shut off. Alternately, the power steering could fail intermittently, or the steering wheel could simply become more difficult to use. The remedy involves fully replacing the affected EPS.

This voluntary recall comes after no official notice of accidents or damage, although the manufacturer did receive three field reports as of March 11, the chronology stated. This source also noted that the suspect production period varies slightly depending on the plant location: The Saltillo plant’s suspect period begins on January 22, 2015, but only extends just under a month to February 17. The longer period belongs to the Warren plant, which is under suspicion from January 23 to September 13.

The New Nissan Recalls More than 1,550 Frontier Vehicles

May 3, 2016 admin Nissan Recalls

Franklin, TN — May 03, 2016 — According to a recent National Highway Traffic Administration report, March 7 found saw an accident at a Nissan plant that would later lead to a recall. Further investigations revealed that a starter wire harness terminal had been installed incorrectly on a 2016 Nissan Frontier. After further inspection, the manufacturer officially launched a voluntary recall action, including 1,554 Frontier pickup trucks.

Because of the way these harnesses were installed, the report states, affected Frontiers with a V6 engine could experience an electrical short, eventually causing a possible “thermal incident.” To fix the issue, dealers will reorient the harness to meet safety standards. Only 18 percent of the recalled vehicle population is believed to have the defect present. A short could lead to a possible fire in affected vehicles.

In a bulletin for dealers, the manufacturer provided more specific instructions on the repair procedure. The remedy does not require additional parts, but it does demand that dealer staff look closely at the motor wire area to improve harness alignment.

In particular, the wire eyelet needs to be facing the correct position: If not, the person conducting the repair has to reposition the wire so it’s at the right angle before reconnecting the battery. The original owner notification date was listed as some time in early April.

On the other hand, if the eyelet is already in the recommended position, no further action may be necessary. What’s more, mechanics only need to replace the heat shield if there are signs of damage. The same document also stated that the recall has expanded to now include 1,680 Nissan Frontier vehicles. Out of this number, the majority (1,543 vehicles) were in the United States. Other countries/territories included in the new action are Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan.