admin | Page 35 | MotorSafety.org

rm_admin

FCA Recall Affects Jeep Hose Clamps

January 20, 2016 admin Jeep Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI — January 20, 2016 — On December 23, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received report of a recall from Chrysler concerning 60,107 Jeeps from 2015. According to this statement, both Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass vehicles may contain improperly placed power steering hose retention clamps, which could trigger a fluid leak and fire risk if not corrected.

Improperly placed power steering hose retention clamps could trigger a fluid leak.

Although the risk of fire was noted as being “rare,” it nevertheless makes this a crucial act for the manufacturer to prevent possible injuries. Only one percent of the recalled vehicles are believed to suffer the defect.

The investigations into this issue began this past October, when the manufacturer decided to look closer at Compass and Patriot vehicles that had suffered fires. The fault was traced back to the hose clamp on October 21.

In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, the NHTSA notes the purpose of the remedy program. This reflects the manufacturer’s need to “conduct a voluntary safety recall, on all affected vehicles to inspect the return power steering hose for proper placement of the hose clamp, and reposition the hose clamp as needed.”

A chronology document from the same source notes that the failures all took place when the vehicles were operating at slow speeds, 50 miles or lower. This led to the discovery that the power steering hose was the cause of the problem, confirmed by later testing.

Another series of Chrysler recalls recently affected thousands of Jeep Cherokee vehicles last month for a water leak problem that could have led to a fire risk due to electrical damage.

Honda, Subaru Models Added to Takata Recall

Washington, DC — January 19, 2016 — Honda’s involvement in the Takata airbag inflator recalls has been notable, considering the related fatalities in Honda vehicles. Late last month, the manufacturer announced that it would recall 127,000 CR-V’s with 2003 and 2004 model years, as Car and Driver reports. That month also saw the manufacturer submit a recall amendment to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which named both 2WD and 4WD models as part of the action.

Throughout 2015, the NHTSA has posted updates to efforts related to passenger side front airbag Honda recalls. CR-V’s were included among the nine models mentioned in the first recall, originally noted this past June. The amendment states that owner notification is believed to be completed by January 29.

The NHTSA also noted progress in the existing Takata airbag recall efforts

On December 23, the agency also noted progress in the existing Takata airbag recall efforts. In addition to the Honda CR-V’s, the updates to the recall include Mazda 6 vehicles from between 2005 and 2008, and Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles from the same model year period. It also appointed law firm partner John Buretta as an assistant in monitoring Takata’s further activities as the recall process continues.

“The expansions are the result of Takata ballistic testing conducted over recent months,” the statement reads. “Consumers are urged to check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for open recalls and to contact their local dealer to schedule repairs.”

This statement also referenced nine total fatalities connected to the defect worldwide, with the most recent in a 2001 vehicle operated in a humid region. Previous reports on the recall have noted how humidity and high heat can make inflators more likely to rupture.

Hundreds of Thousands of Ford and Mercury Vehicles Recalled for Lighting Problems

January 18, 2016 admin Ford Recalls, Mercury Recalls

Dearborn, MI — January 18, 2016 — Both Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles with model years between 2003 and 2005 are part of a new recall, begun late last month, in response to possible problems with the lighting control module. A total of 296,004 vehicles are potentially involved with this flaw, which could leave drivers without proper lighting while the vehicle is in operation.

The components come from supplier Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.

The Part 573 Safety Recall Report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains why the module could fail. According to this document, the problem could stem from improper circuit soldering on different terminals. Although this condition will affect the headlights, it won’t necessarily impact other lighting functions in the vehicle. The components come from supplier Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.

“These solder joints may fatigue crack caused by repeated thermal cycling and/or vibration that can interrupt power to the headlights,” it reads. “The condition could be exacerbated by an insufficient amount of solder, reducing the adhesion between the solder and the terminal. Cracked solder joints on the circuit board of the LCM may result in loss of headlights while driving.”

The report also states that there have been 11 minor accidents and a single possible injury. Ford or Lincoln dealers are instructed to replace the defective modules free of charge. These recent Ford recalls come after previous investigations, closed in 2009, which determined the defects did not pose any risk to vehicle occupants. In April, 2014, the warranty for the module was extended to 15 years or 250,000 miles, the report also stated.

Welding Issue Triggers GM Recall

January 13, 2016 admin GM Recalls

Warren, MI — January 13, 2016 — Three different models of 2016 vehicles are included in one of the more recent GM recalls, with a manufacturer’s report date of December 9. This action concerns 2,633 potentially affected vehicle models, all of which could include an improperly welded seat that leaves occupants in danger during a crash. The vehicles have faulty third row lower seat frame welding as a result of problems with the robot welder at the supplier, Michigan-based Bridgewater Interiors.

Just 1 percent of the vehicle population was estimated to have this defect.

The issue was initially discovered November 2015, the same month in which the recalled vehicles were produced. According to a safety recall report also available from the organization, the welder working on the vehicles had a “defective servo motor.” Since November 2012, newly produced versions of these models have been welded by robots with the correct motors.

Dealers were notified on December 9, and just 1 percent of the vehicle population was estimated to have this defect. The report explained the actions dealers were instructed to take to correct this problem.

“Dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame and, if necessary, replace the lower seat frame,” the document stated. “Vehicles built during the affected build date were inspected to identify and replace seat frames built by the defective robot welder,” it added.

In an instructional recall bulletin, General Motors noted that “only approximately 11 involved vehicles” would require a seat frame replacement. As such, it emphasized that dealers order parts only as they need them, to make the most out of the limited replacements in stock.

BMW Recalls 13 Rolls-Royce Phantoms

January 11, 2016 admin BMW Recalls

Woodcliff Lake, NJ — January 11, 2016 — Just more than a dozen Rolls-Royce Phantom vehicles are part of a recall action launching January 11. Just 1 percent of this population is expected to carry improperly manufactured side curtain airbags, but the risk from these models is possibly dangerous, as it could leave occupants open to a greater chance of injury after impact.

The airbags are reportedly improperly positioned in these affected vehicles, making it less likely that they will deploy correctly. This issue could affect the front and rear passengers and be found in both the left and right sections of the vehicle. These systems will be inspected and replaced following a delivery stop.

According to the Part 573 report listed on the NHTSA site, this issue was first detected this October and led to a visual inspection: out of 924 parts included in the investigation, nine were found defective.

“In early November 2015, further analyses revealed that a manufacturing process error could lead to an inappropriate assembly of the side curtain air bag at the sub-supplier,” the report states. “The sub-supplier and supplier subsequently determined from their component production records the specific start date of side curtain air bags that may not have been produced to specification.”

This isn’t the first Rolls-Royce recall this year with a small target population: earlier this year, a single 2015 Rolls-Royce Ghost for airbag issues in the front seats. It was manufactured in January 2014 and found to possibly violate the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. The Phantoms in this latest recall have the model years 2015 and 2016.

Chrysler Recalls Jeeps for Short Circuit Potential

January 7, 2016 admin Jeep Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI — January 07, 2016—According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 32,784 Jeep Cherokees with 2015 and 2016 model years are part of a new recall. Although the start date is currently unknown, a good amount of information has been revealed, including the recall number (R67) and the possible threat from water gathering on the vehicle’s control module.

If a leak were to cause this module to short circuit, the affected vehicles could potentially catch fire. To keep the module safe and reduce the chance of corrosion, the manufacturer calls for the mastic shield to be replaced with a specialized water shield. Despite this, no injuries have been reported in connection to this problem.

This remedy is meant to improve upon a previous water shield that didn’t provide enough coverage. The NHTSA features a Part 573 Recall Report that explains the way the new shield has been a response to the old one.

“The mastic water shield was designed to protect the Module from pooling water in the spare tire tub as the original investigation showed this condition as the primary source,” the document states. “As the corrective action identified in the original investigation, a water shield that fully encapsulates the Module was introduced into production on September 10, 2015.”

The recall was announced on December 9 after the manufacturer determined that a recall was the best course of action on December 1. The “fully encapsulating” water shield first began production in September and will be installed free of charge. If necessary, corroded modules and connectors will be fully replaced.

Shifting Problem Leads to Nissan Rogue Recall

January 4, 2016 admin Nissan Recalls

Franklin, TN — January 04, 2016 — Last month, Nissan and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) both acknowledged an issue potentially affecting 33,880 Rogue vehicles. According to documents from the Administration, these units could violate the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) by allowing vehicles to slip out of the parking gear unintentionally. The recall was scheduled for this month, with dealers notified as of November 19.

This source notes that the vehicles would be able to shift gears without the driver pushing down the brake pedal. Though the fault affects the transition, it traces back to the selector knob in the control system. As such, dealers can address the problem simply by replacing the knob.

A Noncompliance Information Report included on the NHTSA described the circumstances that would trigger this problem in greater detail. The first issues were reportedly discovered in a routine inspection, and concern two areas of focus: one in the selector knob, and the other in the shifter rod.

“In certain instances, the combination of both quality issues may cause the spring to bind during operation due to excessive clearance between the shifter rod and the shift selector knob hole,” this report said. “As a result, the shift lever can be cycled without depressing the brake pedal.”

The shift selector supplier involved in this case is Guangzhou Jofu Machinery Industry Co.,Ltd., from China, while the shift assembly supplier is Ficosa North America S. A. is Madison Heights, Michigan. The transmission issue, if present, specifically violates S5.3 of the FMVSS 114, but only this section.

New driveshaft-related recall for BMW vehicles starting in January [Video]

January 2, 2016 admin BMW Recalls, Video

More than 40 BMW vehicles are subject to a new recall action beginning on January 8. Although no accidents have been traced to this issue yet, Edmunds.com reports that drivers may experience a sudden loss of power while driving defective cars.

The recall specifically centers around sedans, coupes and convertibles under the M3 and M4 make, with 2015 and 2016 model years. As of December 15, the company was also advising owners to avoid scheduling an appointment with local dealers until the necessary replacement parts have been shipped.

Affected vehicles will have less grease in the slip-joints than is necessary. Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft once the recall begins.

Thank you for watching. Be sure to check this blog out for more on the latest BMW recalls.

New Subaru Vehicles Recalled for Driveshaft Concerns

December 23, 2015 admin Subaru Recalls

Cherry Hill, NJ — December 23, 2015 — A new set of Subaru recalls pertains specifically to vehicles produced this year, as recent as November 16, 2015. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) acknowledged an action that targets both Legacy and Outback models, reported as of November 20. According to the official Safety Recall Report, the propeller shaft nuts can come loose, perhaps leading to a sudden risk of fire damage inside the vehicle.

This problem was first discovered on November 17, when Subaru of Indiana Automotive discovered that the torque was improperly fastened. Three days later, an official decision to launch the recall was made. A total of 3,251 vehicles are included in this recall, with the action originally scheduled for December 10, under the number WQV-57. Subaru dealers will tighten the loose nuts if necessary.

“If the propeller shaft detaches from the differential, the shaft could strike the fuel tank resulting in a possible fuel leak,” the report said. “There is a risk of fire if leaking fuel were to come in contact with an ignition source. This could happen without prior warning.”

As the official repair procedure describes, some dealers might not require extra parts at all to repair this condition. Bolts, nuts and washers must be replaced in the defective units, but only if nuts are found to be “finger-tight.”

Dealers are advised to be gentle and avoid damaging the dust cover on the differential seal, since a replacement might be required if the seal is broken. Those doing the installation can make sure the nuts, bolts and washers all line up by checking for telltale flange and yoke paint lines.

Genesis Coupes Recalled for Alignment Problems

December 16, 2015 admin Hyundai Recalls

Fountain Valley, CA — December 16, 2015 — Manual Genesis Coupe vehicles produced between 2011 and 2015 are included in a new Hyundai recall scheduled to start January 11. According to documents filed with the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the rear driveshaft in these autos could detach from differentials.

The problem specifically affects both the differential units and rear suspension in 10,800 vehicles. The official manufacturer’s report dates to November 13, and the source states this was due to systems not being properly aligned when assembled. Model years for this recall range from 2013 to 2015.

This NHTSA letter includes a description of the affects of this loose alignment, as well as hints of what will happen once the recall begins.

“If the rear differential loosens from its mounting position, the driveshaft may disconnect from the differential, resulting in a loss of propulsion and an increased risk of a crash,” it says. “Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will verify the proper assembly of the differential, free of charge.”

September saw other Hyundai recalls, including one for 470,000 Sonatas for a failure that could lead to possible fires. During that announcement, the manufacturer was unable to give a specific date due to a lack of engine parts. Debris in the engine of these vehicles reportedly made it harder for oil flow to pass through.

These Sonatas were produced between 2009 and 2012, and stems from warranty claims related to “loud noises and engine lights illuminating,” as Car Complaints reported. This came around the same time as a recall for the Hyundai Accent.