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Recalled Ram trucks could suffer suspension issues

August 28, 2015 admin RAM Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI — August 28, 2015 — Nearly 200 trucks are included in a new recall from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced this month. While there doesn’t appear to be any information on this in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) recall database, TruckingInfo features information on this action and what it means for dealerships and users.

According to this source, the trucks are from the 2015 model year and include the Ram 4500 and 5000 model names. Though the recall itself isn’t set to begin until next month, dealers are already instructed to replace the upper control arms to give the driver better reign over the vehicle and possibly keep a crash from occurring.

Even though this is just one recall for a relatively small number of trucks, it comes in the context of the greater scrutiny given to FCA and its recall practices. New England Senators Richard Blumenthal and Ed Markey have addressed the weak recall actions taken to address the vehicles, to which the government has taken new action.

“This enforcement action is an improvement over the status quo, and it follows some of the measures that we have put forth in the Early Warning Reporting Systems Improvement Act, as it requires [Fiat Chrysler] to automatically submit documents related to potentially-fatal defects,” the two of them said in a letter to the head Administrator of the NHTSA, as the Hill reported.

During this same month, the manufacturer also held a Las Vegas meeting in which it announced new vehicles in development, including a new Dodge Charger and Jeep Wrangler SUV.

Nissan investigating Maxima fuel sending units [Video]

August 26, 2015 admin Nissan Recalls, Video

It hasn’t released an official notification yet, but Nissan is recalling thousands of 2016 Maximas for fuel system concerns.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the manufacturer believes as many as 5,458 vehicles may be affected. Although investigations are still ongoing, the recall concerns loose fuel sending units that have been improperly sealed, as well as o-rings that don’t match. The company has placed a quality assurance hold on the suspected models.

In these vehicles, the defective systems are reportedly more likely to rupture during a crash, leaking fuel and posing a fire hazard to drivers and passengers. As of July 31, Nissan had yet to develop a remedy but announced its intention to inform consumers as early as possible.

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Subaru recalls vehicles for transmission leaks

August 26, 2015 admin Subaru Recalls

Washington, D.C. — August 26, 2015 — More than 2,890 vehicles may be affected by a seal cap issue that would leave occupants at risk of fire. As such, Subaru of America, Inc., has issued a recall beginning this month that includes the propeller shaft replacement measures that dealers can take to target this defect.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall acknowledgment document, two different Subaru models are involved in this action: the Subaru Legacy 4-Door and Subaru Outback. Both of these have the model years of 2015 and 2016, and both started production on the same date, July 3, 2015. The Legacy vehicles ended production on July 25, while production on the Outback ended two days later on the 27th.

The NHTSA also features a six-page instruction document for dealers on how to conduct the proper repairs in affected vehicles. This requires several parts, the source states, including a gasket filler plug and self-locking nut.

“During assembly of the front slip yoke component of the propeller shaft, the sealing cap may have become deformed resulting in the possibility of a transmission fluid leak,” it reads. “Fluid leaking from the deformed sealing cap may leak onto the exhaust system. Because none of the propeller shaft components are serviceable, the assembly must be replaced.” The document goes on to advise inspection of the new propeller shaft for cracks or other defaults before repairs commence.

In addition, retailers have also been informed of the “STOP SALE” order now in place intended to prevent vehicles from being delivered without being properly identified, marked and repaired.

Airbag concerns lead to new GM recall

August 25, 2015 admin GM Recalls, Takata Airbag Recalls

Washington, D.C. — August 25, 2015 — Adding to the recent wealth of recalls from various manufacturers over airbag deployment concerns, General Motors is now recalling thousands of Chevrolet Impalas. This issue focuses on a defect that would leave only infant passengers and younger children at risk, according to the Detroit News. Owners with children may have to think carefully about the possible dangers of driving these cars with them in the front seat.

Impalas manufactured as late as this June could sport a defect that doesn’t detect if a child seat is installed in the front of the vehicle. The error comes from a calibration problem in an electronic vehicle module, which in turn traces back to issues during vehicle assembly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) features a recall bulletin detailing the steps needed to correct the “passenger service system” in affected vehicles and improve safety. The fix reportedly takes less than an hour of labor time. The recall specifically applies to those vehicles with vented-heated seats.

“Before the passenger presence system can be re-zeroed the front passenger seat must be completely empty of all items,” the bulletin reads. “The presence of any liquid or items on the front passenger seat will affect the calibration and operation of the passenger presence system.”

A total of 8,989 Impalas are targeted in this action, most of them in the United States and Canada. The NHTSA document indicates that the warning light could turn on when the seat isn’t occupied in the recalls, possibly leading users to discern exactly how at risk they and their families are.

Old General Motors recall will include new vehicles

August 20, 2015 admin GM Recalls

Detroit, MI — August 20, 2015 — In 2014, General Motors issued a recall for more than 316,000 vehicles manufactured in a three-year period between 2006 and 2009. As the Associated Press notes, that recall concerned several different models, such as the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Rainier, and was intended to fix an electrical failure that could prevent low-beam headlights from working.

Recently, the manufacturer announced that it is expanding this recall to include 181,000 North American autos for the same reason, extending the action to the Buick LaCrosse, Buick Allure and Pontiac Grand Prix. There is allegedly no permanent remedy for this issue developed yet, although dealers can make do with a temporary replacement in the meantime.

The Detroit News also reported on this recent expansion, noting that the company informed consumers of this stopgap as recently as this January. The module fault is exacerbated by hot temperatures in the engine area.

The News also quotes company spokesman Alan Adler on the problems associated with this danger and what dealers have to do to respond to the situation without the final remedy plan in place.

“These vehicles could intermittently or permanently lose low beam headlamps,” he said. “Until a permanent repair is available, dealers will replace the headlamp module with a new one of the existing part.” Insight into this case has led the government to investigate supplier Delphi Corporation, who is responsible for the distribution of the module. As of this writing, the total amount of recalls connected to this action is 493,265, none of which have contributed to reports of incidents.

Ford recalls trucks over seatbelt issue

August 19, 2015 admin Ford Recalls

Dearborn, MI — August 19, 2015 — In a new press release, Ford Motor Company recently announced a safety compliance recall that will encompass several thousand vehicles in the United States and Canada. According to this source, the seat belt anchorage defects in certain F-650 and F-750 stem from the Escobedo Assembly Plant where they were put together.

Only 417 of the recalled autos are in Canada: more than 25,940 of them are in the United States, and the model years include 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015. The affected vehicles were produced between 2011 and 2015, and a proper remedy procedure is reportedly “still being developed” in the wake of the large volume of recalled vehicles.

Though the improper alignment of seat belt systems that prompted this recall has not led to any known incidents yet, the manufacturer stated that the current position in these vehicles does leave them liable for possible injury in certain situations.

“In these vehicles, the front passenger and center seat belts might not be anchored in the correct position relative to the seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash,” the statement reads. The Detroit News put this action into a greater context by noting that Ford has recalled nearly 4 million total vehicles in more than 20 different recalls. Ford is said to be shifting its production away from this plant.

This compares to the national statistics, which have encompassed 32.4 million vehicles within a series of “nearly 500 campaigns” this year so far. Last year, more than 800 campaigns were issued for a total of nearly 64 million.

Nissan recalls vehicles for door latch issues [Video]

August 13, 2015 admin Nissan Recalls, Video

A new safety recall from Nissan targets multiple models that might have door latch problems.

According to the recall report, nearly 7,000 vehicles with the model year 2015 are potentially subject to this action. Of these, the majority are Nissan Sentras, which make up over 5,000 of the total. Also included are 1,200 Versa Notes and 41 Rogues.

In these autos, the door locks on the driver and rear left side doors may not latch properly. This is because of an error from the supplier, Magna Closures, and leaves passengers at risk if the doors open while the car is in motion. Nissan dealers will solve the problem by inspecting recalled vehicles and replacing affected door locks, a process that is both free and can take as little as one hour to complete.

Thank you for watching, and please check back for the latest major recall news.

Kia recalls SUV’s for brake light problem [Video]

July 15, 2015 admin Kia Recalls, Video

Kia Motors America plans to recall thousands of SUVs this month due to a brake light issue.

According to a government recall acknowledgement notice, a total of 7,722 Kia Sportage Vehicles may include faulty brake light switches. Although the brake systems themselves may work properly in these cars, the lights could fail to turn on, leaving the driver and others around them at risk.

The manufacturer plans to begin the recall sometime this month. Dealers will fix this issue by replacing the ineffective switch.

Thanks for watching, and be sure to join us again for the latest auto recall news.

Ford kicks off July with body control module recall [Video]

July 8, 2015 admin Ford Recalls, Video

July has just begun, and Ford has recalled several models for safety compliance issues.

In a recent press release, the manufacturer announced a recall for around 433,000 vehicles built at its Louisville and Michigan assembly plants between 2014 and 2015. Due to problems with the body control modules in these autos, the engines could possibly run for longer than intended, even after the ignition is turned off.

Ford Focus, C-MAX and Escape vehicles are all subject to this possible flaw, and the majority of the affected units are in the United States. The manufacturer states that dealers will address the problem by updating the software in the module.

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Hybrid vehicles recalled for bad frames [Video]

May 26, 2015 admin Video

This month, hybrid vehicle owners may want to reinspect their cars if they own a GEM from Polaris Industries.

The manufacturer is recalling 628 vehicles that may have been affected by a faulty frame weld. According to the NHTSA, the defect could cause the frames of these vehicles to brake, and there have been four reports of this occurring so far.

What’s the solution? Because the recall hasn’t officially begun yet, there is no repair action listed. However, the source does say that owners will receive letters and instructions to help them inspect each vehicle before it is officially repaired by the car dealer.

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