Karma Automotive Recalls 231 2018 Revero Sportscars for Defective Airbags
April 22, 2019
Uncategorized, Video
BMW Issues Recall for Defective PCV Valve Heaters Affecting 185,000 Vehicles
April 19, 2019
BMW Recalls, Video
Chrysler Recalls 298,000 due to Defective Transmission Shifter Cable Bushing
April 19, 2019
Dodge Recalls, Video
Ford Recalls 2015-19 Pickup Trucks Due To Engine Block Heater Issue
April 17, 2019
Ford Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – April 17, 2019 – Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks. The affected vehicles have engine block heater cable splice connectors that were insufficiently inspected during a previous recall. The cables may have been damaged, which could cause a short, increasing the likelihood of overheated or melted wiring and chance of fire. As many as 131,068 vehicles may be affected.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, during the prior recall and repair process the connector pins in the block heater cable’s splice connector may have been broken or fractured. A short could then occur in the damaged cable, potentially leading to melted or overheated wiring and the subsequent risk of a fire.
Timeline of Events
The report of an under-hood fire in a 2017 F-150 pickup was first brought to Ford’s attention Feb. 28, 2019. The fire broke out when the engine block heater was plugged into a wall outlet. After inspection, greasing and reconnection, the vehicle was returned to service. Subsequent inspection later revealed that the fire had very likely been caused by the engine block heater cable, specifically a separated male pin in the splice connector.
Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group requested X-ray scans of new production and warranty-returned block heater cable connectors for signs of potential damage in the splice connector. Examination of the new cables showed that the pins were properly crimped, with no signs of damage, while the returned warranty connector scans were inconclusive.
Further review of field-returned parts in March 2019 revealed that connector pins could become partially or completely broken when the connector ends are manipulated in a lateral bending or twisting motion during connector separation. In addition, twisting or flexing the two connector ends could potentially fracture one or more of the three male terminals inside the molded connector, which would not be visible to the technician. Other factors contributing to damaged connectors could include pre-existing debris or corrosion.
After reviewing the results of the investigation, Ford’s Field Review Committee decided April 1 to approve a field action.
The Solution
The recall will begin April 22, 2019. Ford will notify all owners to return their vehicles for service, at which time the dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 19S11. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V278000.
Mazda Recalls 2016-18 Vehicles For Windshield Wiper Failure
April 16, 2019
Mazda Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – April 16, 2019 – Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda 3 vehicles due to potentially inoperative front windshield wipers. Lack of visibility resulting from this issue could increase the risk of a crash. As many as 187,798 vehicles could be affected.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, a defective windshield wiper relay could cause the front wipers to stop functioning. The problem stems from the heat generated during normal operation causing metal deposits to form on the relay, resulting in the sticking of relay contacts. When this happens, the defective component disrupts electrical power to the wiper motor. If the wipers become non-operative, the driver’s loss of visibility could increase the chance of a crash.
Timeline of Events
Mazda received the first reports of this issue Nov. 26, 2015 from a non-U.S. market. By February 2016, an investigation revealed that the problem was due to contamination and metal deposits occurring during the manufacturing process of the relay. The automaker began working with its suppliers August 2016 to uncover the root cause of the deposits. A very small amount of silicone had been detected at the contact points.
As the investigation continued, Mazda determined that only Mazda 3 models were affected, due to the specification of a capacitor in the wiper motor. By June 2017, silicon was ruled out as a root cause. In July, the wiper motor capacitor specification was changed as a preventive measure.
Although the origin of the problem had still not been discovered by Oct. 3, 2017, Mazda took the additional countermeasure of changing the wiper relay in the front body control module.
From January to August 2018, despite the fact that field failure rates were reported to be decreasing, the problem continued. In October, Mazda looked into the possibility of multiple root causes, including the wiper relay design, the wiper motor capacitor specification and welding waste of the fixation point of contact.
From November to December 2018, the automaker collected parts from the field for further investigation. By February 2019, Mazda determined that the reduced failure rate could not be assured of continuing, so it decided to conduct a proactive field action April 1, making plans for a recall of the affected vehicles.
The Solution
The recall will begin June 3, 2019. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module that uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge.
Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda’s number for this recall is 3219D. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V272000.
Honda Recalls 2014-2019 Acura MDX and MDX Sport Hybrid Vehicles For Taillight Issues
April 9, 2019
Acura Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – April 9, 2019 – American Honda Motor Company is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture could enter the tailgate lid lights through a deformed gasket, potentially resulting in non-operational taillights and tailgate lights. As many as 322,897 vehicles may be affected.
The defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, if moisture leaks into the tailgate lid lights, it could lead to loss of function for both these lights and the inner taillights. Brake lights and headlights are not affected. Should this happen, the vehicle would be less visible to other motorists on the road, particularly at night, increasing the chance of an accident or crash.
Timeline of events
Honda first received complaints of exterior light failures between February and September 2014, subsequently launching an investigation. The automaker, discovering that the failure resulted from moisture entering the tailgate lid lights through a deformed gasket, decided to apply adhesives to provide better sealing and also to change the gasket to a more robust material. Since the number of original claims was minimal, Honda continued to monitor the situation.
As complaints increased, however, Honda relaunched the investigation December 2015 to January 2016. Another design improvement to increase moisture resistance was initiated. Since the number of claims did not significantly drop after this action, Honda reopened the investigation March 2017 to May 2018. The automaker began collecting parts from the field to understand the scope of the taillight failure and to determine repair solutions.
The addition of tailgate lid lights featuring deformation-resistant gaskets began on the assembly line Oct. 23, 2018 as a process quality improvement effort.
Honda determined that a defect related to motor vehicle safety existed, and decided to conduct a recall March 21, 2019. As of March 21, Honda had received 4,414 warranty claims, 17 field reports and no evidence of crashes or injuries related to this issue.
The solution
The recall will begin April 29, 2019. Honda will notify Acura owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness, or will replace both tailgate lid lights if necessary. The repairs will be performed free of charge.
MotorSafety.org can help you determine whether your vehicle is subject to a government-mandated recall or whether there is some factory notice that you should be informed of.
Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
Chrysler Recalled 52 Vehicles for Improperly Machined Steering Columns
April 8, 2019
Jeep Recalls, RAM Recalls, Video
Volvo Recalls 2018-19 XC60 and S90 Vehicles For Front Seat Defect
April 5, 2019
Volvo Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – April 5, 2019 – Volvo Car USA is recalling certain 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The rear flange nuts on the driver and passenger front seat rail may not have been installed during assembly. If a crash were to happen, the missing nuts could affect the front seat structure and position, increasing the chance of injury. As many as 2,297 vehicles may be involved.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, because of potentially missing flange nuts, the front driver and passenger seats may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to front-seat occupants. Installation of the flange nuts may have been omitted as the result of an error during the supplier’s assembly process, compromising the front seat’s structure and position.
Timeline of Events
Volvo received information from its supplier March 4, 2019, indicating issues in their production during a certain period of time meant the quality of delivered components could not be guaranteed. A review was initiated immediately and the potential issue went to the Critical Concern Management Team (CCMT), which began an internal investigation March 6. This led to the CCMT identifying the issue as critical. Consequently, based on its internal analysis and supplier documents, Volvo decided March 20 to institute a worldwide recall of all affected vehicles.
The Solution
The recall will begin May 17, 2019. Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge to car owners. In addition, the supplier process has been updated and improved.
Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo’s number for this recall is R19931. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V220000.
Volkswagen Recalls Golf Sportwagen, Jetta, Golf and Tiguan Vehicles for Rear Coil Springs Issue
April 2, 2019
Volkswagen Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – April 2, 2019 – Volkswagen Group of America is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may fracture prematurely, which could damage a rear tire, causing loss of vehicle control and ultimately a crash. As many as 56,173 vehicles may be affected.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, if the rear coil springs prematurely fracture while the vehicle is being driven, the consequences could be dire for its operator and anyone else sharing the road. A broken coil spring can damage a rear tire, thus becoming a hazard on the roadway and leading to a loss of vehicle control, putting people at risk and possibly causing damage to other vehicles on the road. The affected vehicles were assembled with rear coil springs from suppliers using materials that did not meet specifications and also did not follow process parameters.
Timeline of Events
The problem was first reported to Volkswagen AG and VW de Mexico Product Safety Committees Dec. 12, 2018. Upon determining that a manufacturing defect had occurred, the automaker decided to conduct a safety recall. In addition, further tests were assigned to assure that all affected vehicles could be identified.
The issue was then presented to VW de Mexico Product Safety Committee Feb. 15, 2019. The results of the testing were presented to Volkswagen AG and VW de Mexico Product Safety Committees February 27, and an extension of the previous recall was subsequently launched.
The Solution
The recall will begin April 19, 2019. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge.
Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 42J5. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V188000.
(Video)Volkswagen Recalls 2019 Jetta Vehicles with Faulty Airbags
March 29, 2019
Video, Volkswagen Recalls
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