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Mercedes-Benz Recalls More Than 5,000 Vehicles for Seatbelt Issue

December 18, 2018 Sean Reyes Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – December 18, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 4Matic, Cabriolet, Coupe, AMG and Mercedes-Mayback vehicles for incorrect detection of seatbelt fasten status. Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain vehicles, the switches in seatbelt buckles might not have been manufactured according to specifications. The potential number of units affected is 5,433.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, a correctly fastened seatbelt could be erroneously detected as unfastened. In this case neither the electric (PRE-SAFE®-function) nor the pyrotechnic tensioning would be activated in the event of a crash, and the full effect of the restraint system would be impaired. This could significantly increase the risk of injury for occupants in the event of a crash. If a vehicle exhibits the recall condition described, the customer may be made aware of the issue by a warning tone and a seat belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.

Timeline of Events

In August 2018, DAG launched initial investigations based on a single incident reported from its production plant regarding a vehicle exhibiting the described issue during an end of line test. Subsequently, DAG and the responsible supplier’s joint analysis identified a deviation in the production of the switch inside the seatbelt buckle as the root cause.

In October 2018, DAG reviewed logistics documents together with the relevant suppliers and sub-suppliers to determine which potentially affected batches of seatbelt buckles had been delivered to DAG. Based on the results, potentially affected vehicles were identified, and the voluntary recall was issued.

The Solution

As a precautionary measure an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will replace the relevant seatbelt buckles in the affected vehicles. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt buckles, free of charge. An interim letter will be mailed beginning January 25, 2019 to notify owners of the issue. A second letter will be mailed once remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-839.

Mercedes-Benz Recalls 7 Vehicles for Potential Power Steering Malfunction

December 18, 2018 Sean Reyes Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – December 18, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 GLC300 vehicles due to a potential issue with power steering. Daimler AG (“DAG”) has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) GLCClass vehicles (253 platforms), an internal sensor within the electric power steering unit might not meet specifications due to a production deviation at a supplier. The potential number of units affected is seven.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, an internal sensor within the electric power steering unit may fail, deactivating the power steering assist. If the sensor were to fail while driving, the position of the electronic motor within the power steering unit would no longer be detected, resulting in a deactivation of the power steering support. This would increase the risk of a crash. The customer will be made aware of a deactivation of the power steering support by a warning message in the instrument cluster.

Timeline of Events

In August 2018, DAG launched initial investigations based on a declaration of a supplier regarding potential deviations of certain power steering units, and immediately initiated a plant campaign. In September 2018, further investigations were carried out in conjunction with the supplier to analyze the failure mode within the production at the supplier.

In October 2018, DAG and the supplier co-reviewed logistics documents to determine which steering assemblies might potentially be affected, and further analyses were completed to identify potentially affected vehicles. In November 2018, DAG determined that there was potential failure of the magnetic sensor, and that a potential safety risk could not be ruled out and made the decision to issue a voluntary recall for affected vehicles.

The Solution

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering unit, free of charge. An interim letter will be mailed beginning January 25, 2019 to notify owners of the issue. A second letter will be mailed once remedy parts are available. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-840.

Volkswagen Recalls a Dozen Audi Vehicles for Improperly Fastened Airbags

December 10, 2018 Sean Reyes Audi Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – December 10, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 all-road vehicles due to potential, improperly tightened airbag module mounting screws. The potential number of units affected is 12.

The defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, one of the four passenger airbag module mounting screws may not have been torqued to the correct specification during production.

In a crash with passenger airbag deployment, an improperly torqued screw may cause the airbag housing in the instrument cluster to deform.

This can change how the airbag unfolds during deployment and result in the airbag not providing protection as intended, leading to an increased risk of injury to the front passenger seat occupant.

Timeline of events

On September 25, 2018, the Audi Product Safety Committee was informed that road vehicle testing showed abnormalities in passenger airbag mounting screw connection.

Between October and November 2018, the issue was evaluated. This process included detailed testing and investigation regarding root cause, impact, scope and affected vehicles.

The recall condition was determined to be the result of human error during passenger airbag assembly. All affected vehicles can be traced to airbag assembly by one factory employee.

The recall population was determined by reviewing screw data logs and samples tests. On all other (unaffected) vehicles, the screw connection was tightened properly.

On November 19, 2018, the Audi Product Safety Committee made a determination of a safety defect and decided to conduct a safety recall. The relevant tool for airbag mounting has been modified so that this type of error cannot occur in the future.

The solution

Volkswagen will notify owners and dealers in mid-January, and the affected passenger airbag screw connection will be inspected and, if necessary, correctly tightened to the required torque specification.

Also, the screw will be replaced if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2019. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-836.

Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Lamborghini Recalls More Than 1,000 Gallardo Vehicles Due to Faulty Ignition Software

December 10, 2018 Sean Reyes Lamborghini Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – December 10, 2018 – Automobili Lamborghini (Lamborghini) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Gallardo Coupe and Gallardo Spyder vehicles due to the potential that warnings may not be working properly after a faulty reflash procedure has failed. The potential number of units affected is 1,152.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may erase trouble codes after the ignition is turned off, not illuminating warning lamps and preventing drivers from being warned of safety system problems the next time that they are driving. If the warning lamps do not indicate a safety system failure such as an engine or fuel injection system malfunction, continuing to drive the vehicle with a faulty system and no warning can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Timeline of Events

In late 2017, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. received multiple field complaints stating that affected vehicles were failing to pass the smog test. This increase in field complaints (including cases where warning/error messages were spontaneously disappearing from fault memory) led to Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. launching an investigation in early 2018 to determine the alleged malfunction and its root cause. Results from the investigation revealed a faulty reflash procedure for this model (key off / key on cycle), with consequent risk of trouble codes not properly stored in the system memory after each key off. It was assumed based on this issue that relevant fault codes could also not be stored, and in November 2018 the matter was presented at the Product Safety Committee whereupon the decision to conduct a safety recall was made. Production for the involved model had already reached the end of its life cycle, therefore no production correction action was necessary.

The Solution

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. will notify all owners of affected vehicles and will instruct them to arrange for an appointment with an authorized Lamborghini dealer. Dealers will reflash the engine software with appropriate procedure free of charge. The rightly reflashed engine software correctly stores errors detected by the system and renders the software suitable to pass the smog test. The recall is expected to begin December 14,2018. Owners may contact Lamborghini customer service at 1-866-681-6276. Lamborghini’s number for this recall is L61XR0118. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-833.

Suzuki Recalls Nearly 19,000 SX4 Vehicles for Power Steering Issues

November 30, 2018 Sean Reyes Suzuki Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – November 30, 2018 – Suzuki Motor America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Suzuki SX4 vehicles due to potential seizing of the power steering pump. The potential number of units affected is 18,673.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Safety Recall Report, under cold start conditions in cold weather conditions, the power steering pump internal pressure may rise, resulting in seizure of the pump. Seizure of the power steering pump can result in a sudden loss of steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Timeline of Events

In April 2016, SMC received an initial Field Technical Information Report (“FTIR”) from its Canadian distributor that indicated that there is no power steering assist when turning the steering wheel at low speed. It was confirmed that the vehicle in question had a replacement power steering pump (PS pump) installed for the 15V-587 recall (Suzuki VS recall for PS pump failure), reported to NHTSA in September 2015. SMC collected the PS pump from the Canadian distributor and asked the supplier to investigate the failure.

The following investigation results confirmed that there was seizure of the cartridge sliding surface inside the PS pump. It was identified that for the VS recall countermeasure PS pump, the lower limit of the spool clearance value was changed and 11.6mg of contamination was found inside of the PS pump, exceeding the supplier manufacturing process contamination control value of 5 mg or less. SMC could not identify the reason why the cartridge sliding surface seized.

SMC subsequently received a second, third and fourth FTIRs from its Canadian distributor with more or less the same results and no ability to identify what cartridge sliding surfaces seized. From January to March 2018, SMC received 15 additional FTIRs from Canada and 9 FTIRs from the United States. SMC confirmed that all of the vehicles involved had the VS recall correction. From April to June 2018, SMC received 3 additional FTIRs from Canada and an additional 9 FTIRs from the United States, and from June to August 2018, SMC received 2 additional FTIRs from the United States. SMC had received a cumulative total of 42 FTIRs.

SMC began to coordinate with a supplier of competing PS pumps to request an evaluation test of the VS recall countermeasure PS pump, but despite low temperature accelerated tests of the VS recall countermeasure PS pump the cause of the PS pump seizure could not be identified. In October 2018, SMC continued conducting the investigation and in November, 2018 SMC decided to report the existence of a safety-related defect. SMC is still working to identify the root cause of the PS pump failures, and to determine a recall countermeasure.

The Solution

The remedy for this recall is still under development. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-804.

Ford Recalls Nearly 35,000 Vehicles Due to Missing Seat Brackets

November 30, 2018 Sean Reyes Ford Recalls, Lincoln Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – November 30, 2018 – Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Expedition vehicles due to missing brackets in the center row seating. The potential number of units affected is 34,946.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the second row center seat track assemblies may be missing one or both of the J-Channel reinforcement brackets, possibly allowing the seat to move in the event of a crash. In the event of a crash, a seat that moves may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

This recall includes all vehicles produced with this seat configuration (second row bench [40/20/40]), which was a new design for the 2018 model year. The second row bench center (20%) seat is adjustable and can be positioned 70mm further forward than the outboard seats. The owner’s manual states the seat should be adjusted to its rearward position when it is occupied by older children or adults, including children in booster seats.

Timeline of Events

On August 30, 2018, Ford’s Critical Concerns Review Group (CCRG) reviewed a concern regarding missing J-channel reinforcement brackets on certain 2018 model year Expedition and Navigator second row bench center (20%) seats. This seat track assembly design, which was new for 2018 models, contains two J-channel reinforcement brackets, one left-hand and one right-hand. CCRG requested an assessment of center seat structural integrity with one or both J-channel bracket reinforcements missing.

During September and October 2018, directional CAE analysis was conducted on a rigidified body sheet metal structure with the second row center seat in the full rear and full forward seating positions, and a more detailed analysis simulating actual body sheet metal structure was performed under crash conditions to determine if the missing brackets presented a risk.

The in-depth CAE analysis, simulating the production vehicle design, indicated that the seat track missing one or both J-channel reinforcement brackets may peel or tear when the seat is adjusted in the fully forward or near fully forward position. This could lead to increased risk of injury during a crash, particularly for children seated in the middle row seating.

CAE was able to confirm that a seat adjusted in the full rearward seating position did not present this concern. On November 5, 2018, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a recall; at this time, Ford was not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this issue.

The Solution

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the second row center (20%) seat inspected to determine if both J-channel brackets are installed. If one or both J-channel brackets are missing, dealers will replace the center seat frame assembly. There will be no charge for this service. Until the vehicle is serviced for this concern, customers are advised to adjust the center seat to its full rearward position. The recall is expected to begin December 17, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S37. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-805.

Ford Recalls Nearly 300 Nautilus Vehicles Due to Air Bag Issue

November 29, 2018 Sean Reyes Lincoln Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – November 29, 2018 – Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles that are not equipped with Adaptive Front Steering, due to a defect in an air bag cover. The potential number of units affected is 268.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the driver airbag modules installed in vehicles may contain a plastic cover that was improperly injection-molded at the sub-tier supplier. A driver airbag cover that has not been properly molded may detach during an airbag deployment. If the air bag cover separates during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Timeline of Events

On September 27, 2018, Autoliv, the non-AFS driver airbag module Tier 1 supplier, notified Ford of a test anomaly that had occurred during a lot acceptance test (LAT) at high temperature on that day. Autoliv subsequently contained all suspect parts from that lot, and began an investigation into the cause of the failure.

In October 2018, Autoliv’s ongoing investigation discovered that the potential root cause could be attributed to the presence of knit lines in the area of the tear seam on the airbag cover substrate, and it was also revealed that the Tier 3 supplier (DEMO) made several adjustments to the cover injection-molding process without notifying the Tier 2 supplier (Eissmann) of the adjustments. These adjustments had resulted in the improper forming of the knit lines in the area of the cover tear seam.

The investigation also revealed that the injection-molding process change had been used on covers that were built into airbag module assemblies which had previously passed LAT and were subsequently installed in vehicles; therefore, an analysis to identify the release status of these vehicles was initiated. On November 5, 2018, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a recall.

The Solution

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the driver airbag module replaced. There will be no charge for this service. The recall is expected to begin in November 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S38. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-806.

Ford Recalls 114 Explorers Over Potential Fuel Leak

November 29, 2018 Sean Reyes Ford Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – November 29, 2018 – Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.5L GTDI engine for a potential fuel leak. The potential number of units affected is 114.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, some fuel pressure sensors were produced by a supplier with over-size male threads resulting in a gap between the fuel pressure sensor and the mating saddle port with the o-ring not fully seated. Potentially, some Explorer vehicles built within the suspect date range may have a fuel pressure sensor that was not properly assembled. An improperly assembled fuel pressure sensor can result in a fuel leak. Fuel leaks in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Timeline of Events

On July 30, 2018, Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant (CAP) discovered an Explorer with a 2.3L engine in the yard with fuel underneath it on the ground. The fuel leak was determined to originate from the fuel pressure sensor joint in the fuel line assembly on the top of fuel tank. CAP issued a Stop Ship on August 1, 2018, to contain all vehicles at the plant and in transit for inspection.

Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) subsequently reviewed this issue, beginning by inspecting held vehicles built during the month of July 2018, and initiated a Design of Experiments (DOE) to help determine the cause. The vehicle inspections identified no fuel leaks in the more than 9,000 vehicles being held; however, four sensors that were not properly assembled were identified. The four vehicles were built within a three day period between July 29, 2018, through July 31, 2018, and it was determined that the cause was over-size threads on the sensor.

Using the supplier’s records, Ford’s investigation of vehicle production records determined that 144 vehicles built at CAP during a specified three day period when incorrect parts were available were delivered to dealerships before the inspection could be completed and may or may not actually contain incorrect parts. On November 5, 2018, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a recall, being unaware of any reports of accident, injury or fire related to this condition.

The Solution

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel line assembly replaced. There will be no charge for this service. The recall is expected to begin December 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S35. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-807.

Honda Recalls Nearly 65,000 Acura MDX Vehicles for Brake Issues

November 28, 2018 Sean Reyes Acura Recalls, Honda Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – July 20, 2022 – Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) has remedied issues with 59.452 vehicles including the 2018-2019 Honda Odyssey and the 2017-2019 Acura MDX that had rear brake issues. Additionally, 186 of these Honda models have been categorized as unreachable and 94 have been removed from the recall. One group of these 2018-2019 Honda Odyssey and the 2017-2019 Acura MDX with rear brake issues were remedied in 2019, four groups were remedied in 2019, and one group in 2020.

Laguna Hills, CA – November 28, 2018 – Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain vehicles to have the rear brakes bled due to gas pockets. The potential number of units affected is 64,785, including:

2017-2019 Acura MDX
2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid
2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey
2016 Honda HR-V vehicles

The defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, in affected vehicles the rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, and reducing brake performance. A reduction in braking performance increases the risk of a crash.

Timeline of events

In July 2018, the rear brake caliper supplier informed Honda of quality issues affecting some of its products. Honda subsequently launched an investigation.

From August to October 2018, Honda learned that a sub-supplier’s manufacturing process improperly trapped high levels of hydrogen on the brake piston during surface plating, and that the tempering process intended to remove excess hydrogen may not have been performed to specification.

Honda investigated the potential for FMVSS noncompliance and the range of potentially affected vehicles, and on October 25, 2018, Honda completed the investigation.

The final determination was that the potential for FMVSS noncompliance exists and Honda, therefore, decided to conduct a safety recall.

As of October 25, 2018, Honda has received 170 warranty claims, 90 field reports, and no reports of crashes or injuries related to this issue. The problem does not recur after brakes are bled to remove initial gas pockets.

The solution

Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, 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

Lotus Recalls 40 Evora Vehicles for Steering Column Problem

November 28, 2018 Sean Reyes Miscellaneous Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – November 28, 2018 – Lotus Cars Limited (Lotus) is recalling certain 2018 Lotus Evora vehicles due to a potential danger in case of a crash should the steering column not collapse correctly. Vehicles affected are 2018 model year Lotus Evora (all variants). The potential number of units affected is 40.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, during a vehicle crash event, the steering column is designed to partially collapse and help dissipate a portion of the crash energy. On some assemblies, the screw securing the steering column cartridge, which supports the column during the collapse process, has been found to be finger tight only.

If the screw is loose but remains engaged in the thread, there is expected to be no adverse effect on vehicle crash performance. However, if the screw disengages from the thread, in the event of a frontal collision, the steering column may not properly collapse to absorb some of the impact energy. If the steering column does not collapse as intended in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury to the driver and possibly any passengers.

Timeline of Events

Lotus has been notified that a small number of Evora steering columns have been assembled incorrectly, which could compromise the performance of the part in a vehicle crash.

A mis-build issue of the steering column assembly fitted to the Evora model range has been identified in a small number of vehicles manufactured between 17/04/2018 to 02/10/2018. As a result, the steering column cartridge screw may not have been tightened to its specified torque of 5 Nm

The manufacturer of the steering column corrected the recall condition by re-setting the torque wrench used in the assembly process. Correctly assembled steering columns were introduced into vehicle production with effect from 10/10/2018.

The Solution

Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will correct the steering column assembly, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Lotus customer service at 1-800-245-6887. Lotus’ number for this recall is 2018/01R. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-781.

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