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Hyundai Recalls More Than 8,000 Santa Fe Vehicles for Faulty Airbags

October 29, 2018 Sean Reyes Hyundai Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 29, 2018 – Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. The Side Curtain Air Bag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage the air bags during deployment. The number of units affected by this recall is 8,204, with a 100% estimated affected rate.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, this safety recall involves subject vehicles which are equipped with Side Curtain Airbags (“SCAB”) that were installed using bolts that could interfere with and damage the airbags during deployment. The bolts were produced with sharp corners on the hexagonal bolt head, increasing the risk of interference with the SCAB during installation. If the SCAB becomes damaged during deployment, the air bag may not inflate properly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Timeline of Events

On August 8, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (“HMC”) discovered a torn Side Curtain Airbag (“SCAB”) during an NCAP crash test conducted in Europe. The initial investigation revealed the SCAB could have become damaged due to interference with the bolts which were used to install the airbag and connect them to the body of the vehicle. HMC searched through past crash test records and did not find any previous instances of a deployed, torn SCAB.

On September 3, 2018, HMC conducted internal crash testing. This test successfully replicated the damage to the SCAB and confirmed that it was caused by interference from the mounting bolts. HMC immediately notified all regional distributors of vehicles using these specific bolts, and subsequently convened its Technical Committee on October 2, 2018 and began voluntary safety recall to address the condition in the subject vehicles. Hyundai has not, to date, been made aware of any incidents, crashes, or injuries related to this defect.

The Solution

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the SCAB installation bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 30, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 177.

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-715.

Mercedes Benz Recalls an Additional Nearly 4,000 Vehicles for Seat Belt Issues

October 26, 2018 Sean Reyes Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 26, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling roughly four thousand 2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 and GLC300 4Matic, 2018 GLC350e and GLC63 AMG 4Matic and 2017-2018 GLC43 AMG 4Matic vehicles due to seat belts which can become unusable due to a missing element. This is in addition to over 100,000 vehicles recalled for the same issue in March of 2018.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, an error during production led to felt strips not having been applied between the C-pillar and rear side paneling according to current production specification. The outboard rear seats’ seat belt latch plates, which are intended to insert into the buckles, may retract into the interior paneling, becoming inaccessible and preventing vehicle occupants from being able to use them. The probability of occurrence is generally low, but if a rear seat passenger does not fasten the seatbelt, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Timeline of Events

In the beginning of February 2018, DAG launched an inquiry into two complaints of customers about the seat belt issue. The subsequent investigations showed that the described defect was reproducible under specific conditions, and that a geometrical design of the paneling parts was the root cause of the problem. The range of vehicles was examined for potential safety concerns, in early March 2018, DAG recalled 116,000 vehicles under recall notice 18V177. The current recall relates to an additional 4,079 vehicles identified in early September that also may not have had the necessary felt strips installed during the production process.

The Solution

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install felt strips between the C-pillar and rear side paneling, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 2, 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA’s number for this recall is 2018100002. Owners may also contact 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 18V683000.

BMW Recalls Over 100 Vehicles for Improperly Hardened Control Arm

October 25, 2018 Sean Reyes BMW Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 25, 2018 – BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 BMW X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles. Approximately 108 vehicles are suspected to have been manufactured with rear upper control arms that possibly have not been produced by the suppliers to acceptable specifications. This recall affects several different BMW models, and units recalled were produced between September 10 and September 20, 2018.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, certain BMW vehicles may have been produced with a faulty part. The rear upper control arm’s pivot bolt may not have been properly hardened during supplier production, due to a failure in the production process. An arm that was not produced to specifications could break, which could then affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Timeline of Events

On September 12, 2018, several damaged control arms were noticed during vehicle assembly. The supplier was contacted, who was able to determine that certain rear upper control arms may not have been properly hardened, and identify all potentially affected parts to generate a list that was the matched with vehicle assembly records. Approximately 108 vehicles were identified, and on September 21, 2018, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. BMW has not received any reports of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

The Solution

Owners will be notified by First Class mail and instructed to take their vehicle to an authorized BMW center to have both rear upper control arms replaced for free. As affected vehicles are covered by the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty program, there is no need for owners to cover the cost and no need for a reimbursement program. Notification to owners is planned to begin and end on November 12. Owners may also contact 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 18V680000.

Chrysler Recalls Over 18,000 Jeep Wranglers for Faulty Weld

October 24, 2018 Sean Reyes Jeep Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 24, 2018 – Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler vehicles due to improperly welded front track bar brackets. The recall affects 18,005 vehicles produced between May 7 and August 21, 2018.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, certain 2018-2019 MY Jeep Wrangler left hand drive vehicles may have been built with a front track bar bracket that featured an out-of-specification weld. This defect could potentially result in the bracket separating from the frame. The separation of the front track bar bracket from the frame may cause a reduction in steering response, which can cause vehicle crash without prior warning, or after any or a combination of the following: a front end noise, an off-center steering wheel position, a “Service Electronic Stability Control” message and an Electronic Stability Control light in the cluster.

Timeline of Events

On August 13, 2018, as a result of customer complaints related to the front track bar bracket separating from the frame, the FCA US LLC (“FCA US”) Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance (“VSRC”) organization opened an investigation and meetings were subsequently conducted with the supplier to determine and correlate suspect part delivery dates with vehicle build dates and settle on corrective actions. The number of reports was sufficient that a voluntary recall was implemented. There have been no reports of injury due to this defect.

The Solution

Chrysler will notify owners of all suspected to be affected vehicles to inspect and repair the front track bar bracket welds as needed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is UA5. Owners may also contact 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 18V675000.

BMW Recalls More Than 2500 Vehicles for Defective Driveshaft Flanges

October 19, 2018 Sean Reyes BMW Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 19, 2018 – BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles due to potential driveshaft failure. The potential number of units affected by this recall is 2,661.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, this safety recall involves an integral flange located in the driveshaft, which has insufficient long-term durability. Due to this defect, the connection between the driveshaft and the flange may loosen over time, to the point of separating completely.

Loss of connection between the driveshaft and the flange means that, then drive torque may no longer be transmitted to the rear wheels. Lack of drive torque results in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. The driver may be alerted by noise and/or vibration from underneath the vehicle, which may increase over time and indicates the need to take the car to a dealership.

Timeline of Events

On July 9, 2018, BMW was informed of field incidents involving the driveshaft of M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe, and M4 Convertible vehicles. Drivers of these vehicles reported hearing noise, noticing vibration, and, in some cases, experiencing a loss of power. BMW subsequently requested the drive shafts in order to carry out comprehensive inspection and analysis, considering factors such as vehicle age and mileage, engine power / torque, and operating and environmental conditions.

By late August, preliminary analyses suggested the integral driveshaft flange was the faulty part, and in September, further in-depth analyses were conducted taking into account vehicle construction, engine type, driveshaft design/build configuration history, and drive train geometry. Once individual case assessments were completed, these engineering analyses concluded that the integral flange may not have been produced with sufficient long-term durability characteristics during a specific production period, and separation from the drive shaft was a risk.

Driveshaft production records and vehicle manufacturing information were utilized to identify the quantity and production date range of potentially affected vehicles, and on October 4, 2018, BMW issued a voluntary safety recall. BMW has not received any reports or been made aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

The Solution

The drive shaft, containing the integral flange, will be replaced. Owners will be notified by First Class mail and instructed to take their vehicle to an authorized BMW center to have the drive shaft replaced at no charge. This process typically takes several hours. Owners who have replaced the drive shaft at their own expense prior to the recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement according to BMW Group’s reimbursement plan. The recall is expected to begin December 3, 2018; owners will be notified and advised whether or not their local dealership has available parts for the repair. If not, a second letter will advise owners when parts become Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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-713.

Toyota Recalls Certain 2019 C-HR Vehicles Due to Improperly Tightened Axle Bearing Bolts

October 19, 2018 Sean Reyes Toyota Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 19, 2018 – Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Toyota C-HR vehicles due to insufficiently tightened rear axle bearing bolts. The recall is expected to include 681 potentially affected vehicles, as no more than 0.1% of those included are expected to actually contain the defect. Toyota estimates this based on the results of inspections that, as of September 25th, out of 4500 inspected vehicles, there were 4 vehicles with the hub bearing bolts not tightened sufficiently.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the subject vehicles are equipped with left-hand and right-hand rear axle hub bearing assemblies. These are connected to the rear axle carrier subassemblies by four rear axle bearing bolts. One or more rear axle bearing bolts on a few vehicles may not have been sufficiently during the manufacturing process at one particular facility.

Any insufficiently tightened bolt could become loose during vehicle operation and could eventually detach. Any detached bolt could damage the rear brake components during rotation, or result in a rear wheel detaching completely, Either of these events can cause a reduction of brake performance or a potential loss of vehicle stability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Timeline of Events

In late August 2018, Toyota received a field report from the Russia market about a 2018MY C-HR. The report indicated that of the four rear left-hand axle hub and bearing bolts, three were loose and one was missing altogether. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT) investigated the possibility of any abnormality in the hub and bearing assembly manufacturing process.

A review revealed that during the production period spanning four days after a planned manufacturing facility shutdown in mid-June, tightening errors occurred sporadically in the hub bearing tightening process. This was confirmed to be due to several process and equipment changes in the hub and bearing assembly manufacturing process which caused a failure to confirm the torque and allowed the passing of parts to the next process.

TMMT initiated a 100% tightening torque confirmation and introduced a series of improvements to prevent bolt tightening error and began to inspect the vehicles in Toyota inventory equipped with the hub and bearing assemblies that were produced in the indicated production period.

An additional field report was received on September 18th from the UK market describing a C-HR vehicle produced outside the time period, with two loose and two missing rear left-hand axle bearing bolts. The investigation allowed an expanded time period for potential issues to be identified and confirmed, and Toyota decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall campaign in early October.

The Solution

All known owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail to return their vehicles to a Toyota dealer. The dealership will inspect all rear axle hub bearing bolts, and if a bolt is found to be loose or detached, the dealer will replace the rear axle hub bearing assembly and rear axle carrier sub-assembly with new parts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota’s number for this recall is J0Y.

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-710.

Ford Recalls 176 2017-2018 GT Vehicles Due to Fire Risk

October 18, 2018 Sean Reyes Ford Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 18, 2018 – Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford GT vehicles due to a hydraulic fluid leak that increases the risk of fire. The potential number of units affected by this recall is 176.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, a seal failure in the rear wing valve block may result in leakage of hydraulic fluid onto the exhaust. A hydraulic fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

The subject component responsible for the risk was introduced into production in late December 2016, and the condition was remedied on all vehicles produced after July 31, 2018. All prior generation Ford GT vehicles are unaffected by this recall. Ford is aware of one vehicle fire report in Germany with no injuries.

Timeline of Events

On June 19, 2018, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) reviewed a report of a vehicle fire that occurred in Germany on June 16, 2018. Subsequently, on June 25, 2018, Ford inspected the report vehicle in Germany. Ford was unable to identify the cause of the fire, and Ford’s CCRG subsequently conducted a review of field data and warranty claims, the vehicle inspection, and design and manufacturing process data, accompanies by an extensive engineering investigation, laboratory testing, and.

By the end of September 2018, the investigation found that seal specifications could be exceeded for hydraulic pressure in the rear wing valve block assembly, and on October 1, 2018, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action, issuing a recall for affected vehicles. Ford is aware of one vehicle fire report in Germany with no injuries.

The Solution

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update to the fully integrated vehicle controller, which eliminates the possibility of excessive pressure in the valve block assembly. Some vehicles will have a rear wing hydraulic check valve installed and will have the O-rings and the filter replaced, if needed. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 26, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S29.

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-707.

Hyundai Recalls Over 10,000 Hybrid Vehicles Due to Fire Hazard

October 17, 2018 Sean Reyes Hyundai Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and 2018 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid vehicles due to an electric defect that causes a fire hazard. The potential number of units affected by this recall is 10,575.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the subject vehicles contain a Power Relay Assembly (“PRA”) which is located underneath the rear seat. The PRA is equipped with a main relay, which may have been installed too loosely during assembly.

If the PRA operates in this condition, a loose connection between the main power relay contacts could increase electrical resistance. This electrical resistance can generate excessive heat and increase the risk of a fire. Drivers may see illumination of the HEV warning light while driving and/or experience an inability to start their vehicle, which is an indicator of this problem in affected vehicles.

Timeline of Events

On March 7, 2018, HMC received a report indicating that heat damage had occurred on the rear seat of model year 2017 Kia Niro sold in the Korean market. HMC immediately began testing under various driving conditions and maneuvers to determine the cause of the damage, but as of June 2018, was unable to replicate the damage and thus began to focus its investigation on component testing with the supplier.

This testing concluded in August 2018 and again the damage could not be replicated by component bench testing alone. However, HMC conducted additional testing independently, and did manage to replicate the damage on September 18, 2018. Upon inspection of the test vehicle’s damaged rear seat, it was discovered that the damage was caused by increased heat generated by the PRA. The PRA was subsequently examined, and it was discovered that the main relay was loosely connected. This indicated that the heat was the result of increased electrical resistance caused by a loose contact between the main relay terminals.

HMC also noted that the main relay had lower manufacturing specifications for terminal tightening torque and contact pressure, due to being coerced from a former supplier, and that the current supplier was providing main relays which had been produced with higher specifications for terminal tightening torque and contact pressure. The vehicles potentially affected by the former batch of relays was identified via production and supplier delivery records.

All regional distributors of the affected vehicles have informed of these findings, and October 2, 2018, HMC decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall to address the condition in the subject vehicles. Hyundai is unaware of any incidents, crashes, or injuries related to the faulty relays.

The Solution

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) for damage. If no damage is found, the main relay will be replaced. If damage is found, the PRA will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 30, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 178.

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-704.

Daimler Recalls More Than 500 School Buses Due to Inadequate Emergency Egress

October 17, 2018 Sean Reyes Miscellaneous Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 17, 2018 – Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses with 36″ or 39″ wide seats due emergency exit doors which do not meet requirements. The recall is expected to affect 525 vehicles which may be subject to the defect.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the rear emergency exit door may not open wide enough to meet the unobstructed emergency egress area requirements do to interference from a specific seat configuration. If the emergency exit door does not open wide enough, it may limit the ability to exit the bus, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

Timeline of Events

In June of 2018, while using a parallelepiped fixture to check the minimum opening for emergency egress during the production process, Thomas Built Buses identified a bus that did not meet unobstructed area requirements for emergency egress. During the check, a minor interference was identified at the upper hinged side of the door.

DTNA opened an investigation to determine the scope of the issue, and the bus was fully inspected to determine if the issue was related to manufacturing or design; however, the bus was determined to be properly manufactured. The next step was to evaluate all of the different seating configurations available on the Minotour to determine compliance with emergency egress requirements.

The issue was narrowed down to 36″ and 39″ wide seats from a specific manufacturer. DTNA discovered that the obstruction only occurs when the 36″ and 39″ seats from this manufacturer are installed within 10″ of the back wall. DTNA subsequently searched their full production records to identify buses with these seating configurations, and on October 5, 2018 DTNA chose to conduct a voluntary recall of certain Thomas Built Buses Minotour school buses that had the potential for noncompliance with emergency egress requirements.

The Solution

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will modify the rear door slide system, increasing the angle that the door can open, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 3, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA’s number for this recall is FL-797.

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-698.

Collins Recalls Nearly 3,000 School Buses for Insufficient Leg protection

October 16, 2018 Sean Reyes Miscellaneous Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – October 16, 2018 – Collins Bus Corporation (Collins) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Collins SL, SH, DH, DE, and TH school buses, built on Promaster chassis, equipped with CE White/HSM SB11-30″ series, standard, unbelted, school bus seats, or SB11-30″ series school bus seats with lap belts only, due to insufficient passenger leg protection.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, HSM Solution has determined that SB11-30″ and 26″ School bus seats not installed in the rear row of a school bus as manufactured by CE White/ HSM solutions may not comply with the impact requirements of CFR 49.571.222.

Specifically, the foam in the knee impact area of the lower seat back may be insufficient, and may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash. If the seat foam does not absorb enough impact energy, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Timeline of Events

On October 1, 2018 Collins was notified by Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company HSM (recall 18E056), about a potential safety issue in SB 11-30″ and SB11-26″ Series School bus seats. The seats not installed in the rear row of the school buses fail to conform to Federal Motor vehicle safety standard No. 571.222″ School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection”, specifically the requirements for leg protection zones.

The affected population was determined to include a potential 2,667 vehicles with SB11-30″ seats manufactured by HSM Solutions/CE White Company which had been shipped between April 24, 2011 and July 17, 2018, or SB11-26″ seats manufactured by HSM Solution/CE white company, shipped between April 24, 2011 and September 7, 2018. Collins issued a voluntary recall to add foam to the seats.

The Solution

Collins will notify owners, and dealers will install additional foam into the seat backs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 31, 2018. Owners may contact Collins customer service 1-800-533-1850, extension 424. Collins’ number for this recall is 18e056.

HSM Solutions/CE White will facilitate the repairs via with the Collins dealers or customer. HSM will provide parts and a service repair procedures “SRP1801-0013 (for 30″Seat) and SRP1801-0014 (for 26″seat) which will provide instruction on how the repair must be conducted, to the servicing agent upon receipt of a completed HSM “Recall Parts Kit Order Card”. The expected out of service time necessary to affect repairs is 10 mins per seat.

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-696.

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