sreyes

Over 1,600 2019 Infiniti vehicles recalled by Nissan for faulty air bag modules

Over 1,600 2019 Infiniti vehicles recalled by Nissan for faulty air bag modules

September 21, 2018 Sean Reyes

Lilburn, Georgia – Sept. 21, 2018: Nissan North America, Inc. is recalling certain 2019 INFINITI QX50 vehicles due to an air bag module defect that increases risk of injury for passenger seat drivers in the event of a crash.

The recall includes just over 1,600 vehicles manufactured between July 4, 2018, and August 24, 2018, with the chances of any specific vehicle suffering a defect being 1 percent, according to the NHTSA safety recall report. No other INFINITI (or Nissan) vehicles are affected by this issue because the affected passenger-side knee air bag module is unique to this model and those dates of manufacture.

The Defect

In the event of a crash in very cold temperatures, the trim cover may separate unexpectedly from the passenger-side knee air bag module instead of splitting at the trim cover tear seam as designed. If the passenger-side knee air bag cover detaches during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

According to an INFINITI campaign bulletin, the manufacturer strongly recommends that if a vehicle is confirmed to be affected, this safety recall repair performed as soon as possible. Owners are urged to contact their retailer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment, and in the meantime to not allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat.

Timeline of Events

In August 2018, while a supplier was conducting a low temperature lot acceptance test, the passenger-side knee air bag cover detached from the air bag module during deployment. The supplier launched an investigation, and two weeks later the plant and supplier quarantined all passenger-side knee air bag modules.

The investigation found that certain passenger-side knee air bag modules had been manufactured with an out-of-specification tear seam thickness, and the knee air bag cushion was incorrectly folded. Nissan identified the affected vehicles and chose to conduct a voluntary recall campaign to replace the passenger-side knee air bag module.

The Solution

The dealer will replace the passenger-side knee air bag module, including the module trim cover, with a new one. INFINITI will notify owners, and retailers will complete the replacement free of charge. Rental car coverage will be available up to a max of $180. The recall is expected to begin October 22, 2018, and the Campaign ID is PC644.

Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200, or contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). Owners may also use the INFINITI recall tool to enter their VIN and find out if their vehicle is affected by the recall.

Sean ReyesOver 1,600 2019 Infiniti vehicles recalled by Nissan for faulty air bag modules
Nissan and INFINITI Recall More Than 200,000 Sedans and SUVs Over Fire Hazard Concerns

Nissan and INFINITI Recall More Than 200,000 Sedans and SUVs Over Fire Hazard Concerns

September 20, 2018 Sean Reyes ,

Lilburn, Georgia – Sept. 20, 2018 – Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) and the company’s luxury brand, INFINITI, are recalling more than 200,000 sedans and SUVs. The recall is designed to allow the replacement of a faulty brake component that could cause a fire if brake fluid were to leak out onto a circuit board, according to Consumer Reports.

Affected vehicles include certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles, according to documentation provided by Nissan to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The Defect

According to safety recall campaign bulletins from Nissan and INFINITI, the Antilock Braking System (ABS) actuator pump seal may leak brake fluid onto the control electronic circuit board, which can cause an electrical short and potentially start a fire.

If a leak occurs, the ABS warning lamp will illuminate to warn the driver. If the vehicle continues to be operated with the ongoing leak, the brake fluid may seep down onto the actuator circuit, creating an electrical short which could lead to a fire breaking out.

This is not the first issue with Nissan and/or INFINITI sedans and/or SUVs. In 2016, an almost identical issue with a faulty brake fluid seal allowing brake fluid to drip onto the ABS circuit board caused Nissan to recall 134,000 2016-2017 Maxima sedans, 2015-2017 Murano SUVs, and 2015-2016 Murano Hybrid SUVs across the U.S. and Canada.

Additionally, in 2017 nearly 57,000 Murano crossovers from the 2013 and 2014 model years were recalled by Nissan for faulty power steering fluid hose clamps, which allowed the lines to separate, causing difficulty in steering. The leaked fluid also posed a fire hazard, as if it leaked onto hot surfaces it could start a vehicle fire.

Timeline of Events

The report about this recall was officially issued on September 7, 2018.

When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

The manufacturer recommends parking the vehicle outside and contacting INFINITI or Nissan Roadside Assistance to have the vehicle towed to an authorized INFINITI or Nissan service department as soon as possible.

The Solution

Owners of potentially affected vehicles will be notified beginning in October 2018 and asked to bring their vehicle to an authorized INFINITI or Nissan retailer to have their ABS actuator checked and the remedial work completed if required (incurring no cost for the vehicle owner for either parts or labor.)

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Vehicles identified under the previous recall in 2016 are still covered under this recall as well. The recall is expected to begin October 15, 2018.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. The NHTSA Campaign Number is 18V601000. Vehicle owners can also enter their VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sean ReyesNissan and INFINITI Recall More Than 200,000 Sedans and SUVs Over Fire Hazard Concerns
Toyota Recalls 1 Million Toyota Prius Models Due to Fire Risk

Toyota Recalls 1 Million Toyota Prius Models Due to Fire Risk

September 15, 2018 Sean Reyes

 

Lilburn, Georgia – Sept. 15, 2018 – Toyota is recalling 192,000 of its 2016 to 2018 Prius hybrids that were sold in the U.S. due to a fire risk. According to a company press release, wiring in the front of the vehicle may wear over time, potentially resulting in a short circuit, which could cause a fire.

Affected vehicles include certain 2016 to 2018 Toyota Prius cars manufactured between June 2015 and May 2018. These vehicles are part of a larger 1 million vehicle worldwide recall, with the majority of the remaining vehicles sold in Japan, as well as some located in Canada, the U.K., Europe and Australia.

The Defect

These vehicles have an engine wire harness consisting of a bundle of wires wrapped in a protective sleeve. The wire harness is connected to the hybrid vehicle Power Control Unit, which controls electricity within the hybrid drivetrain. A portion of the wire harness can potentially contact the cover at this connection and wear over time. The resulting friction can cause an electrical short circuit, which can generate heat, leading to a vehicle fire.

Timeline of Events

As noted by Consumer Reports in early September, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stated that Toyota discovered the defect after a dealer in Japan reported “abnormal odor, smoke, and flames” from a customer’s vehicle. To date, Toyota says that a single warranty claim in the U.S. may be related to the issue, but this has not been confirmed.

The recall covers all Toyota Prius and Prius Plug-in models built between June 2015 and May 2018, and also affects Toyota C-HR plug-in hybrid models sold in Europe, Japan, and Australia, but not in the U.S. Former Toyota recalls for Prius models over the past few years have included brake issues and software failures.

The Solution

According to Toyota, all repairs will be provided at no cost to customers. All known owners will receive a notification by first class mail starting in late October.

For all involved vehicles, Toyota dealers have been instructed to check the engine wire harness assembly to see if a wire core is exposed. If there is visible exposure, the engine wire harness assembly will be replaced with a new one that includes a stronger protective sleeve. If a wire core is not currently exposed, specialized protective tape will be installed on the engine wire harness assembly to prevent wear at the point of contact.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Customers can also access current information on open safety recalls by Toyota by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at: www.toyota.com/recall. or nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Owners may also connect with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration through the agency’s toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 18V579, or get more current information on current or potential recalls by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

The recall is expected to begin in early October 2018. Toyota had no additional comment beyond their press release.

Sean ReyesToyota Recalls 1 Million Toyota Prius Models Due to Fire Risk
Ford Recalls Nearly 2 Million 2015-2018 Year F150 Pickup Trucks for Fire Risk

Ford Recalls Nearly 2 Million 2015-2018 Year F150 Pickup Trucks for Fire Risk

September 10, 2018 Sean Reyes

 

Lilburn, Georgia – Sept. 10, 2018 – Ford Motor Company is recalling almost 2 million F150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles equipped with driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners capable of creating “excessive” sparks, which could lead to a fire, according to a Ford company press release.

Affected vehicles include:

  • 2015-18 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Assembly Plant, March 12, 2014 through Aug. 23, 2018
  • 2015-18 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Kansas City Assembly Plant, Aug. 20, 2014 through Aug. 23, 2018

Of the nearly 2 million affected vehicles, over 1.6 million are located in the U.S., with the rest registered across Canada and Mexico.

The Defect

Seat belt pretensioners, like many other vehicle safety devices (such as airbags), are triggered by a tiny explosive that allow only a split second to elapse between a collision and deployment of the safety feature. The explosive itself is set off by a crash, and in the case of seat belt pretensioners, the feature design allows the seat belt to instantly tighten to provide more protection for the seat occupant. The seat belts work in tandem with the airbags to reduce the likelihood of injury, securing the driver and passenger in position and limiting excessive movement.

However, Ford’s investigation found that some front seat belt pretensioners in specific F150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles can generate excessive sparks when they deploy. If sufficient sparks are present, it is possible for gases exhausted inside the lower portion of the B-pillar by the pretensioners to ignite. Once the gas ignites, components behind the B-pillar (including insulation and carpet) can subsequently catch fire and may lead to the destruction of the entire vehicle.

Timeline of Events

As Consumer Reports noted in early August, the NHTSA opened an investigation into the F150 after five consumer complaints about fires were filed with the agency. It was reported that the fires began inside the pillar housing the seat belt mechanism. All five vehicles had been involved in a crash immediately preceding the start of the fires. Four incidents included airbag deployment, and three of the trucks were a total loss.

Ford claims there have been 17 reports of smoke or fire in the U.S. and six in Canada, although the manufacturer says they are not aware of any injuries or additional accidents associated with the defect. It is unusual for a recall to be issued after so few reports, but the ramifications of each incident are significant enough to trigger a recall.

The Solution

According to Ford, all repairs will be provided at no cost to customers. Dealers have been instructed to remove insulation material from the B-pillar trim, remove remnants of wiring harness tape in the B-pillar area, and apply heat-resistant tape to the carpet and its insulation. Dealers have also been instructed to modify the back interior panels of Regular Cab vehicles.

F-150 owners should not stop using their seat belts, according to the automotive safety engineer at Consumer Reports, as all major incidents have occurred only after a crash, and most after a crash severe enough to deploy the airbag in the vehicle. The risk of injury from not wearing a seat belt is deemed much higher than that of a potential fire following a severe crash.

There are approximately 1,995,776 vehicles in North America affected by this recall. Of these, 1,619,112 vehicles have been identified as being registered in the U.S. and its federalized territories. An additional 339,884 are currently in Canada and 36,780 in Mexico.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S27. Owners may also connect with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration through the agency’s toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 18V568000. The recall is expected to begin Sept. 24, 2018. Ford had no additional comment beyond their press release.

Sean ReyesFord Recalls Nearly 2 Million 2015-2018 Year F150 Pickup Trucks for Fire Risk
Large Nissan Recall in U.S. and Canada Over Ignition Switch

Large Nissan Recall in U.S. and Canada Over Ignition Switch

August 31, 2018 Sean Reyes

 

U.S. – Aug. 31, 2018 – In a recent announcement affected the U.S. and Canada, the Nissan Motor Co. is recalling 166,000 vehicles, according to Consumer Reports. There is a potential issue with the ignition switch, which may be connected to the deployment of airbags or the engine cutting off unexpectedly. Nissan has also been a part of the massive Takata airbag recall this year.

The Defect

The ignition switch where the key is inserted into certain Nissan vehicles is potentially wearing down prematurely. The risk is cars shutting off while the vehicle is in motion if the ignition switch wears down over time. This could offer a risk of an accident, loss of vehicle control or a crash.

Certain Juke SUVs, Frontier pickup trucks, Sentras, Versas, NV and NV200 van models from 2017 and 2018 are part of this particular recall. Nissan vehicles that have keyless ignition are not a part of this specific recall. About 13,000 of these vehicles are in the U.S, while the remaining 153,000 are in Canada. For now, Nissan recommends that all owners and drivers remove additional objects from their key ring that could cause issues, such as key chains and additional keys.

Nissan is also involved in the massive Takata airbag recall this year too, according to Fortune. Airbags are susceptible to explode if exposed to high heat or humidity. Tens of millions of cars are affected by this recall, including Nissan. The Takata recall is the biggest recall in U.S. history, and linked to at least 180 injuries and 20 deaths. 19 different automakers have been affected by the recall, with companies such as Ford, Toyota and Nissan having to pay out large settlements for consumer loss claims.

On the Nissan website, it’s reported that only 39 percent of the recall has been completed to date, meaning there are many more vehicles still on the road with this airbag risk. The automaker is offering incentives such as free repairs and free alternative transportation to those waiting on fixes. They advise to take the airbag recall seriously, as the defect can seriously injure those inside the car, or even be fatal in certain situations.

Timeline of Events

In late August, spokespeople from Nissan confirmed that they would perform the recall on certain vehicle models. There will be official announcements about the plan and execution in the coming days in the U.S., following the announcement by Transport Canada already this week.

Next month, Nissan will officially begin contacting those who may be affected by their recall, including drivers, owners and dealerships. Most likely, Nissan will offer complimentary inspections and repairs to the ignition switches of any of their cars and SUVs that are a part of this specific recall.

The Solution

If drivers, owners and dealerships are concerned about the recent Nissan recall, they can find more information from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) via their website, or call their hotline at 1-800-424-9153. However, the recall has not yet been officially announced on the NHTSA website. To contact Nissan directly in the U.S., those looking for more information can call 1-800-647-7261.

Sean ReyesLarge Nissan Recall in U.S. and Canada Over Ignition Switch
Rear Seat Lock Striker Issue Causes Volvo Recall

Rear Seat Lock Striker Issue Causes Volvo Recall

August 30, 2018 Sean Reyes

U.S. – Aug. 30, 2018 – According to US Recall News, Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) has announced a recall for some of its vehicles that have potential faulty seat backs. In the event of a crash or accident, these seat backs could move rapidly and unexpectedly, posing a risk for injury to passengers inside the car. This recall is in line with several others this year by Volvo over interior faulty components, including oil pressure indicators, headlights and starter motor fuses.

The Defect

In the back rear seats of certain Volvos, there might be a missing key component that secured the back of the seat in place. The rear seat back lock strikers are part of the seat back that moves backward and forward for adjusting. In the event of sudden movement, such as hard braking, stopping rapidly or a crash, this lock striker could come loose and not have the seat secured properly. This put the passenger at risk of injury in crash circumstances.

The vehicle model involved in this particular recall is the 2019 Volvo XC40. This is a compact SUV in the Volvo line that comes in three styles: the Momentum, the Inscription and the R-Design. According to Volvo’s website, there will be a full electric version of the XC40 manufactured in 2020.

About 25 vehicles are being recalled for this specific faulty part in the rear seats. So far, there has been no reports of injury or accidents due to the problem with the rear seat backs and lock strikers.

According to Fortune, one of Volvo’s biggest recalls in recent history involved 74,000 vehicles in 2016. It posed a potentially dangerous situation, as there was issues with the seat belt mechanisms found in 2016 and 2017 Volvo S60, S90, V60, VC60 and XC90 models. The lock was not working correctly, putting drivers and passengers at risk for not being secure in the moving vehicle. Volvo offered full inspections of the seat belts and notified all owners by mail, and did further checks at dealerships to unsold cars. No injuries or accidents were reported relating to the specific recall.

This year has seen several other recalls for Volvos, according to Edmunds. More than 7,700 models from 2014 have been recalled due to potential signaling and headlight malfunctions, as well as another 7,800 from 2016 that could have issues with the starter motor fuse. Certain Volvo S60s, about 30,000 total, are also being recalled over a problem with the indicator that alerts drivers of low oil pressure.

Timeline of Events

Earlier this month, Volvo made the recall announcement for certain XC40 models. They are offering repairs to the faulty seat components and vehicle interior checks for owners. If the seat back lock striker is missing from the vehicle, Volvo will replace it free of charge during the inspection. Officially, the recall will begin on October 15, 2018. Owners and drivers will be notified of the issue so they can take measurements to rectify the recall.

The Solution

If drivers, owners and dealerships are concerned about the recent Volvo recall, they can find out if their vehicle is affected by this recall by using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Sean ReyesRear Seat Lock Striker Issue Causes Volvo Recall
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to Recall One Million Dodge Trucks Over Tailgate

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to Recall One Million Dodge Trucks Over Tailgate

August 29, 2018 Sean Reyes

 

U.S. – Aug. 29, 2018 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced a recall for more than 1.1 million Dodge Ram trucks. According to USA Today, FCA is calling to fix vehicles in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and in other countries globally due to a faulty tailgate issue. The official recall will begin in September of this year.

The Defect

Through an investigation by the automakers, it was discovered that certain power locking mechanisms in the tailgate system have problems. The component that helps automatically latch the tailgate can corrode over time at a faster rate than normal, which can cause the system to not operate correctly. If the tailgate unlatches unexpectedly, it could cause cargo to fall out the back of the pickup truck. This can put drivers and others on the road in danger of an accident, injury or crash.

The trucks affected in the recall include models with the 5′ 7″ or 6′ 4″ truck bed. They are the 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The current models of 2018 and 2019 Ram trucks are not part of this recall over tailgate issues, as they are equipped with new features such as lift-assist.

According to The Drive, the overall average for car recalls per make and model is 0.79 per 100,000 units sold. In the list of top 10 vehicles with the most recalls, the Ram Pickup comes in at number six, behind the Nissan Pathfinder and Dodge Durango. The Ram Pickup has a 1.99 rating per 100,000 units sold, more than double the average. Domestic automakers take up six of the top 10 spaces for the most recalled vehicles, while Japanese automakers are among the lowest.

Four of the top 10 vehicles are offered by FCA: Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler or Fiat. Due to a large recall in May involving 4.8 million vehicles, this tipped the scales for the averages this year. In comparison, some of the least recalled makes and models in the U.S. include the Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Equinox and the Toyota Corolla.

Timeline of Events

Earlier this month, FCA announced the recall for the Ram trucks. So far, there have been no injuries or accidents relating directly to this specific recall. There are exactly 1,149,237 trucks involved in the recall in the U.S. An additional 260,315 vehicles in Canada; 19,432 in Mexico and 25,361 trucks in other countries worldwide are also part of the recall.

Beginning September 14, FCA will officially begin the recall. Any trucks at risk for the faulty tailgate will be able to take their truck in for repairs and fixes of the parts. In the meantime, spokespeople from FCA urge owners to make sure cargo is extra secure and all safety precautions are followed in the Dodge RAM manual.

The Solution

Chrysler announced plans to notify owners of the problem with the tailgates. The automaker also suggests using some of the other features and equipment included in the tailgate mechanisms to ensure cargo can be as secure as possible. This includes (but is not limited to) investing in higher friction truck bed liners, bulkhead dividers, bed extenders and tie-down rings.

If auto dealerships and drivers would like more information, they can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which can be reached via their website. Costumers who would like to contact Chrysler directly in the US can call their helpline at 1-800-334-9200. For reference, the recall official number from FCA is U74. People concerned about the recall globally can reach the FCA helpline for Dodge specifically at 00800-3634-3000.

Sean ReyesFiat Chrysler Automobiles to Recall One Million Dodge Trucks Over Tailgate
Recall Lookup
Enter your vehicle(s) below to check the current recall status.

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories