Vishal

Multiple Land Rover SUVs recalled over unsecured child seats

Multiple Land Rover SUVs recalled over unsecured child seats

September 23, 2021 Vishal Venugopal , ,

Mahwah, NJ – September 23, 2021 – Tata Motoros (NYSE:TTM) – which owns Jaguar Land Rover – has issued a recall for 28,000 Land Rover SUVs over a faulty seat belt locking system that may not securely hold a child car seat. This may increase the risk that a child is injured in the event of an accident.

The list of vehicles includes multiple newer models:

  • 2021 Range Rover
  • 2022 Range Rover Sport
  • 2020-2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar
  • 2020-2022 Land Rover Defender
  • 2020-2022 Land Rover Discovery
  • 2020-2021 Land Rover Discovery Sport

The affected component is the “seat belt” with multiple part numbers, including 624451800 and

Recall summary

Retractors, as reported, hold seat belts in place in two different ways. There is a retractor that locks in the seat belt if there is a crash and one that does that as soon as the seat belt is buckled. The latter, called the automatic locking retractor (ALR), is at the center of this recall, because it may deactivate and cause the seat belt to come loose.

Background of the recall

The issue is a result of faulty parts provided by Swedish-American supplier Autoliv, as reported.  A total of 266,772 seat belts have been affected and multiple manufacturers, including Daimler, Ford and BMW have been affected. You can read more about this recall in this article.

Recall risks

If the ALR does not function properly, the seat belt may come loose and cause the child seat to move around. This can result in injury to the child in the restraint seat in the event of a crash. 

The risk is eliminated if instead of using the seat belts, parents use the so-called lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system.

Other Land Rover and Range Rover recalls

Another related Jaguar Land Rover recall recently had incorrect child restraint information in the owner’s manual. Back in March 2021, Land Rover issued a recall for multiple newer model year vehicles for defective high beams, which included the 2020 Land Rover Discovery and 2020 Range Rover Velar.

The repair

Potentially affected owners will be notified and asked to take their cars to the nearest Land Rover dealership. If the vehicle has a seat belt with a part number that is under recall, it will be replaced, free of charge. 

Customers will be notified on October 22, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this Land Rover recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalMultiple Land Rover SUVs recalled over unsecured child seats
Volkswagen recalls Audi cars with faulty Takata inflators

Volkswagen recalls Audi cars with faulty Takata inflators

September 3, 2021 Vishal Venugopal , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – September 3, 2021 – The Volkswagen Group (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 62,812 vehicles over a concern that the airbags may not properly deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a serious injury or death. The affected vehicles include:

  • 2000 – 2001 Audi TT, including Roadster and Coupe cars
  • 2000 – 2002 Audi S4
  • 2000 – 2002 Audi A4

The affected part is a Takata Non-Azide Driver Airbag Inflators (NADI) with part numbers 4B0.951.403 and 4B0.951.403 A. This recall is different from the ongoing Takata airbag recall and serves as an expansion of a previous recall for some of the same models issued in February 2020.

Recall summary

The recall stems from a faulty airbag inflator that may slow down the deployment of the driver airbag in the event of a crash. Alternatively, the inflator may cause excessive pressure when inflating the airbag.

The exact cause of the defect is unclear but is thought to stem from a variety of factors, including “manufacturing variations [and] climatic conditions.” There have been no reported cases of delayed inflation of the airbag in the affected models. 

As reported, the NADI airbags have a defect that is similar to – but separate from – the larger Takata airbag recall, which involves a different type of inflator.  That larger recall has affected millions of vehicles across the country and stems from faulty airbags inflators that can rupture during deployment, hurling metal shrapnel at the car occupants. 

Risks

The driver’s airbag plays a vital role in mitigating a serious upper-body injury in the event of a crash. In the event that it does not deploy, there is a higher risk of an injury for the driver.

On the flip side – although Audi does not state this explicitly – if the airbag deploys too forcefully, the inflator may burst and maim or kill the car occupants with its fragments, as reported.

Similar Audi airbag recalls

Over the last couple of years, Volkswagen has issued multiple recalls to replace Takata airbag inflators, including one in January of this year for over 100,000 of Beetle compact and convertible cars.

Some of the Audi models in this recall, including the Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, and A4, were also recalled in February 2020, for the same issue.  

The repair

The driver’s side airbag will be replaced with an alternative, newly designed inflator that uses a different propellant, which is a substance that is used to inflate the airbag. Owners were set to be notified on August 20, 2021, and are slated to receive a second notification once the parts become available in mid-October.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

An airbag that fails to deploy correctly is a serious hazard. To find out if your car is affected by this Audi recall, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalVolkswagen recalls Audi cars with faulty Takata inflators
Nissan Rogue Sport recalled for fly-away trunk lids

Nissan Rogue Sport recalled for fly-away trunk lids

September 2, 2021 Vishal Venugopal

Franklin, TN – September 2, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has issued a recall for 13,215 units of the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport over a concern that the trunk lid – called liftgate in auto-speak – may separate from the vehicle in the event of a rear-end crash.

The affected part is the liftgate hinge shaft with part number 904006MA0A.

Recall summary

A supplier manufacturing error has resulted in the reduced strength of the liftgate shaft. The liftgate shaft is the part with which the liftgate is hinged onto the vehicle. 

Risks

In the event of a rear-end crash, the liftgate may separate from the vehicle and increase the risk of injury for the occupants of the car and people around them. To read about the dangers of road debris, please refer to this article about Land Rover’s fly-away spoilers.

Other Nissan Rogue Recalls

Back in May, the 2021 Rogue compact SUVs were part of another Nissan recall for a brake fluid leak.  

The repair

Dealers will replace the left and right liftgate hinges on the affected vehicles. Owners affected by the recall will be notified by September 7, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this Nissan Rogue recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalNissan Rogue Sport recalled for fly-away trunk lids
Jaguar Land Rover recalls SUVs that leak fuel

Jaguar Land Rover recalls SUVs that leak fuel

September 1, 2021 Vishal Venugopal

Mahwah, NJ –  September 1, 2021 – Jaguar Land Rover (NYSE:TTM) has issued a recall for 111,746 cars to replace a part of the fuel tank – a fuel outlet flange – that may crack and result in a fuel leak. This recall is a result of a government investigation and this defect can lead to a car fire.  The affected vehicles include:

  • 2010 – 2016 Land Rover LR4
  • 2010 – 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The recalled vehicles are equipped with 3.0L V6 or 5.0L V8 engines. The affected component is the “fuel tank outlet flange” with part number AH22-9039-A.

Recall summary

The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank outlet flange that may crack and result in a fuel leak. The issue was identified as a result of an investigation by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) after several customers complained about a “fuel odor” and liquid fuel” on the ground under the rear part of the vehicle.

Risks

A fuel leak can result in a fire, which may endanger not only the occupants of the vehicle but also people and property around them. 

For safety tips in the event of a fire, please visit this article on a recent BMW recall for a related issue.

According to the complaints, the leak may also result in the car running out of fuel, leading to a stall, which increases the risk of an accident. 

Other Land Rover recalls

Back in March 2021, Land Rover issued a recall for multiple newer model year vehicles for defective high beams. 

A recall in October 2020 included 2010-2011 Range Rover Sport vehicles to fix an issue where the spoilers may detach from the vehicle while driving.

The repair

Dealers will replace the fuel outlet flange with a new, redesigned part. Land Rover has also mentioned that owners that have already paid to have this issue rectified will be covered by the Jaguar Land Rover reimbursement plan.

Customers will be notified on October 8, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 111,000 vehicles are included in this Land Rover recall. To see if your car is one of them, MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalJaguar Land Rover recalls SUVs that leak fuel
GM issues second recall for Cadillac and Saab vehicles over faulty suspension

GM issues second recall for Cadillac and Saab vehicles over faulty suspension

August 16, 2021 Vishal Venugopal , ,

Warren, MI – August 16, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has remedied issues with 171.766 vehicles including the 2011-2012 Saab 9-4x and the 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX that were dealing with rear suspension issues. Additionally, 88 of these GM vehicles have been categorized as unreachable, and 31 have been removed from the recall. One group of these 2011-2012 Saab 9-4x and the 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX was remedied in 2021, and another group was remedied in 2022 due to these issues with the rear suspension toe link may loosen and separate.

Warren, MI – August 16, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has issued a recall for 380,498 cars to fix a part of the rear suspension – which connects the vehicle to the wheels – that may come loose and result in a loss of control. The affected vehicles include:

  • 2010 Cadillac SRX
  • 2011 Cadillac SRX
  • 2012 Cadillac SRX
  • 2013 Cadillac SRX
  • 2014 Cadillac SRX
  • 2015 Cadillac SRX
  • 2016 Cadillac SRX
  • 2011 Saab 9-4X
  • 2012 Saab 9-4X

This recall is a result of an investigation by an auto safety regulator the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration on the back of consumer complaints. A large number of these vehicles were first recalled in September 2014 over the same concern.  

The affected component is the “adjustable rear suspension toe link” with part number 20867273.

Recall summary

The affected vehicles are equipped with rear toe links that may have been adjusted improperly during a service. A toe link keeps the suspension stable and the tires on the ground, as reported.

After the 2014 recall, the company continued to receive additional reports that the toe links were still loose and the NHTSA opened an investigation in 2020, after getting nine complaints from owners. 

As a result, GM has recalled all of the vehicles that were part of the original recall, as well as some additional model years.

Risks

A loose toe link may cause the vehicle to veer uncontrollably. An affected vehicle may start swerving from side to side, increasing the risk of colliding with other vehicles and oncoming traffic. This is very dangerous. In fact, the NHTSA cited that two of the nine complaints it received resulted in a crash.

Warning signs

GM has mentioned that a driver will notice one of these warning signs if the toe link on their vehicle is loose:

  • Traction control, rear axle or Stabilitrak service message
  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) stays on or flashes 
  • Chimes with any of the above messages and MILs
  • Vehicle sways or veers while driving
  • Off-center steering wheel
  • Uneven wear between the rear tires
  • Loud metallic noise from the rear suspension

In the event that you notice any of these signs, slow down and bring your vehicle to a halt. Have your vehicle towed immediately to a GM dealership; do not drive it there.

Related complaints

There have been several complaints from owners about losing control while driving. One 2015 Cadillac SRX driver reported a harrowing experience where she and her husband were driving down the highway, heard a loud bang and then completely lost control of the vehicle. The car crossed three lanes of the interstate, hit the side of a tractor trailer, which pushed them back across three lanes and then came to a stop in the left lane. Fortunately, they came out of the incident unharmed.

Other GM recalls

Earlier this month, GM issued a Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac recall for multiple models over a faulty airbag warning light. All models were part of the 2021 model year.

The repair

GM dealerships will replace the affected adjustable toe link with a non-adjustable unit, free of charge. This will prevent the toe links from coming loose or breaking in the future.

Customers were notified on August 9, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

A loose toe link can have serious consequences. To find out if your vehicle is a part of this GM recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalGM issues second recall for Cadillac and Saab vehicles over faulty suspension
Stellantis recalls multiple RAM truck models over engine fire risk

Stellantis recalls multiple RAM truck models over engine fire risk

August 7, 2021 Vishal Venugopal

Auburn Hills, MI – August 7, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), the parent company of the Ram brand, has issued a recall for 32,002 Ram trucks over an oil level monitoring issue that could result in an engine fire. The affected models include:

  • 2019 – 2020 Ram 3500
  • 2019 – 2020 Ram 4500
  • 2019 – 2020 Ram 5500

The Chrysler recall affects Ram trucks with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine with multiple part numbers. 

Recall summary

Because of a software issue, drivers may not be warned of low engine oil levels. This can result in oil levels falling below an acceptable level, “deteriorating” important mechanical parts called bearings and increasing the risk of a punctured engine block or an oil leak, both of which can result in a fire.

Risks

Fires are very dangerous. For more information, please see a recent article on a Kia Optima and Kia Sorento recall caused by fire risk.

Warning signs

The manufacturer says that before the engine catches fire, the driver may hear an unusual noise from the engine. As reported, there are some additional warning signs, including:

  • Tire pressure, ABS or the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) warning lights come on
  • A burning or melting odor
  • Smoke from under the hood

Fire safety tips

If you suspect your engine may be on fire, remain calm and follow these steps:

  • Bring your car to a halt
  • Do not open the hood –  oxygen will feed the flames 
  • Get yourself and others away from the vehicle
  • Call the fire department when you are in a secure location

Other Stellantis news

Back in August 2020, the same models were part of a Ram recall over a similar concern, with 32,318 Ram pickups affected.

The company also recently issued a Ram truck recall over a concern that wheels may come off while driving.

The repair

The engine calibration software on the affected vehicles will be updated, free of charge. Owners will be notified by the company by July 30, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 32,000 Ram trucks are part of this recall. As of July 20, 2021, over 6,000 trucks have been repaired. To see if your vehicle still needs to be fixed, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalStellantis recalls multiple RAM truck models over engine fire risk
General Motors recalls multiple SUVs over power steering failure

General Motors recalls multiple SUVs over power steering failure

August 3, 2021 Vishal Venugopal , ,

Warren, MI – August 3, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has issued a recall for 26,847 SUVs over a potential loss in power steering assist, which could increase steering effort and result in a crash. This GM recall includes:

  • 2021 Cadillac Escalade
  • 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
  • 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
  • 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
  • 2021 GMC Yukon
  • 2021 GMC Yukon XL

The affected part is the power steering motor control module with multiple part numbers – 84893520, 84876238, 84846488.

Recall summary

The power steering assist makes it easier to steer a vehicle. A software issue in the power steering control module may result in the loss of the feature, increasing the effort needed to steer and the risk of a crash. 

An affected vehicle will still have manual steering control. 

Warning signs

Drivers will be warned of a loss in power steering functionality by a malfunction indicator light (MIL) on the dashboard and with a chime sound.  More effort will also be required to steer but the issue may be remedied if the car is restarted.

Risks

Losing the power steering can make maneuvering quite difficult, particularly with larger vehicles, like the ones that are a part of this recall. The effort required is greater at slower speeds and increases the risk of the driver losing control and crashing.

Related complaints

Back in May, a 2021 GMC Yukon owner experienced a similar loss in power steering functionality.  

Other GM recalls

Another recent Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac recall was for a failing airbag malfunction warning light.

The repair

The software issue can be resolved with an over-the-air (OTA) update without having to bring the vehicle to a dealership. The owner can also schedule to have the dealer perform the update. Some vehicles will require a new steering gear motor kit in order to download the software update, in which case the car will have to visit the dealer. In all cases the repair will be free of charge. Affected customers were set to be notified on August 2, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this GM recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalGeneral Motors recalls multiple SUVs over power steering failure
GM recalls multiple models for faulty airbag warning light

GM recalls multiple models for faulty airbag warning light

July 1, 2021 Vishal Venugopal , , , ,

Warren, MI – July 1, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has issued a recall for 285,622 cars and SUVs over a concern that the airbag malfunction indicator may fail to warn the driver if there is a problem with the airbag, increasing the risk of an injury in a crash. The models that are part of the recall are:

  • 2021 Buick Envision
  • 2021 Cadillac CT4
  • 2021 Cadillac CT5
  • 2021 Cadillac Escalade
  • 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
  • 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
  • 2021 Chevrolet Corvette 
  • 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
  • 2021 GMC Yukon
  • 2021 GMC Yukon XL

The affected part is the Serial Data Gateway Module (SDM) – a gateway that handles the multiple networks in a vehicle – with part number 13542878. It is not clear if the 2021 Corvette Stingray is part of this recall.

Recall summary

The root of the problem is with the GM SDM Programming; specifically, a software issue that causes the airbag sensor to inconsistently illuminate the airbag malfunction indicator light. As a result, the driver may think his or her airbag is working properly when it is not and this could result in inadequate protection in the event of a collision.

Risks

An airbag is meant to protect the occupant from an upper-body injury and frontal airbags have saved over 50,000 lives in the last 30 years. An airbag that does not deploy in the event of a crash can result in serious injury or even death.

Related complaints

In April 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation over reports concerning airbag malfunctions in General Motor vehicles. Some of the models that are part of this recall were also investigated.

Of 15 complaints submitted to the NHTSA, six mentioned serious crashes where the airbags failed to deploy. Some also mentioned that the warning lights came on “every two to three minutes when driving.”

GM has not commented on whether this recall is a consequence of the investigation.

Other GM recalls

Back in December 2020, General Motors was ordered to recall 5.9 million cars with Takata airbags that may rupture when deployed.  

Other Chevrolet and Buick recalls in the recent past include the January 2021 recall for mid-size sedans over a potential suspension issue.

The repair

The software issue can be resolved with an over-the-air (OTA) update at a dealership. Affected customers will be notified on July 19, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this GM recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalGM recalls multiple models for faulty airbag warning light
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