Isuzu and Chevrolet trucks recalled for starter motor cable issue

Pleasanton, CA – September 11 2020 –Isuzu Motors Ltd. (NASDAQ:ISUZY) has recalled 4,352 Isuzu and Chevrolet trucks that were manufactured by a joint venture between the two manufacturers.

A cable that connects the starter motor to the vehicle’s frame may break, making it impossible to start the engine. The cable issue also creates a risk of fire. The recall includes:

  • 2018-2021 Isuzu FTR medium-duty trucks
  • 2018-2021 Chevrolet 6500XD commercial trucks

Recall summary  

When the driver starts the vehicle, an electrical current flows through the cable to the starter motor. Here are the problems generated by a broken cable:

  • If the cable is broken, the electrical current moves through the power steering hose. 
  • When a driver attempts to start the truck repeatedly, the heat from the electrical current may melt and rupture the power steering hose.
  • The ruptured hose may leak power steering fluid onto a hot engine or exhaust surface, creating the risk of a fire. Drivers have reported seeing smoke coming from the engine compartment.

Risks 

A fire in the engine compartment can injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the driver loses control of the vehicle due to a fire, other vehicles, pedestrians, and property may be at risk.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimated over 171,000 engine fires annually from 2014 to 2016. 

What to do in the event of a fire?

If you try to start the truck and your vehicle catches fire:

  • Remove the key from the ignition.
  • Get all of the occupants away from the vehicle.
  • Call 911.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers need to replace the ground cable on affected Isuzu FTR and Chevrolet 6500XD vehicles, and inspect the power steering hose. If the hose is damaged, it will also be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall  is set to begin on October 16th.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,300 vehicles are included in this Isuzu and Chevrolet truck recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle identification number(VIN) look up tool.

Ken BoydIsuzu and Chevrolet trucks recalled for starter motor cable issue

Isuzu Recalling 1,138 Vehicles Due To Seat Belt Complications

re: NHTSA Campaign 20V025000

Laguna Hills, California – January 23, 2020 – Isuzu is recalling certain 2019 and 2020 vehicles equipped with a dual mode belt locking mechanism that will not lock in the event of a vehicle crash.

The estimated total of affected vehicles is 1,138.

The defect

Isuzu is recalling certain Isuzu and Chevrolet vehicles equipped with a faulty seat belt webbing locking mechanism. The potential affected number of vehicles is 1,138.

Vehicles equipped with the dual mode belt locking mechanism may not properly restrain the occupant as intended in the event of a collision. So far, zero deaths have been reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Affected Vehicles Include:

  • 2020 Isuzu NPR HD, NPR XD, NQR and NRR
  • Chevrolet 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD and 5500XD 
  • 2019 Isuzu NPR HD GAS, NPR GAS
  • Chevrolet 4500 and Chevrolet 3500

The solution

Isuzu will notify owners by February 28, 2020 when the official recall is expected to begin. Authorized Isuzu and Chevrolet dealerships will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, as necessary and free of charge.

To find out if your vehicle is part of this recall, visit www.motorsafety.org.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleyIsuzu Recalling 1,138 Vehicles Due To Seat Belt Complications

Honda Airbag Inflators May Explode Unexpectedly

re: NHTSA campaign 20V026000

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 21, 2020 – Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling select 1996-2000 vehicles that are equipped with airbag inflators which deflate before deployment or explode without warning, sending sharp objects into the vehicle.

The estimated total of affected vehicles is 1,500,705.

Affected Vehicles Include:

  • 1997-1998 Acura 2.2CL
  • 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL
  • 1997-1999 Acura 3.0CL
  • 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX
  • 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL
  • 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL
  • 1996-2000 Civic Coupe
  • 1997-2000 CR-V
  • 1997-1998 EV Plus 
  • 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles.

The Defect:

Almost 2 million Honda vehicles are under recall, sighting a manufacturing issue in the airbag inflators of 1996-2000 year vehicles. Certain airbag inflators were equipped with Non-Azide driver airbag inflators (NADI) that were not installed with phase stabilized ammonium (PSAN) propellant. These affected NADI inflators can absorb excess moisture over long periods of vehicle use. This excess moisture as well as long term exposure to high temperatures can cause inflators to de-inflate or explode without warning, sending dangerous items into the vehicles interior.

Solution:

All affected vehicle owners will be notified by Honda before March 9, 2020. The repair will entail the installation of a replacement driver frontal airbag inflator that does not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Unfortunately, dealers do not have access to all parts needed for the full repair. Therefore, a second letter will be mailed to affected vehicle owners once certain replacement parts are available. Vehicle owners may contact American Honda’s Customer Support & Campaign Center  at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu Customer Service at 1-800-255-6727.

For more information on this and other recalls, visit www.motorsafety.org.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleyHonda Airbag Inflators May Explode Unexpectedly

GM recalls vehicles with defective safety equipment

Warren, Mich. – General Motors has recalled almost 13,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective safety equipment, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models across three GM brands, including:
  • 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express passenger vans produced between Sept. 9, 2008, and March 23, 2018.
  • 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty pickup trucks produced between Oct. 13, 2008, and Nov. 6, 2013.
  • 2009 GMC 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series pickup trucks produced between Aug. 20, 2008, and July 31, 2009.
  • 2009-2018 GMC Savana passenger vans produced between Sept. 12, 2008, and March 10, 2018.
  • 2009 Isuzu F Series diesel commercial trucks produced between Aug. 20, 2008, and Dec. 19, 2008.
GM suspects all of the vehicles involved in the action contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles come with portal fire extinguishers that clog easily may become inoperable in the event of an engine fire. Additionally, individuals who attempt to unclog them by force may sustain injury due to nozzle detachment. As a result, these components pose a serious hazard to occupants. However, GM has yet to receive field reports linking these fixtures to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

Personnel from the Isuzu Technical Center of America on Nov. 4, 2017, learned that fire extinguisher supplier Kidde had recalled a large number of defective products, according to an internal chronology document given to the NHTSA. Isuzu quickly reviewed its production records and found that many vehicles, including some Chevrolet trucks, included these components. On Nov. 14, the brand issued a voluntary recall. Three days later, GM began reviewing historic production records dating back decades to see if other past models had been equipped with the defective extinguishers, some of which could have been used in vehicles assembled in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The automaker conducted this review over the course of nearly three months, evaluating production documents dating from 1992 to the present.
By January 2018, GM had identified approximately 100 different fire extinguisher models used across several brands. Engineers managed to trim this number to 13 – all of which Kidde manufactured – by March. Members of the GM Open Investigation Review assessed this data and transferred the case to the Safety and Field Action Decision Authority, which chose to conduct a voluntary safety recall April 19. GM notified dealers of the forthcoming action April 26.

The Solution

GM intends to notify owners via first-class mail when replacement parts are available, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. By this point, owners will need to contact Kidde directly to receive replacement extinguishers free of charge.
Owners in need of additional assistance prior to or after the start of the recall can contact GM customer personnel at (800) 462-8782. Callers should use the internal recall identification number 18146. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Sean ReyesGM recalls vehicles with defective safety equipment

Isuzu Recalls Trucks Due to Transmission Mounting Defect

Plymouth, Mich. – Mar. 15, 2017 – Isuzu has recalled 21,000 trucks due to transmission mounting issues. The recall impacts NPR HD, NPR XD, NRR and NQR commercial truck models produced between 2015 and 2017, according to documentation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Defect

Equipment used in the fabrication process burred the transmission mounting fixtures in these models. The resulting rough edges can degrade mounting studs, and in some cases cause complete breakage. This leaves the transmission unsupported, preventing it from shifting correctly and increasing the likelihood of failure. This poses serious risks to drivers and passengers, as the interruption in operation can lead to a crash.

Timeline of Events

In March 2016, the automaker received warranty claims related to degraded or failing transmission mounting brackets, according to an internal document. Investigators inspected some of the affected vehicles and discovered burrs near hole stamping locations meant to accommodate crossbars. Inspectors calculated a projected failure rate of .085 percent and established that serious problems began developing after the 60,000 mile mark.

Three months later, Isuzu engineers reviewed production protocols and added a new phase to fabrication process, which required shop-floor personnel to grind away burred edges. They also conducted road tests to replicate the issue. In June, the car manufacturer decided the problem posed few safety risks but continued to investigate.

Further testing occurred throughout fall 2016 and winter 2017. In January, Isuzu broached the idea of initiating a recall and discussed possible solutions to the problem. On Feb. 10, the automaker chose to launch an official recall.

The Solution

Isuzu has ordered dealers to install metal buffers to cut down on mounting stud stress. This repair is to be done free of charge. Owners are expected to receive communications regarding the recall in April.

MotorSafety.orgIsuzu Recalls Trucks Due to Transmission Mounting Defect