Mercedes recalls vehicles with defective headlamps

Mercedes recalls vehicles with defective headlamps

January 16, 2018 admin

 

Jacksonville, Fla. – Jan. 16, 2018 – Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. has recalled more than 8,100 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective headlamps, according to documentation submitted to the National Highways Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, GLC 300 4Matic and GLC 43 4Matic sport utility vehicles produced between Oct. 9, 2014 and Nov. 19, 2016. The automaker suspects just 1 percent of the models referenced in action actually contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected vehicles include skewed LED headlamps with reduced low beam ranges, putting the parts in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which stipulates that such features “must be aimed vertically so that the cutoff is on the left side, at .4 degrees down from the H-H line, or on the right side, at the H-H line.” according to the Government Publishing Office. In addition to being in violation of FMVSS 108, the defective headlamps pose a serious risk to owners, as they could reduce the drivers’ fields of vision and increase the likelihood of accidents. That said, Mercedes-Benz and its parent company, Daimler AG, have yet to receive reports connecting the problematic features to any collisions or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In November 2016, engineers at an American Mercedes-Benz assembly plant discovered recently constructed vehicles with incorrect illumination distribution readings. DAG quality assurance personnel immediately launched an inquiry, performing additional tests and collecting the resulting data for analysis. The investigation team ultimately reviewed information dating from the beginning of production to November 2016.

DAG ended the inquiry in mid-2017, concluding that headlamp adjustment equipment in the assembly plant had been configured incorrectly and caused the defect. The automotive conglomerate launched two additional investigations to explore the breadth of the problem. Engineers working on the first initiative found that the problem affected only GLC-class vehicles, while the team managing the second inquiry established that the defective lighting features reduced driver field of vision but did not create glare issues when used with oncoming traffic present.

In December 2017, DAG wrapped up these investigations, confirmed that the defective fixtures violated FMVSS 108 and launched a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Mercedes-Benz will direct dealers to adjust the headlamps on affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The automaker intends to notify both dealers and owners sometime this month. Individuals with vehicles referenced in this recall who need more immediate assistance can contact Mercedes-Benz customer service personnel at (877) 496-3691. They can also connect with the NHTSA directly via its toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

adminMercedes recalls vehicles with defective headlamps

Mazda B-Series Trucks Recalled for Airbag Problem [Video]

January 16, 2018 admin ,

Hello and welcome back to another recall update.

Mazda recently recalled nearly 20,000 of its B-Series trucks from the 2004 to 2006 model years.

All affected vehicles are made with Takata driver side frontal air bags, which could rupture in a crash due to propellant degradation.

Based on the air bag supplier’s investigations, this risk only arises after several years of exposure to extreme conditions.

In affected vehicles, it’s possible that an inflator rupture would launch metal fragments through the air bag at high speeds in the event of a crash, greatly increasing the risk of driver injury.

Owners of the affected B-Series trucks will be informed of the recall in mid-January, and can return the vehicles to a Mazda dealership for free replacement.

Thanks for watching, and be sure to check back again for more recall updates.

adminMazda B-Series Trucks Recalled for Airbag Problem [Video]
Audi A5s Recalled for Curtain Air Bag Issue

Audi A5s Recalled for Curtain Air Bag Issue

January 12, 2018 admin

 

Auburn Hills, Michigan – Jan. 12, 2018 – Volkswagen Group of America recently announced a recall of more than 8,000 of its Audi A5 Coupes from the 2018 model year, citing concerns about side curtain air bags potentially not deploying properly in the event of an accident, according to a filing made with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Specifically, the head curtain air bag has a chance to get caught on the trim of the vehicle’s A-pillar and therefore may not unfold from its compartment properly.

All vehicles in the recall are expected to be affected by this defect, and were produced from Nov. 17, 2016 to Dec. 14, 2017.

The Defect

The issue arises because all air bags for these luxury vehicles were produced with excess fabric as well as a paper sleeve on the upper part of the A-Pillar.

In crashes in which the head curtain air bags are supposed to deploy, the potential for the air bag to get hung up on the A-pillar could result in injury for occupants, due to “positional tolerances.” As of Dec. 8, all Audi A5s from the 2018 model year were produced without the excess fabric and paper sleeves in question.

Timeline of Events

Prior to July 2017, testing on these vehicles showed that there was 100 percent compliance with production standards in air bag deployment issues, but at that time, testing showed certain abnormalities in deployment for air bags in the “foremost position.”

The next month, the issue came before the Audi Product Safety Committee, which ordered more testing and evaluation to be conducted on the affected vehicles. Those tests took place between August and November, 2017, which determined the factors and causes related to the air bag deployment issue, as well as what that could mean for drivers and passengers.

On Dec. 13, 2017, the Product Safety Committee determined the root cause of the defect and decided to issue the recall.

The Solution

Drivers of the affected vehicles were advised to bring their Audi A5s to a dealer, where excess fabric on the curtain air bags will be removed, as will the paper sleeves on the upper parts of the A-pillars. As these alterations are free of charge, the repairs will not require reimbursement for owners.

Both Audi dealers and affected owners will begin receiving notification in the near future, starting on or before Jan. 31, 2018.

adminAudi A5s Recalled for Curtain Air Bag Issue
Ford recalls sports cars with defective instrument clusters

Ford recalls sports cars with defective instrument clusters

January 10, 2018 admin

 

Dearborn, Mich. – Jan. 10, 2017 – Ford Motor Company has recalled approximately 2,100 vehicles believed to contain defective instrument clusters, according to paperwork submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2018 Ford Mustang coupes produced between March 14, 2017, and Nov. 26, 2017. Ford speculates 100 percent of the models named in the action come equipped with the defective features.

The Defect

Vehicles referenced in the recall likely include instrument clusters that may not function properly after drivers have moved them from the key-on to key-off position. Specifically, owners have found that, upon engine shutoff, the instrument cluster fails to display the gear selection menu or initiate the warning chime that is supposed to occur when the driver’s side door has been opened. Additionally, many have seen their vehicles enter sleep mode and automatically initiate park, all without generating a notification. This poses a serious hazard to owners and pedestrians, as the likelihood of vehicle rollaway increases.

The defective instrument clusters also violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 102 and 114, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The first standard requires manufacturers to produce display clusters that display the correct gear position when “the ignition is in a position where the transmission can be shifted or the transmission is not in park,” according to the Government Publishing Office. FMVSS 114 applies to theft protection and rollaway prevention technology, and stipulates that all vehicles include ignition systems that prevent “normal activation of the vehicle’s engine or motor; and either steering, or forward self-mobility” when the key is removed.

Ford has yet to receive any reports connecting the defective instrument clusters to accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In early November 2017, engineers at the Ford assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, discovered a 2018 Ford Mustang that failed to display the gear selection menu and initiate the driver’s side door warning post engine shutoff. Members of the company’s Critical Concern Review Group evaluated an internal report outlining the problem on Nov. 22 and called for an engineering inquiry. Investigators found that a software error within the internal power supply voltage measurement component had caused the glitch, which put the vehicle in violation of the FMVSS.

Engineering personnel introduced amended software Nov. 27 to prevent additional vehicles from coming off the line with problematic programming.

On Dec. 11, the Ford Field Review Committee evaluated these findings and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. The automaker notified dealers between Dec. 18 and Dec. 22.

The Solution

Ford has directed dealers to update the instrument cluster software in affected vehicles free of charge. The organization intends to notify owners via first-class mail between Feb. 5, 2018, and Feb. 9, 2018. Those in need of more immediate assistance can speak with Ford customer service personnel by calling (866) 436-7332 and using the internal recall identification code 17C21. Owners can also speak with representatives from the NHTSA via the Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

 

adminFord recalls sports cars with defective instrument clusters
Mercedes recalls vehicles with defective door locks

Mercedes recalls vehicles with defective door locks

January 10, 2018 admin

 

Jacksonville, Fla. – Jan. 10, 2017 – Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. has recalled approximately 8,700 vehicles potentially equipped with defective rear door locks, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects a number of different models produced between Jan. 3, 2017 and Aug. 8, 2017, including:

  • 2017 GLE 350 and GLE 350 4Matic sport utility vehicles.
  • 2017 GLE 400 4Matic sport utility vehicles.
  • 2017 GLE 550 E 4Matic hybrid electric sport utility vehicles.
  • 2017 GLE 43 AMG 4Matic coupes.
  • 2017 GLE 63  and 63S AMG 4Matic coupes.
  • 2017 GLS 450 sport utility vehicles.
  • 2017-2018 GLS 550 sport utility vehicles.
  • 2017 GLS 63 sport utility vehicles.
  • 2018 S 450 sedans.
  • 2017 S 550 and S 550 4Matic sedans.
  • 2017 S 550 E hybrid electric sedans.
  • 2017 S 600 sedans.
  • 2017 S 63 AMG 4Matic sedans.
  • 2017 S 65 AMG sedans.
  • 2017 S 550 and S 600 Maybach luxury sedans.

Mercedes speculates that just 1 percent of the vehicles named in the action actually contain defective door latch components.

The Defect

Affected models feature defective left rear door locks that register as locked but are actually insecure. The features not only pose a serious safety hazard to owners but also violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 206, which stipulates that “each door shall be equipped with at least one locking device which, when engaged, shall prevent operation of the exterior door handle or other exterior latch release control and which has an operating means and a lock release/engagement device located within the interior of the vehicle,” according to the Government Publishing Office.

Timeline of Events

Engineers at a stateside Mercedes-Benz assembly plant discovered one vehicle with non-locking rear doors in May 2017. Daimler AG, the automotive conglomerate overseeing the Mercedes-Benz brand, launched an internal investigation immediately after this discovery, requesting operations personnel to collaborate with the German door latch supplier Kiekert AG to determine the root cause. One month later, the team came upon the answer: faulty riveting parameters at the Kiekert production facility in Heiligenhaus.

Over the next few months, DAG personnel and employees at the parts supplier reviewed production records to determine how many vehicles had come off the line equipped with defective rear door locks. The automaker simultaneously amended its production processes to ensure that other new vehicles would not enter the market with potentially unsafe features. Vehicles produced after June 21, 2017, include new-and-improved door latch assemblies that function properly.

In September, engineers at DAG performed internal tests to gauge the likely affects of the defective components. In December, the company found that the components violated FMVSS 206 and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Mercedes is expected to notify dealers and owners this month. However, the needed replacement parts will only be ready by February. Individuals with vehicles named in this action who require more immediate assistance are encouraged to contact Mercedes customer service at (877) 496-3961, according to a NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. Owners can also connect with NHTSA personnel via the Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

adminMercedes recalls vehicles with defective door locks
Chrysler Recalls Millions of Ram Pickups over Rollaway Concerns

Chrysler Recalls Millions of Ram Pickups over Rollaway Concerns

January 9, 2018 admin

 

Auburn Hills, Michigan – Jan. 9, 2018 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles recently announced a recall of more than 1.48 million of its Dodge Ram pickup trucks, from model years 2009 to 2017, over concerns about the vehicles’ potential to roll away in certain situations, according to a filing made with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Specifically, this recall affects Ram trucks of various types, but all of which were equipped with a column shifter, rather than a floor shifter. In certain situations, the shifter can move the transmission out of “park” without a key in the ignition or the brake pedal being applied, which can lead to rollaways and, potentially, vehicle crashes or injuries.

The recall affects nearly 1.483 million Ram trucks, though only 3 percent are expected to carry this defect. The first vehicle group includes model year 2016 and 2017 Rams 3500 cab chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds. These vehicles were produced from April 22, 2015.

The second group is model years 2011 to 2017 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis, produced starting on Feb. 3, 2010. The third includes Ram 1500s from the model years 2009 to 2017, produced beginning on May 28, 2008. The fourth includes model years 2010 to 2017 Ram 2500s produced starting Aug. 31, 2009. The fifth includes Ram 3500s from model years 2010 to 2017, produced beginning Sept. 1, 2009. The sixth and final group includes Ram 3500 cab chassis from model years 2011 to 2017, manufactured starting on Feb. 3, 2010.

All affected vehicles had production end dates of Dec. 31, 2016, but there is a lack of field input beyond that date.

The Defect

The issue arises when the vehicle is running and in park, and the brake pedal is depressed. This energizes the vehicle’s brake transmission shift interlock. When the BTSI is energized for too long, it can overheat, causing its housing plastic to grow in size and the grease around it to degrade. That, in turn, could lead to the system’s locking pin to be stuck in the on position. When that happens, the vehicle can be shifted out of park without the brake pedal being depressed again or a key in the ignition.

Unfortunately, this defect would not be in any way detectable for consumers.

Timeline of Events

Beginning March 3, 2017, FCA’s Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization opened an investigation into the defect stemming from a 2016 model year Ram with a column shifter being involved in a rollaway incident that led to driver injury.

A few months later, in May, the organization began searching for customer complaints related to the column shifters in Ram trucks and began further reviewing warranty part return data in June. It was then that the potential cause of the defect – the BTSI locking pin – was first suspected.

On June 22, the VSRC was made aware of a test fleet of 240 Ram trucks, in which 72 were able to move the shifter out of park upon replicating the above conditions. Over the next several months – from June to December – the organization visited with suppliers, tested parts and conducted field surveys to determine the scope of the issue.

Finally, on Dec. 18, 2017, FCA determined that it would need to conduct a voluntary safety recall of all affected vehicles.

The Solution

The fix for the defect is currently being developed by FCA, but the company will reimburse owners for the cost of repairing the issue when applicable. It asks that owners provide the receipts for the service so they can be reimbursed in full.

FCA will begin contacting both Ram owners and dealers about the recall Feb. 8, 2018.

adminChrysler Recalls Millions of Ram Pickups over Rollaway Concerns
Dodge Recalls Dakota Pickups With Faulty Seat Warmers

Dodge Recalls Dakota Pickups With Faulty Seat Warmers

January 8, 2018 admin

 

Auburn Hills, Michigan – Jan. 8, 2018 – Chrysler recently issued a recall of 16,900 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks from the 2005 model year, citing concerns that the driver or passenger seat warmers installed in some trucks may overheat, according to a defect filing made with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Specifically, the overheating issue could present itself in both front seats of the vehicle, in either the seat cushion itself, or the seat back. The risk presents itself because of “fatigue failure” – that is, long-term regular use of the warmers – within the carbon elements of the seat warmers themselves. These can lead to specific spots where the warmers overheat and potentially burn holes in the seat cushions or even result in open flames within the vehicle.

All vehicles in the recall were manufactured between May 17, 2004, and June 24, 2005. Only about 10 percent of the trucks being recalled are expected to carry this defect.

The Defect

If the “hot spots” present themselves in a seat cushion’s heating element, it could lead to a high resistance electrical connection that generates heat beyond what would normally be expected. Unfortunately, the seat cushion control system in the Dakota pickups would not be able to detect the hot spots and therefore cannot automatically shut down the heating component.

Because of the risk of burning through the seats and starting fires, owners will likely notice extreme heat or burning smells as a result of the defect, as well as potential holes in the seat cushions or seat backs themselves. This risk can result in injury or fire in the vehicles.

Timeline of Events

On Sept. 13, 2017, reports of issues with seat heaters in the 2005 Dakotas led Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to convene its U.S. Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization to open an investigation into the problem.

In the week of Sept. 25, the organization reviewed designs with the company’s engineering team. About a month later, the two FCA groups met with the supplier of the heated seat carbon element pad to go over the design parameters of the parts in question.

Then from October to November, FCA conducted a test of the heated seat systems in question, to compare with other such systems, and determined that in the affected Dakotas, the system used to operate the seat heaters was unique from similar systems.

In late November, the VSRC and engineering teams did a more thorough design review of the heating system in affected trucks and found that they do not have automatic-off settings after the seat heaters have been used for a certain amount of time, potentially allowing them to stay on indefinitely. In early December, the teams were able to reproduce failures in laboratory settings.

The voluntary safety recall order was finally made Dec. 18, 2017.

The Solution

Chrysler’s recall plan will ask owners to bring in their 2005 Dakotas for repair, to enhance the seating systems with updated control features.

In addition, the company will also reimburse owners who have paid out of pocket to have these issues addressed on their own, as long as they can provide proof of payment to confirm the amount they paid.

FCA dealers were first notified of the recall Dec. 20, 2017, while owners will receive their notifications beginning on Feb. 8, 2018.

adminDodge Recalls Dakota Pickups With Faulty Seat Warmers
Honda Recalling Fury Motorcycles For Leaking Fuel Tanks

Honda Recalling Fury Motorcycles For Leaking Fuel Tanks

January 8, 2018 admin

 

Torrance, California – Jan. 8, 2018 – The American Honda Motor Co. recently announced a recall of 20 of its 2010, 2016 and 2017 model year Honda Fury motorcycles, due to concerns that some of their fuel tanks could leak, according to a defect report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

These fuel tanks could have come with the motorcycles as manufactured, or have been installed as replacement parts. These fuel tank parts went through “an improper manufacturing process” that could lead to a risk of fuel leakage.

There are only 20 such vehicles in the recall, of which only three are expected to have this defect. However, given the gravity of the risk involved, this could still be a significant issue for vehicle owners.

The Defect

The motorcycles listed in this small recall were determined based on sales records for parts, as the issue revolves around replacement parts for 2010 and 2016 bikes. For the 2017 models, the recall was for motorcycles that had the defective fuel tanks as original equipment.

Specifically, the manufacturing process in question did not provide the necessary welds around a bracket that holds the fuel tanks in place. As a consequence, natural road and engine vibrations could lead the tank to separate from the bracket, and potentially result in a fuel leak.

This increases the risk of fire because any leaked fuel in the presence of an ignition source may be set aflame, increasing risk of injury or damage to the vehicle.

Timeline of Events

On Sept. 22, 2017, Honda learned of the first occurrence of a fuel leak in the market, and another such issue arose slightly more than a month later on Oct. 24.

As a result, Honda launched an investigation into the cause of the leaks, spanning from November into December. That investigation found that a single day of fuel tank production saw a hiccup in the proper manufacturing process that led some tanks made that day to pass the final welding stage for stay brackets on affected tanks. As a result, they have a structural weakness which others do not possess.

The decision to push forward a formal recall was made Dec. 12, 2017, and as of that date, the company had already received two warranty claims for the defect. However, it had not received any field reports of injury or fire related to the issue.

The Solution

Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by Honda via both phone and mail and are asked to return their Fury motorcycles to a local authorized Honda Motorcycle dealer. There, the dealers will inspect the welding on the fuel tanks and determine whether the tanks need to be replaced. If so, that change will be conducted free of charge.

Notification of both owners and dealers began Dec. 14, 2017.

adminHonda Recalling Fury Motorcycles For Leaking Fuel Tanks
Ford Recalling Late-Model Ranger Pickups over Air Bag Issue

Ford Recalling Late-Model Ranger Pickups over Air Bag Issue

December 29, 2017 admin

Dearborn, MI – Dec. 29, 2017 – The Ford Motor Company recently announced a recall of more than 300,000 of its Ranger light pickup trucks over concerns that passenger air bags could have degraded over the years since they were produced, according to a defect filing made with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall includes 2004-2006 Ford ranger pickups.

Recall Summary

These air bags were made by a company called Takata, and used a chemical called PSAN as an inflator accelerant in the event of a crash. However, exposure to extreme conditions could have led that gas to degrade the air bags’ structural integrity over time. This is the third recall of affected vehicles, the first of which brought owners a temporary solution for the issue and the second broadened the scope of the initial action.

Ford is unsure how many of the hundreds of thousands of vehicles in the recall are affected by this issue. All these Ranger pickups were produced from March 24, 2003 to May 4, 2006. Mazda is currently undergoing a recall for late-model light trucks over the same issue as well.

Due to the potentially corrosive properties of the ammonium nitrate gas PSAN in conditions with extreme temperature, humidity and so on, the inflators for passenger frontal air bags in the affected Ford Rangers could rupture in the event of a crash that leads to deployment of those air bags.

As a consequence, metal fragments could launch into the passenger compartment at potentially high speeds, greatly increasing the risk of injury or even death.

Ford previously issued a recall for these vehicles in 2016, and this action is intended to provide a final fix for the problem. The issue was first noted in May 2015, when Takata submitted a noticed to the NHTSA about the air bag inflator issue, which prompted Ford to examine the potential effects on its own vehicles.

On May 26, 2015, Ford’s Field Review Committee completed its investigation of the issue and approved the recall action.

The recall filing for the final remedy to the air bag problem was issued Dec. 11, 2017.

The repair

Owners will be notified by mail about the recall and will be instructed to take their late-model Rangers to a local Ford or Lincoln dealership where the frontal air bag inflators will be replaced free of charge. However, the automaker is not including reimbursement plans as part of this recall because it would have been covered by the original warranty.

Dealers were notified of the recall Dec. 12, 2017, and owners were slated to receive notifications by mail in phases between Dec. 26, 2017, and March 31, 2018. The first phase of notifications was only slated to last from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles were originally part of this Ford Ranger recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 164,779 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

adminFord Recalling Late-Model Ranger Pickups over Air Bag Issue
Hyundai Santa Fes Recalled for Common Side Air Bag Issue

Hyundai Santa Fes Recalled for Common Side Air Bag Issue

December 28, 2017 Sean Reyes

Recall Masters – December 28, 2017

Hyundai Santa Fes Recalled for Common Side Air Bag Issue

Hyundai Motor America recently issued a recall order for more than 1,200 of its Santa Fe light sport utility vehicles from the 2018 model year, citing issues with a side curtain air bag inflator diffuser, according to a defect filing made with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The issue specifically relates to the shape of the metal top-hat diffusers, which were not manufactured to specification. As such, in the event of a crash in which the side curtain air bags – on either side of the vehicles in the recall – deploy, the diffuser could detach from the inflator component.
Of the 1,201 vehicles in the recall, only 1 percent are believed to have this defect, and all affected Santa Fes were manufactured between Sept. 5 and Nov. 30, 2017 at plants operated by Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Kia Motor Manufacturing Georgia…

Read the entire article on the Recall Masters website

Sean ReyesHyundai Santa Fes Recalled for Common Side Air Bag Issue
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