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Jaguar Land Rover recalls vehicles with faulty airbag system

February 26, 2022 Senamile Nkosi Jaguar Recalls, Land Rover Recalls

Mahwah, NJ – February 26, 2022 – Tata Motors (NYSE:TTM), which owns Jaguar Land Rover, has recalled 18,824 vehicles due to a defect that causes the driver airbag system to malfunction. This increases the risk of an injury in the event of a crash.

The recall includes 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SUVs.

Recall summary

Due to a programming error, the supplemental restraint system (SRS) of the vehicles included in this Land Rover recall, which is the computer that controls the airbags, is “overly sensitive.” This means that it may turn the airbag warning light on unnecessarily, even in cases where the airbag is not faulty.

Recall risks

An SRS warning light that falsely illuminates could prevent the detection of an actual airbag system failure. This increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fortunately, Jaguar Land Rover has not recorded any accidents, injuries or fires caused by this issue yet.

Other Jaguar recalls

In September 2021, Jaguar issued a recall over child seats. The Range Rover seatbelt locking system was discovered to be faulty and potentially unable to securely hold a child car seat.

There was a Range Rover Evoque recall for the 2020 model-year in March of last year due to an airbag issue that could fail to protect the driver in the event of a crash.

Prior to that, the 2020 Range Rover Evoque was recalled because of the risk posed by the front seats’ material. The material was confirmed to burn relatively quickly, ultimately increasing the chances of an injury during a fire.

Repair

To address this concern, a software update will be performed at no cost to the owners. Owners can expect to receive communication regarding the repair program by April 14, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Close to 20,000 Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

NHTSA closes investigation into Chevy Bolt’s fire issues

February 20, 2022 Bojan Popic Chevrolet Recalls

Washington, D.C. – February 20, 2022 – The U.S. government closed its investigation into fires among 2017-2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The manufacturer of the vehicles, General Motors (NYSE:GM), has already recalled all of the affected vehicles, as well as 2021-2022 model-years.

Investigation conclusion

General Motors conducted three recalls to address the reports of fires. Because of this, the regulator concluded in February 2022 that there was no need for additional recalls and closed the investigations.

The first recall

After receiving two complaints from owners and several field reports, the government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated the investigation in October 2020. According to these complaints, a fire would develop inside the passenger cabin, underneath the seats, when the vehicle was parked.

GM was also aware of the incidents and started investigating to discover what was causing them. Based on initial findings, GM concluded fires were caused by an overheating high-voltage battery, which is located under the seat. The fires would happen when the vehicles were charged to “full or nearly full capacity.”

The manufacturer initially addressed the problem by recalling over 50,000 of the 2017-2019 model-years in November 2020 and reprogramming in a way so its high-voltage battery would only charge up to 90% of its capacity. Later on in the recall, dealers ran diagnostics tests on the batteries to see if they needed replacing.

Subsequent recalls

As this recall was underway, both General Motors and LG, the battery producer, analyzed the data that dealers collected with the tests. They concluded that the repair offered under the last recall was insufficient and that more batteries needed to be replaced.

That prompted GM to recall all the cars included in the previous recall, as well as additional 2017-2019 model-years in July 2021.

By further analyzing the field data that was coming in from the dealers during the second recall, it eventually became apparent that there were more defective batteries.

As a result, General Motors finally recalled all of 2019-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV vehicles to replace their high voltage batteries.

Other Chevrolet recalls

Apart from these Chevy Bolt fire issues mentioned in the summary, there were no other recent Chevy Bolt recalls. Still, other manufacturers have also faced issues with fires caused by high-voltage batteries. One such example is BMW, which had to recall some of its hybrid vehicles back in September 2020 over a similar problem.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This Chevy Bolt battery ire investigation did not result in any new recalls, but your car may need repairs for a different issue. To do a Chevrolet recall check and see if your vehicle is due for any of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Honda is investigated over faulty rearview cameras

February 20, 2022 Bojan Popic Honda Recalls

Washington, D.C. – February 20, 2022 – The U.S. government is investigating Honda (NYSE:HMC) over concerns whose rearview cameras may fail to display an image. This increases the risk of a crash and injury while backing up.

If the investigation results in a recall, it may affect 71,008 of the following pickup trucks:

2017 Honda Ridgeline
2017 Honda Ridgeline

Investigation summary

On February 7, the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation, following 42 complaints and 10 reports of rearview camera becoming inoperable.

Based on the complaints, the rearview camera may stop working because of “severe damage to the tailgate wire harness,” which happens right after “the warranty mileage is exceeded.”

The goal of this investigation is to determine if there is a safety defect which may require a recall.

Risks

For more information on the risks, please visit this article about a Ford recall due to malfunctioning cameras.

Other Honda recalls

Apart from this ongoing investigation, owners should also be aware of a Honda Ridgeline recall from December 2021 which was caused by hoods that may fly open while driving.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This Honda Ridgeline wiring harness investigation may eventually lead to a recall, possibly affecting over 70,000 vehicles. To do a Honda recall check to see if it part of any open recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Stellantis recalls Pacifica Hybrids over fire hazard

February 19, 2022 Joseph Estabillo Chrysler Recalls, Fiat Chrysler Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – February 19, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) – which owns Chrysler brand – has issued a recall for 16,741 vehicles over a risk of fire which may occur even if the car is parked and turned off. A fire greatly increases the risk of an injury.

The recall covers the following minivans:

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV)
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV)

Recall summary

Due to reasons that are currently being investigated, the recalled vehicles may suddenly burst into flames even when parked and with the ignition turned off.

The recall comes on the heels of “five customer records and 12 field reports” of Pacifica PHEVs spontaneously combusting.

‘The vehicle exploded into a fireball’

One driver’s complaint described his or her family’s horrifying experience which happened while the car was driven by the person’s wife with five children inside. The wife noticed “smoke coming from under the hood.” Within “seconds” of continuing on, smoke turned into flames. She pulled over and barely got her kids out before the “vehicle exploded into a fireball.”

Recall risks

A fire may damage nearby structures and vehicles. It also puts the life of the car occupants at risk.

Fortunately, there have been no reports of victims so far.

Other Chrysler Pacifica recalls

Chrysler Pacifica PHEV minivans were involved in at least two other fire-related recalls in the last couple of years.

Over 10,000 units of the 2017-2018 model-years were recalled in October 2018 partially because of a fire hazard caused by improperly starting the engine. In June 2020, the 2017-2020 model-years were recalled due to the risk of fire due to a faulty connector post behind the driver’s seat.

Safety tips

While the repair for these Chrysler Pacifica fire incidents is being worked on, owners are advised not to recharge their vehicles and to park them a safe distance away from structures and other vehicles. To learn what to do if your car catches fire, please visit this article about a related Hyundai recall.

The repair

The remedy is currently not available. Owners will receive more information by mail by April 2, 2022. Any recall-affiliated repairs will be done free-of-charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 16,700 vehicles are included in this Chrysler recall. To do a Chrysler recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Hyundai issues yet another fire-related recall

February 18, 2022 Bojan Popic Hyundai Recalls

Fountain Valley, CA – February 18, 2022 – Hyundai (NASDAQ:HYMTF) is recalling 357,830 SUVs that may develop a fire inside their engine compartments, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. This recall is the latest addition to the endless list of fire-related recalls that have been the bane of Hyundai’s existence for quite some time.

Vehicles that are affected by this recall include:

2016 – 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
2017 – 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
2014 – 2015 Hyundai Tucson
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL

Recall summary

All models listed here are equipped with ABS, which is short for the anti-lock brake system. This is a safety system, whose job is to prevent wheels from locking up while braking. On vehicles that are a part of this Hyundai recall, the ABS control unit may overheat, causing a fire that spreads within the engine bay. The exact reason for overheating is currently under investigation.

The component in question is the ABS module, with part numbers 58920-4Z300, 58920-B8AC0 or 58920-2S820, depending on the model.

Recall risks

A fire that occurs in the vehicle when driving or when parked carries a range of risks. To find out more about them, please visit this article about a similar Kia recall.

Safety tips

Because the vehicle may catch fire even when parked, owners should park them outside and away from other vehicles and structures. This precautionary measure will prevent additional property damage if the fire does happen.

Warning signs

Malfunctioning ABS module will disable the system and trigger a warning light, which is the first warning sign. Others may include a burning smell and smoke coming from underneath the hood.

Other Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

These Hyundai Santa Fe engine fires are a reoccurring issue that has been affecting many model years of these and other Hyundai and Kia vehicles. There are also previous Hyundai Tuscon recalls, such as one from January 2021, that was caused by a similar problem.

The manufacturer and its sister company, Kia, are subject to a U.S. government investigation. The government auto safety regulator is trying to determine the effectiveness of recall repairs and if other vehicles need to be recalled as well, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will remedy this problem by inspecting the ABS module, and replacing it if needed. As an additional precision, they will replace the corresponding fuse with an uprated one. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on April 5, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This recall caused by Hyundai engine fires is affecting more than 350,000 vehicles. To do a Hyundai recall check and see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Tesla recalls vehicles that may fail to warn pedestrians of their approach

February 18, 2022 Senamile Nkosi Tesla Recalls

Austin, TX – February 18, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 578,607 vehicles that may not warn pedestrians of their approach. This increases the risk of a crash.

This is the sixth Tesla recall in the past couple of months. It applies to the following models:

2020 – 2022 Model S
2020 – 2022 Model X
2020 – 2022 Model Y
2017 – 2022 Model 3

Recall summary

All the vehicles that are included in this recall have a so-called Boombox function. The Boombox function allows owners to play any sound in place of the regular horn when the car is moving. At the same time, these cars are equipped with the Tesla Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) which warns pedestrians of the vehicle’s typically quiet approach.

The Boombox sound may “obscure” the PWS since they are both played through the same speaker. This means that pedestrians may be unaware of the car’s approach.

Recall risks

Inaudible pedestrian warnings increase the risk of a crash. Fortunately, Tesla has not recorded any injuries or fatalities related to this issue.

Other recent Tesla recalls

In 2022 and late 2021, the above-mentioned Tesla models have already been subject to five additional recalls, as well as a government investigation over a potentially distracting video game feature.

The most recent Tesla Model Y recall was earlier this month due to frosted-up windshields which limited the driver’s visibility, as reported. Prior to that, there was a Tesla Model S recall due to faulty seat beltchime, preceded by a Tesla Model 3 recall due to these cars not fully stopping at stop signs.

You can read up on the investigation and the other Tesla recalls that have already been issued this year here.

Repair

To remedy the situation, Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) update to disable the Boombox functionality when the car is in Reverse, Neutral and Drive. This will be done at no cost to the owners.

Owners can expect to receive further communication from Tesla regarding the repair program by April 5, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than half a million Tesla vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volkswagen recalls Audis due to loss of control

February 13, 2022 Senamile Nkosi Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – February 13, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) is recalling 31,058 vehicles due to premature tire wear which could lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash. This is a redo of a last year’s Audi recall.

The recall includes some the following models:

2020 – 2021 Audi A4
2020 – 2021 Audi A4 Allroad
2019 – 2021 Audi A5 Sportback
2020 – 2021 Audi A5 Cabriolet
2020 – 2021 Audi A5 Coupe
2020 – 2021 Audi A6
2020 – 2021 Audi A6 Allroad
2020 – 2021 Audi A7
2020 – 2021 Audi A8
2020 – 2021 Audi Q5
2019 – 2021 Audi RS5
2020 – 2021 Audi S4
2019 – 2021 Audi S5
2020 – 2021 Audi S6
2020 – 2021 Audi S7
2020 – 2021 Audi S8
2020 – 2021 Audi SQ5

Recall summary

Axles transmit power from the vehicle to the wheels in order to move the car forward. In this Volkswagen recall, the rear axles are misaligned. As a result, the wheels may have less grip on the surface of the road.

The full list of vehicles is available here.

Recall risks

The Audi rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear. When the tires are worn “to the carcass,” they may get punctured, which may lead to a loss of driver’s control of the vehicle.

Background of the recall

Some of the cars included in this recall were recalled in April of last year due to a broken nut in the rear axle, which could also cause a loss of control. Included in the recall were the 2021 Audi RS6 Avant and 2019 Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. However, dealers did not check the wheel alignment when addressing the issue, leading to today’s recall.

Warning signs

The driver may not be able to keep the car straight, especially “when braking or accelerating.” The tires may also show signs of unexpected or premature wear and tear upon inspection.

Other Volkswagen recalls

In December 2021, the 2018-2022 Audi Q5 and 2018—´2022 Audi SQ5 models were recalled due to a defect that could cause reduced engine power.

Repair

The rear axles of the affected vehicles will be inspected and where necessary, be adjusted. Tires will also be checked for premature and uneven wear that may have resulted from the misalignment. All repairs will be done free of charge.

Owners can expect to receive further communication from Audi regarding the repair program by March 25, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 30,000 Audis included in this recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia recalls K900 and Sportage cars over fire risk

February 13, 2022 Bojan Popic Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – February 13, 2022 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 126,747 cars that may catch fire, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. This recall is just of the many Kia and its shareholder Hyundai had to do because of fire-related issues that have been plaguing both manufacturers.

SUVs and sedans that are affected by this recall include:

2016 – 2018 Kia K900
2014 – 2016 Kia Sportage

Recall summary

The anti-lock brake system, or ABS, is a safety system that adjusts the braking force to each wheel, preventing them from locking up while braking hard or on slippery surfaces. On affected vehicles, the ABS modul e may overheat and cause a fire inside the engine bay. The exact reason for overheating is still unknown, although it is suspected to be caused by an “internal electrical short“.

The component in question is the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) – which is part of the ABS module – with part numbers 58920-3T380 and 58920-3W810 for K900 and Sportage, respectively.

Recall risks

For more on the risks of this recall, please visit this article about a similar Kia recall.

Safety tips

Kia advises owners to park their vehicles outside, away from other vehicles and structures. This will prevent additional property damage in the event of a fire when the vehicle is stationary.

Warning signs

The driver may be alerted to the electrical short by the check engine or ABS warning light. Other warning signs include a burning smell and smoke coming from underneath the hood.

Other Kia Sportage recalls

In March 2021, 2018-2021 Sportage cars were part of a recall due to the same issue, as reported.

Additionally, over 50 model-years are currently subject to an ongoing U.S. government investigation to see if the remedies that have been issued for existing recalls are enough to fix the problem. The regulators are also looking into complaints about vehicles not part of these recalls catching fire to see if they need to be recalled as well.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the fuse with an uprated one, which will prevent the HECU from short circuiting and overheating. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on March 31, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This recall caused by Kia engine fires is affecting more than 120,000 vehicles. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Tesla recalls vehicles due to frosted-up windshields

February 13, 2022 Bojan Popic Tesla Recalls

Austin, TX – February 13, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 26,681 sedans and SUVs whose windshields may fail to defrost or defog. This limits driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

This is the company’s fifth recall this year, which affects the following vehicles;

2021 – 2022 Tesla Model 3
2021 – 2022 Tesla Model S
2021 – 2022 Tesla Model X
2021 – 2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

All vehicles that are a part of this recall have a heat, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), whose job is to heat and cool the car as needed. Due to a software error, the system may fail to defrost or defog the windshield and also “cause the loss of cabin heating.”

Recall risks

A fogged up or a frosted up windshield may limit driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Warning signs

If the defrosting feature is not working properly, the driver will get a corresponding warning message from the HVAC system. In addition, drivers may notice that the windshield is fogged up.

Other Tesla recalls

This is Tesla’s fifth recall this year. There was a Model Y recall earlier this month – which also included Model 3, S and X – because of a feature that allowed these cars to “roll” through a stop sign under certain conditions. The automaker already disabled the feature thanks to an over-an-air (OTA) update.

You can read about other recent recalls and Tesla investigations in this article about a recent Tesla recall because of defective seat belt chimes.

The repair

Tesla will take care of this problem by issuing an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update. No Tesla windshield replacement will be necessary. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on April 1, 2022 but it is not clear when the update will be launched.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Tesla defrost recall affects more than 20,000 vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Tesla recalls four models over faulty seat belt chime

February 12, 2022 Joseph Estabillo Tesla Recalls

Austin, TX – February 12, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has issued a recall for 817,143 vehicles across four models over a defective seat belt chime. The absence of an audible reminder to wear the seat belt may cause the driver to operate the vehicle without it, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The recall covers the following models:

2021-2022 Tesla Model S
2021-2022 Tesla Model X
2017-2022 Tesla Model 3
2020-2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

The vehicles have a seat belt chime that activates when the vehicle is started, reminding the driver to fasten the seat belt. This works together with a visual seat belt reminder that can be seen on the vehicle’s dashboard.

If the chime is interrupted when the vehicle was previously used while the seat belt was not fastened, a software error will prevent the chime from sounding off the next time the vehicle is used. This will happen if, for example, the driver left the vehicle while the chime was still going off with the engine running and then returned.

Recall risks

Drivers may not fasten their seat belts, which augments the risk of an injury in a crash.

While the chime will go off at speeds over 13.7 miles per hour (mph), this may not give the driver enough time to fasten the belt before an accident occurs.

Other Tesla recalls

The latest Tesla seat belt recall is the electric vehicle maker’s fourth, barely two months into 2022. There was a Tesla Model 3 recall spanning more than 356,000 vehicles in early January over faulty rearview cameras. This was followed by a Tesla Model S recall involving over 119,000 units for hoods that may open while the vehicle is traveling, obscuring the driver’s view.

The third advisory concerned over 53,000 Tesla vehicles over a “rolling stop” feature that allowed them to go through a stop sign without halting completely, presenting a higher risk of collision with other road users.

In addition to the recalls, the automaker is subject to two investigations, includin g one for potentially allowing drivers to play video games on the front console while on the road.

The repair

Tesla already released new firmware to correct the software error, enabling the chime to go off. The firmware update was deployed over-the-air (OTA) to the affected vehicles in late January and early February.

Owners will also receive letters with more information on April 1, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 800,000 vehicles are included in this Tesla recall. To do a Tesla recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Recall summary

Recall risks

Other Jaguar recalls

Repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Investigation conclusion

The first recall

Subsequent recalls

Other Chevrolet recalls

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Investigation summary

Risks

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Recall summary

‘The vehicle exploded into a fireball’

Recall risks

Other Chrysler Pacifica recalls

Safety tips

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Recall summary

Recall risks

Safety tips

Warning signs

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The repair

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Recall summary

Recall risks

Other recent Tesla recalls

Repair

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Recall summary

Recall risks

Background of the recall

Warning signs

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Repair

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Recall summary

Recall risks

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Warning signs

Other Kia Sportage recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

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The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Recall summary

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The repair

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