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Subaru recalls Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles over risk of stalling

May 11, 2021 Suhas Ramachandra Subaru Recalls

Camden, NJ – Feb 18, 2022 – Subaru has remedied issues with 359,708 vehicles including the 2018 Subaru Impreza and the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek dealing with a programming failure on the engine control module or ECM. Additionally, none of these models have been categorized as unreachable and 4,424 have been removed from the recall. All these Subaru models with ECM software issues were remedied between the second and fourth quarter of 2021.

Camden, NJ – May 11, 2021 – Subaru (OTCMKTS: FUJHY) has recalled 466,205 vehicles with an incorrectly programmed Engine Control Module (ECM), which is a component that controls over 100 elements in these cars. The issue may cause the car to stall, potentially leading to an accident.

The Subaru ECM Recall includes the following vehicles:

2017 Subaru Impreza
2018 Subaru Impreza
2019 Subaru Impreza
2018 Subaru Crosstrek
2019 Subaru Crosstrek

The defective part of the vehicle is the ignition coil, part number 22433AA741.

Recall summary

Ignition coils are part of the car ignition system and convert the voltage of the car battery into energy needed to start the car. Due to faulty programming, the ECM is going to continue “instructing” the coils to do their job even after the engine is off. This may result in the coils short-circuiting. If this occurs when the car is in motion, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

This recall follows on the heels of a 2019 recall of the same cars for the same exact issue. It is being conducted again as Subaru discovered that the ECM reprogramming that was done last time was not sufficient to fully remedy the issue.

Safety risks

Stalling while driving may lead to potentially dangerous situations, especially if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic. Stalled cars are very dangerous and kill over 300 people a year on average, as reported. For tips on what to do if your car stalls while you’re driving it, please see this recent Kia article.

Warning signsSubaru recall

During the motion of the vehicle, when the occupants feel “irregular vibration.” This may mean that the vehicle is about to lose power.

Other similar recalls

In October of 2019, nearly half a million Subarus were recalled due to a stalling risk. Subaru of America recalled Impreza and Crosstrek vehicles – whose model years stretch from 2017 to 2019 – that may have faulty engine control modules. Specifically, despite the engine being turned off, the ECM may continue to run, a circumstance that has the potential to cause a short circuit or a blown fuse. This could lead to an accident if either of these outcomes takes place while motorists are traveling.

The repair

Dealers will rectify the flaws in the programming of the ECM and will replace ignition coils and – in some cases – the front exhaust pipes as well. This will be carried out free of charge. The recall began on April 16.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 465,000 vehicles are being included in this Subaru recall To do a Subaru recall check if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mercedes-Benz recalls SUVs for electrical short

May 6, 2021 Rebecca Rand Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Jacksonville, FL – May 6, 2021 – Daimler AG (NASDAQ:DDAIF), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand has recalled 6,331 SUVs that may experience an electrical short due to a water leak. The recall includes:

2021 Mercedes Benz AMG GLE 53
2020 Mercedes Benz GLE350
2020 Mercedes Benz GLE450
2020 Mercedes Benz GLE580
2020 Mercedes Benz GLS450
2020 Mercedes Benz GLS580

Recall summary

The recall centers around an issue with the air conditioning drain hose, which may be installed incorrectly. Just like how water beads up on the outside of a glass of ice water, cool air from air conditioning causes water to condense into droplets inside the air conditioner. This water has to drip somewhere, and the drain hose is supposed to move that moisture out of the car, away from sensitive wiring and electronics.

In the recalled vehicles, the incorrectly installed drain hoses may cause water to leak down into the floor of the car. The electrical wiring there is not waterproof, and the water could cause an electrical short, creating the risk of a fire.

Previous recalls

This recall builds on two previous ones by Mercedes Benz, who recalled 18,392 vehicles in 2019 and 3,615 in 2020 for the same issue in other models. Mercedes blames the loosely connected drain hoses on a “deviation in the assembly process” during manufacturing.

Warning signs

If the air conditioner drain hose is leaking, drivers and passengers may notice the carpet under their feet is wet, or that the windows are fogged up.

Risks

This water leak poses several risks. The various electronics that may be damaged by the water can disable features related to safety, like the emergency call system that alerts first responders if a crash is detected, and the door locks (which may hinder first responders from opening the doors in an emergency). If the vehicle is suddenly forced into a decreased power mode, the car may slow unexpectedly, creating the risk of a crash.

Lastly, the risk of fire is serious, and puts passengers at risk of inhaling toxic fumes, getting burned or dying. Read more about the risks of an interior car fire in this article about a recent Hyundai recall over fires caused by the 12-volt “cigarette lighter” outlet.

The repair

Mercedes Benz dealers will check the air conditioner drain hose and make sure it is installed properly, free of charge. Owners will be notified about the recall with more information about when and how to seek repairs starting June 22.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 6,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes Benz recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volkswagen recalls Audis for broken suspensions

May 5, 2021 Rebecca Rand Audi Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – May 5, 2021 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) – which owns the Audi brand – has recalled 40,993 Audis, including a number of 2021 Audi SUVs, because a part of the suspension may break. The recall includes:

2020 – 2021 Audi A4
2019 – 2021 Audi A5
2020 – 2021 Audi A6
2020 – 2021 Audi A7
2020 – 2021 Audi A8
2020 – 2021 Audi Q5
2020 – 2021 Audi S4
2019 – 2021 Audi S5
2020 – 2021 Audi S6
2020 – 2021 Audi S7
2020 – 2021 Audi S8
2020 – 2021 Audi SQ5
2020 – 2021 Audi S5 Cabriolet
2021 Audi Q7
2021 Audi Q8
2021 Audi RS Q8
2019 – 2021 Audi RS5
2021 Audi RS6 Avant
2021 Audi RS7

The component name is ”Lock nut M14x1,5,” part number WHT 007 610.

Recall summary

The recall stems from an issue with a single nut in the car’s trailing arm suspension. The trailing arms is a type of suspension that helps keep the rear wheels aligned properly.

Due to a supplier error, the nuts used to connect the trailing arm to the rest of the car were not manufactured “according to specification.” As a result, certain batches of nuts may get corroded or damaged, causing them to break.

Risks

When the nut holding the trailing arm breaks, the rear wheels could become misaligned, changing the direction the car is moving in. “It cannot be completely ruled out that [the car] could suddenly and uncontrollably move in the wrong direction at higher speeds,” Volkswagen says in recall documents. If this occurs, the driver can lose control and crash.

Warning signs

Drivers with a broken trailing arm nut may notice the steering wheel is not aligned when they are driving or that the vehicle lists to one side when they hit the gas or brake. Volkswagen knows of two incidents of this kind; both took place outside the US.

Other Audi recalls

Volkswagen recently recalled over 150,000 Audi A3-generation cars for faulty airbags. These passenger-side airbags are prone to deactivating while someone is sitting in the seat, upping that passenger’s risk of injury in a crash.

The repair

Volkswagen and Audi dealers will replace the defective nut and will check for existing damage. If the part is already damaged, the whole screw connection will be replaced. Both services are provided for free. The repair is not yet available, but owners will receive more information about the recall by June 25.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 41,000 vehicles are included in this Audi recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia recalls SUVs over stall and fire risk

May 4, 2021 Bojan Popic Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – May 4, 2021 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 147,249 vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines, which may stall or catch fire while driving as a result of internal damage. This increases risk of a crash and may result in serious injuries to vehicle occupants. This Kia vehicle recall includes the following vehicles:

2021 Kia Seltos
2020 Kia Soul
2021 Kia Soul

The component in question is called “piston assembly,” part number 23041-2E801. This is the latest in the series of ongoing fire-related Kia and Hyundai recalls.

Recall summary

The engines of these cars contain piston oil rings, whose function is to seal the combustion chamber – where gasoline and air mix – from other parts of the engine, partly to ensure that no extra oil is passed into the chamber.

Due to a supplier error, the recalled vehicles’ piston oil rings were “improperly heated” during production. As a result of this, they may become excessively hard to the point where they start chipping. This may result in the seal between the other parts of the engine and the combustion chamber breaking, which may cause extra oil to get into the engine and damage it.

The damage may cause the car to stall while driving. If the car continues to be driven, parts of the piston assembly can break apart and pierce the engine. This may result in the vehicle catching fire as oil escaping from the engine comes in contact with the “hot exhaust components.”

Warning signs

The driver may be alerted to this problem if they hear the engine make a metallic rattling sound and feel it vibrate. In most cases, this will be accompanied by an illuminated “ oil pressure warning light” on the dashboard. To prevent any further damage, the driver should stop the vehicle in the first safe spot and turn off the engine.

Risks

Stalling while driving may lead to potentially dangerous situations, especially if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic. Car fires are very dangerous and kill over 300 people a year on average, as reported.

For tips on what to do if your car catches fire, please see this article about last year’s Kia Stinger recall for mystery fire risk.

Other Kia engine recalls

Both Kia and Hyundai have been subject to multiple fire-related recalls. Recently, the latter – which is part-owned by Hyundai and builds vehicles on its platform – recalled over 300,000 Kia Cadenza and Kia Sportage cars because of fire risk related to a part within the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Faulty engine rod bearings were the culprit behind a recent Hyundai recall due to the stall and fire risk.

Seltos Kia 2021 is not subject to any additional recalls.

The repair

To fix the issue, Kia Motors dealers will conduct a special engine examination in affected vehicles . If an oil ring flaw is found, the dealer will replace the whole engine. In certain cases, the dealer might also install software that will alert the driver that the piston oil ring is damaged.

The recall is slated to begin on June 11.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This recall includes nearly 150,000 Kia vehicles. To do a Kia recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

GM recalls pickups for power steering problem

April 30, 2021 Rebecca Rand Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Warren, MI – April 30, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 60,678 pickup trucks that may lose power steering on “startup or while driving,” increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes:

2015 Chevrolet Colorado pickups
2015 GMC Canyon pickups

The component in question is the “electric power steering rack,” with multiple part numbers, including 23228020 and 23228019.

Recall summary

Power steering is a feature that makes it easier to turn or maneuver the vehicle.

The recall is an expansion of a previous recall conducted in 2016. It stems from an issue with the trucks’ power steering gears, which translate the turning of the steering wheel into the turning of the tires.

Because of certain electrical connections being corroded or damaged within the gears, the gears may lose power and shut off the power steering.

Warning signs

If the power steering is deactivated, the driver will hear chimes and see the malfunction indicator light (MIL) come on.

Risks

With a heavy car like a pickup truck, losing power steering can make it difficult to maneuver the car, especially at lower speeds. This augments the risk of an accident.

Read more about what to do if you lose power steering in this article about a similar Mercedes-Benz GLC recall.

The repair

Dealers will replace the faulty part with an improved model, free of charge. Drivers who repaired this issue on their own dime before May 10 are eligible for reimbursement. GM also said “courtesy transportation is available for customers whose vehicles are involved in this recall and are within the warranty coverage period for the warranty which is associated with this recall.”

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 60,000 vehicles are included in this General Motors recall. Want to do a GM recall check? Use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to check for open Chevrolet recalls and GMC recalls.

Nissan recalls Infiniti sedans at risk of stalling

April 28, 2021 Rebecca Rand Infiniti Recalls, Nissan Recalls

Franklin, TN – April 28, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has recalled 12,943 cars that may stall because of a software issue. The recall includes:

2021 Infiniti Q50 sedans
2021 Infiniti Q60 sedans

Recall summary

The engine control module (ECM) is a computer that controls the engine and over 100 elements in the car. Because of a software issue, when accelerating rapidly, the ECM may “shut off” the fuel supply, resulting in the car stalling. In normal circumstances, the fuel supply will not be cut off.

Warning signs

According to Nissan, drivers may be warned of the impending stall if the car “suddenly feels sluggish” and the check engine light comes on. Both of these indicate that the car entered a “limp-home” mode during which its speed is significantly reduced since the engine is not operating at full capacity.

The good news is that the car should drive normally after it is restarted.

Risks

Stalling, particularly in high-speed areas, can be dangerous, as approaching vehicles run the risk of hitting the slowed or stationary car. Read more about stalling risks and what to do if your vehicle loses power on the road in this article about a recent Chrysler recall.

The repair

Infiniti dealers will reprogram the ECM to correct the software issue. Owners will be mailed recall notifications with more information about when and how to seek repairs starting on May 25.

There has been one crash related to this issue so if you do not feel comfortable driving your Infiniti, towing is available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 13,000 vehicles are included in this Infiniti recall. To see if your car is one of them, check for Nissan recalls with MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Hyundai recalls Genesis cars that may catch fire

April 26, 2021 Ken Boyd Hyundai Recalls

Fountain Valley, CA – April 26, 2021 – Hyundai Motor Company (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 94,646 vehicles, due to a short circuit risk in the anti-lock brake system (ABS). The short circuit risk may cause a fire, increasing the risk of a crash.

The component in question is the hydraulic controller for the ABS, with part numbers 58920-B1010, and 58920-B1110. The recall includes the following vehicles:

2015 Hyundai Genesis
2017 Hyundai Genesis
2017 – 2020 Hyundai Genesis G80

Recall summary

The ABS module prevents the wheels from locking, which helps the driver maintain steering control when the brakes are applied. In recalled cars, the ABS module may short-circuit, resulting in an “engine compartment fire,” when the vehicle is parked or while driving.

A small number of Genesis G70 vehicles are being recalled for the same issue under a separate recall. Hyundai Genesis SUVs are not part of either recall.

Warning signs

For warning signs, please see our article about a recent Hyundai Kona recall for fire risk.

Risks

If an engine fire occurs, pull over, move all of the occupants away from the vehicle and call 911. For more information, see this article about a hybrid BMW recall.

Safety tips

As in other fire-related recalls, you should park your vehicle “away from structures,” such as your home, other buildings or a garage until it is repaired.

Other Hyundai and Kia fire recalls

This recall is the latest in the long string of Hyundai and Kia fire-related recalls. In March, Hyundai recalled over 4,500 electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries that resulted in multiple fires and at least two rounds of recalls outside the U.S. In January, the manufacturer expanded an old recall of Hyundai Tucson vehicles because of a component of the ABS system that could result in the unit short-circuiting.

In December, Kia – which is part-owned by Hyundai – recalled close to 300,000 vehicles due to a risk of engine fire. No clear cause has been identified.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the ABS module fuse. The repair is free and the recall is expected to begin May 7, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 94,000 vehicles are included in this Hyundai recall. To check if your Hyundai G80 is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Daimler recalls GLB-class SUVs over risk of fly-away spoilers

April 23, 2021 Bojan Popic Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Jacksonville, FL – April 23, 2021 – Daimler AG (NASDAQ:DDAIF), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 5,215 compact SUVs that have tailgate spoilers that may detach while driving. The resulting road hazard could increase the risk of a crash or injury for surrounding motorists.

This recall includes the following GLB-class SUVs:

2021 GLB35 AMG
2020 GLB250
2021 GLB250

Recall summary

The recalled cars have side tailgate spoilers, which are pieces of external trim made out of plastic. Their main purpose is to improve the appearance of these cars by giving them a slicker look. The spoilers were mounted incorrectly and may detach from the vehicle while traveling at a high speed.

Risks

Spoilers that detach while moving may hit other vehicles, injuring its occupants or causing an accident. Even if this does not happen, it is very likely that they will land on the road and become an obstacle. This augments the chances of an accident or injury for other drivers, as it may force them to make quick maneuvers.

To read more about the dangers of road debris, please see this article about a recent Land Rover recall.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

In August 2020, more than 10,000 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB250 SUVs were recalled because their rear spoilers were not fully attached to the car and might have detached from the car while driving.

The repair

To fix the issue, Mercedes-Benz dealers will check how the side spoilers are mounted to the car and replace them – together with a corresponding clip – if needed. The repair is free of charge. The recall begins on May 31.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Mercedes-Benz recall includes over 5,000 compact GLB35 AMG SUVs. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Toyota recalls Venzas for driver-side airbag malfunction

April 21, 2021 Rebecca Rand Toyota Recalls

Plano, TX – February 18, 2022 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) has remedied issues on 16,996 2009-2015 Toyota Venza models with side curtain airbags issues that may not display properly during a crash. Additionally, 2,992 of these Toyota Venza models have been categorized as unreachable and 33,535 have been removed from the recall. All these 2009-2015 Toyota Venza vehicles with side curtain airbag problems were remedied during the last quarter of 2021.

Plano, TX – April 21, 2021 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) has recalled 279,040 mid-size crossover SUVs whose driver-side side and curtain airbags may fail to deploy in a crash. The recall includes these models:

2009 Toyota Venza
2010 Toyota Venza
2011 Toyota Venza
2012 Toyota Venza
2013 Toyota Venza
2014 Toyota Venza
2015 Toyota Venza

The component in question is the “wire harness for [the] front driver door,” with multiple part numbers, including 82152-0T100 and 82152-0T140.

Recall summary

The recall stems from a wiring issue inside the Venza’s driver-side door. The wires connecting an airbag sensor in the door to the supplemental restraint system (SRS) – which is a computer that controls these airbags – may rub against a metal ring holding them together.

This could eventually cause the wires to fracture, disabling the driver’s side and curtain airbags. In a crash, these airbags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to people in the vehicle. For additional details on this, please read the NHTSA Safety Recall Report.

Warning signs

Venza drivers may notice that their SRS warning light turns on, indicating that airbags have been deactivated.

Risks

Like many other vehicles, 2009-2015 Toyota Venzas use side and curtain airbags to protect the driver’s head and torso, particularly in side-impact crashes.

Side and curtain airbags reduce side-impact crash fatalities by an estimated 31.3%, but this protection is stripped away if these airbags deactivate and fail to deploy.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the wiring inside the driver-side door and, if necessary, replace the wiring system with a new one for free. Owners who already paid for repairs related to this problem may be eligible for reimbursement. Instructions on when and how to seek repairs or reimbursement will be sent to owners by June 12.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 279,000 Venzas are included in this Toyota airbag recall. To do a Toyota recall check, use MotorSafety’s free recall lookup tool or visit Toyota’s Lookup Safety Recalls and Service feature.

General Motors under investigation for airbag failures

April 19, 2021 Rebecca Rand Cadillac Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Washington, D.C. – April 19, 2021 – The U.S. government’s highway safety regulator is investigating General Motors (NYSE:GM) over reports of an airbag malfunction. The investigation cites 15 complaints and covers the following vehicles:

2020 – 2021 Cadillac CT4
2020 – 2021 Cadillac CT5
2020 – 2021 Cadillac Escalade
2020 – 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2020 – 2021 Cadillac XT5
2020 – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2020 – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2020-2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2020 – 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2020 – 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
2020 – 2021 GMC Sierra 2500
2020 – 2021 GMC Sierra 3500
2020 – 2021 GMC Yukon
2020 – 2021 GMC Yukon XL
2020 GMC Sierra Denali
2021 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD

Complaints

Of the 15 complaints, consumers submitted to the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), six mention serious crashes where the airbags failed to deploy, while eight highlight injuries that occurred in connection with the problem.

One complaint from Dayton, Ohio graphically describes the consequences when one driver’s airbag failed to deploy in an accident, resulting in a serious head injury. During the accident, “something hit [the driver’s] face while the “steering wheel airbag” failed to deploy. The driver remembers crawling out of their overturned Cadillac Escalade and being taken to the hospital. Upon being discharged, the person experienced “loss of taste and smell” except for the “smell of brain matter” from “fluid” dripping down their nasal cavity.

Other complaints describe the airbags failing to deploy despite the driver hitting several trees.

Cause of the problem

The administration’s investigation points to a bulletin GM posted for dealers and repair shops in March, addressing problems with the airbag warning light. The bulletin blames the problem on “rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver airbag inflator.”

However, according to a statement obtained by the Associated Press (AP), GM said it was unaware of any airbags failing to deploy due to this problem, adding that its own analysis of the issue found that airbags would still deploy in a crash even if the malfunction light was on.

Warning signs

Some of the complaints describe the airbag and “service safety restraint system” warning lights coming on as often as “every two to three minutes when driving.”

Other GM airbag recalls

GM has recently recalled close to 6 million cars because of potentially lethal Takata airbags that may rupture when deployed. Separately, in April NHTSA launched another investigation after multiple car manufacturers – including GM – recalled airbags that were improperly folded during the installation process and could fail to deploy. The airbags were manufactured by Joyson, a successor of Takata.

It is not clear who produced the GM airbags at the center of the current investigation.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 749,000 vehicles could be recalled as a result of NHTSA’s investigation. To do a GM recall check, bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool and come back to the site when more details become available.

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