Chrysler Recalls 2015-17 Ram Pickup Trucks Because of Tailgate Latching Failure

Chrysler Recalls 2015-17 Ram Pickup Trucks Because of Tailgate Latching Failure

May 18, 2019 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – May 18, 2019 – Chrysler is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks that have an 8-foot truck bed and a power-locking tailgate, as well as 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 that are equipped with the latter of those two attributes. The tailgate actuator limiter tab in these vehicles may be subject to fracturing, which could lead to the tailgate unexpectedly unlatching and opening while driving. As many as 410,351 vehicles may be affected by the failure of this tailgate latching mechanism. 

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this issue, the affected vehicles have an actuator limiter tab that may fracture and cause the tailgate to pop open while driving. If this were to happen, cargo could unexpectedly fall out of the vehicle, creating a road hazard and potentially causing an accident or crash, leading to injuries.

Timeline of Events

Chrysler, through its Vehicle Regulations Committee, decided July 19, 2018 to conduct a voluntary safety recall of certain 2015-2017 Ram pickup trucks equipped with a power-locking tailgate – except for vehicles that also had an 8-foot truck bed.

From July 2018 to April 2019, the automaker monitored trucks that hadn’t been included in this first recall, looking for field incidents involving tailgates unexpectedly falling open while the vehicles were in motion or standing still. By April 29, Chrysler had received numerous complaints, warranty claims, repair orders and vehicle owner questionnaires potentially related to this issue, although it was not aware of any injuries or accidents resulting from the tailgate latch failure.

As a result, Chrysler decided May 2 to launch a voluntary safety recall for all affected vehicles.   

The Solution

The recall is expected to start June 28, 2019. Chrysler will notify owners to bring their vehicles to the nearest dealership. Dealers will repair the tailgate latch at no cost to the owners. The remedy for this item is designed to put a limit on the locking actuator’s travel, not permitting the pivot arm to over-travel and pull on the locking/unlocking rods.

Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is V44. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V347000.

Sean ReyesChrysler Recalls 2015-17 Ram Pickup Trucks Because of Tailgate Latching Failure
BMW Recalls 2018 Hybrid Electric Vehicles That Could Lose Power While Driving

BMW Recalls 2018 Hybrid Electric Vehicles That Could Lose Power While Driving

May 17, 2019 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – May 17, 2019 – BMW North America is recalling certain 2018 i3 BEV and i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. A defective electronic module could shut down the high-voltage electrical power supply. If this happens while driving solely on electricity, without gasoline in the tank as a fallback, the car would lose power and stop unexpectedly, potentially causing a crash. As many as 159 vehicles could be affected by this issue.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this particular recall, a circuit board problem within the affected vehicles’ electronic module could shut down the supply of electrical power. This would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of an accident.

Timeline of Events

BMW first learned in September 2018 of a number of incidents involving high-voltage electrical power loss on Model Year 2018 BMW i3 vehicles, with additional reports of the error continuing to surface over the next few months. Despite an initial review after the first cases, the origin of the power problem was not determined.

Additional field incidents occurred in early 2019, leading to further reviews that included the automaker’s supplier and subcontractor. On April 2, BMW learned from its supplier that the electronic modules in question had not been produced to specifications. The printed circuit boards had not been adequately cleaned according to the process laid out by the automaker.

BMW reviewed the supplier’s records to ascertain the time period during which the problem had occurred, as well as the number of affected vehicles. The automaker then decided April 10 to conduct a voluntary safety recall. As of that date, BMW had not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.

The Solution

The recall will begin June 7. BMW will notify owners of the affected vehicles, and dealers will replace the defective electronic module at no cost.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to the www.safercar.gov website. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V-310.

Sean ReyesBMW Recalls 2018 Hybrid Electric Vehicles That Could Lose Power While Driving
Ford Transit Shuttle Vans Recalled For Rear Seat Defect

Ford Transit Shuttle Vans Recalled For Rear Seat Defect

May 17, 2019 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – May 17, 2019 – Waldoch Crafts is recalling certain 2018 Ford Transit Shuttle Vans equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats. The rear seat cushion may not stay locked in place when the vehicle is carrying a heavy load, such as when a sudden stop occurs, or during a crash. As many as 15 vehicles may be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this issue, the affected Ford Transit vehicles, which were modified by Waldoch Crafts, contained rear foldaway seats that are designed to rotate from the stowed position to the upright one. Because of a manufacturing defect, the seat cushions may not remain locked in place in certain situations, such as when an unexpected stop occurs, or during a crash. In the event of an accident, there is a greater likelihood of injury for rear seat passengers. 

Description of Cause

According to the manufacturer, if the back frame weldment is too narrow and it is fastened to the seat base weldment, this could potentially result in a deformation of the dump mechanism. As a result, this defect would cause the seat back cushion locking module to malfunction under certain conditions. If the seat back does not lock correctly, shuttle van passengers could suddenly find themselves thrown backwards into a reclining position, increasing the chance of injury.  

The Solution

A schedule for formal notification of the recall has not been finalized yet. The manufacturer is still working on a repair solution for the problem, and will contact owners when that becomes available.

Owners may contact Waldoch customer service at 1-651-464-3215. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to the www.safercar.gov website. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V-252.

Sean ReyesFord Transit Shuttle Vans Recalled For Rear Seat Defect
Jeep Wranglers Recalled Due To Safety Defect

Jeep Wranglers Recalled Due To Safety Defect

May 16, 2019 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – May 16, 2019 – Erwin Hymer Group USA, doing business as American Fastbacks, is recalling 2018 Badlands Edition Jeep Wranglers equipped with roof top tents. The tent cover may break or crack, which could result in it coming loose from the vehicle while it is moving. As many as 94 vehicles may be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this recall action, the affected 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles have a roof top tent installed in which the top cover may break or crack under extreme weather conditions. As a result, the cover could detach from the vehicle. If this were to happen while the vehicle is moving, it could create a road hazard, increasing the chance of a crash.

Timeline of Events

American Fastbacks first learned of the problem in November 2018, when dealerships in the Midwest reported that covers on the Wrangler roof top tents were cracking due to extreme cold weather. The company, believing it was a quality control defect, started looking for a new supplier.

Additional complaints were received in February 2019, followed by a dealer report April 17 that the roof top cracking was not a cosmetic issue, but rather one that posed a significant safety concern.

American Fastbacks had already instituted an earlier recall of the affected vehicles for another issue. After discussion of the new problem with the NHTSA, the company decided to announce a separate recall for the roof top tent defect.

The Solution

The recall will begin in May 2019. A solution to the roof-cover defect is still under development.

Owners may contact American Fastbacks customer service at 1-844-533-7997 extension 301. Owners should be aware that vehicles in this recall are also included in recall 19V-190. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V-320.

Sean ReyesJeep Wranglers Recalled Due To Safety Defect
BMW Recalls 2018 Vehicles With Instrument Cluster And Air Bag Issues

BMW Recalls 2018 Vehicles With Instrument Cluster And Air Bag Issues

May 16, 2019 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – May 16, 2019 – BMW is recalling certain 2019 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and X4 M40i vehicles because of air bags that may not function, as the result of an instrument panel defect. As many as 50 vehicles may be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this issue, the affected vehicles are equipped with an instrument panel assembly that may have been improperly manufactured. The errors of this particular flaw pertain to the front passenger air bag and could adversely affect its deployment. If the air bag does not operate properly during a crash, there is a significantly increased risk of injury for the passenger in the front seat.

Timeline of Events

BMW learned from its supplier on March 20, 2019 that instrument panels in the affected vehicles may have been fastened with an adhesive not originally specified by the automaker during the course of the lamination process. BMW immediately launched an investigation to determine whether that improper adhesive had, in fact, been used, and learn which vehicles contained the problematic instrument panel cluster modules. Production was halted at the assembly plant as soon as the investigation began.

Further review by both BMW and the component supplier revealed the specific production dates during which the incorrect adhesive was potentially used in manufacturing the vehicles’ instrument panels. Based on this information, BMW decided April 3 to launch a voluntary recall. As of that date, the automaker had not received any reports of injuries or accidents related to this issue.

The Solution

The recall will formally begin June 3, 2019. BMW will notify owners of the affected vehicles, explaining to them that authorized dealers will replace the flawed instrument panel assembly at no cost.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V-291.

Sean ReyesBMW Recalls 2018 Vehicles With Instrument Cluster And Air Bag Issues
Curbtender Recalls 2018 Ford Trucks With Curbtenders And Whelen Brake Lights

Curbtender Recalls 2018 Ford Trucks With Curbtenders And Whelen Brake Lights

May 8, 2019 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – May 8, 2019 – Curbtender, Inc. is recalling certain 2018 Ford F-650 and QT06 vehicles equipped with Curbtenders that include Whelen brake lights. Due to a possible wiring problem, these lights may incorrectly illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. If this happens, it can confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. As many as six vehicles may be affected.  

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on the issue, the affected Ford F-650 and QT06 vehicles featuring Curbtenders and Whelen brake lights could have a wiring defect. The brake lights may unexpectedly illuminate when the brake has not been depressed, depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle. This would give an indication that the vehicle was stopping, when it actually wasn’t. Were this to happen, the faulty brake lights could confuse other drivers, potentially leading to a crash. 

Background of Issue

This action is similar to another current recall by Excellance, Inc. involving 2018 ambulances and emergency vehicles built on Ford E-350, E-450, F-650, F-550 4×4, Chevrolet G4500, G4500 Diesel, C3500, G3500, Freightliner M2, International 4300 and Dodge 4500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights. As with this Curbtender recall, the brake lights may illuminate when the pedal hasn’t been pressed; if the brake lights improperly illuminate, it can increase the risk of a crash. Because of this issue, the affected vehicles would fail to comply with federal regulations covering lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.

The Solution

There is no notification schedule yet for the start of the recall. The remedy is still under development by the manufacturer.

Owners may contact Curbtender customer service at 1-319-266-1721. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V237000.

Sean ReyesCurbtender Recalls 2018 Ford Trucks With Curbtenders And Whelen Brake Lights
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