Subaru Recalls More Than 200,000 Vehicles for Faulty Fuel Indicator

Subaru Recalls More Than 200,000 Vehicles for Faulty Fuel Indicator

November 12, 2018 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – November 12, 2018 – Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles due to a software issues that affects the vehicle’s fuel display. This recall is expected to affect 228,648 Subaru vehicles in North America.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not light up to indicate the intended remaining fuel level and the distance-to-empty (DTE) display may incorrectly indicate a positive number even if the fuel tank is empty. This inaccuracy in the fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Timeline of Events

In December of 2017, SUBARU CORPORATION (Subaru) received a technical report regarding the driving range indicator (DTE) in the multi-information display. The report indicated a positive distance-to-empty (DTE) when no usable fuel was remaining. A field part collection was requested, and between December 2017 and March 2018 p arts were collected from the field and sent to the supplier for an investigation which subsequently took place during April and June of 2018. In July 2018, the supplier submitted the investigation report to Subaru, whereupon, from August to October 2018, Subaru assessed their field data and the supplier’s investigation report to assess risk. On October 25, 2018, Subaru completed the investigation and determined that a voluntary safety recall should be ordered.

The Solution

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru’s number for this recall is WTW-82. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-773.

Sean ReyesSubaru Recalls More Than 200,000 Vehicles for Faulty Fuel Indicator
Big Ford Recall – What to do if your Engine Stalls

Big Ford Recall – What to do if your Engine Stalls

November 9, 2018 Sandra Thomas

Risk: Sudden engine stalling, unexpectedly running out of gas

Ford recalled 1.3 million Ford Focus cars because fuel system valves can get stuck open, causing cars to suddenly stall, fail to re-start and/or unexpectedly run out of gas increasing the risk of crashing. You may see warning lights.

CAR STALLING OR ACTING LIKE IT MIGHT? DO THIS:

  • First clue? As soon as you sense trouble, hit your turn signal and make your way to the shoulder. Don’t wait for a complete stall out.
  • No power? Turn on your flashers and call 911. Don’t try to drift to the side of the road unless you have enough momentum and clear lanes to get there. You don’t want to block two lanes!
  • Panic? Yep, people do. But you are going to think straight: check for oncoming traffic, use your turn signal and get over
  • Safe Side? Right side is best! But if you are stalling and in the left lane, exit left
  • Sit Tight? YES. Stay IN the car, ensure your seatbelt is on. Lookie Loo’s often drift in the direction they’re looking.
  • Roadside Rear-ender? Happens all the time. If you can, place your car in neutral to reduce impact energy if someone smashes into you
  • Can you get it Fixed Free? Yes, if it’s under recall you can! Find out by checking Motorsafety.org. And guys? If your car is under recall, for Pete’s sake — get it fixed! Industry: RecallMasters.com Consumers: MotorSafety.org

Sandra ThomasBig Ford Recall – What to do if your Engine Stalls
BMW Recalls nearly 45,000 Vehicles Due to a Potential Coolant Leak

BMW Recalls nearly 45,000 Vehicles Due to a Potential Coolant Leak

November 7, 2018 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – November 7, 2018 – BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain models over fire risk. These vehicles are equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold, which can increase the risk of a fire.

Included in this recall are: 

  • 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive 
  • 2014-2018 BMW 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon
  • 2014-2016 BMW 535d and 535d xDrive
  • 2015 BMW 740Ld xDrive
  • 2015-2017 BMW  X3 xDrive28d SAV 
  • 2014-2017 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAV 

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, approximately 12,781 Model Year 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive Diesel engine vehicles were equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module that featured an integrated cooling component (“cooler”). Over time, this component could start to internally leak glycol coolant, because the recall component was not produced with sufficient long-term durability characteristics. During vehicle operation, if an internal coolant leak began inside the EGR cooler, the fluid could mix with normal diesel engine soot/sediment. This combination in the engine environment with high temperatures normally present might result in smoldering particles, which in very rare cases could lead to the melting of the intake manifold. In extreme cases, this could result in a possible fire. During vehicle operation, the driver may be alerted to this condition by one or more of the following: A warning symbol in the instrument cluster displaying a loss of engine coolant, a reduction in engine power, an unpleasant odor (exhaust gas), an unusual noise from the engine compartment, and/or smoke from the engine compartment.

Timeline of Events

On July 26, 2018, BMW submitted the required Part 579 report, to which NHTSA assigned “18F-137” as the Foreign Recall ID after BMW became aware of an issue in the Korean market. On September 5, 2018, BMW met with NHTSA to explain EGR system differences between vehicles in the U.S. market and vehicles in other markets. BMW provided a summary of U.S. field data including warranty claims, consumer complaints, and field reports which indicated coolant leak warnings, drivability concerns, or damage to the intake manifold. BMW also stated that it would continue to closely monitor the field. In October 2018, further in-depth analyses indicated that it was possible that one incident could be attributed to this issue. BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall although at the time of the report, BMW was unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

The Solution

Owners will be notified by First Class mail and instructed to take their vehicle to an authorized BMW center to have the remedy performed at no cost. The EGR cooler will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced free of charge. If it is determined that the EGR cooler has internally leaked, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. The EGR pipe connecting the cooler to the manifold will be cleaned. Owners who have replaced the EGR cooler at their own expense prior to the recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement according to BMW Group’s reimbursement plan. Notification to owners is planned to begin and end on December 17, 2018. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-755.

Other BMW Recalls 

Some of these vehicles may have been a part of a recall in August of 2021, when BMW recalled vehicles over a risk of engine stalling caused by a high-pressure fuel pump that suffers from excessive wear. In addition, even vehicles with gasoline engines, such as the 328i station wagon, had problems with their fuel pumps in the past.  

  • 2014 – 2018 BMW 328D
  • 2015 – 2017 BMW X3
  • 2014 – 2016 BMW 535D
  • 2014 – 2018 BMW X5 
  • 2015 BMW 740LD

The affected component in this recall is the BMW high-pressure fuel pump with part number 7810696 and 7283473

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This BMW recall includes more than 11,000 vehicles. To check for this and other BMW recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Sean ReyesBMW Recalls nearly 45,000 Vehicles Due to a Potential Coolant Leak
2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner: Recall Alert

2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner: Recall Alert

November 6, 2018 Sean Reyes

2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner: Recall Alert

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 1,300 model-year 2017-19 Toyota 4Runner SUVs that Southeast Toyota Distributors equipped with a TRD wheel package

The Problem: The gross vehicle weight rating on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded and increasing the risk of a crash.

The Fix: SET will notify owners and mail them corrected certification labels for free…Read more on Cars.com

Sean Reyes2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner: Recall Alert

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