Ford recalls trucks with damaged seat racks

Ford recalls trucks with damaged seat racks

October 4, 2017 Recall Masters

Dearborn, Mich. – Oct. 4, 2017 – Ford Motor Company has recalled more than 620 pickup trucks possibly containing seat racks with defective welds, according to a company press release. The campaign affects multiple models, including:

  • 2017 Ford F-150 pickups produced at the Dearborn Assembly Plant Nov. 2-3, 2016.
  • 2017 Ford F-150 pickups produced at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Missouri Nov. 4-7, 2016.
  • 2017 Ford Super Duty pickups produced at the Kentucky Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky between Nov. 2, 2016 and June 4, 2017.
  • 2017 Ford Super Duty pickups produced at the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio Nov. 7-21, 2016.

Approximately 504 of the vehicles originated from American dealerships while 57 came from those in Canada and 63 from those in Mexico.

The Defect

The trucks referenced in the recall could come equipped with seat rack assemblies with welds that have not sufficiently penetrated between the seatbelt anchor and seat cushion frame. This poses a serious safety hazard to owners, as the seats in these vehicles may not effectively restrain occupants during collisions. However, Ford has not yet received reports connecting the defective features to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

The automaker has not released details into the internal investigation that revealed the defect.

The Solution

Ford has directed dealers to replace the manual front passenger seat tracks in affected vehicles, free of charge. Owners should expect to receive notification of the recall action via first-class mail. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Ford customer service personnel at (800) 392-3673. Callers should use the internal recall identification code 17C17. Owners can also contact the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration directly via the agency’s 24-hour Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888() 327-4236.

Recall MastersFord recalls trucks with damaged seat racks
Ford recalls vehicles with loose tie rod nuts

Ford recalls vehicles with loose tie rod nuts

October 3, 2017 Recall Masters

Dearborn, Mich. – Oct. 3, 2017 – Ford Motor Company has recalled nearly 80 pickups believed to be equipped with loose castellated tie rod nuts and cotter pins, according to an organizational press release. The campaign affects 2015 Ford F-650 and F-750 pickups with production dates ranging from March 4, 2015 to April 27, 2015. All vehicles involved in the recall originated from American dealerships.

The Defect

The trucks referenced in the action could include front tie rods with castellated nuts and cotter pins that were not properly torqued to specification. These fixtures could cause the tie rod to loosen and disconnect from the steer axle, stalling the steering system. This poses a serious threat to occupants, as drivers may lose the ability to control their passenger-side wheels while traveling at low speeds, increasing the likelihood of accidents. However, Ford has yet to receive field reports that connect the defective features to any collisions or injuries.

Timeline of Events

The automaker has not released details into the internal investigation that uncovered the defect.

The Solution

Ford has directed dealers to inspect the castellated tie rod nuts and cotter pins in affected vehicles and tighten them, if necessary, free of charge. Owners should expect to receive notification of the recall via first-class mail. Those in need of immediate assistance can contact Ford customer service representatives at (800) 392-3673. Callers should use the internal recall identification code 17S30. Owners can also connect with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration through its 24-hour Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Recall MastersFord recalls vehicles with loose tie rod nuts
Nissan recalls vehicles with incompatible air bags

Nissan recalls vehicles with incompatible air bags

October 2, 2017 Recall Masters

Franklin, Tenn. – Oct. 2, 2017 – Nissan North America has recalled more than 800 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective driver-side air bag assemblies, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 Infiniti Q50 and Q50 Hybrid sport utility vehicles with production dates ranging from Dec. 22, 2016 to Jan. 19, 2017. The car company suspects 1 percent of the models referenced in the recall actually contain the defective feature.

The Defect

The vehicles named in this campaign could include driver-side air bag assemblies with insufficiently welded initiator collars and closure plates. This could cause cracks to form during deployment and allow gas to leave the initiator housing. Consequently, air bag assemblies in the recalled vehicles may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury for drivers. However, Nissan has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In April 2017, parts supplier Nihon Plast contacted Nissan regarding an instance in which an installed air bag assembly failed to deploy properly during a low-temperature test conducted at -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The automaker investigated the test result and found that a crack in the inflator welding had inhibited air bag deployment. Nissan then requested Nihon to quarantine the affected parts to be used in a forthcoming root-cause investigation. In May, Nissan met with Nihon and the Daicel Corporation, which supplied parts for the air bag assembly involved in the failed test. The three parties agreed to conduct a joint investigation. This inquiry revealed that staff at Daicel had not effectively cleaned and inspected weld jigs during the air bag assembly process, resulting in misalignment of closure plates and poor welding.

In June, Nissan requested Daicel to conduct internal tests in an effort to duplicate the defective parts and further understand the mechanisms of the ineffective processes that led to their creation. Daicel agreed and launched this initiative, along with a parts collection program to analyze other previously fabricated fixtures. Both of these efforts concluded in July. Nissan then met with the parts provider to review the results, which included data on inflator weld strength. One month later, the automaker confirmed the root cause of the failed air bag deployment observed during the April trial. Quality assurance personnel then reviewed internal records to identify possibly affected vehicles and launched an internal investigation to study the safety risks associated with the defective air bag assemblies.

On Sept. 7, Nissan confirmed that the defective parts posed a serious threat to owners and issued a voluntary safety recall. The car company notified dealers Sept. 15.

The Solution

Nissan had directed dealers to replace the driver-side air bag inflators in the affected vehicles free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgment document from the NHTSA. The automaker plans to notify owners via first-class mail Oct. 30. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Infiniti customer service personnel at (800) 662-6200. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly through the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Recall MastersNissan recalls vehicles with incompatible air bags

Toyota recalls vehicles with incorrect air bags [Video]

September 29, 2017 admin ,

Hello, and welcome to another vehicle recall update.

Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing has recalled multiple vehicles believed to be equipped with non-compatible air bag assemblies. The campaign affects 2008 to 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser and 2006 to 2013 Lexus L-X sport utility vehicles.

The vehicles referenced in the recall contain non-compatible assemblies that may deploy irregularly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The defective safety features were accidentally installed due to an ordering error.

Toyota notified dealers Aug. 31 and directed them to replace the air bags in recalled models, free of charge. The automaker began notifying owners via first-class mail Sept. 25. Stay tuned for more vehicle recall breaking news.

adminToyota recalls vehicles with incorrect air bags [Video]
Chrysler recalls vehicles with non-compliant labeling

Chrysler recalls vehicles with non-compliant labeling

September 26, 2017 admin

 

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Sept. 26, 2017 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled more than 22,000 vehicles potentially equipped with noncompliant tire and rim labels, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee sport utility vehicles with production dates ranging from Feb. 27, 2017 to Aug. 10, 2017. The car company suspects that 100 percent of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective labels.

The Defect

Affected vehicles likely have tire and rim labels that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110, which stipulates that all road-worthy models include labeling showing the “size designation and, if applicable, the type designation of rims (not necessarily those on the vehicle) appropriate for the tire appropriate for use on that vehicle, including the tire installed as original equipment on the vehicle by the vehicle manufacturer,” according to the Government Publishing Office. The vehicles named in the recall feature wheels and tires that do not contain the proper information, which may lead to the installation of noncompliant tires or wheels, and therefore increase the likelihood of an accident.

However, FCA has yet to receive field reports linking the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

On Aug. 10, 2017, the FCA Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance group received an internal report from the Information and Communication Technology division indicating that some 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles originating from the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois had rolled off the line with tire and wheel labels meant for passenger cars, rather than multipurpose models. Officials from the FCA VSRC group immediately reached out to the Quality Center Manager at the BVAP facility, who confirmed the existence of the issue and attributed it to a printing error. QA personnel at the plant instituted a yard hold to prevent noncompliant vehicles from departing.

On Aug. 24, after reviewing production logs for the BVAP plant and confirming non-compliance with FMVSS 110, the FCA Vehicle Regulations Committee called for a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

FCA will direct dealers to replace the certification labels in affected vehicles free of charge. The car manufacturer plans to notify both dealers Oct. 20, according to documents filed with the NHTSA. The company will notify owners via first-class mail on or about that same day. Those in need of more immediate assistance leading up to the official recall date can contact Chrysler customer service personnel at (800) 853-1403. Callers should use the internal recall identification code T53. Owners can also reach out directly to the NHTSA via the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

adminChrysler recalls vehicles with non-compliant labeling
Mazda recalls sedans with seat frames

Mazda recalls sedans with seat frames

September 26, 2017 admin

 

Washington D.C. – Sept. 26, 2017 – Mazda North American Operations has recalled more than 57,000 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective seat frames, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2015-2016 Mazda6 sedans produced between Nov. 3, 2014 and Dec. 9, 2015. Mazda is uncertain how many of the vehicles actually include the defective features.

The Defect

Affected models are likely to contain front passenger seat frames with high levels of weld spatter. When passengers are present, this excess metal could make contact with the classification wire harnesses installed beneath the seat frames and abrade them over time, leading to short circuiting and the eventual loss of power steering assist and air bags. In the event that power steering assist is lost, multiple warning lights illuminate. Drivers will still be able to maneuver their vehicles to evade other drivers. However, when weld splatter abrades wire harnesses and air bag functionality is inhibited, these safety features will not work should an accident unfold.

That said, Mazda has not received reports connecting the defect to any injuries or accidents.

Timeline of Events

On Dec. 1, 2015, Mazda received a field report from the U.S. market outlining an instance in which all of the dashboard lights illuminated in a Mazda6 sedan. Engineering personnel investigated the report and found that the occupant sensor wiring harness in the car was abraded due to extensive weld spatter on the front passenger seat frame. Approximately eight days later, the Japanese automaker rolled out amended assembly processes that involved installing protective pads beneath the seat frames in Mazda6 models. On February 5, 2016, quality assurance personnel reviewed all information related to the defect and resulting production fix, and determined that a voluntary recall was unnecessary as there was a low frequency of occurrence and drivers could still safely maintain control of their vehicles in the event of complete wire harness abrasion. Mazda continued to monitor the field for more reports.

By Nov. 29, 2016, 13 more field reports materialized, forcing the automaker to reassess its earlier decision. However, by March 3, 2017, few other occurrences cropped up. On July 25, Mazda shared information on the defect and the assembly amendment with the NHTSA during a technical presentation. The agency requested more detailed data, which the automaker submitted to NHTSA officials Aug. 10 during a follow-up meeting. The NHTSA offered additional guidance on the matter Aug. 21. Mazda convened a Quality Audit Committee meeting Aug. 24 and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall based on this discussion.

The car manufacturer notified dealers Sept. 22.

The Solution

Mazda directed dealers to attach protective pads to front passenger seat frames installed in affected vehicles free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgment document. Service crews are also supposed to inspect wire harnesses and apply insulating tape if they show signs of abrasion. The car company plans to notify owners via first-class mail Sept. 29. Those in need of more immediate assistance can reach out to Mazda customer service at (800) 222-5500. Callers should use the internal recall identification code 1517H. Owners can also connect with the NHTSA through its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

adminMazda recalls sedans with seat frames
Chrysler recalls SUVs with defective driveshafts

Chrysler recalls SUVs with defective driveshafts

September 22, 2017 Sean Reyes

Recall Masters – September 22, 2017

Chrysler recalls SUVs with defective driveshafts

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled multiple vehicles likely equipped with defective driveshafts, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles with production dates ranging from May 25, 2017 to June 2, 2017. FCA suspects all of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective parts.
The Defect
Affected models contain overly shortened halfshafts that could disengage from differentials during operation. Should this occur, vehicles will unexpectedly lose motive power and the ability to shift gears. This increases the likelihood of high-speed collisions and therefore poses a serious risk to occupants. That said, FCA has not received reports linking the defective drivetrain features to any accidents or injuries. Drivers may hear noise coming from the underside of the vehicle prior to halfshaft disconnect…

Read the entire article on the Recall Masters website

Sean ReyesChrysler recalls SUVs with defective driveshafts
Chrysler recalls SUVs with defective driveshafts

Chrysler recalls SUVs with defective driveshafts

September 22, 2017 Sean Reyes

 

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Sept. 21, 2017 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled multiple vehicles likely equipped with defective driveshafts, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles with production dates ranging from May 25, 2017 to June 2, 2017. FCA suspects all of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected models contain overly shortened halfshafts that could disengage from differentials during operation. Should this occur, vehicles will unexpectedly lose motive power and the ability to shift gears. This increases the likelihood of high-speed collisions and therefore poses a serious risk to occupants. That said, FCA has not received reports linking the defective drivetrain features to any accidents or injuries. Drivers may hear noise coming from the underside of the vehicle prior to halfshaft disconnect.

Timeline of Events

On July 20, 2017, FCA engineers notified the company’s Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance department that the halfshaft in one experimental model had disconnected during operation. From July 20 to Aug. 4, personnel from the automaker’s Supplier Quality Engineering group reached out to parts providers and worked with these firms to identify the structural issues that might have caused the instance of disengagement. On Aug. 4, the SQE group confirmed that GKN Driveline North America, based in Mexico, had shipped a total of eight driveshafts with incorrect lengths, five of which were installed in production vehicles. Four days later, the FCA VSRC department opened an investigation into the SQE group’s findings. FCA also determined that the shortened driveshafts had been used in 2011-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicles, but they did not cause technical issues.

On Aug. 24, members of the FCA VRC group decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

FCA will direct dealers to replace the halfshafts in affected vehicles free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgment document from the NHTSA. The automaker plans to notify dealers and owners of the action Oct. 20. Owners in need of more immediate assistance can contact Chrysler customer service representatives at (800) 853-1403. Callers should use the internal recall identification code T55. Owners can also connect with the NHTSA directly via the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Sean ReyesChrysler recalls SUVs with defective driveshafts
Hyundai recalls electric models with EPCU problems

Hyundai recalls electric models with EPCU problems

September 22, 2017 admin

 

Fountain Valley, Calif. – Sept. 20, 2017 – Hyundai Motor America has recalled more than 200 vehicles believed to contain defective electronic power control units, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 Hyundai Ioniq plug-in electric sedans with production dates ranging from Nov. 17, 2016 to March 30, 2017. Hyundai suspects just 2 percent of the vehicles named in the recall contain the defective fixtures.

The Defect

Hyundai Ioniq sedans are equipped with aluminum-encased EPCU devices that transform alternating current power into direct current power for charging the battery system. The vehicles named in the campaign could contain EPCU devices whose aluminum shells feature small voids that allow coolant to leak onto EPCU circuit boards, leading to stalling. These cracked casings increase the likelihood of an accident – especially at high speeds – and therefore poses a serious danger to occupants. However, Hyundai has not received reports connecting the problematic EPCU coverings to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In June 2017, the South Korean automaker received a field report outlining an instance in which an Ioniq owner was forced to tow his vehicle to a dealer after it stalled on the road. In this instance, the “check electrical vehicle system” light illuminated. Hyundai received another field report later in the month describing a similar situation.

In July, the car company collected parts from both vehicles and delivered them to engineering staff for evaluation. Personnel immediately spotted the cracked EPCU casings and diagnosed the root cause of both breakdowns. Hyundai then contacted the Korea-based parts provider responsible for delivering the defective aluminum fixtures. The company, Hyundai Mobis, traced the defective EPCU coverings to a manufacturing process revision made in April 2017. Hyundai quality assurance personnel reviewed all the available information related to the cracked EPCU housings and decided conduct a voluntary safety recall Aug. 17.

The car company notified owners of the action Sept. 1.

The Solution

Hyundai has directed dealers to inspect and replace the EPCU units in affected vehicles free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgement document from the NHTSA. The automaker plans to notify owners via first-class mail Sept. 29. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Hyundai customer service at (800) 633-5151. Callers should use the internal recall identification code 166. Owners can also reach out the NHTSA directly via its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

adminHyundai recalls electric models with EPCU problems
Chrysler recalls vans with defective seatbelts

Chrysler recalls vans with defective seatbelts

September 22, 2017 admin

 

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Sept. 20, 2017 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled more than 47,000 minivans possibly equipped with defective second-row seatbelts, according to documentation filed with the National Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica minivans with production dates ranging from Nov. 1, 2015 to Aug. 24, 2017. FCA estimates that all of the vehicles named in the recall contain the defective safety features.

The Defect

The affected models contain second-row center seatbelt assemblies that were installed in such a way that can cause the left outboard seatbelt buckle may to come unlatched. This poses a serious safety risk to passengers in the left seating position in the second row, as they could be left unrestrained in the event of an accident. However, FCA has not received reports connecting crashes or injuries to the defective fixtures.

Timeline of Events

On May 12, 2017, members of the FCA Interior Restraints Engineering Department notified the company’s Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance of an issue involving second-row seatbelt assemblies installed in 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Engineers for the department had seen the left outboard seatbelt buckle in one recently assembled vehicle come unlatched during a chassis validation tests involving a water dummy ballast. From May 13 to Aug. 2, members of the FCA VSRU reviewed field information and conducted an investigation to see if the problem could be duplicated for testing. The automaker’s Vehicle Dynamics team succeeded in duplicating the issue during a laboratory test July 31.

On Aug. 2, the VSRU further reviewed the vehicle at the center of the original report and met with engineers from the VD group who confirmed that they had duplicated the issue described in the internal communication. The FCA Vehicle Regulations Committee reviewed the matter Aug. 24 and decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall to address the defective second-row seatbelt assemblies. The car company notified owners of the intended action Aug. 31.

The Solution

FCA has directed dealers to install shortened second-row seatbelt buckles designed to prevent unlatching free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement. The automaker will notify owners via first-class mail Oct. 20. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Chrysler customer service personnel at (800) 853-1403. Callers should use the internal recall identification code T54. Owners can also reach out directly to the NHTSA via its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

adminChrysler recalls vans with defective seatbelts
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