Daimler Trucks Recalled for Braking Problem [Video]

Portland, Ore. — March 13, 2017 — Some Daimler Western Star truck drivers may be in danger of sudden stops, according to a recent recall.

As of Feb. 27, a Safety Recall Report claimed 450 could have this braking issue. Certain welding problems in these vehicles could lead to the parking brake activating unexpectedly.

The brakes themselves could also cease to be fully effective. The problem comes from improper welding during the manufacture dates, which ended on January 31, 2017. Affected vehicles have model years from 2015 to 2018.

Dealer and owner notification isn’t scheduled until April 27. The fix will see authorized Daimler Trucks North America replace defective steel air tanks. This is a voluntary safety recall started after investigations from the manufacturer, which began last December.

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Volkswagen Recalls Sedans with Broken Brake Lines

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Mar. 13, 2017 – Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 1,000 vehicles exhibiting brake-line leakage. The recall impacts Passat sedans produced in January of this year, according to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Defect

Affected vehicles suffer from constant brake fluid leakage due to damaged hydraulic components. Motorists often see service lights indicating low brake fluid. If more is not added, vehicle brakes can lose stopping power, which increases the likelihood of a serious traffic accident. Additionally, Volkswagen engineers suspect that the leak can worsen over time, leading to more serious braking problems. No injuries have yet been reported as a result of the defect.

Timeline of Events

In January, Volkswagen quality assurance personnel spotted evidence of brake-line leakage when reviewing recently produced Passats. Engineers investigated and connected the problem to defective brake-tube flares. The automaker removed damaged flares from all production facilities Jan. 19, banned their use and replaced them with functioning alternatives from an OEM partner.

Product safety officials at Volkswagen reviewed the engineering report soon after. The group decided to issue an official recall Feb. 1, based on the findings.The car manufacturing company notified dealers in the U.S. on Feb. 15, according to an internal communication filed with the NHTSA.

The Solution

The automaker has instructed dealers to replace the brake lines in impacted vehicles, free of charge. There is no word yet as to when customers might receive official notification from Volkswagen. However, the recall is scheduled to begin March 1. Passat owners with defective brake lines can contact Volkswagen service personnel or call the NHTSA safety hotline for more information.

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Mercedes Recalls Various Models Over Defective Airbags

Montvale, N.J. – Mar. 09, 2017 – Mercedes Benz USA has recalled more than 1,000 vehicles due to defective air bags, according to documentation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall impacts a variety of models produced between August and November 2016, including:

  • CLA 250 and 250 4Matic sports sedans
  • E 400 and 400 4Matic coupes
  • E 550 coupes
  • E 400 and 550 Cabriolet convertibles
  • E 300 and 300 4Matic sedans
  • GLA 250 and 250 4Matic sports utility vehicles

The Defect

The propellant mix ratio within air bag igniters in the affected vehicles is unbalanced and does not meet manufacturer expectations. Although primarily a question of vehicle quality, this problem can hinder air bag operation and even halt deployment of these crash safety tools. Pelvic  and front passenger-side airbags are particularly vulnerable to this defect. There have been no reported injuries related to the mix propellant problem.

Timeline of Events

In November last year, the OEM parts supplier Autoliv reported that some of its air bag module igniters did not comport with internal quality standards. One month later, Autoliv issued a parts recall via the NHTSA. Engineers at Daimler AG, Mercedes’ parent company, reviewed the recall and production records to pinpoint potentially affected models. In January, the automaker performed further tests to ascertain the extent of the issue. In early February, Daimler AG officials determined that the defect presented a risk to drivers and issued an official recall.

Dealers were notified soon after this determination was made.

The Solution

Daimler AG has instructed dealers to inspect potentially affected vehicles and install new air bag module igniters, free of charge, according to an internal NHTSA communication. All models are covered under the Mercedes new vehicle limited warranty. Owners should receive confirmation of the recall in early March.

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Mercedes Recalls SUVs Due to Defective Console Latches

Montvale, N.J. – Mar. 8, 2017 – Mercedes Benz USA has recalled almost 6,000 vehicles with defective interior console latches, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects a number of sport utility models produced between July and October of last year, including:

 

 

 

  • GLE 400 4Matic
  • GLE 350 and 350 4Matic
  • GLE 550E 4Matic
  • GLE 63 AMG, 63S AMG and 63S AMG 4Matic Coupe
  • GLE 43 AMG 4Matic Coupe
  • GLS 450 4Matic
  • GLS 550 4matic
  • GLS 63 AMG 4Matic

The Defect

Affected models are equipped with defective center-console door latches. Consequently, items stored in this space may escape during traffic accidents. This has the potential to harm motorists involved in crashes. As yet, there have been no injuries reported due to this defect.

Timeline of Events

In July 2016 engineers for Daimler AMG, Mercedes’ parent company, discovered the defect during certification tests. One month later, the German automaker discovered that the OEM parts supplier Inteva Products Europe had instituted fabrication changes during production and failed to notify its partners, including Daimler AG. The defective parts were immediately removed from circulation.

Over the following months, engineers assessed the potential impacts of the defect and compared their performance to internal quality assurance codes. Daimler AMG officials deemed the parts non-compliant in late 2016. In February, the car manufacturing company confirmed its non-compliance with local and international safety regulations and initiated an official recall.

The Solution

Daimler AMG has instructed dealers to replace defective center console latches free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgment filed with NHTSA. Currently, the recall is in its voluntary stages, meaning owners with affected vehicles should come forward and request replacement latches. The automaker may launch a more exhaustive campaign should few owners react to the voluntary announcement.

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Fuel Leak and Fire Hazard Prompts Truck Recalls

Bellevue, Wash. — Mar. 07, 2017 — In an action announced this month, PACCAR Incorporated is recalling 465 potentially affected trucks due to a fuel system concern. While only half of these vehicles are thought to be affected, the problem could cause a potentially dangerous situation, as the recall acknowledgement statement said.

The Defect

As this letter also noted, the recall included five different types of trucks, including Kenworth and Peterbilt models ranging between the 2015 and 2018 model years. The models included the Kenworth K370, T680 and T880, as well as the Peterbilt 567 and 579.

The defect itself involved faulty plastic tee fittings on the engine that could lead to a dangerous fuel leak, since they’re so close to a possible source of heat. The Kenworth vehicles were produced between Nov. 18 2014 and Jan. 18, 2017, while the Peterbilt vehicle dates range from May 16, 2016 and Jan.18, 2017.

Timeline of Events

  • Jan. 19, 2017: The Indiana-based supplier, Voss, tested for leaks in the engines of affected vehicles after fitting reports appeared, according to a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  • Jan. 23, 2017: Once the parts had been already certified, Peterbilt reviewed the affected tees’ and discovered faults. 
  • Feb. 1, 2017: PACCAR Technical Center tested some of the problematic tees.
  • Feb. 8-10, 2017: After observing the problem, the Peterbilt & Kenworth Safety Committees both decided the leak posed a safety risk.
  • Feb. 15, 2017: The Part 573 Safety Recall Report was submitted to the NHTSA. 

The Resolution

The mold temperature was too low during the production process, leading to the fault, which could create a noticeable fuel leak. Both Kenworth and Peterbilt said they would replace the fuel tees. Though no official dates were given for the notification schedule as of this writing, the report said that it would send notifications out within 60 days of Feb. 15.

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FCA Recalls Vehicles for Defective Tire Pressure Warning System

Auburn Hills, Mich. — March 7, 2017 — Fiat Chrysler Automotive, also known as FCA or Chrysler, is recalling vehicles for possible tire pressure detection concerns. As the Recall Safety Report said, all of the approximately 278 vehicles involved in the action are believed to have this problem, which are 2017 Fiat 500X models.

The Defect:

The problem springs from a possible lack of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 138, which covers tire pressure monitoring systems. Vehicles under this recall could potentially fail to trigger their warning light for tires with low pressure. With no clear way to tell if a tire is underinflated, the driver and passengers could face a risk of crash while driving.

Timeline of Events:

  • December, 2016: Production on the affected models began on Dec. 15.
  • February, 2017: The latest production date for these models was Feb. 20. This was also the month where component manufacturer Magneti Marelli Electronics reported the noncompliance issue before FCA US Italy S.p.A agreed to conduct a voluntary recall.
  • March, 2017: The newly developed software needed for the fix was put into production, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report could be submitted.

The Resolution:

The aforementioned software should be enough to fix this issue, the source said, as FCA US plans to reimburse owners affected by these problems. The report said that both dealers and owner notification should begin “on or about” April 21, 2017. The FCA Customer Services Field Operations did send out a notice about the recall on March 10 in addition to the official NHTSA recall.

Though not directly related, a similar Hyundai recall also addressed problems with the tire pressure sensor system. In that case, the fault was in the external sensor itself, not the internal warning signal.

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Hyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue

Recall Masters – March 6, 2017


Hyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue

In one of the most recent Hyundai recalls, the manufacturer has turned its attention to brake booster systems in thousands of its 2017 Elantra vehicles. Production dates for these models ranged from Sep.12, 2016 to Jan. 18, 2017.

The Defect
Brake boosters in these affected vehicles are possibly subject to a manufacturing error, leaving them prone to failure. The Part 573 Safety Recall Report said that the boosters could lose power after the diaphragm within them comes loose.

Exactly 33,803 vehicles are involved with this action, although the percentage of these thought to have the defect was not reported. The components came from the Georgia-based company Mando America Corporation…

Read the entire article on the Recall Masters website

Sean ReyesHyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue

Hyundai Elantra Vehicles Recalled for Brake Booster Issue

Fountain Valley, Calif. — March 6, 2017 — In one of the most recent Hyundai recalls, the manufacturer has turned its attention to brake booster systems in thousands of its 2017 Elantra vehicles. Production dates for these models ranged from Sep.12, 2016 to Jan. 18, 2017.

The Defect

Brake boosters in these affected vehicles are possibly subject to a manufacturing error, leaving them prone to failure. The Part 573 Safety Recall Report said that the boosters could lose power after the diaphragm within them comes loose.

Exactly 33,803 vehicles are involved with this action, although the percentage of these thought to have the defect was not reported. The components came from the Georgia-based company Mando America Corporation.

Timeline of Events

  • December 2016: The manufacturer investigation into the defect began following customer reports, as well as greater demand from the supplier for the brake booster part.
  • January 2017: Hyundai agreed to launch a safety recall after working with the supplier to both investigate the defect and prevent further models from suffering the same problem.

The Resolution

Owners could, according to the report, check to see if their malfunction indicator lamp is lit to determine if there’s a problem with the internal vacuum system. Regardless, the report said that owners can expect the related repairs to fall under the existing warranty, and that the remedy would simply require an inspection and replacement. This source also listed dealer notification as Jan. 27 and owner notification as Feb. 17.

Manufacturer’s instructions provide more detail about the repair process, mentioning the two different service procedures needed for the same recall, including measures that match different transmission types. Replacement involved just one new product, the vacuum booster itself, matching to either the 1.4 or 2.0 liter engine. For MTM vehicles, the dealers were instructed to use brake fluid as needed.

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BMW Issues Recall Due to Takata Air Bag Defect

Westwood, NJ – March 3, 2017 – BMW is the latest car manufacturer to recall vehicles containing Takata Corporation air bag assemblies, according to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall impacts around 840,000 vehicles and applies to  several models, including:

  • 2008-2013, 1 Series coupes
  • 2008-2013, 1 Series convertibles
  • 2007-2013, 3 Series coupes
  • 2007-2013, 3 Series convertibles
  • 2006-2011, 3 Series sedans
  • 2006-2012, 3 Series sports wagons
  • 2013-2015, X1 sports activity vehicles
  • 2007-2010, X3 sports activity vehicles
  • 2007-2013, X5 sports activity vehicles
  • 2008-2014, X6 sports activity vehicles

Recall summary

The front air bag assemblies in affected models contain defective driver-side air bag inflator modules and propellant tablets. In the event of a crash, these fixtures can rupture, propelling sharp metal fragments throughout the cabin and causing serious harm to drivers and passengers. Inspectors have since connected the problem to shoddy fabrication practices in plants in Monclova, Mexico and LaGrange, Georgia. While no BMW drivers or passengers have been harmed due to Takata air bag equipment, the defective fixtures have injured and killed individuals operating vehicles from other manufacturers.

On January 21, 2016, Takata announced that some vehicles in the U.S. contained faulty air bar inflators and propellant tablets. BMW reviewed the announcement and discovered that some of its models contained PSDI-5 inflators, which were indeed deemed defective by Takata engineers. This equipment had originated from the Monclova and LaGrange facilities, as well as another Takata production hub located in Freiberg, Germany. BMW reviewed its fabrication records and decided to issue a recall. The automaker notified dealers February 5.

The repair

BMW has ordered dealers to replace the front driver-side air bag assembly, free of charge. However, supplies are limited at the moment, meaning some customers may have to wait. Owners are expected to receive confirmation March 31.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 800,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 631,588 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

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