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Investigators Looking into Ford F-150 Brake Problems [Video]

March 14, 2016 admin Ford Recalls, Video

Dearborn, MI — March 14, 2016 — Hundreds of thousands of Ford F-150 trucks are currently under investigation for brake system issues. According to the Associated Press, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 30 complaints about this issue, most of which have come with the last 12 months. None of the complaints have involved any injuries so far.

The effort does not include an official recall yet, but does show the manufacturer reacting seriously to customer problems. Currently, the investigation includes approximately 420,000 units with model years ranging from between 2013 and 2014. Affected vehicles have leaked brake fluid, leading to difficulties using the brakes at all.

Since this just an investigation, there is no suggested remedy action from the source if a recall is required.

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Floor Mats May Make Maserati Vehicles Unsafe

March 10, 2016 admin Maserati Recalls

Eaglewood Cliffs, NJ — March, 10, 2016 — In some Maserati vehicles, loose floor mats can leave a car’s gas pedal pressed down, posing a major crashing hazard to occupants. A Part 573 Safety Recall report has the details on the issue, which appears in autos produced between February 1, 2013, and November 30, 2015. Maserati first started investigating the problem last February. Dealers and owners will both be notified on April 29, and the dealer inspection is expected to take an hour to complete.

As the report stated, these Maserati recalls involve 28,235 vehicles of two different model types: the Quattroporte and Ghibli. Model years for both of these vehicles range between 2014 and 2016. If the floor mat anchors in any of these vehicles breaks, the mat could get stuck under the accelerator pedal.

Although the source notes that the brake override system can help prevent this, there’s still the risk that it would, at the very least, “startle the vehicle operator.” The mat could potentially trap the pedal in any position, not just the “wide open throttle.”

Toyota recalls in the past have concerned a similar issue. In 2010, Consumer Reports Auto Test Center senior engineer Jake Fisher spoke to Scientific American about some of the factors that might lead to a gas pedal being pressed down. One of these include “the electronic throttle control – the digital fly-by-wire unit that links the gas pedal to the fuel delivery unit.”

He also noted that buyers that purchase floor mats as an extra or from an outside source both risk encountering the same issue. “In the first case the dealer typically throws them into the car or the trunk, so the mats don’t necessarily get hooked into the floor correctly,” Fisher said. “In the second, the mats may not fit or be installed properly.”

The remedy and recalled components will have different part numbers.

Two Hyundai Models Recalled Due to Wiper Concerns

March 8, 2016 admin Hyundai Recalls

Fountain Valley, CA — March 8, 2016 — On February 29, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received a report of a pair of Hyundai recalls based on the same issue. According to this document, 18,700 Genesis and Equus vehicles, both of them four-door light vehicles with gas powertrains, may be subject to an issue that affects windshield wiper functions.

The majority of the autos in this recall are Genesis models manufactured between 2011 and 2012. The source notes that the cover seal for wiper motors is at risk of corroding, potentially slowing the wiper or preventing it from functioning at all. For the Equus vehicles included, model years range between 2011 and 2013. VALEO Wiper Systems, a German company, was listed as the component manufacturer.

“If the windshield wipers become inoperative during inclement weather, driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash,” the report said. Though no recall timeline was listed, dealers and owners are scheduled for notification on April 22.

Dealers will solve the problem by resealing the cover of the wiper motor to lower chance of circuit board corrosion. Hyundai officially decided to conduct this recall on February 16, six years after it first learned of possible delays in wiper performance for the Genesis vehicles.

In October 2015, General Motors also launched a recall based on difficulties with windshield wiper motors. That action involved concern over a possible fire risk from overheating systems. Unlike this Hyundai recall, the GM order concerned three different 2016 models: the Buick Enclave, the Chevrolet Traverse and the GMC Acadia.

As a Car and Driver article from that time described, 31,00 vehicles were part of the recall, although only 6,400 were with customers at the time of the recall.

Some Chrysler Windshields Could Dislodge in Crash [Video]

March 7, 2016 admin Chrysler Recalls, Dodge Recalls, Video

Detroit, MI — March 07, 2016 — Starting next month, a Chrysler recall will affect hundreds of vehicles manufactured with expired urethane primer. This chemical may make it more likely for the windshields in these vehicles to dislodge.

This action comes from tests that revealed the possible effects of using primer past its expiration date. Older coats of primer were found to ineffectively bond on the windshield. There have currently been no reports of injuries from this problem, though the dislocated windshields could potentially hurt a vehicle’s occupants.

The recall extends to two models: the Town and Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan. Manufacture dates range from August 2014 to December 2015. Dealers will remedy the issue by replacing the windshields as needed

Be sure to visit our blog often for the latest news on Chrysler recalls. Thank you for watching!

Some Ford Transit Seat Belt Buckles Might Fail to Latch

March 3, 2016 admin Ford Recalls

Dearborn, MI — March 3, 2016 — As part of a pair of recent recalls, Ford Motor Company recently announced possible safety risks connected to Transit vehicles produced between 2014 and 2016, with the 2015 and 2016 model years.

“No injuries have been connected to this issue.”

Across the entire North American continent, approximately 51,470 of these vehicles may contain vulnerable seat belt buckles. The vehicles were manufactured at the same assembly plant in Kansas City. In a press release on the new Ford recalls, the manufacturer stated that dealers will inspect and repair the faulty buckles, replacing them if needed.

While no injuries have been connected to this issue, the press release did explain the possible danger to occupants posed by this defect.

“The rear seat belt buckles are being damaged when heavy objects are placed on top of them, which could cause the buckle not to latch completely, increasing the risk of injury in a crash,” the release said. The same statement also referenced a recall for 3,700 Ford F-150 trucks, most of which are in the United States as well. A seat massage function could disable the airbag system in the passenger seat. Dealers will address this issue by updating the module software to fix the vehicle’s classification systems.

These recent Ford recalls come after a previous action targeting 2015 Transits for a seat belt assembly issue. The belts required a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard violation because they didn’t bear the correct labels, which normally list the belt model and model year.

This represented a risk to owner safety because it made it potentially difficult for users to read crucial model information on the belt itself. The manufacturer officially launched this earlier recall on June 12, 2015 for fewer than 50 units.

Seatbelt Issues Lead to Worldwide Toyota RAV4 Recall

March 2, 2016 admin Toyota Recalls

Torrance, CA — March 02, 2016 — Although most of the vehicles in a new Toyota recall are in North America, this action affects almost 3 million SUVs around the world. A press release from the manufacturer explained that seatbelts in these autos ustould accidentally detach and leave occupants at risk, something possible during a severe impact.

The recall will affect RAV4 and RAV4 EV vehicles with combined model years ranging between 2006 and 2014. So far, there have been two reports of incidents where a crash caused a seatbelt in these affected vehicles to detach. The issue is due to a design that could make it easier for the seat frame to cut the belt.

“North America alone will recall 1.3 million vehicles for this problem.”

North America alone will recall 1.3 million vehicles for this problem, as the manufacturer reaches out to vehicle owners. The manufacturing production dates stretch as far back as 2005. Toyota’s solution will see the seat frames fit with a resin cover to reduce the chance of seatbelts detaching, a process that could take an hour at maximum.

“There is a possibility that, in the event of a very severe frontal crash, the lap belt webbing could contact a portion of the metal seat cushion frame, become cut, and separate,” the statement reads. “If this occurs, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant, which could increase the risk of injury.”

Outside of the United States, the CBC reports that China will see 434,000 vehicles recalled, while Japan’s version of the Toyota recalls only concerns 177,00 vehicles. More than 300,000 SUVs in countries that aren’t in North America, Europe, Japan or China are part of the ongoing effort as well. Another report, this from the New York Times, notes that the defect reportedly does not stem from a supplier issue.

Hyundai Recalls 2011 Tucson for Transmission Issues

March 1, 2016 admin Hyundai Recalls

Fountain Valley, CA — March 01, 2016 — A total of 11,176 2011 Hyundai Tucson vehicles are part of a recall action submitted late last month. Models manufactured between July and October in 2010 are subject to a possible transmission fluid leak, due to badly produced hoses. Although the official recall began only recently, it represents five years of investigations and response actions, with the first notifications coming from a dealer in September 2011.

Owners and dealers alike have a few symptoms to help them determine whether or not a particular vehicle is at risk. According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, affected models are light SUV’s with automatic transaxles. If the transmission hose is visibly leaking fluid, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp is on or the vehicle is shifting unusually, the driver might be at risk.

The vehicle manufacturer will notify owners beginning March 25, with dealers notified on the same date, though the official schedule for the recall was not reported. However, this document did describe some of the observations uncovered in previous investigations.

“The investigation revealed that certain hoses manufactured from August 2010 through October 2010 might have been improperly cured during the manufacturing process, lowering the hose rubber durability and creating the potential for the hose to rupture and split,” the document said. Faulty hoses could potentially leak enough transmission fluid to put the vehicle in danger.

In 2015, Subaru also recalled thousands of vehicles for transmission fluid leak concerns. Instead of a hose, this effort was prompted by a “deformed” seal cap inside a propeller shaft yoke that could have leaked fluid onto an exhaust pipe. The repair required dealers to replace the entire propeller shaft assembly following a stop sale order.

Chrysler Recall Should Make Changing Tires Safer [Video]

February 24, 2016 admin Dodge Recalls, Video

Detroit, MI — February 24, 2016 — A new recall focuses on more than 441,000 Dodge Chargers. According to official recall documents, this action concerns vehicles produced between August 2010 and January 2016.

Fiat Chrysler is recalling these vehicles because they may accidentally fall off their jacks and possibly hurt owners trying to change a tire. The body-side sill assembly could possibly fail if owners don’t use wheel chocks. Because of this, the manufacturer will supply chocks to owners as part of the remedy.

Once they are installed, these will reduce the chance of injury during a tire change. The company released an official statement on this recall earlier this month. There are three minor injuries connected to this issue.

Thank you for watching. Be sure to visit our blog for more information on the latest Chrysler recalls.

Volkswagen Contributes More Vehicles to Takata Recall

February 23, 2016 admin Takata Airbag Recalls, Volkswagen Recalls

Berlin, Germany — February 23, 2016 — While Volkswagen contends with its defeat device scandal, it is also involved in the ongoing Takata airbag recalls. Car and Driver reports that the manufacturer is recalling 680,000 vehicles that contain Takata side airbag inflators. These include CC, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, Golf and Eos vehicles with model years ranging between 2006 and 2014. Some of the Passats are only recalled on the German production side.

“The driver-side airbag is the only source of concern for most of the Volkswagen models.”

The new action is notable because it includes more recently manufactured vehicles than some of the other Takata airbag recalls. The source said that the driver-side airbag is the only source of concern for most of the models included.

In addition to Volkswagen’s efforts, fellow German automakers Audi, Daimler and BMW are recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles apiece. Reuters states that the combined numbers add up to 2.5 million vehicles, adding to the 24 million vehicles involved in the Takata airbag recalls.

Volkswagen referenced the possible danger from this defect in a press release, while also acknowledging the steps it is taking to address owner safety.

“Volkswagen is not aware of any ruptured SDI or PSDI-5 inflator in any Volkswagen Group vehicle worldwide,” the statement read. “Once affected VINs and the recall remedy have been identified, Volkswagen will notify all owners of affected vehicles and will instruct them to arrange for an appointment with an authorized Volkswagen dealer.”

Faulty inflators from Takata could burst, potentially injuring occupants with metal shrapnel. To date, nine deaths have been connected to the airbag faults in the United States, and Takata has announced its plan to work with regulators to make its vehicles safer.

Possible Engine Damage Prompts Honda to Stop Civic Sales [Video]

February 22, 2016 admin Honda Recalls, Video

Washington, DC — February 22, 2016 — In addition to a recall, Honda is halting sales to prevent possible engine damage. According to AutoBlog, the issue comes from faulty piston pin snap rings in assorted two-liter engines and will impact around 34,000 vehicles.

In addition, a factory spokesperson told the source that Civics with 1.5-liter engines will not be impacted by this action. Currently, the official website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that engine failure could occur because of these faulty parts.

While more details on this situation are still forthcoming, the manufacturer is already planning to contact owners some time in the middle of next month. This information comes from data posted on a Civic forum before the actual recall announcement has been made.

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