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More Than 1.5 Million Toyota Cars Recalled in Japan

December 7, 2015 admin Takata Airbag Recalls, Toyota Recalls

Tokyo, Japan — December 07, 2015 — As part of the latest developments in the Takata airbag recalls, Toyota is extending its efforts and recalling more than 1 million vehicles in countries around the world. This action is notable because it comes after Takata was fined hundreds of millions of potential dollars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration earlier this month, a record-setting penalty that signals an increased focus on correcting these problems. The recalls are still ongoing as further investigations continue.

While the manufacturer has already intended to recall 12 million vehicles worldwide for risk from the Takata airbag inflators, the 1.6 million vehicles included have already been previously recalled. Bloomberg reports that eight people have died from inflator explosion-related injuries so far, and nearly 100 injuries have been caused.

That source also stated that a new injury is part of the reason for this latest action: a Nissan SUV in Japan reportedly underwent a rupture that hurt an occupant. This recall so far only affects vehicles outside of the United States, particularly in Japan but also in parts of western Europe.

In total, 22 models available in Japan are subject to this Toyota recall, with manufacture dates as old as 2004. As of October 28, 2015, most of the injuries and fatalities connected to the Takata inflator ruptures occurred in Honda vehicles: Toyota models were only involved in five incidents, the most recent listed as December 25, 2014. Nissan vehicles were also responsible for the same number of incidents, stretching as far back as January 2, 2014.

Hyundai Recalls Vehicles With Brake Lights that Stay On

December 4, 2015 admin Hyundai Recalls

Fountain Valley, CA — December 04, 2015 — Hyundai Sonata vehicles with model years 2011 and 2012 are part of a recall action sparked by concern over brake light functionality. Because of faulty material in the brake pedal stop pads for target vehicles, drivers could accidentally find themselves with brake lights that stay on continuously. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls this a possible hazard for those in and around the car.

A total of 304,900 vehicles are said to be involved, with 1 percent estimated to have the defect. The Manufacturer’s Report Date was November 13, and the vehicles involved were produced between December 11, 2009, and June 30, 2011 at a plant in Alabama, according to a Part 573 Safety Recall Report.

While there is no “root cause” identified for this issue yet, and no accidents attached to it either, the same source describes the problems associated with the brake light.

“A deteriorated pad can result in the stop lamps illuminating continuously, illumination of the traction control warning lamp, the ability to move the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal, or activation of the engine management system’s brake pedal override feature,” the report states.

A letter from the NHTSA notes that the recall is currently intended for January 11, 2016, which is also the planned dealer notification date. To remedy the situation, “dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part,” the NHTSA letter adds. Warranty claim rates have reached as high as .5 percent this September, building off of initial claims investigations in 2014.

Ford Announces Fusion and Milan Recall for Fuel Tank Problems

December 3, 2015 admin Ford Recalls, Mercury Recalls

Dearborn, MI — December 03, 2015 — In a new press release, Ford Motor Company announced a recall for a pair of models produced at its Hermosillo Assembly Plant. According to this statement, the recall applies to Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles: although they have model years ranging between 2010 and 2011, the manufacture dates range as far back as July, 2008. More than 411,200 vehicles in the United States alone are subject to this action.

In total, the entire recall includes 451,865 cars across North America, with most of the units found in the U.S. The manufacturer is concerned about possible fuel leaks in these vehicles, and states that affected models could be liable to dangerous cracks in the fuel tanks, leading to an increased safety risk.

“Some of these vehicles might have a canister purge valve that does not work properly, causing internal pressure changes inside the fuel tank,” the source said. “Repeated pressure changes inside the tank could result in a crack on the top of the tank, possibly allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire.” The remedy may require dealers to replace the fuel tank entirely, but only after inspecting it first.

In the same release, Ford also announced a separate recall for 13 F-650 autos produced between this July and September. The mechanism that positions these vehicles in “park” could theoretically break, so the manufacturer has called for dealers to replace affected steering columns as a remedy.

Earlier this year, a different series of Ford recalls targeted Fusion and Milan models, among others, for steering motor sensor difficulties.

Mustang Seatbelt Recall Will Begin in December

December 2, 2015 Sean Reyes Video

Late last month, Ford announced that it would recall certain Mustangs for seatbelt issues. As Car and Driver reported, this was part of a series of recalls that accounted for nearly 113,000 vehicles. The Mustang seatbelt concern, however, only applies to 1,900 cars.

This recall is scheduled to begin December 14, and will focus on Mustangs produced this September and October, with the model year 2016. These seatbelts reportedly don’t comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard and could fail to properly protect passengers in the event of a crash.

To fix this, dealers are going to overhaul the seatbelts, including the affected child seat tether anchors and the front and rear belt assemblies.

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New Volkswagen recall centers on Porsche [Video]

December 1, 2015 admin Porsche Recalls, Video, Volkswagen Recalls

While Volkswagen is still reeling from a scandal involving emission cheats, it has announced a new worldwide recall for thousands of Porsches. In a press release, the company noted that consumer complaints have prompted this voluntary action, which will address faulty fuel lines in Macan S and Macan Turbo cars.

In affected vehicles, a leak in the low-pressure fuel line could require the entire line to be replaced. No injuries have been traced to this issue, and the entire range includes nearly 59,000 autos. Of these, only 21,000 are in the United States.

Vehicle owners will work closely and directly with the manufacturer to have the affected units overhauled in the workshop for approximately one hour. The other Volkswagen recall concerns 11 million cars for the emissions cheating software in their engines.

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Honda Models at Highest Risk in Ongoing Takata Recall

November 30, 2015 admin Honda Recalls, Takata Airbag Recalls

Washington, DC — November 30, 2015 — Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it would impose a record fine on Takata after the massive recalls following concern over its potentially explosive airbag inflators. More recently, the organization has sought out possible applicants to work as a monitor as described in a Consent Order and Coordinated Remedy Order.

Though the recalls have affected 12 manufacturers, including Toyota, Ford and Nissan, the brand with the largest amount of models at high risk is Honda, which claims to have fixed 44 percent of its recalled vehicle population.

Honda vehicles have also been involved in the accidents the faulty inflators have caused. Most recently, a Utah woman named Randi Johnson sued the company for an explosion that damaged her vocal cords this September. This incident involved a 2003 Honda Civic: Honda reportedly has nine models at the highest levels of risk, dating back as far as model year 2001. There have been eight fatal accidents traced to these inflators so far.

Late last month, the New York Times reported on a different Honda recall centered on hundreds of thousands of Accords. Improper sensors in these vehicles could activate airbags if doors were slammed too hard: complaints surrounding this issue reportedly stretch as far back as last year.

After Honda, the manufacturer with the highest number of affected models is Fiat Chrysler, responsible for seven models at the highest level of risk. As CNBC notes, Priority One vehicle owner demand has to be met by March 31 of next year.

Kia Recalls Soul Hatchbacks

November 25, 2015 admin Kia Recalls

Washington, DC — November 25, 2015 — The most recent of two Kia Motors recalls issued this year began this month, as the manufacturer has responded to five related warranty claims, none of which are related to any reports of injuries. Nearly 256,460 Soul vehicles are part of this new voluntary recall action, affecting those vehicles with model years between 2014 and 2016, according to Car and Driver. In these autos, weak adhesive can cause gears within the steering assemblies to separate.

Drivers who experienced this failure would have more difficulty steering their vehicles, putting them and passengers at risk. The remedy, listed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will require owners and dealers to replace the pinion plug and add a set gear if necessary.

The decision to launch this recall began on October 29, and the order will officially take place on December 22. Kia initially evaluated the steering gear assembly in 2015MY Soul vehicles this September, with the analysis itself being conducted between October 12 and 21.

During this time, Kia discovered “that a thread locking adhesive of insufficient bonding strength had been applied” within the assembly. A chronology released by the NHTSA notes both this and the fact that none of the reported cases led to loss of control.

The earliest manufactured vehicles included in this recall trace back to a January 18, 2014 manufacture date. On its official website’s FAQ, Kia advises owners to contact its Roadside Assistance if they experience a “clunking noise” while steering so they can tow the vehicle to the nearest dealer.

Mustang seatbelt recall set to begin in December [Video]

November 24, 2015 admin Ford Recalls, Video

To fix this, dealers are going to overhaul the seatbelts, including the affected child seat tether anchors and the front and rear belt assemblies.

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Honda Fit Recall Addresses New Airbag Issue

November 24, 2015 Sean Reyes Honda Recalls, Video

Despite the concern over the Takata airbag recalls, some unrelated airbag issues are also plaguing the same manufacturers affected by Takata. Cars.com reports that thousands of cars are being recalled for a defect that may puncture airbags as they are being deployed, due to badly manufactured rear grab-handle brackets.

Though Honda discovered this problem earlier this year, it has conducted tests before two years ago and found no concern with the brackets.

Nearly 26,000 Honda Fit LX 2015 and 2016 models are subject to this action, and owners will be notified on December 4. While there have been no injuries reported, a puncture could lessen the safety impact of a side curtain airbag and make accidents more dangerous for passengers.

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Five Models of BMW Recalled for Child Seat Safety Risk

November 23, 2015 admin BMW Recalls

Woodcliff Lake, NJ — November 23, 2015 — BMW owners with children should be wary of a new recall action from the manufacturer centered around a series of vehicles made for model year 2016. These cars may reportedly violate the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard by making it impossible for child seats to engage with lower child seat restraint anchors. This would leave children more vulnerable if an accident occurred, as a recall acknowledgement on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site states.

According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, 70 percent of a group of 7,162 vehicles were considered potentially defective. Affected models include the 528i, 535i, 535d and 550i sedans, as well as their xDrive counterparts. Of these, the 528i group has the highest number of autos at possible risk (2,377).

“During vehicle assembly, the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat may have been bent downwards,” the report states. “It may not be possible to securely attach a child restraint system to the lower anchors on the vehicle’s left rear seat, which would increase the risk of injury to a child in an accident.”

The problem was discovered earlier this year and the recall is currently scheduled for December 24. A service information bulletin shows where to find the faulty bracket and instructs dealers to make the repair without any additional parts.

While these vehicles are still awaiting repair, owners are required to cease selling new models under the threat of “substantial civil penalties.” They also can’t deliver vehicles covered by the BMW recalls under any agreement, including a lease.