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Steering Failure Triggers Mini Cooper Recall

November 5, 2015 admin Mini Recalls

Detroit, MI — November 05, 2015 — Mini Cooper and Cooper S vehicles with model years between 2002 and 2005 could be at risk of a failure that cuts off power steering, shocking drivers suddenly and perhaps prompting an accident.

The case goes back five years and has generated nearly 340 complaints, as drivers reported both accidents and even fires breaking out within the cars themselves. Dealers will make repairs to the power steering to fix the issue once the remedy effort begins in December, and the entire action will concern 86,018 autos, according to Automotive News.

This recall comes after negotiations between the manufacturer and the government, with the latter insisting on a recall based on previous evidence of damage. While the defect doesn’t disable steering completely, it could cause drivers to lose their control as they are operating their vehicle. The systems in these cars are currently protected by a 13-year warranty, which means those of the older vehicles would end this year.

Another Mini Cooper recall was also issued in October, concerning problems with air bag deployment in the passenger side. Consumer Affairs’ James Limbach described this action.

“Due to a manufacturing error, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash,” Limbach noted. “Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, ‘Occupant Crash Protection.’ ” The remedy for this problem won’t begin until November 20, and will see dealers replacing the defective module, which is potentially in both four and two-door vehicles. This recall includes 6,073 cars.

Chrysler Recalls New Rams for Improperly Treated Axle Shafts

November 4, 2015 admin RAM Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI — November 04, 2015 — Thousands of Ram 1500 trucks produced this year may be in danger thanks to axle shafts that could be vulnerable to breakage thanks to poor use of heat treatment. In a press release cited by Autoblog, manufacturer Chrysler noted the potential danger this could cause for owners, although the defect has only led to one possibly related accident so far.

According to the source, 65,760 trucks are included in the U.S. extension of the recall. Around the world, the same action has led to thousands of more vehicles being included, with the greatest number of these (16,647) in Canada. The relevant model years for this recall are 2015 and 2016.

While there was no notification schedule included with the initial recall statement, the manufacturer is alerting users to contact dealerships in the event of suspicious activity. It also explained the results of the negative conditions and how they can trigger problems in the trucks.

“An FCA US investigation discovered axle shafts produced by a supplier may not have been properly heat-treated,” the press statement said. “This may contribute to increased wear and overheating sufficient to illuminate a vehicle’s Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) warning light; if ignored, the condition may lead to component fracture and possible wheel separation.”

Reuters reports that the total number of trucks recalled includes more than 86,000. As this new outlet also reported, other Chrysler recalls are currently in effect for possible dangers. More than 75,360 Jeep Cherokees for a different issue, involving air conditioning lines close enough to exhaust manifolds to cause a possible fire, a condition that has not led to any reported accidents.

Nissan Expands Recall for Fuel Leak Concern

November 3, 2015 admin Nissan Recalls

Franklin, TN — November 03, 2015 — Multiple sources are reporting an extension of a previous Nissan recall that will address issues in thousands of vehicles of different sizes. While the original action covered around 5,500 sedans, the new order broadens the recall to include 41,388 vehicles, as a press release featured on Auto Blog noted. Some Maxima and Altima vehicles could be subject to a fuel leak, potentially sparking a fire if a crash occurs.

This update took effect in October, and the remedy consists of a retainer ring that will fit between the fuel tank and sending unit, as the source describes. The company established a 60-day notification period for vehicle owners as it takes on the further recall action.

Nissan has been working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) since July to observe flaws within the affected autos. During this time it has conducted multiple crash tests to determine the mechanics of a leak and how stable the cars involved actually are.

In some cases, Nissan noted no leaks after the test, and has also looked closely at the measurements for fuel tanks constructed in the second half of this year, as an official letter from Nissan mentions. This document also notes that Nissan “hypothesized that the H-seal displacement may have been a result of an assembly or parts quality issue” on July 20.

Model years for the Altimas and Maximas involved in this recall range from 2013 to 2016. This month also saw other Nissan recalls involving more than 218,000 Versas for possible issues with coil springs.

Hyundai Recalls Thousands of Vehicles for Front Coil Spring Issues

November 2, 2015 admin Hyundai Recalls

Fountain Valley, CA — November 2, 2015 — Starting November 30, Hyundai Motor America is expected to recall as many as 27,700 vehicles produced between 2009 and 2011. According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recalls apply to Elantra and Sonata models and are registered in 21 different states, including the District of Columbia. Front coil springs in these vehicles could be subject to fracture.

This not only poses a risk to the suspension itself, but to the tires that come into contact with it an get punctured. The condition is especially problematic in the winter, when excessive road salt can weaken the spring, and could play the biggest factor in the “salt belt” states spanning the east coast and stretching over into the upper Midwest as far as Iowa. However, the defect is not limited to this time of year: the first notifications of the problem appeared in June, when multiple complaints emerged connected to the Sonatas.

Dealers will fix the issue by replacing front coil springs without charge. The chronology of this recall, also published by the NHTSA, describes the efforts the manufacturer has made in recent months. The document also notes that previous tests determined a driver could still stay stable in a vehicle suffering this condition, although this did not deter the final Hyundai recalls.

“On September 30, 2015 Hyundai made the determination to proceed with a safety recall campaign, even though there have been no accidents or injuries, or reports of significant loss of vehicle stability or control,” the chronology reads.

GM issues recall for windshield wiper motor fire risk [Video]

October 30, 2015 admin Chevrolet Recalls, GMC Recalls, Video

In a press statement, General Motors recently announced a new recall for more than 30,000 of its SUVs across North America. Owners of these vehicles could, in extreme cases, be at risk of fire.

Although the manufacturer noted that the fire risk is only present in “some cases,” the windshield wiper motor could overheat to the point that it causes the motor cover to catch fire. The recall effort officially began on September 30, a day after the report receipt date.

Makes and models associated with this recall include the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Arcadia, all produced within a range of a few weeks this year between August and September. To remedy the situation, GM states that dealers will replace the wiper motor cover assembly on the front of the affected vehicles.

Thank you for watching! Be sure to read our blog for more information on GM recalls.

Power-Window Issue Leads to Toyota Recall

October 29, 2015 admin Toyota Recalls

Tokyo, Japan — October, 29 2015 — More than 6 million vehicles are part of a new worldwide Toyota recall over faulty power window switches. According to the Wall Street Journal, North America will see closer to 2.7 million vehicles recalled, as the manufacturer addresses cars produced over a five year period, beginning in January 2005. No serious fatalities and one minor injury has been attributed to these conditions, though there have been more than 11 cases documented in which fires affected the vehicles.

In affected vehicles, fires could break out because of too-little grease on driver’s side windows. Components inside the car could melt, leaving drivers and passengers both at risk. Over time, the electrics can wear down and spark a fire, destroying or damaging sections of the auto, like the switch assembly. Vehicle models involved in this recall include RAV4s, Corollas and Camrys. In addition to these numbers, more than 1 million cars will recalled in Europe.

The company has acknowledged that the fault could lead to a potential fire in target vehicles, and is not related to the Takata recalls that have affected millions of Toyota vehicles. The supplier in this case is Tokai Rika Co., a representative of which defended the car company’s actions.

“We have been taking various measures to prevent problems from recurring,” this person said, as the Wall Street Journal notes. “But the recalled vehicles carry older components.”

USA Today notes that Toyota has issued a similar recall in the past, centering around 150,000 vehicles from between 2007 and 2009. The company will administer a free remedy in response to the recall.

Even More Vehicles Added in GM Takata Airbag Recall

October 28, 2015 admin Takata Airbag Recalls

Warren, MI — October, 28 2015 — General Motors has recalled 395 vehicles equipped with defective airbag systems. The recall includes the following models:

2015 Chevrolet Camaro
2015 Chevrolet Equinox
2015 Chevrolet Malibu
2015 Buick LaCrosse
2015 Cadillac XTS
2015 GMC Terrain

Recall Summary

As the Part 573 Safety Recall Report notes, the seat-mounted side impact airbag modules in the front of several 2015 brands could contain the kind of exploding inflators seen in other units. The airbag could also simply not inflate at all when needed.

Although the specific cause behind this fault is not known, a side airbag inflator failed a Takata Lot Acceptance Test earlier this month, with both that company and GM taking action to look into this issue. Potentially affected vehicles include

The manufacturer plans to replace the inflators and also use those replaced units for “further investigation.” Customers are expected to receive letters about this issue starting October 20, with the Campaign Initiation Detail Report available soon. Dealers should have already received notification, as the original dates ranged from October 16 to 19.

“In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the inflator(s) could rupture with inflator components striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says in a letter about the subject.

The repair

GM will replace the side airbags. The new replacement modules will feature inflators that are not currently under suspicion.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Nearly 400 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 21, 2017, – the last date for which information was available – 342 airbags had been replaced.To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

New ignition switch problem leads to GM recall [Video]

October 27, 2015 admin Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls, Video

A new GM recall concerns ignition switch problems in some Chevrolet Silverado and Suburban vehicles, as well as GMC Sierras and Tahoe SUVs. Fortunately, the problem appears to have been detected early on, with only five accidental shutoffs attributed to it and just over 3,000 autos recalled. In affected vehicles, the cars can get stuck in the ignition when interior temperatures are high.

The lock cylinder in these cars could accidentally be shifted into “accessory” mode, making the truck less safe to drive and leaving it more defenseless during crashes. There have been no injuries reported yet connected to these issues, and is supposedly unrelated to a previous GM ignition switch recall.

The remedy for this issue involves changing out the housing around the ignition area.

Thank you far watching, and check back for the latest news on GM recalls.

Kia Motors America Recalls Vehicles that Shift Unexpectedly

October 27, 2015 admin Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA — October 27, 2015 — A breakable gear shift lever in some hundreds of thousands of Kia Sorento units has prompted attention from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report posted by this source, more than 377,000 of these light vehicles could shift unintentionally during use if excessive force was applied to the shifting lever.

Normally, these vehicles can only be shifted out of park mode if the service brake pedal is pressed. Though the discovery of this problem dates back to this August, the concerned vehicles were manufactured as far back as 2009, with model years ranging between 2011 and 2013. These voluntary Kia recalls come after three claims of related injuries and more than 50 warranty claims.

The planned dealer notification date is scheduled for November 18, with owners informed some time between November 24 and December 1. The same recall report explains the actions that the manufacturer will take and that dealers will be expected to.

“Kia will instruct dealers to replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism with a new one,” it reads. The statement further explains what this means, adding that “the recalled brake-shift interlock mechanism is comprised of a shift lever and an interlock hook, along with associated fasteners. The remedy replaces these parts with improved parts.”

This is a possible threat to drivers and passengers because the vehicles could accidentally move once they have been shifted. The initial case noting this defect concerned a father whose son received a fractured leg while trying to stop the vehicle from rolling in a parking lot.

Toyota Recalls Hundreds of 2016 Tacomas

October 26, 2015 admin Toyota Recalls

San Antonio, TX — October 26, 2015 — In a new voluntary recall action, Toyota will address airbag bolt problems in more than 300 2016 Tacoma vehicles. On October 13, the same day in which it announced that the truck had been honored by the Texas Auto Writers Association, the company released a statement detailing the issue, which involves faulty bolts used to hold a knee air bag module in place within the vehicle.

As part of a more comprehensive injury reduction technique during a crash, knee airbags are meant to spread out the cushioning and protect drivers. Their use stems from increased government interest, including the New Car Assessment Program, as reported by Edmunds.

Another manufacturer employing knee air bags in new vehicles is Ford, which has incorporated them into the passenger side of its 2015 Mustang. In contrast, driver-side knee air bags inflate under the steering apparatus.

The manufacturer explained the problems associated with the recall-worthy issue and tied the problem to operations at a specific factory. To remedy this issue, dealers will replace all four of the module’s bolts in affected vehicles at a yet-undisclosed date.

“There is a possibility that incorrect bolts were installed during vehicle assembly at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California plant,” the statement reads. “This could result in the bolts loosening over time. A loosened bolt could affect the performance of the knee air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.”

Last September, Toyota also issued a recall for Tacoma vehicles, albeit one that applied to 690,000 units associated with a fragile rear suspension leaf spring system.