Toyota recalls Highlander SUVs whose front bumpers may fall off

Toyota recalls Highlander SUVs whose front bumpers may fall off   

November 9, 2023 Bojan Popic

Plano, TX – November 9, 2023 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 750,795 SUVs whose front bumpers and surrounding plastic trims may fall off and create an obstacle for other motorists, upping the risk of a crash and injury.

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2020 – 2023 Toyota Highlander 
  • 2020 – 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 

Recall summary  

The front bumper covers on affected SUVs have upper and lower sections which are held together with a series of retaining tabs. Some of these tabs may break “during normal operation.”

If this happens, the lower bumper section may separate and cause other pieces of plastic trim fastened to the bumper’s lower section to fly off as well. 

Recall risks

For the risks of this recall, please see this article about a similar Mercedes-Benz recall.

Other Toyota recalls

Some of these SUVs may have been affected by a recall from May 2023 caused by an inoperable stability control system, as reported.

On a separate note, in August 2023, Toyota recalled over 43,000 luxury Toyota and Lexus hybrid SUVs because of the risk fire, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the bumper section and install upgraded retaining hardware if there is damage. If no damage is noticeable, the existing retaining tabs will be replaced with a sturdier version. 

All repairs will be conducted free of charge.

Owners should receive letters with more information between December 11, 2023  and December 25, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Toyota fly-away bumper recall affects approximately three-quarters of a million SUVs. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls Highlander SUVs whose front bumpers may fall off   
Stellantis recalls new Jeep Wagoneer SUVs over ‘defective’ seat belts

Stellantis recalls new Jeep Wagoneer SUVs over ‘defective’ seat belts  

November 7, 2023 Joseph Estabillo ,

Auburn Hills, MI  – November 7, 2023 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Jeep brand, is recalling 97,066 vehicles over a problem with the third-row seat belt buckles. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. 

The supplier behind the recall is also the culprit of multiple other recalls related to seat belts.

The following vehicles are affected: 

  • 2022 – 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 
  • 2022 – 2024 Jeep Wagoneer

Recall summary  

In the affected models, the buckle for the third-row seat belts may be damaged or otherwise inaccessible. This means that third-row occupants may be unable to use the seat belts.    

Recall risks

Failure to use the seat belt while the vehicle is in motion ups the risk of injury to occupants in the event of a crash. 

Background of the recall

The supplier behind this recall is a Swedish-American parts manufacturer Autoliv, which was also recently implicated in a series of recalls related to faulty child seat locking mechanism, as reported.

It was also behind a recent Rivian recall caused by a faulty passenger seat belt that could prevent the airbag from being deployed.

Other Stellantis recalls

In August 2023, Jeep also recalled Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models over a problem with the side curtain airbags, which could fail to deploy in the event of a crash.   

In October 2023, Jeep issued a recall for the Gladiator and Wrangler models because of issues with the reverse camera and reverse lights.  

The repair

Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckle on the affected models, where necessary. Stellantis will reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs prior to the recall.

Owners should be notified by December 15, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 97,000 SUVs are affected by this Jeep seat belt buckle recall. To do a Jeep recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloStellantis recalls new Jeep Wagoneer SUVs over ‘defective’ seat belts  
Nissan recalls 2023 Ariya SUVs that may stall

Nissan recalls 2023 Ariya SUVs that may stall 

November 1, 2023 Bojan Popic

Franklin, TN – November 1, 2023 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) is recalling 9,813 2023 Nissan Ariya electric SUVs that they may shut down. This ups the risk of a crash and injury, especially if it happens in dense traffic. 

Recall summary  

The motors of the affected vehicles are powered by inverters which convert direct current (DC) stored in batteries into alternating current (AC) to propel the car forward.

Due to the intrusion of foreign particles into the motor, it may experience a short circuit. The short will shut off the inverter, resulting in a stall.

Nissan says that the power should be restored following a “vehicle power off and restart.” However, there is at least one instance where the driver was not able to restart the car and was stranded on the side of the road “for over an hour” waiting for a tow.

Recall risks

The risks of a stall are described in this article about a similar recall.

Warning signs

An “EV System Off” warning message will be shown on the display prior to the stall.

Safety tips

If you are stuck on the side of the road, get out of the car through the passenger door and do not stand too close to the vehicle to avoid getting struck by a distracted driver.

Other Nissan recalls

Nissan Sentra vehicles are subject to a September recall caused by the loss of steering, as reported.

Sentras were also included in another September recall caused by faulty rearview cameras, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will update the inverter software free of charge.

Owners should have received letters with more information on October 20, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Nissan software glitch recall affects nearly 10,000 electric SUVs. To do a Nissan recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicNissan recalls 2023 Ariya SUVs that may stall 
Ford issues third recall for Ford Explorer SUVs that may lose power or roll away

Ford issues third recall for Ford Explorer SUVs that may lose power or roll away  

October 31, 2023 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – October 31, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 238,364 2020-2022 Ford Explorer SUVs that may stall or roll away. Both situations increase the risk of a crash and injury. 

The recall comes on the heels of an U.S. government investigation, a driver sliding into a pole and a multitude of customer complaints.

Recall summary  

Part of the drivetrain – called driveshaft – may disconnect from the rear axle, which is responsible for transmitting power to the vehicle’s rear wheels and moving the car forward. The disconnection is caused by a bolt which may fracture due to a supplier error.

Background of the recall 

Ford recalled the majority of the affected vehicles last May, as reported. In some cases, instead of replacing the bolt, the manufacturer opted to deploy a software update which was designed the get the parking brake engaged to prevent rollaway once the vehicle stopped moving. The update did not address the stall issue and it later turned out that some of the involved vehicles received the update that did not even result in the engagement of the parking brake when needed.

This caused Ford to issue another recall to release the correct software update.

Amidst the recalls, the U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation after receiving two complaints alleging the loss of motive power in vehicles that have undergone repair.

The agency concluded that the software remedy was inadequate and ordered the present recall.

Recall risks

All the risks correspondent to a stall are described in this article about a related Mercedes-Benz recall.

A rollaway may lead to the vehicle hitting a stationary object, like a pole, which is exactly what happened to one of the drivers who filed a NHTSA complaint that led to this recall. No injuries were reported in that case but, overall, the defect did result in nearly 400 complaints and close to two dozen rollaway or stalling incidents .

Warning signs

The driver may hear “loud, grinding, binding, or clunking noises” coming from the back of the vehicle. 

Other Ford recalls

Drivetrain failure and corresponding rollaway were the cause of a recent Ford recall affecting a batch of heavy-duty pickup trucks. 

More than a three-quarter of a million F-150 trucks were recalled in August 2023 because their parking brakes would engage on their own. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the bushing and the bolt that holds the rear axle with a stronger one. In addition, they will check the axle’s cover for damage and replace it if necessary. 

This repair will be free of charge. 

Owners should be notified between November 6, 2023  and November 10, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford rollaway recall affects almost a quarter of a million SUVs. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicFord issues third recall for Ford Explorer SUVs that may lose power or roll away  
Mercedes-Benz recalls AMG-SL class Roadsters that may stall or catch fire

Mercedes-Benz recalls AMG-SL class Roadsters that may stall or catch fire   

October 22, 2023 Bojan Popic

Jacksonville, FL – October 22, 2023 – Mercedes-Benz (OTCMKTS:MBGYY) is recalling 5,326 cars that may stall or catch fire, upping the risk of a crash, injury or property damage. 

Vehicles affected by this recall include: 

  • 2022 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL55
  • 2022 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL63

Recall summary  

Gasoline-powered cars have a starter motor – which cranks and starts the engine – and an alternator that produces electricity when the engine is running. These two components are connected to the car’s electrical system with a wiring harness. 

In the affected vehicles, the said harness may be fitted incorrectly and come in contact with the drive shaft, which is a crucial component that transfers power from the engine to the wheels.

The contact may damage the shaft and cause an electrical short. Besides potentially shutting down the engine, this can also cause the wiring to overheat and catch fire. 

Recall risks

Risks posed by the loss of power are described in a this article about stalling Kia EV6 electric cars.

The risks of fire are documented in this article about ongoing Kia and Hyundai fire issues.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

Stalling has been the culprit of at least three other Mercedes-Benz recalls this year.

In June, the manufacturer recalled over 8,000 hybrids due to that risk.

In mid-July, the loss of propulsion prompted a recall of 164,000 Daimler and Mercedes-Benz cars.

Later that month, the issue resulted in a recall of C300 and AMG C43 sedans, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the wiring harness and secure it in place so that it does not rub against other vehicle components anymore. The repair will be free of charge.

Owners should receive letters with more information on December 5, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Mercedes-Benz engine stall recall affects more than 5,000 coupes. To do a Mercedes-Benz recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicMercedes-Benz recalls AMG-SL class Roadsters that may stall or catch fire   
Kia recalls Sorento SUVs over malfunctioning rearview camera

Kia recalls Sorento SUVs over malfunctioning rearview camera

October 21, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Irvine, CA  – October 21, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) has issued a recall for 83,667 2019 Sorento SUVs due to an issue with the rearview camera. The camera could fail to display an image while reversing, increasing the likelihood of a crash. 

Recall summary  

In the affected vehicles, water leaking into the rearview camera wiring harness may prevent the camera from showing an image on the dashboard screen. This is caused by a supplier “manufacturing error.”

Recall risks

All risks caused by an inoperable rearview camera are explained in this article about a similar GM recall. 

Other Kia recalls

The 2019 Kia Sorento was recalled a year ago due to the risk of the tow hitch harness catching on fire.

Earlier model-years of the same vehicle also form part of a massive, 3.4-million vehicle recall, due to the risk of fire when parked and turned off, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the camera if there is water damage or apply additional waterproofing if no issues are found. Kia will reimburse owners who paid for repairs prior to the recall announcement.   

Owners will receive letters with more information on November 13, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 83,000 vehicles are affected by this Kia rearview camera recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloKia recalls Sorento SUVs over malfunctioning rearview camera
US government upgrades and expands Ford Bronco engine failure investigation

US government upgrades and expands Ford Bronco engine failure investigation 

October 15, 2023 Bojan Popic ,

Washington, D.C. – October 15, 2023 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator has expanded its investigation of Ford (NYSE:F) vehicles that may suffer from engine failure to include 683,000 more cars. The investigation was also upgraded to dig deeper into the issues and determine if a recall is warranted.

The following cars are under scrutiny:

  •  2021 – 2022 Ford Bronco
  •  2021 – 2022 Ford Edge 
  •  2021 – 2022 Ford Explorer
  •  2021 – 2022 Ford F-150
  •  2021 – 2022 Lincoln Aviator
  •  2021 – 2022 Lincoln Nautilus 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened the preliminary investigation in June 2022, following 32 complaints about Ford Bronco SUVs with 2.7L EcoBoost engines that would suddenly stall and not restart afterwards.

The investigation originally included around 25,000 vehicles.

As part of the process, NHTSA requested information about a broader subset of vehicles equipped with the said engine. The agency then discovered not only a multitude of complaints and engine exchanges but also that the defect potentially affected cars across the so-called “Nano” family which also included cars with the 3.0L EcoBoost engine.

On September 29, 2023, the investigation was upgraded to the so-called engineering analysis and expanded to include a total of 708,000 cars. The upgrade means that NHTSA will dig deeper into the issues to understand if the defect warrants a recall.

What has been found so far?

During the preliminary investigation, the regulator found out the likely culprit was an engine valve that was made from material that could become too fragile if overheated during the manufacturing process. This would cause the valves to break apart during operation and damage the engine.

Risks

A vehicle whose engine cuts out may lose power steering and brake assist, making it harder to maneuver and upping the risk of a crash. Additionally, the car may stall without prior warning and get hit by other motorists.

Other Ford recalls

In July 2023, Fusion Plug-in Hybrids vehicles (PHEV) were recalled because they could stall or catch on fire, as reported.

Some of the F-150 trucks listed here may have been affected by a recall from August 2023 caused by unintentional parking brake activation. 

Ford is also being investigated over allegedly faulty front doors that may not shut properly. 

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Ford engine stall recall, potentially affecting more than 700,000 SUVs and trucks. To do a Lincoln or Ford recall check and see if your vehicle might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government upgrades and expands Ford Bronco engine failure investigation 
Stellantis recalls RAM pickups over rearview camera issue

Stellantis recalls RAM pickups over rearview camera issue 

October 14, 2023 Joseph Estabillo ,

Auburn Hills, MI  – October 14, 2023 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the RAM brand, is recalling 272,911 pickup trucks over rearview cameras that may fail to display an image when backing up. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2022 – 2023 RAM 1500 
  • 2022 – 2024 RAM 2500
  • 2022 – 2023 RAM 3500

Recall summary  

In the affected vehicles, the rearview camera system may be incompatible with the onboard radio software. This may result in no image being displayed on the screen when the vehicle is backing up.  

Recall risks

All risks caused by an inoperable rearview camera are explained in this article about a similar GM recall.

Other Stellantis recalls

In December 2022, Stellantis issued a recall for 5,834 vehicles including Dodge Charger and Dodge Durango over a transmission problem that could lead to the vehicle losing power during use.  

In March 2023, Stellantis recalled 139,019 2021-2023 Dodge Durango SUVs because of detaching rear spoilers, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by upgrading the radio system software free of charge. Stellantis will reimburse owners for repair costs incurred prior to the recall announcement.  

Owners should receive letters with more information on November 17, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 272,000 trucks are affected by this Chrysler rearview camera recall. To do a Chrysler recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloStellantis recalls RAM pickups over rearview camera issue 
Stellantis recalls new Jeeps over problems with rearview camera, reverse lights

Stellantis recalls new Jeeps over problems with rearview camera, reverse lights    

October 8, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Auburn Hills, MI  – October 8, 2023 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Jeep brand,  is recalling 6,298 vehicles over a problem with the rear camera and reverse lights. The defects augment the risk of a crash.

The recall covers the following vehicles equipped with manual transmission: 

  • 2022 – 2023 Jeep Gladiator 
  • 2022 – 2023 Jeep Wrangler

Recall summary  

When the reverse gear is engaged, an all gear sensor (AGS) built into the transmission will activate the vehicle’s reverse lights. It will also cause the rearview camera to display an image on the dashboard, helping drivers watch out for obstacles before reversing.  

In the affected vehicles, a defective AGS could prevent the reverse lights and rearview camera from turning on, resulting in no image being displayed on the monitor.  

Recall risks

The risks of an inoperable rearview camera are explained in this article about a similar GM recall. The risks of faulty reverse lights are outlined in this piece about a related Ford recall.

Warning signs

Drivers may notice that no image is being shown on the dashboard when the transmission is shifted to reverse. 

Other Stellantis recalls

There was a Jeep Wranger and a Jeep Gladiator recall in April 2023 over the risk of stalling, as reported.  

In August 2023, Stellantis also recalled 44,708 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUV over a problem with side curtain airbags. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the AGS on the affected vehicles free of charge. Stellantis will reimburse owners who paid for repairs prior to the recall announcement.   

Owners will receive letters with more information on November 7, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 6,000 vehicles are affected by this Jeep rearview camera and reverse lights recall. To do a Jeep recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloStellantis recalls new Jeeps over problems with rearview camera, reverse lights    
Kia and Hyundai recall 3.4 million cars that may burst into flames while parked

Kia and Hyundai recall 3.4 million cars that may burst into flames while parked

October 7, 2023 Bojan Popic ,

Irvine, CA – October 7, 2023 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) and its sister company, Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) are recalling approximately 3.4 million vehicles that may catch fire while driving or parked and turned off. This dramatically ups the risk of a crash and injury.

The recalls follow on the back of multiple fires, “melting incidents” and lawsuits dating back to 2017. Some of the cars involved are also subject to an ongoing US government investigation and have already been subject to fire-related recalls in the past. 

Hyundai’s recall affects 1.73 million cars, including the following models: 

  • 2012 – 2015 Hyundai Accent
  • 2012 – 2015 Hyundai Azera 
  • 2011 – 2015 Hyundai Elantra 
  • 2013 – 2015 Hyundai Elantra Coupe
  • 2014 – 2015 Hyundai Equus 
  • 2011 – 2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 
  • 2013 – 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 2011 – 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  • 2010 – 2013 Hyundai Tucson
  • 2012 – 2015 Hyundai Veloster
  • 2010 – 2012 Hyundai Veracruz 
  • 2013 Santa Fe Sport
  • 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell 

Kia’s recall affects 1.64 million vehicles, including the following models: 

  • 2010 – 2019 Kia Borrego 
  • 2014 – 2016 Kia Cadenza
  • 2010 – 2013 Kia Forte
  • 2010 – 2013 Kia Forte Koup
  • 2015 – 2018 Kia K900
  • 2011 – 2015 Kia Optima
  • 2011 – 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid
  • 2012 – 2017 Kia Rio
  • 2010 – 2011 Kia Rondo
  • 2011 – 2014 Kia Sorento
  • 2011 – 2013 Kia Soul
  • 2010 – 2013 Kia Sportage 

Recall summary

All listed vehicles are equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which prevents the wheels from locking up in slippery conditions. This is done by the ABS module – or Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), as Kia calls it –  which adjusts the brake force to each wheel. 

In affected vehicles, the ABS module may experience an “electrical short” which may cause it to catch fire. This may happen while driving or when the car is parked and its engine shut off. 

Recall risks

You can find out more about fire-related risks in this article about a November 2022 Kia recall over the same issue.

A 2020 class action lawsuit filed against the manufacturers for ABS fires related to previous recalls describes hair-raising situations involving “the entire garage” catching fire due to an Elantra vehicle combusting into flames and vehicles bursting into flames “after being turned off for hours.”

Warning signs 

The malfunction indicator or the ABS light may come on the dashboard in the event of a fire. The occupants of the car may also notice smoke or a burning smell.

Safety tips

If your car catches fire, please follow the safety tips laid out in this article about a related GM recall. 

The manufacturer recommends parking the vehicle “outside and away from structures” until the repair has been conducted.

Background of the recalls

The recalls come on the heels of at least six lawsuits, 66 fires and “melting” incidents dating back to 2017. No injuries, fatalities or crashes have been reported.

Some of the affected vehicles are subject to an ongoing U.S. government investigation that has been looking into the adequacy of fire-related recalls Kia and Hyundai have conducted so far, as well as the need to recall more vehicles. It is not clear, however, if the present recalls are directly related to this investigation.

The recalls do appear to involve previously recalled vehicles or serve as expansions of recalls conducted for ABS fires in the past.

The repair

Both Kia and Hyundai dealers will remedy the defect by replacing the ABS fuse with one that has a lower amperage rating.

It is possible that your vehicle will need this remedy performed even if it was repaired under a previous fire-related recall.

All repairs will be conducted free of charge.

Kia will notify the owners between November 14, 2023 and November 23, 2023, while Hyundai will do the same on November 21, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This large-scale Hyundai and Kia fire recall affects almost 3.5 million vehicles. To do a Hyundai or Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicKia and Hyundai recall 3.4 million cars that may burst into flames while parked
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