Ford recalls Bronco SUVs over inaccessible seat belt latches

Ford recalls Bronco SUVs over inaccessible seat belt latches

June 11, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI – June 11, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) has issued a recall for 175,550 2021-2023 Bronco SUVs due to an issue which could prevent the car occupants from using seat belts, leading to a higher risk of injury. The issue affects models that have the 5-door body style.   

Recall summary

The seat belt latch plate connects to the buckle, securing the seat belt and occupant in place while the vehicle is moving. The latch plate is stowed away when not in use to protect it from damage.

In the affected vehicles, users may be unable to reach the stowed latch plates on the front seat belts. This could prevent them from using seat belts when traveling aboard the vehicle.      

Recall risks

If occupants are unable to use the seat belts, this places them at risk of injury as they will be unsecured in their seats when a crash occurs.  

Other Ford recalls

In June 2022, 2021-2022 Ford Bronco SUVs were also the subject of a recall by Ford, due to a faulty child safety lock that increases the risk of injury to smaller occupants, as reported.

In November 2022, the same vehicles were recalled due to an an issue with the rearview display that continued to show the rear camera image even when Reverse gear was no longer engaged, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will attach a sliding clip stop to the driver and front passenger seat belts, making them more accessible for use by occupants. The remedy will be performed free of charge, and Ford will reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall was announced.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by July 6, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 175,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford front seat belt issue. To run a Ford recall check or check for more Ford recalls,  please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls Bronco SUVs over inaccessible seat belt latches
Stellantis recalls SUVs over risk of fire, tells owners to park away from structures

Stellantis recalls SUVs over risk of fire, tells owners to park away from structures   

June 10, 2023 Bojan Popic ,

Auburn Hills, MI – June 10, 2023 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Jeep brand, is recalling 132,099 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee SUVs because they can catch fire, upping the risk of an injury and crash.

This recall supersedes two previous recalls conducted for the same issue and comes on the back of multiple customer complaints. Vehicles that have already received repairs will need a new remedy. 

Recall summary  

Listed SUVs have a power liftgate, which is an electrically operated trunk lid that opens and closes at a touch of a button. Its operation is controlled by a module, which, in the affected vehicles, may suffer from water intrusion. This can result in an electrical short and cause the SUV to catch fire while driving or parked. 

Recall risks

You can find more about fire-related risks in this Hyundai recall from July 2022. 

Safety tips

As vehicles can catch fire while being driven or while parked, owners are also advised to park away from structures until such repairs have been completed.

Warning signs 

Water intrusion could cause the module to stop working, which prevents the power liftgate operation. 

Background of the recall 

These SUVs were already recalled over the same issue on two separate occasions, in June 2015 and  December 2015. During these repairs, the power liftgate module and its connectors were inspected for traces of corrosion. Furthermore, the suspected area was modified to prevent water intrusion and the module was covered with a foam shield.  However, the manufacturer received “50 customer assistance records, 23 warranty claims, and 21 field reports” for repaired vehicles leading up to the recall.

Other Jeep recalls

In November 2022, nearly a quarter of a million RAM trucks were recalled over a fire risk. 

More recently, in April 2023, Stellantis recalled more than 69,000 Jeeps and RAMs because their transmissions could overheat and crack, resulting in a fire.

Finally, last month, more than 130,000 RAM trucks were subject to a recall due to the risk of stalling. This is at least the fourth recall for these vehicles due to the same issue, as reported.

The repair

At this point, the manufacturer is working on a solution. Once it is available, it will be free of charge. 

Owners should be notified on June 30, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 130,000 SUVs are affected by this Jeep power liftgate recall. To do a Jeep recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis recalls SUVs over risk of fire, tells owners to park away from structures   
Mercedes-Benz recalls sedans over loss of stability and ABS

Mercedes-Benz recalls sedans over loss of stability and ABS   

June 4, 2023 Bojan Popic

Jacksonville, FL – June 4, 2023 – Mercedes-Benz (OTCMKTS:MBGYY), which owns the Maybach brand, is recalling 7,558 sedans whose stability and handling may be affected by a software error. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. 

Affected models include the following: 

  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz S580E
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S580
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S680

Recall summary  

All listed vehicles are equipped with a safety feature called Electronic Stability Control (ESP). Its job is to prevent the wheels from locking up or losing traction during harsh cornering, as reported.

In the affected vehicles, the software error might result in the ESP shutting down, affecting a variety of different functions, including anti-lock brakes (ABS), anti-skid regulation and the vehicle’s speedometer.

Recall risks

With the ESP out of order, the vehicle will be less stable and harder to handle. In addition, the speedometer will not work, showing zero miles-per-hour (mph) regardless of the actual speed. All these issues up the risk of an accident.

Warning signs 

Should the ESP malfunction occur, multiple warning lights and messages will pop up on the vehicle’s dashboard. 

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

Some of these vehicles may have been affected by a recall caused by inoperable rearview cameras, which took place in July 2022. 

In January 2023, Mercedes-Benz recalled a large batch of cars over the risk of stalling. 

In April 2023, the manufacturer conducted a third round of recalls for cars that may catch fire due to water intrusion, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by updating the ESP software free of charge.

Owners should receive letters with more information by July 18, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 7,000 luxurious sedans are affected by this Mercedes-Benz ESP recall. 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 sedans over loss of stability and ABS   
Ford issues third round of Explorer, Lincoln recalls over faulty rearview cameras

Ford issues third round of Explorer, Lincoln recalls over faulty rearview cameras

June 3, 2023 Joseph Estabillo ,

Dearborn, MI – June 3, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F), which owns the Lincoln brand, is recalling 422,201 SUVs with rearview cameras that may fail, resulting in an increased risk of an accident.

This recall comes on the back of a “minor crash” and is the third one of its kind since 2021.

The following models are affected:

  • 2020 – 2023 Ford Explorer
  • 2020 – 2023 Lincoln Navigator
  • 2020 – 2022 Lincoln Corsair

Recall summary

Owners of the affected vehicles may experience loss of video feed when either going in Reverse or when the 360-degree camera view is selected and the vehicle is being driven at a low speed. 

Recall risks

For more on risks of this recall, please see this recent article about a similar issue by Honda.  

Background of the recall

Ford originally recalled some of the affected vehicles in 2021. That recall had to be expanded in February of this year as the original remedy proved to be insufficient, as reported.

Following the second recall, the manufacturer received 250 warranty claims alleging loss of the video feed in cars that previously received repairs. The defect resulted in at least one minor accident.

Other Ford recalls

In July 2022, a lawsuit was filed against Ford involving the 2021 Ford Expedition and 2021 Lincoln Navigator, alleging that the two models presented an increased risk of fire while being driven or when parked and switched off. 

The Lincoln Navigator and Corsair were also the subjects of a Ford recall announced in January 2023 because of an issue with the seatbelt chime, as reported.

The repair

The remedy for the issue is being developed and will be available free of charge once ready. Ford will also reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall was issued. 

Owners of the affected vehicles will receive letters with more information by June 30, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 420,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford and Lincoln rearview camera issue. To run a Ford recall check or check for more Ford and Lincoln recalls,  please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord issues third round of Explorer, Lincoln recalls over faulty rearview cameras
BMW recalls Minis that may catch fire

BMW recalls Minis that may catch fire

May 28, 2023 Joseph Estabillo ,

Westwood, NJ – May 28, 2023 – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY), which owns the Mini brand, is recalling 97,933 vehicles in the 30 “salt belt” states due to the risk of fire because of water and salt entering the cars.

This is the second recall issued by BMW over the defect internationally but the first one of its kind in the U.S.

The following models are covered by this recall: 

  • 2007 – 2013 Mini Cooper
  • 2008 – 2014 Mini Cooper Clubman
  • 2007 – 2013 Mini Cooper S
  • 2007 – 2013 Mini JCW

Recall summary

Affected vehicles were registered or sold in the states that use road salt in the winter “to control snow and ice” and also experience large temperature fluctuations throughout the year.  They are also equipped with a sunroof.

Repeated temperature changes result in damage to the sunroof drain hose, allowing water to enter the cabin and combine with the road salt that may also be present in the footwell to form an “electrolyte solution.”

The solution may then come into contact with a computer called the footwell control module (FRM) which controls lighting and power windows. This may lead to the module short-circuiting, causing a fire.

Recall risks

You can read more about the risks caused by vehicle fires in this article about a Hyundai recall due to the same risk. For tips on what to do if your car catches fire, please see this article about a recent Navistar fire-related recall. 

Background of the recall

This is the second recall because of this issue internationally but the first one in the U.S. In 2018, these cars were recalled in the Canadian market due to the risk of fires caused by corrosion in the FRM. Following the recall, the manufacturer received reports of the repaired vehicles experiencing fires. The subsequent investigation found the sunroof hose to be the culprit, leading to the present recall.

As of May 2023, BMW has received reports of six incidents in the U.S. market involving the defect, with no record of accidents or injuries.   

Other BMW recalls

In May 2022, BMW recalled 61,221 vehicles over a defect that allowed the sunroof to close even when the key fob is inside the vehicle, leading to an increased risk of injury. 

In July 2022, BMW also recalled 6,930 vehicles for failure to display critical safety information while the car is being parked by a valet, presenting an increased danger of an accident.  

The repair

The remedy for the issue is being developed. It will be offered free of charge once it is made available. BMW will reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall was announced.

Owners of the affected vehicles will receive letters with more information on July 3, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 97,000 vehicles are affected by this Mini footwell control module recall. To run a Mini recall check or check for more BMW and Mini recalls,  please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloBMW recalls Minis that may catch fire
Mitsubishi recalls SUVs over limited rearview visibility

Mitsubishi recalls SUVs over limited rearview visibility  

May 27, 2023 Bojan Popic

Franklin, TN  – May 27, 2023 – Mitsubishi (NASDAQ:MSBHF) is recalling 89,907 SUVs because their rearview cameras may fail to display an image when backing up. This ups the risk of a crash, injury, and property damage.

This is at least the second Mitsubishi recall for this issue since last year.

The latest edition includes:

  • 2022 – 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander 
  • 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Recall summary  

Listed SUVs have a display on their dashboard as a part of the infotainment system, which reproduces the image from the rearview camera when backing up. In affected vehicles, a software error may cause this display to show a black screen instead of the rearview camera’s feed. 

Recall risks

The recall comes on the back of several warranty claims and field reports but fortunately, no injuries or crashes have been reported. All risks caused by an inoperable rearview camera are explained in this article about a similar GM recall.

Other Mitsubishi recalls

In July 2022, Mitsubishi recalled more than 50,000 Outlanders over a similar problem with their rearview cameras.

In addition, some of these SUVs may have been affected by a recall from August 2022 caused by transmission issues. 

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by upgrading the relevant software free of charge.

Owners should be notified on June 20, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Almost 90,000 SUVs are affected by this Mitsubishi rearview camera recall. To do a Mitsubishi recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicMitsubishi recalls SUVs over limited rearview visibility  
US government mulls request to recall all Teslas to add missing safety feature

US government mulls request to recall all Teslas to add missing safety feature

May 21, 2023 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – May 21, 2023 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is examining a request to recall all Teslas currently on the road to add an allegedly missing safety feature to prevent drivers from accidentally accelerating while parking. Doing so increases the risk of a crash.

This is the second petition of its kind. If it leads to a recall, it could affect over 1.6 million vehicles.

The list includes:

  • 2017 – 2023 Tesla Model 3
  • 2013 – 2023 Tesla Model S
  • 2013 – 2023 Tesla Model X
  • 2013 – 2023 Tesla Model Y

Petition summary  

On April 7, 2023, the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), started examining a petition submitted by Greek engineer Costas Lakafossis.

The petition alleges that Teslas have an “increased likelihood” of the so-called sudden unintended acceleration events (SUAs)  – which is when the driver hits gas instead of brake – because they are programmed to brake automatically and allow the driver to shift into Reverse without application of the brake pedal.

The feature  – which Lakafossis calls a “dangerous ‘party trick'” – may confuse the driver and should be eliminated, according to the petition. Instead, all Teslas should be fitted with a brake shift mechanism.

What is a brake shift mechanism?

The brake shift interlock mechanism is software or a device that prevents the car from shifting into Drive or Reverse until the driver presses the brake pedal. It was first introduced in the 1980s as a safety feature. It proved successful at preventing accidents caused by sudden and unintended acceleration and became mandatory on all new cars in 2010. 

The petitioner argues that there is no reason why Teslas should be allowed to not have this essential safety feature.

Previous investigation points to driver error

To back up his claims, Lakafossis points to a previous NHTSA investigation on the back of another petition. In that case, the petitioner alleged that Teslas had an unidentified “defect” that caused them to suddenly accelerate. However, upon analyzing close to 250 crashes the previous petitioner attributed to the defect, NHTSA found that the majority of them were caused not a technical fault but by “pedal misapplication” by the driver. 

Other Tesla recalls and investigations

Tesla is currently subject to another NHTSA investigation over multiple incidents of their cars colliding with first responder vehicles stationed at a scene of pre-existing crashes. The investigation was upgraded to the engineering analysis in summer of last year after discovery of additional crashes, as reported.

The most recent large-scale Tesla recall occurred in February 2023 when the manufacturer recalled over 350,000 cars that were prone to breaking traffic rules when in the self-driving mode, also as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

If this petition results in a Tesla brake interlock recall, it could affect more than 1.5 million vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government mulls request to recall all Teslas to add missing safety feature
Volkswagen recalls electric SUVs whose doors may open while driving

Volkswagen recalls electric SUVs whose doors may open while driving

May 20, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Auburn Hills, MI – May 20, 2023 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) is recalling 35,325 2021–2022 ID.4 electric SUVs due to the risk of their doors opening while the vehicle is in motion. This could lead to car occupants falling out, leading to an augmented risk of injury.

Recall summary

Vehicle doors contain sensitive electronic components such as circuit boards and wires. As such, they are built to prevent water from entering and causing damage.   

In the affected vehicles, the door handles may not have sufficient waterproofing protection, leading water to reach the electronics within the door panels, leading to various malfunctions.     

Recall risks

The damaged circuit board can result in the door lock disengaging, causing the door to accidentally open when the vehicle is negotiating a sharp turn at speeds below 9 miles-per-hour (mph). This puts the vehicle’s occupants at risk of injury, apart from presenting a risk of damage to objects and people outside the vehicle. 

Warning signs

Occupants may notice a clicking noise, similar to what the door makes when it is being locked and unlocked.

Other Volkswagen recalls

In November 2022, Volkswagen recalled 6,076 vehicles belonging to its Audi brand because of an infotainment display issue, as reported.

In February 2023, Volkswagen issued a recall for 20,904 2021 ID.4 electric SUVs due to a stalling issue with the vehicle’s electric motor, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the door handles on the affected vehicles and replace them free of charge. The vehicle’s software will also be updated accordingly.

Owners of affected vehicles will receive letters with more information by June 30, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 35,000 vehicles are affected by this Volkswagen door handle recall. To run a Volkswagen recall check or check for more Volkswagen recalls, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloVolkswagen recalls electric SUVs whose doors may open while driving
Ford issues second recall for Ranger pickups with faulty airbags

Ford issues second recall for Ranger pickups with faulty airbags 

May 14, 2023 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI  – May 14, 2023 – Ford (NYSE: F) is recalling 231,942 2004 – 2006 Ford Ranger pickup trucks because their passenger airbags may fail to deploy in a crash. This reduces occupant protection, increasing the risk of injury. 

This recall is an expansion and replacement of one conducted just recently, in March 2023, over the same issue. 

Recall summary  

The affected vehicles originally had Takata airbags which, as reported, are prone to exploding when deploying. In 2017 and 2018, these airbags were swapped for new ones that did not have that defect. However, dealers botched the repair, resulting in airbags that may not inflate during a crash.

Recall risks

An airbag that fails to deploy in a crash ups the risk of an injury. 

Background of the recall

The manufacturer already recalled a range of these vehicles for the exact same issue in March, as reported. However, in April, it found one additional vehicle that was not included in the original recall that had an incorrectly installed airbag. On the back of that, Ford decided to conduct the current recall, expanding the number of vehicles to 230,000 from 98,000. The current recall supersedes the one conducted in March.

Other Ford recalls

In February Ford issued a second recall for Lincoln Navigator, Corsair and Ford Explorer SUVs due to malfunctioning rearview cameras. The first recall was done in October 2021 but proved to be insufficient, as reported.

In March, Ford recalled over a million vehicles whose brakes may become less responsive than usual due to a brake fluid leak, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will reinstall the airbags properly. The repairs are free of charge. It is not clear if vehicles that already had their airbags replaced will need a new remedy. Contact your dealer to find out if that is the case.

Owners should also receive letters with more information between May 22, 2023 and May 26, 2023.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 230,000 trucks are affected by this Ford airbag recall. 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 second recall for Ranger pickups with faulty airbags 
Navistar recalls International CV trucks that may catch fire

Navistar recalls International CV trucks that may catch fire

May 13, 2023 Bojan Popic

Lisle, IL  – May 13, 2023 – Navistar is recalling  9,170 2017 – 2023 International CV heavy-duty pickup trucks because the electric components in their brake systems may short-circuit and catch fire. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. In addition, the vehicle may burst into flames even when parked, causing property damage.

Recall summary  

When the driver presses the brake pedal, the movement is transferred to a brake booster, which multiplies braking force, as reported. Listed trucks are also equipped with a brake pressure switch, which detects when the brake is applied. This is necessary for brake light activation and the operation of various driver assistance systems.   

The brake switch in the affected vehicles has a design flaw that could cause the seal between the brake booster and pressure switch to deteriorate. If this happens, the brake fluid could leak into the switch, which might short-circuit and overheat.    

Recall risks

All fire-related risks are described in this recent GM recall, which affected heavy-duty trucks that have the same brake pressure switch, as reported. The GM vehicles in question were made by Navistar.

Warning signs

A short-circuited brake pressure switch could trigger a “Service Brake System” warning on the vehicle’s display. 

Safety tips

As described in the said recent Chevy recall, you and all the passengers should quickly yet safely leave the vehicle if it catches fire while driving. This includes pulling over at a first safe spot and getting away from the vehicle while also being careful not to get hit by other cars.   

In addition, due to the nature of the defect, the truck may burst into flames even when it is parked with the engine off. Because of this, it’s strongly recommended to park it in the open and away from other cars and structures until the repair is done. 

Other Navistar recalls

In December 2022, Navistar recalled some of its trucks and buses, including International CVs, over a risk of steering loss and vehicle instability.

This was not the only problem with stability this manufacturer had recently, as some of its school buses were recalled in January 2023 over potential loss of control.

The repair

Dealers will replace the leaking brake pressure switch with an upgraded variant. In addition, the connecting wiring harness will also be replaced if the brake fluid is found in its connector. The repairs are free of charge. 

Owners should receive letters with more information starting on June 19, 2023.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 9,000 trucks are affected by this Navistar brake switch recall. To do a Navistar recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicNavistar recalls International CV trucks that may catch fire
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