Ford recalls Fusion hybrid vehicles that may stall or catch fire

Ford recalls Fusion hybrid vehicles that may stall or catch fire

July 23, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI  – July 23, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 14,452 2019-2020 Fusion Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) because of a problem with the vehicle’s battery which may result in a stall or the engine catching fire. Both issues raise the risk of a crash and injuries for everyone involved.

The recall comes on the back of multiple fires and warranty claims.

Recall summary  

The battery energy control module (BECM) is a computer that ensures that the battery remains properly charged and functions properly. The BECM is protected by the current interrupt device (CID) whose role is “to interrupt the power supply when the charging current is too high.”

In the affected vehicles, the CID may be activated erroneously, which can result in the vehicle stalling or catching fire.

Recall risks

The risks of a stall are described in the following article, while the risks of a car catching on fire can be found in this article about a related Hyundai recall.

Car exploding in the parking lot

Leading up to the recall, the manufacturer received seven reports about the cars involved catching fire – including one that seemingly randomly “exploded in a residential parking lot.” 

Over 250 warranty claims have also been filed but luckily, no injuries or accidents have been reported.

Safety tips

Affected owners are advised to not charge the vehicle’s battery until the vehicles have been repaired.

Even though the manufacturer does not explicitly state this, owners of cars involved in similar recalls are also usually advised to park away from structures while waiting for a repair.

Warning signs

Users may notice a “Stop safely now” message on the dashboard, just before the vehicle loses power. 

Other Ford recalls

In March 2023, older model-years of Ford Fusion were part of a 1.28 million-vehicle recall over brake issues. The recall was conducted on the back of a U.S. government investigation.

Last month, Ford also recalled 16,375 2022–2023 F-150 Lightning battery electric vehicles (BEVs) because of faulty rear lights, as reported.

The repair

The remedy is currently under development. Ford will advise drivers once it has been found. All repairs will be provided free of charge as it is customarily done in all recalls.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 14,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford battery recall. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls Fusion hybrid vehicles that may stall or catch fire
Polaris recalls Slingshot vehicles over faulty rearview cameras

Polaris recalls Slingshot vehicles over faulty rearview cameras

July 22, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Medina, MN  – July 22, 2023 – American manufacturer Polaris (NYSE:PII) is recalling 22,218 vehicles over rearview cameras that may fail to display an image. This ups the risk of a crash, injury, and property damage.

The following vehicles are covered by this recall: 

  • 2020 Polaris Slingshot GT 
  • 2020 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot R
  • 2021 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot S
  • 2021 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot S Tech
  • 2020 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot SL
  • 2022 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot SLR

Recall summary  

A rearview camera shows an image of the vehicle’s rear portion when reverse gear is engaged, helping drivers see behind the vehicle and watch out for hazards. 

In the affected models, a software error may lead the rearview camera image to freeze when the driver shifts out of reverse. When the driver shifts back into reverse, the camera image may no longer be displayed on the dashboard screen.   

Recall risks

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

Other Polaris recalls

In March 2023, the manufacter recalled a number of 2022–2023 Slingshot vehicles due to the risk of fire.

The repair

Owners will receive instructions on how to update the software themselves. They can also take the vehicle to the dealer for a free software update.

Polaris will reimburse customers who paid for their own repairs before the recall was announced.

Owners will receive letters with more information by July 28 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Over 22,000 vehicles are affected by this Polaris rearview camera recall. To do a Polaris recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloPolaris recalls Slingshot vehicles over faulty rearview cameras
US government investigates stalling Kia EV6 electric vehicles

US government investigates stalling Kia EV6 electric vehicles

July 16, 2023 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – July 16, 2023 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Kia (OTCMKTS: KIMTF) over an allegation its 2022 Kia EV6 electric cars may lose motive power or even experience a “complete electric failure,” upping the risk of a crash and injury. 

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect around 20,000 cars. 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on July 3, 2023, following 11 complaints of cars losing power. In at least some cases, the cars could not be restarted and had to be towed.

Upon inspection, dealers found that there was a “strong correlation” between the power loss and the failure of the integrated control charging unit (ICCU).  

What is an integrated control charging unit?

The integrated control charging unit is an electric “charger” that powers up both the high-voltage battery used to drive the electric motor and the low-voltage battery, which provides 12-volt electricity for the rest of the car’s systems.  

Based on the initial findings, an excessive current may damage ICCU’s circuit board, preventing the low-voltage battery from being charged. This ultimately shuts down the systems using it as a power supply, making the vehicle inoperable.  

Risks

Without sufficient power being delivered to the wheels, the driver may have difficulties maneuvering the vehicle into a safe spot. This dramatically increases the risk of a crash.

“Unnerving” experiences

In fact, one driver described an “unnerving” experience when the car suddenly decelerated to 22 miles per hour (mph) from 40 mph “during rush hour on a secondary road with a limited shoulder.”

Drivers also reported their cars being stuck at dealerships for weeks after they “could no longer be driven.”  Some drivers have been told that the part was “on national backorder.”

Warning signs

Before the power loss, some drivers observed “Stop the vehicle and check power supply” and “Check electrical vehicle system” warning messages pop up on the instrument cluster.  In addition, one driver stated there was a “loud pop from the rear passenger side of the vehicle”  just before the message appeared. 

Other Kia recalls

Earlier this month, Kia recalled nearly 100,000 Sportage SUVs because their brake boosters may fail to activate. 

Some of the Kia EV6 cars mentioned here may have been affected by a recall caused by the risk of a rollaway, which took place in May 2022. 

In addition, both Kia and Hyundai are subject to a separate U.S. government investigation for non-crash related fires, as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Kia loss of power recall, potentially affecting almost 20,000 electric cars. To do a Kia recall check and see if your car might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates stalling Kia EV6 electric vehicles
Daimler recalls vehicles over risk of stalling

Daimler recalls vehicles over risk of stalling 

July 15, 2023 Bojan Popic ,

Sandy Springs, GA – July 15, 2023 – Daimler (OTCMKTS:DMLRY), which owns the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands, is recalling 164,054 passenger cars and commercial vans because they may stall due to fuel pump failure. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.

Some of the affected vehicles include: 

  • 2021 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43
  • 2021 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S
  • 2022 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53
  • 2021 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG G53
  • 2021 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43
  • 2022 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL55
  • 2021 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300
  • 2021 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz E350
  • 2022 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz S500
  • 2022 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz S550
  • 2021 – 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S580
  • 2021 – 2022 Mercedes-Benz Metris
  • 2021 – 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500
  • 2021 – 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500
  • 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 1500
  • 2021 Freightliner Sprinter 2500

Recall summary  

The fuel pump impeller is a plastic disk that helps “increase the pressure and flow of fuel.” Due to a supplier error, the impeller in the affected vehicles “may deform.” This may result in a shutdown of the pump and an engine stall.

The full list of the affected vehicles is available here. 

Recall risks

A stalled vehicle may get hit by oncoming traffic. This ups the risk of an injury for the car occupants and other motorists.

Warning signs

The driver may notice a “malfunction warning message” on the dash or experience the engine “running rough.”

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

Some of these Mercedes-Benz vans may have been affected by a recall caused by the risk of rollaway, which took place in November 2022. 

More recently, in January 2023, a large batch of Mercedes-Benz cars was recalled also because of the risk of stall, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the fuel pump with an upgraded one free of charge.

Owners should be notified on July 28, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 160,000 cars and vans are being recalled over this Mercedes-Benz fuel pump issue. To do a Mercedes-Benz recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicDaimler recalls vehicles over risk of stalling 
2003 Dodge Ram 1500s Takata Air Bag Fatality Prompts FCA to Issue Do Not Drive

2003 Dodge Ram 1500s Takata Air Bag Fatality Prompts FCA to Issue Do Not Drive

July 11, 2023 James Douglas ,

July 11, 2023 | Washington, DC

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently confirmed another fatality linked to the Takata recall, specifically in a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. This tragic incident marks the first Takata air bag fatality involving an exploding passenger-side inflator. Additionally, it is the first case reported in the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 model, which was among the 385,686 vehicles recalled in 2015 due to the dangerous Takata air bag defect.

Approximately 84,000 of these Dodge Ram 1500 trucks remain unrepaired, and as a result, put their occupants in considerable danger of severe injury or even death. It is crucial that if you are the owner of one of these unrepaired 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles, you must avoid driving until the Takata recall is fully addressed and your defective Takata air bag is replaced.

The recent Takata recall fatality raises the total count to 26 within the United States. It is an urgent matter that all vehicle owners check immediately for open Takata recalls. If your vehicle is under recall, we advise you to arrange the necessary repair as soon as possible.

NHTSA’s Acting Administrator, Ann Carlson, emphasized the escalating danger posed by aging defective Takata air bags. “The older a defective Takata air bag inflator becomes, the higher the risk it presents. We strongly urge you to have your air bag replaced immediately, not just for your safety, but also for the well-being of your loved ones,” said Carlson. “Please don’t put yourself or your loved ones in the line of danger due to a faulty, recalled Takata air bag. The repairs are completely free and could very well save your life.”

The NHTSA is urging all vehicle owners to check immediately if their vehicle is subject to a Takata air bag recall. If the vehicle is affected, owners should contact their dealership to schedule a FREE repair as soon as possible, and strictly adhere to any warnings from the vehicle manufacturer.

It’s crucial to remember that even minor crashes can result in devastating consequences due to the exploding Takata air bags, potentially leading to fatal or horrific injuries. Older model year vehicles, like the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, expose their occupants to a higher risk, as the age of the air bag plays a significant role in the danger it poses.

Vehicle owners who prefer talking to the manufacturer directly can call the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Takata Call Center at 833-585-0144 or go to the manufacturer’s website.

If you think your vehicle may have a safety defect that isn’t part of a current recall, contact NHTSA. Contact NHTSA online or by calling the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. For more information, visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls.

James Douglas2003 Dodge Ram 1500s Takata Air Bag Fatality Prompts FCA to Issue Do Not Drive
Honda recalls vehicles with failing rearview cameras

Honda recalls vehicles with failing rearview cameras 

July 9, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Torrance, CA  – July 9, 2023 – Honda (NYSE:HMC) is recalling close to 1.2 million vehicles over a problem with the rearview camera display. This ups the risk of a crash, injury or property damage. 

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2018 – 2023 Honda Odyssey 
  • 2019 – 2023 Honda Passport
  • 2019 – 2022 Honda Pilot

Recall summary  

When the reverse gear is engaged, the dashboard shows a video feed of the vehicle’s rear. That feed is powered by a cable which, due to a supplier error, was improperly designed in the affected vehicles. That may result in poor or lost video feeds.

Recall risks

All risks caused by a defective rearview camera connection are explained in this article about a similar Ford recall.  

Warning signs 

Users may observe “crackling sounds” coming from the audio display unit. The display may also noticeably flicker while in use.  

Other Honda recalls

In December 2022, Honda recalled over 117,000 2017–2019 Ridgeline pickup trucks over a similar issue. 

Just yesterday, there was a Honda Pilot recall due to the risk of brake failure, as reported. The recall also included other vehicles.

The repair

Dealers will replace the cable free of charge.     

Owners will be notified by August 2, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Nearly 1.2 million vehicles are affected by this Honda rearview camera recall. To do a Honda recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloHonda recalls vehicles with failing rearview cameras 
Honda recalls vehicles whose brakes may fail

Honda recalls vehicles whose brakes may fail

July 8, 2023 Bojan Popic ,

Torrance, CA – July 8, 2023 – Honda (NYSE:HMC), which owns the Acura brand, is recalling 124,077 cars whose brakes may fail. This impacts the vehicle’s ability to stop, upping the risk of a crash and injury. 

The list of the affected vehicles includes: 

  • 2020 Acura MDX
  • 2020 – 2021 Honda Civic
  • 2021 – 2023 Honda Passport
  • 2021 – 2022 Honda Pilot
  • 2020 – 2023 Honda Ridgeline

Recall summary  

The brake pedal in a car is powered by the master cylinder, which generates the pressure necessary for the brake to work. The operation of the brake is also helped by a booster, which multiplies the force generated by the driver’s foot, reducing the necessary physical effort. 

In the affected cars, the brake master cylinder was incorrectly bolted to the brake booster. As a result, the two parts may separate, which would “cause the loss of brake function.”

Recall risks

An unexpected loss of brake function would dramatically increase the odds of a crash.

Other Honda recalls

In April 2023, Honda recalled more than half a million CR-V SUVs whose suspensions may detach because of corrosion. 

More than 117,000 Honda Ridgeline pickups were recalled in December 2022 because their rearview cameras failed to display an image, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the booster assembly, if necessary, be free of charge.

Owners will be notified on August 7, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 120,000 cars and light pickup trucks are affected by this Honda failing brakes recall. To do a Honda recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHonda recalls vehicles whose brakes may fail
Kia recalls SUVs for loss of brake boost assist

Kia recalls SUVs for loss of brake boost assist

July 2, 2023 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – July 2, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF), is recalling 98,944 2023 Kia Sportage SUVs because their power brake assistance may fail. This would make the vehicles harder to stop, upping the risk of a crash and injury. The recall comes on the heels of multiple customer complaints.

Recall summary  

The power braking in the listed vehicles is done by a brake booster. In the SUVs affected by this recall the brake booster may develop an internal leak reducing its stopping power. 

Recall risks

The defect increases stopping distance, which augments the risk of a crash and injury. 

Background of the recall  

The recall comes on the back of at least 73 customer complaints about the issue. No injuries or crashes have been reported.

Warning signs

The loss of brake boost assist “can result in hard pedal feel and increased effort during pedal application.”

Other Kia recalls

In April 2023, Kia recalled minivans over a sliding door issue, as reported.

In February 2023, a batch of Telluride midsize SUVs was recalled because their airbags would fail to deploy.

Separately, millions of Kia and Hyundai cars are subject to an ongoing U.S. government investigation due to multiple instances of car fires, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the brake boosters free of charge. 

Owners should be notified on July 21, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Almost 100,000 UVs are affected by this Kia brake booster recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls SUVs for loss of brake boost assist
Stellantis recalls Jeep Cherokee SUVs over stability loss

Stellantis recalls Jeep Cherokee SUVs over stability loss

July 1, 2023 Bojan Popic

Auburn Hills, MI – July 1, 2023 – Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), which owns the Jeep brand, is recalling 331,401 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs because a part of their rear suspension may break off. This may cause the vehicle to become unstable and may also lead to road debris, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

Recall summary  

The spring coil is a flexible component of the vehicle’s suspension, which allows the wheels to go up and down over the bumps. In the affected SUVs, however, the springs at the rear were fitted incorrectly and may fall out of their position. This could cause the rear suspension to break and could also create road debris for other vehicles.

Recall risks

A broken suspension can make the vehicle unstable and difficult to control, upping the chances of a crash and injury.  In addition, other vehicles on the road could come upon the broken coils and crash.

Other Jeep recalls

Just a few days ago, Jeep recalled hybrid Cherokees over the risk of stalling. 

Earlier this year, in April, a batch of Jeeps was recalled because their transmission may overheat and cause the vehicle to catch fire. 

The repair

Dealers will repair the rear springs free of charge. 

Owners should be notified on July 28, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 300,000 SUVs are affected by this Jeep rear spring coil 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 Jeep Cherokee SUVs over stability loss
Ford recalls F-150 electric pickups over faulty reverse lights

Ford recalls F-150 electric pickups over faulty reverse lights   

June 25, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI  – June 25, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 16,375 2022–2023 F-150 Lightning battery electric vehicles (BEV) due to a problem with the rear lights, which could increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Recall summary  

In the affected vehicles, the rear light bar mounted on the tailgate may sustain damage during assembly or due to extreme loads on the tailgate in low temperatures. This could lead to microcracks forming on the lens, allowing moisture to enter the light assembly and cause the lights to either flicker or stop working altogether.       

Recall risks

Improperly working reverse lights may fail to notify other road users of the driver’s intentions, causing them to be unaware that the vehicle is reversing. This may lead to a crash or an injury.

Other Ford recalls

In May 2023, Ford recalled 2004–2006 Ranger pickups over airbags failing to deploy in a crash. This was the second recall announced for the issue, following a previous one made in March 2023.   

Earlier this month, Ford also announced that it was recalling 29,607 vehicles including the Ford Bronco, Ford Ranger and Ford Super Duty over faulty load labels, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the faulty reverse light bar with a new unit free of charge. Ford will reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall was announced.  

Owners will be notified by June 20, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 16,000 electric pickups are affected by this Ford reverse light recall. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls F-150 electric pickups over faulty reverse lights   
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