Stellantis recalls RAM trucks following government investigation

Stellantis recalls RAM trucks following government investigation

December 5, 2021 Rebecca Rand , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – December 5, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the RAM brand, has recalled 222,410 RAM trucks that may stall due to a defective high pressure fuel pump.  The issue increases the risk of an accident and injury.

The recall includes the following trucks:

  • 2019 – 2020 RAM 2500
  • 2019 – 2020 RAM 3500
  • 2019 – 2020 RAM 4500
  • 2019 – 2020 RAM 5500

Recall summary  

The fuel pump may fail and generate debris, which could clog up the whole fuel system. This starves the engine of fuel and causes the truck to stall. The reason for the recall is not explicitly stated but appears to be connected to the pump itself, as well as the powertrain control module (PCM), which is the brain of the car that controls over 100 elements and also transfers power to the driving wheels, as reported.

The affected part number is the “engine assembly” with multiple part numbers,  including R3041229AA and  R3041230AA.

The recall follows on the heels of a government investigation into stalling RAM trucks. However, the recall documents do not link the two and the investigation is still ongoing. 

Recall risks

Stalling on the road is dangerous, especially at high speeds, because a stalled car could get hit by faster moving traffic behind it. Read more about what to do if your car stalls on the freeway in this article about a Toyota Denso fuel pump recall.

Warning signs

Drivers may notice any of the following signs: 

  • A malfunction indicator light turning on 
  • A fuel leak
  • Abnormal engine noise
  • Change in drive quality

The repair

RAM dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, and will inspect and replace additional fuel system components, if necessary. Notification letters with more information will be sent out starting January 1, 2022.

Recent RAM truck recalls

RAM recently recalled 2021-2022 RAM 2500,3500,4500, and 5500 trucks over a risk of engine fire. The 4 million-vehicle RAM PCM recall continues as well — as of January last year, a little over 1 million cars had yet to be repaired.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 222,000 vehicles are included in this RAM recall. To do a RAM recall check on your car, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandStellantis recalls RAM trucks following government investigation
BMW recalls vehicles for second time over fire risk

BMW recalls vehicles for second time over fire risk

December 5, 2021 Bojan Popic

Westwood, NJ – December 5, 2021 – BMW (OTCMKTS: BMWYY) is recalling 50,404 vehicles that were previously repaired for a coolant leak for the same issue. The leak may result in an engine fire, which increases the risk of a crash and injury.  

Some of the vehicles that are affected by this BMW coolant recall include:  

  • 2014 BMW 328d
  • 2014 BMW 328d xDrive Sports Wagon
  • 2014 BMW 535d
  • 2015 BMW 740Ld xDrive
  • 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d SAV
  • 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAV

Recall summary  

Exhaust Gas Recirculation, or EGR, is a system that lowers emissions by rerouting a portion of exhaust gases towards the engine. In vehicles that are part of this BMW recall, a cooler within the EGR system may crack and develop a coolant leak. As this fluid mixes with exhaust gases, it will create “smoldering particles”.  This may cause the plastic intake manifold to melt or even result in a fire inside the engine compart]ment. 

The intake manifold “supplies the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders” for optimal engine performance, according to a Wikipedia article.

The full list of vehicles is available here. 

Recall background

Vehicles that are part of this recall were recalled for the same issue  in 2018. However, field data showed that the repair was not sufficient which prompted the manufacturer to call them in for repairs once again.

Recall risks

An engine fire increases the risk of a crash, with flames and smoke distracting the driver. Another risk is the inability to stop and leave the vehicle in time, leading to an injury or even death. For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please refer to the following page.

Warning signs

There are several signs that may alert a driver about this issue, including a “low coolant” warning light on the dashboard and an unusual odor from the exhaust. In more severe cases, the engine may lose power and there might be some smoke  coming from under the hood. 

Other BMW recalls 

Some of these vehicles may have been a part of a recall in August, which was caused by a high-pressure fuel pump that suffers from excessive wear. In addition, even vehicles with gasoline engines, such as the 328i station wagon, had problems with their fuel pumps in the past.  

The repair

To fix the issue, BMW authorized dealers will replace the EGR module and clean the pipe that connects to it. In addition, they will check the intake manifold for any damage and replace it if necessary. All repairs will be done free of charge.

Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners around January 12, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This BMW coolant leak recall includes more than 50,000 vehicles. To check if your BMW is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicBMW recalls vehicles for second time over fire risk
Honda recalls over 4,000 cars over child seat safety issue

Honda recalls over 4,000 cars over child seat safety issue

December 5, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Warren, MI – December 5, 2021 – Honda  (NYSE:HMC) has recalled 4,346 vehicles with a defective seat belt locking mechanism for securing children’s car seats.  The issue ups the risk of an injury to the child in the seat in an accident.

This is part of an ongoing recall with multiple manufacturers affected due to faulty parts supplied by Swedish-American manufacturer Autoliv.

The latest install includes includes the following models:

  • 2021 Honda Accord
  • 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid
  • 2021 Honda CR-V
  • 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid
  • 2022 Honda Insight
  • 2021 Honda Ridgeline

Recall summary  

The seat belt retractor is what tightens the belt. There are two types of retractors – an emergency one that only tightens when there is an accident and an automatic one – known as the automatic locking retractor (ALR) –  which will lock up once it is spooled out.  The ALRs is one of the two mechanisms used to secure a child seat. 

The recalled vehicles have faulty ALRs which may deactivate without the driver’s knowledge, leaving the child loosely secured.

The component in question is the “second row center seat belt assembly” with multiple part numbers including 82480TLAA012M1 and  82455TVAA111M1.

Recall risks

If the ALR deactivates, the child will be able to move around freely, increasing the risk of injury to the child in the seat.

Safety tips

For safety tips, please visit this article.

Not just a Honda seat belt recall

These faulty seat belt assemblies made their way into thousands of cars, causing recalls of several car brands including Volvo, RAM, Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford, BMW and Audi.

Other Honda Accord recalls

The Honda Accord is currently under a pre-recall investigation over reports of steering failure. Honda also recently recalled 18 models, including the Accord,  with fuel pump issues.

The repair

Honda dealers will replace the second row center seat belt assembly with a new one free of charge. Honda will notify owners of the recall by mail starting on January 17, 2022. Any owners who noticed the problem and replaced the center seat belt assembly on their own dime may be eligible for reimbursement. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,300 vehicles are included in this Honda recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandHonda recalls over 4,000 cars over child seat safety issue
Toyota recalls vehicles over risk of brake failure

Toyota recalls vehicles over risk of brake failure

December 5, 2021 Bojan Popic

Plano, TX   – December 5, 2021 – Toyota (NYSE:TM) is recalling 227,490 vehicles that may “suddenly” lose power brake assistance. This may increase the stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.  

This recall affects the following vehicles:  

  • 2018 Toyota Camry  
  • 2019 Toyota Camry  

Recall summary  

These Toyota Camry cars have a vacuum pump which supplies vacuum to the brake booster. In vehicles affected by this recall, certain parts inside the pump may wear out prematurely. As a result, the pump will fail to generate sufficient vacuum, causing a loss of brake assistance performance.  

A faulty vacuum pump will not prevent the vehicle from stopping, although doing this will require much more effort from the driver.

The component in question is the vacuum pump with part number 2930025010. 

Recall risks

A sudden reduction in brake performance may prevent the driver from stopping in time, which increases the risk of a crash and injury.  

Warning signs

The driver may notice the brake pedal becoming harder to press when braking frequently and may also receive “an audible and visual warning” about the problem.

Other Toyota recalls 

There was a 2018 Toyota Camry recall in November of last year because of a faulty fuel pump. The recall also included the 2019 model-year, as well as over 60 other models. That recall was an expansion of a January 2019 Toyota Camry recall caused by the same issue.

In September of this year, there was a Toyota recall over vacuum pumps that may fail to operate as a result of a software issue. 

The repair

Dealers will rectify the problem by inspecting the vacuum pump and replacing it if necessary. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners between December 16, 2021 and January 16, 2022.  All repairs will be conducted for free.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This large-scale Toyota recall includes more than 220,000 vehicles. To do a Toyota recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls vehicles over risk of brake failure
Stellantis recalls vehicles over fire risk

Stellantis recalls vehicles over fire risk

December 4, 2021 Bojan Popic ,

Auburn Hills, MI   – December 4, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), which owns the Alfa Romeo brand, is recalling 11,419 vehicles that may develop a fuel leak. This may cause them to stall while driving or even catch fire, which increases the risk of injury. 

Vehicles that are affected by this recall include: 

  • 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia 
  • 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia 
  • 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
  • 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Recall summary  

Vehicles that are part of this Alfa Romeo recall have a series of fuel lines with a sensor that measures pressure and temperature. On affected vehicles, the sensor housing may crack due to a manufacturing flaw, allowing the fuel to escape. This can cause the engine to stall or even result in a fire should escaping fuel come in contact with the hot exhaust components.  

The component in question is the “Pressure Temperature Sensor” with part number 00505493910. 

Recall risks

For more information on the danger of fuel leaks, please visit this article on the recent Mazda recall for the same issue.  You can read more about what to do in the event of fire in the same article.

Warning signs

Fuel has a strong odor, which is something the driver or passengers may easily notice. Additionally, the leak can cause a drop in engine performance and even trigger the “check engine” warning light. 

Other Stellantis recalls 

Some of the vehicles included in this recall may have already been a part of a May recall, which rectified the brake-related issues. 

In September,  there was a similar Fiat Chrysler recall which involved Jeep Wranglers that could develop a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire.  

The repair

To rectify the problem, Alfa Romeo authorized dealers will replace the sensor with one whose housing is not defective. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on January 1, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Alfa Romeo fuel line recall includes more than 10,000 vehicles. To do an Alfa Romeo recall check, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis recalls vehicles over fire risk
Volkswagen recalls vehicles with faulty airbags

Volkswagen recalls vehicles with faulty airbags

December 4, 2021 Bojan Popic ,

Auburn Hills, MI   – December 4, 2021 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS: VWAGY), which owns the Audi brand, is recalling 208,332 vehicles over faulty airbags. The airbags may become inoperable and fail to deploy during a crash, which increases the risk of injury.  

The affected vehicles are:  

  • 2017 – 2020 Audi A4 Allroad
  • 2018 – 2020 Audi S5 Sportback
  • 2018 – 2020 Audi A5 Sportback
  • 2019  Audi RS5 Sportback
  • 2018 – 2020 Audi A5 Coupe
  • 2018 – 2020 Audi S5 Coupe
  • 2018 – 2019 Audi RS5 Coupe
  • 2017 – 2020 Audi A4 Sedan
  • 2018 – 2020 Audi S4 Sedan
  • 2018 – 2020 Audi A5 Cabriolet
  • 2018 – 2020 Audi S5 Cabriolet

Recall summary  

Vehicles affected by the recall have a Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) with integrated seat heating.  The wire that connects the two is faulty, which may cause PODS to not detect the passenger in the front seat and switch off the airbag.

The PODS involved in this recall has multiple part numbers, including 8W0963556 to 8W7881406.

Warning signs

If the passenger bag is disabled,  the “passenger airbag off” message will appear in the instrument cluster.

Recall risks

In a collision,  the airbags may not deploy as intended, which reduces the level of their protection.

Other Volkswagen recalls 

In May, some of the cars involved in this recall were recalled because of the risk of suspension failure. In September, A4, A5 and  A6 vehicles were recalled because of a faulty child restraint system.

The repair

Audi authorized dealers will fix the issue by replacing the seat heating mats, including the connecting cable or the entire seat cover, depending on the model, at no cost to the customer.

Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on January 7, 2022.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Audi airbag recall includes more than 200,000 vehicles. To do an Audi recall Check, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicVolkswagen recalls vehicles with faulty airbags
Tesla recalls Model X and Model S over torn airbags

Tesla recalls Model X and Model S over torn airbags

November 27, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Palo Alto, CA – November 27, 2021 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has recalled 7,600 luxury electric cars whose driver-side airbags may tear during deployment. The issue increases the risk of driver injury in a crash.

The recall includes:

  • 2021 Tesla Model X
  • 2021 Tesla Model S

Recall summary  

Tesla’s Model X and Model S recall centers around an issue with the door that covers the driver-side airbag compartment.

Due to a supplier error, the airbag door may have a piece sticking out that catches on the airbag as it goes off, which could cause the airbag to tear.

Recall risks

Like a leaky air mattress, an airbag with a hole will not provide the same firm cushion to protect the driver during a crash. This increases the risk of injury to the driver. Read more about the importance of properly functioning airbags in this article about a recent Volvo recall.

The affected part is driver airbag assembly with part numbers 1625769-72-D and ​​1625769-71-D. 

The repair

Tesla dealers will replace the driver-side airbags in all the recalled cars for free. The new airbags will have a reinforced patch to prevent it from tearing. Owners will be notified about the recall by mail starting on January 7, 2022.

Recent Tesla recalls

There was a Tesla Model S recall earlier this month due to the possibility of cars braking unexpectedly on their own or activating false forward collision warning. The recall was limited to “fully self-driving cars” and also included Model 3, Model X and Model Y vehicles. Most vehicles involved in that recall have already been fixed thanks to an over-the-air (OTA) update. 

To read more about this and other recent Tesla recalls, please visit the following article.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Tesla 2021 recall includes over 7,500 vehicles. To do a Tesla recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandTesla recalls Model X and Model S over torn airbags
Stellantis is recalling vehicles whose airbags may fail to deploy

Stellantis is recalling vehicles whose airbags may fail to deploy

November 27, 2021 Bojan Popic ,

Auburn Hills, MI   – November 27, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), which owns the Jeep brand, is recalling 99,255 SUVs with faulty passenger airbags. The airbags may fail to deploy during a crash, which increases the risk of injury.  

This recall affects the following vehicles: 

  • 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 
  • 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
  • 2022 Jeep Wagoneer

Recall summary  

In vehicles that are part of this recall, the module that controls the passenger airbag contains a software error, which may “disable the driver, passenger, and knee airbags without warning.” The airbag warning light will not illuminate meaning that the driver will not know of the issue.

The component in question is the “Occupant Restraint Control Module” with multiple part numbers including 68476781AB and 68518543AC. 

Recall risks

The driver and passenger airbags may not deploy as intended in a collision, meaning that the occupants of the car are at a higher risk of injury.

Other Jeep recalls 

Some of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUVs were recalled this fall over issues with high beam operation and rearview cameras. In May over 18,000 2021 Jeep Cherokee SUVs were recalled because of a transmission fuel leak that could lead to a fire.

The repair

Dealers will fix the issue by reprogramming the control module and installing the correct software version. Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on December 30, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Stellantis recall includes nearly 100,000 vehicles. To do a Jeep recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicStellantis is recalling vehicles whose airbags may fail to deploy
Mazda recalls cars with defective fuel pumps

Mazda recalls cars with defective fuel pumps

November 24, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Washington, D.C – November 24, 2021 – Mazda (OTCMKTS: MZDAY) has recalled 121,038 cars that may stall due to a defective fuel pump. Stalling increases the risk of an accident while driving.

The recall includes:

  • 2019 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover SUVs
  • 2018-2019 Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUVs
  • 2018-2019 Mazda CX-9 mid-size crossover SUVs
  • 2019-2020 Mazda2 subcompact cars
  • 2018 Mazda3 compact cars
  • 2018 Mazda6 sedans
  • 2018 Mazda MX-5 sports cars

Recall summary  

This recall continues a series of recalls centered around defective fuel pumps manufactured by Denso. 

The fuel pumps contain a plastic impeller, which works by sucking fuel from the tank to the engine. The plastic impellers made by Denso may weaken and deform after spending a long time soaking in fuel, eventually breaking and rendering the fuel pump inoperable. Without a functioning fuel pump, gas cannot get to the engine.

The affected part is the fuel pump with part numbers PE03-13350, PYFL-13350, and P54P-13350.

Risks

Starved of fuel, engines cannot run and the cars stall as though they were out of gas. 

Stalling on the road, especially at high speeds, can be dangerous, as a stalled car could get hit by faster moving traffic. Read more about what to do if your car stalls on the freeway in this article about a Toyota Denso fuel pump recall.

Warning signs

Drivers may see the check engine light turn on or hear the engine “running rough.” The car also may fail to start entirely.  Learn more about what fuel pump failure looks like in this article about repairing a bad Mazda 3 fuel pump.

The repair

Mazda dealers will replace the fuel pump with a better model for free. Mazda will send owners recall notification letters starting on January 11, 2022. Owners who already replaced their own fuel pumps before the recall started may be eligible for reimbursement.

Recent Mazda recalls

Earlier this month, Mazda issued two recalls with one being for CX-9 vehicles whose second-row seats may slide forward in a crash.  The second one included MazdaSpeed6 and RX-8 sports cars that were recalled because of a fuel leak that may lead to a fire.

A Mazda CX-5 recall was issued in February of last year because the cars’ daytime visibility headlights might not work. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 121,000 vehicles are included in this Mazda recall. To do a Mazda recall check on your car, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandMazda recalls cars with defective fuel pumps
Kia recalls vehicles over risk of engine fire

Kia recalls vehicles over risk of engine fire

November 21, 2021 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – January 31, 2022 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  (NHTSA),  is currently conducting an investigation to see if the remedy offered in this recall was adequate. Please bookmark this page and come back for any updates. You can find more information about why this is happening here or use our free vehicle lookup tool to see if your car is part of a recall.

Irvine, CA  – November 21, 2021 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS: KIMTF) is recalling 10,731 cars whose engines may stall or catch fire as a result of premature wear, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

This recall is the newest addition to the long list of fire-related issues that have been plaguing Kia. 

Vehicles that are affected by this recall include:

  • 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid
  • 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid
  • 2017 Kia Optima PHEV
  • 2018 Kia Optima PHEV

Recall summary  

Connecting rod bearings are designed to cut down on the friction between engine parts.

In the affected vehicles, these bearings may suffer from premature wear, which may cause the engine to stall while driving. In addition, the connecting rod can snap and pierce the engine, which may cause an oil leak and result in a fire. 

Background of the recall

This recall is very similar to a recall conducted by Hyundai last year for the same reason. At least six fires have been reported leading up to this recall.

The reasons behind this and other Kia fire-related recalls are not clear. The affected component is the “engine assembly sub” with part number 189N12EH00.

Recall risks

As reported, stalling can lead to dangerous situations, especially if it happens in high-speed traffic. 

A fire inside the engine compartment that occurs while driving has a wide range of potential hazards. For more information, please visit this article.

Warning signs

Warning signs that may alert the driver include vibrations and metallic rattling coming from the engine. In most cases, the “ oil pressure” warning light on the dashboard will be illuminated. If that happens, the driver should stop the vehicle in the first safe spot and turn off the engine to prevent any further damage.

Other Kia Optima recalls 

This recall is one of the eight recalls that came about as a result of an ongoing U.S. government investigation into the reasons behind “non-collision” collision fires that keep affecting Kia vehicles. Other recalls related to this issue include a June recall affecting Kia Optima and Kia Sorento vehicles and one in December of last year affecting Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento and Kia Soul vehicles.

The last 2018 Kia Optima recall was conducted in 2018 due to a risk of stalling while driving.

The repair

As a part of the repair, dealers will inspect the condition of rod bearings. If there are signs of wear, the whole engine will be replaced. Additionally, updated control software that would detect if engines start producing any unusual vibrations will be installed. After the software installation, the warranty for engine block assembly repairs will be extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

All repairs are free.

Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on November 29, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia Optima Hybrid engine recall includes more than 10,000 vehicles. To do a Kia recall check, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls vehicles over risk of engine fire
Recall Lookup
Enter your vehicle(s) below to check the current recall status.

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories