General Motors issues third Chevrolet Bolt recall following car fires

General Motors issues third Chevrolet Bolt recall following car fires

September 9, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Warren, MI – September 9, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 52,403 2020 – 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV cars whose batteries may catch fire, increasing the risk of death or injury for the car occupants and people around them.

This recall is a result of an ongoing U.S. government investigation, which so far has resulted in three recalls, including this one, and is an expansion of a previous recall conducted in July. There have been multiple fires and at least one injury associated with this recall.

The recall concerns the “High Voltage Battery Pack” with multiple part numbers, including 24042761, 24044172 and  24044527.

Recall summary  

These Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles contain defective high-voltage LG batteries that may catch fire when they are charged to “charged to full, or very close to full, capacity.” In fact, the recall is being conducted on the back of a recent car fire in the recalled population.

The cause of the fire  is the presence of “two rare manufacturing defects in the same battery cell” but it is not clear what these defects are. 

Previous recalls and an investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which regulates vehicle safety in the U.S., opened an investigation in October after receiving two owner complaints alleging that their vehicles “caught fire under the rear seat while parked and unattended.” The investigation resulted in the first recall which was conducted in November 2020 and included over 50,000 2019, 2018 and 2017 Chevrolet Volt EVs. The cars were outfitted with “diagnostic software” and also received new battery modules. The repair, however, may have been insufficient as the same vehicles were again recalled in July of this year.

Risks

Battery fires are serious: One of the Chevrolet Bolt fires reported to NHTSA took three hours for the fire department to put out, and reportedly caused owners smoke inhalation injuries from the “thick and noxious” fumes it produced. Car battery fires pose a number of risks to vehicle occupants and people nearby, and require specialized firefighting techniques to extinguish. For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please visit this article about battery fires in BMW hybrids.

Warning signs

Before the Chevy Bolt fire, owners may notice that the battery emits “smoke or heat” or see the battery or “ other vehicle components” melt or become damaged.

The repair

Dealers will eventually replace defective battery modules for free, but this repair is not yet available. 

Safety tips

You can do the following while waiting for the final repair: 

  • Activate the Target Charge Level (referred to as the Hilltop Reserve mode on the 2017-2018 Bolts) feature to limit the battery charge level to 90% full. If you are unable to adjust these settings yourself, visit your dealer for help.
  • Charge the vehicle after each use.
  • Do NOT deplete the battery further than 70 miles of range remaining.
  • Park the vehicle outside and away from structures after charging.
  • Do NOT charge the vehicle overnight.
  • If you own a 2017, 2018 or 2019 model-year,  visit your nearest Chevrolet dealer to get an important software update, which includes a diagnostic check on the health of the Bolt’s battery system. This service is provided free of charge.

Letters with these instructions will be sent out to owners on October 4, 2021. Owners will receive a second letter when the final repair is available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 50,000 vehicles are included in GM’s Chevrolet recall. To do a Chevrolet recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGeneral Motors issues third Chevrolet Bolt recall following car fires
Nissan recalls more than 30,000 vehicles with faulty signal bulbs

Nissan recalls more than 30,000 vehicles with faulty signal bulbs

September 6, 2021 Bojan Popic

Franklin, TN – September 6, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) is recalling 30,799 cars with defective front turn signal bulbs that may fail to illuminate and show that the car is turning, increasing the risk of injury.

This recall includes the following pickup trucks and subcompact cars: 

  • 2020 Nissan Titan
  • 2021 Nissan Titan
  • 2020 Nissan Titan XD
  • 2021 Nissan Titan XD
  • 2020 Nissan Versa 
  • 2021 Nissan Versa

Recall summary  

Due to a supplier error,  the internal wiring in the affected bulbs was done incorrectly and may cause the glass surface to crack during installation. This can render both the left- and the right-turn bulb inoperable and result in the malfunction of turn signals.

The bulbs are a part of a faulty lot made by a U.S office of a French supplier Valeo Sylvania.  They have multiple part numbers, including 260605EE0A and 260105EE0A.

Risks

If the front turn signal is not working, other motorists and pedestrians will not be aware of drivers’ intentions. This increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Warning signs

The “turn signal indicator light” on the vehicle dashboard will flash faster. An audible alert will also be issued promptly to let the driver know that there is an issue. 

Other Nissan recalls

Both 2020 Nissan Titan and 2020 Titan XD vehicles were recalled at the end of 2020 because of the risk of an engine fire caused by faulty electrical wiring. In addition, some of these trucks were a part of a 127,000-car strong recall that was conducted to search for seven defective tires.

The repair

Dealers will replace the affected bulbs with new ones free of charge. Notifications were set to be sent to the owners on August 20. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Nissan recall includes more than 30,000 of Titan and Versa vehicles. To do a Nissan recall check, please  use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicNissan recalls more than 30,000 vehicles with faulty signal bulbs
BMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure

BMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure

September 6, 2021 Bojan Popic , ,

Westwood, NJ – September 6, 2021  – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY), which also owns Mini and Rolls-Royce brands, has recalled 21,537 vehicles with faulty child restraint systems that increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.

This recall affects some 2021 Toyota Supras made with BMW engines, as well as a wide range of BMW models, including: 

  • 2021 BMW 4 Series, including the 2021 430I
  • 2021 BMW 2 Series, including the 2021 228I
  • 2021 BMW 5 Series, including the 2021 540I
  • 2021 Mini Cooper
  • 2021 Rolls-Royce Phantom
  • 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost

For a complete list of models and model years included, please refer to this page.

The affected component in this BMW recall is a seat belt retractor, which is what is used to hold the seat belt in place.

Recall summary  

This recall is part of an ongoing series of recalls – that already includes Ford and Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz – caused by faulty seat belts provided by Swedish-American supplier Autoliv.  

These seat belts come equipped with two types of retractors – one that immobilizes the seat belt in the event of a crash and one that prevents the seat belt from moving right after it is buckled. The latter is referred to as the automatic locking retractor, or ALR, and is activated by pulling the seat belt “all the way out,” weaving it through the child seat and buckling it in.

But, because of “out of tolerance” parts provided by the supplier, the ALR may deactivate early, “before the webbing fully retracts.” 

Risks

Faulty ALR will not hold the child seat firmly in its place. Although the seat belt would still lock up during a crash, there is an increased  risk of injury during sudden stops. The risk is lower when parents use the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system in place of the seat belts, as reported.

Warning signs 

Drivers may notice that the torso section of the seat belt is not locked firmly while securing the child seat.

Other BMW recalls

Earlier this month, the 2021 Toyota Supra, as well as some of the X and 5 series cars, were recalled because of a brake assist problem. Some of the older X series were recalled in August out of concern that they may stall while in motion due to a faulty fuel pump.

Other Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce recalls

In April, BMW recalled close to 50,000 Rolls-Royce, Mini Cooper and BMW models due to a defective water pump, as reported.  In November of last year, there was a BMW and a Mini Cooper recall due to hybrid batteries that may catch fire.  

The repair

Dealers will replace affected passenger seat belts free of charge during an inspection. It is not yet  known when the owners will receive additional information about this recall.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This recall includes more than 20,000 vehicles and covers several brands and models. To check for this and other recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicBMW recalls vehicles over risk of seat belt failure
Jaguar Land Rover recalls vehicles due to incorrect child restraint information

Jaguar Land Rover recalls vehicles due to incorrect child restraint information

September 6, 2021 Mikaela Bolker ,

Mahwah, NJ – September 6, 2021 – Jaguar Land Rover (NYSE:TTM) has announced a recall for 7,027 vehicles due to incorrect information in the owner’s regarding the third-row seats’ child restraint system. The information may lead to a child being “improperly secured,” increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The Jaguar recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2020 Land Rover Defender
  • 2021 Land Rover Defender

Summary

The owner manual of the recall vehicles incorrectly states that the third-row seats are equipped with the so-called lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system “with top tethers.” The system allows parents to secure children with “straps and hooks..and anchor hardware” in place of seat belts.

Risks

This lack of correct information about these Land Rover child seat anchors may lead to the children being “improperly secured,” augmenting the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

There have been no reported injuries from this recall at this time and parents can still use seat belts to secure their children in these seats.

Other Jaguar recalls

Earlier this month, 111,746 Land Rover LR4 and Range Rover Sport cars were recalled because of a potential fuel leak that can lead to a car fire, as reported. In March 2021, 26,805 Land Rover SUVs were recalled for a faulty Auto High Beam (AHB) system. 

Repair

Owners will be mailed a supplement to insert into their current handbook free of charge on September 24, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

An estimated 4,917 vehicles are part of this Land Rover recall. To do a Jaguar recall check,  use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerJaguar Land Rover recalls vehicles due to incorrect child restraint information
Ford recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts

Ford recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts

September 5, 2021 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – September 5, 2021  – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 42,493 vehicles with faulty child restraint systems, which may increase the risk of injury during a crash. This recall include the following vans: 

  • 2021 Ford Transit 
  • 2022 Ford Transit
  • 2021 Ford Transit Connect 

The affected component is the “front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor”, with part numbers LK41-1461294-A/B/D/E. This is the second recall caused by faulty seat belts provided by the Swedish-American supplier Autoliv.

Recall summary  

As reported, seat belt retractors are used to “lock up” the seat belt to protect the occupant from getting thrown from the seat in the event of a crash. There are two types of retractors – the emergency locking retractor (ELR) and the automatic locking retractor (ALR). 

While the ELR only reacts when the system detects a crash, the ALR locks up right away after the seat belt is buckled. For that reason, it is often used to secure a child seat.

In recalled cars, the ALR in the front passenger seat deactivates “after the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor,” causing the child to be inadequately restrained. The defect is caused by “out of tolerance” components provided by the supplier.

Warning signs 

Drivers may notice that an “audible clicking noise” that occurs when the ALR function is active but stops before the seat belt is “fully retracted.” This is the same warning sign provided by Daimler for its recent Mercedes-Benz recall for the same issue.

Risks

A seat belt with a faulty automatic locking reactor will not secure the child seat firmly in its place. This increases the risk of injury during a crash or sudden stops.   

Other Ford Transit recalls

In June, Ford recalled close to 200,000 vans – including the 2021 Ford Transit Connect vehicle – over the risk of a rollaway. The 2020 and 2019 Transit Connect vehicles were recalled in November of last year due to the risk of engine fire, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the seat belt assembly free of charge, if necessary.  Notifications will be sent to owners beginning September 13, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford recall includes more than 40,000 vehicles. To check for Ford recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts
BMW recalls Toyota Supra and 27,000 BMW cars for brake assist problem

BMW recalls Toyota Supra and 27,000 BMW cars for brake assist problem

September 4, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Westwood, NJ – September 4, 2021 – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) has recalled 50,024 vehicles that may lose the brake assist function due to a software issue. The recall includes 2020 – 2021 Toyota Supra sports cars made with BMW engines and the following BMW models:

  • 2020 BMW 540i sedans
  • 2020 BMW M340i sports sedans
  • 2020 BMW X3 crossovers
  • 2020 – 2021 BMW X4 crossovers
  • 2019 – 2021 BMW Z4 roadsters
  • 2020 – 2021 BMW 745Le sedans

The faulty component is the Engine Management software.

Recall summary  

The recall addresses problems with the cars’ brake assist function, which helps stop the car faster in an emergency. The brake assist uses the force of a vacuum to boost the brakes’ power, giving them more stopping force when a driver slams on the brakes in an emergency. Normally, the car uses the tandem oil/vacuum pump to suck all the air out of the brake assist’s booster, creating a vacuum. 

However, if the driver presses the start button twice in rapid succession or only lightly presses the brake pedal when starting the car, the software may cause the pump to become damaged, causing the booster to lose its power.

Risks

With the loss of brake assist, the car will have “mechanical braking” but will have a longer stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash. You can read more about the signs and dangers of brake assist failure in this article about a similar General Motors recall.

Safety tips

According to recall documents, drivers can avoid damaging the tandem oil/vacuum pump by:

  • Firmly pressing and holding the brake pedal when starting the engine.
  • Pressing the “start” button only once. (Don’t quickly turn the car on and off). 

The repair

Dealers will update recalled vehicles’ engine management software for free. Owner notification letters with more information about when and how to get this repair will be sent out by October 1, though BMW has said the remedy is already available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 50,000 vehicles are included in this BMW recall. To do a BMW recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandBMW recalls Toyota Supra and 27,000 BMW cars for brake assist problem
Mercedes-Benz recalls vehicles due to faulty child restraint system

Mercedes-Benz recalls vehicles due to faulty child restraint system

September 4, 2021 Mikaela Bolker

Jacksonville, FL – September 4, 2021 – Daimler (NASDAQ:DDAIF), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, has announced a recall for approximately 4,917 vehicles because their child seats may become unsecured, heightening the risk of an injury.

The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT43
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT53 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS450
  • 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS450 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz E350
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz G550 

The affected part is the rear seat seat belt with multiple part numbers,  including A21386007853D53 and A21386007857P84.

Summary

The rear seat belt in these cars have two retractors, which are both responsible for locking up the seat belt when there is an accident to immobilize the occupant and prevent injuries. 

One of them, the so-called automatic locking retractor (ALR), prevents the seat belt from moving once the “seat belt tongue is inserted into the buckle.”  The movement limitation makes ALR perfect for securing children in the back seat. 

In recalled vehicles, however, due to faulty parts, the ALR can malfunction and deactivate early.

Risks

A seat belt retractor that does not function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash. The risk is lower when parents opt to use the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system instead of the seat belt to “secure child restraint seats.”

Warning signs

Vehicle users who choose to use the seat belt instead of the LATCH system to secure a child restraint seat will notice a clicking noise that will occur when the ALR function is activated but stops “before the seat belt webbing is completely retracted.”

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

In May, over 340,000 Mercedes vehicles were recalled for faulty rearview cameras that may display a blank image or restart when backing up, as reported. Earlier that month, 17,800 Mercedes cars  – including the 2021 G550 and the 2021 AMG G63 – were recalled out of concern that their rear doors may open while in motion, upping the risk that passengers may fall out of the car, as reported.

Repair

Dealers will replace the rear seat belts free of charge. Owners were set to have received a notification via mail on August 24, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

Close to 5,000 cars are part of this Mercedes-Benz recall. To check if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerMercedes-Benz recalls vehicles due to faulty child restraint system
Volkswagen recalls Audi cars with faulty Takata inflators

Volkswagen recalls Audi cars with faulty Takata inflators

September 3, 2021 Vishal Venugopal , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – September 3, 2021 – The Volkswagen Group (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 62,812 vehicles over a concern that the airbags may not properly deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a serious injury or death. The affected vehicles include:

  • 2000 – 2001 Audi TT, including Roadster and Coupe cars
  • 2000 – 2002 Audi S4
  • 2000 – 2002 Audi A4

The affected part is a Takata Non-Azide Driver Airbag Inflators (NADI) with part numbers 4B0.951.403 and 4B0.951.403 A. This recall is different from the ongoing Takata airbag recall and serves as an expansion of a previous recall for some of the same models issued in February 2020.

Recall summary

The recall stems from a faulty airbag inflator that may slow down the deployment of the driver airbag in the event of a crash. Alternatively, the inflator may cause excessive pressure when inflating the airbag.

The exact cause of the defect is unclear but is thought to stem from a variety of factors, including “manufacturing variations [and] climatic conditions.” There have been no reported cases of delayed inflation of the airbag in the affected models. 

As reported, the NADI airbags have a defect that is similar to – but separate from – the larger Takata airbag recall, which involves a different type of inflator.  That larger recall has affected millions of vehicles across the country and stems from faulty airbags inflators that can rupture during deployment, hurling metal shrapnel at the car occupants. 

Risks

The driver’s airbag plays a vital role in mitigating a serious upper-body injury in the event of a crash. In the event that it does not deploy, there is a higher risk of an injury for the driver.

On the flip side – although Audi does not state this explicitly – if the airbag deploys too forcefully, the inflator may burst and maim or kill the car occupants with its fragments, as reported.

Similar Audi airbag recalls

Over the last couple of years, Volkswagen has issued multiple recalls to replace Takata airbag inflators, including one in January of this year for over 100,000 of Beetle compact and convertible cars.

Some of the Audi models in this recall, including the Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, and A4, were also recalled in February 2020, for the same issue.  

The repair

The driver’s side airbag will be replaced with an alternative, newly designed inflator that uses a different propellant, which is a substance that is used to inflate the airbag. Owners were set to be notified on August 20, 2021, and are slated to receive a second notification once the parts become available in mid-October.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

An airbag that fails to deploy correctly is a serious hazard. To find out if your car is affected by this Audi recall, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalVolkswagen recalls Audi cars with faulty Takata inflators
Hyundai issues fourth recall for fire risk

Hyundai issues fourth recall for fire risk

September 3, 2021 Mikaela Bolker

Fountain Valley, CA – March 20, 2022 – Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) has remedied issues with 7,981 2021-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2021-2022 Hyundai Sonata, which were dealing with fuel leaks at pipe connection between the fuel rail & fuel pump. By the date of this update, 0 of these 2021-2022 Santa Fe and 2021-2022 Sonata models have been categorized as unreachable and only one has been removed from the recall. All these 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles were remedied during the first quarter of 2021.

Fountain Valley, CA – September 3, 2021  – Hyundai (OTCMKTS: HYMTF) has announced its fourth recall this year due to the risk of fire. This recall includes 15,752 vehicles and is caused by a fuel leak.

The following cars are affected:

  • 2021 Hyundai Sante Fe
  • 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 2021 Hyundai Sonata
  • 2022 Hyundai Sonata

Recall summary 

This recall is caused by a supplier error and a manufacturing defect and follows on the heels of a recent Kia recall conducted for the same reasons and due to the same risk. 

During production, some of the fuel pipes were not sufficiently tightened and some were made out-of-specification. This can lead to a fuel leak  at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail. The latter is a metal pipe that helps transport fuel to the engine.

Millions of cars recalled

This is the fourth fire-related recall that Hyundai issued this year.  Both Kia – in which Hyundai holds a minority stake – and Hyundai have recalled millions of cars in the past five years because of a risk of fire caused by various issues, including brake fuel leaks, faulty engines and electrical shorts. 

Kia is also subject to an ongoing investigation by the auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for this issue, based on at least 1,784 complaints and 77 injuries, as reported.

Risks

A fuel leak can cause a fire in the engine compartment, leading to a crash, injury, or in extreme cases, death. For more on dangers of car fires and what to do in case of one, please see our recent coverage of this Kia Stinger recall.

Safety tips

While this is not explicitly recommended in this instance, in other fire-related recalls, manufacturers have advised drivers to park their vehicles OUTSIDE and AWAY from structures until repairs are completed.

Warning signs

Warning signs for this recall include smelling the odor of fuel, burning or melting or seeing smoke. The driver may also notice that the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) comes on.

Other Hyundai recalls

In April of last year, there was a Hyundai Sonata recall for 11,870 vehicles out of concern for improperly installed self-parking system. Last month, there was a Hyundai Santa Fe recall for 151,205 vehicles over a short in the anti-lock braking system, which may cause an engine compartment fire.

Repair

Owners are set to be notified starting September 6, 2021. The repair is a  free replacement pipe.

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

Approximately 15,752 vehicles are part of this General Motors recall. To do a Hyundai recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerHyundai issues fourth recall for fire risk
Nissan Rogue Sport recalled for fly-away trunk lids

Nissan Rogue Sport recalled for fly-away trunk lids

September 2, 2021 Vishal Venugopal

Franklin, TN – September 2, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has issued a recall for 13,215 units of the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport over a concern that the trunk lid – called liftgate in auto-speak – may separate from the vehicle in the event of a rear-end crash.

The affected part is the liftgate hinge shaft with part number 904006MA0A.

Recall summary

A supplier manufacturing error has resulted in the reduced strength of the liftgate shaft. The liftgate shaft is the part with which the liftgate is hinged onto the vehicle. 

Risks

In the event of a rear-end crash, the liftgate may separate from the vehicle and increase the risk of injury for the occupants of the car and people around them. To read about the dangers of road debris, please refer to this article about Land Rover’s fly-away spoilers.

Other Nissan Rogue Recalls

Back in May, the 2021 Rogue compact SUVs were part of another Nissan recall for a brake fluid leak.  

The repair

Dealers will replace the left and right liftgate hinges on the affected vehicles. Owners affected by the recall will be notified by September 7, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this Nissan Rogue recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalNissan Rogue Sport recalled for fly-away trunk lids
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