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Mercedes-Benz recalls luxury SUVs due to faulty stability control software

March 3, 2021 Aleksandra Snesareva Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Jacksonville, FL – March 3, 2021 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) – known as Mercedes-Benz – has recalled 41,838 luxury SUVs due to a possibility that these vehicles may unexpectedly jerk to one side during quick movements, increasing the risk of a crash. The problem is caused by an issue with the cars’ electronic stability control software, which helps drivers maintain control of the vehicle.

The recall includes 2020 and 2021 Mercedes GLE- and GLS-class cars, including the following models:

2020-2021 Mercedes GLE350
2020-2021 Mercedes GLE450
2020 Mercedes GLE580
2020 Mercedes GLE450
2020 Mercedes GLS580

Recall summary

These vehicles operate with an Electronic Stability Control system (ESP), which “ensures that the car moves in the direction it wants to go”, as reported. Due to a software error, if the driver needs to quickly change direction – when trying, for example, to avoid a crash – the ESP may jolt the vehicle to the side. This makes the crash more likely to occur.

Other Mercedes recalls

This is the second Mercedes-Benz recall since last year concerning the ESP software. In July, over 5,000 high-performance AMG vehicles were recalled for a similar issue.

In February, 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 SUVs were among cars recalled for a backup light issue. The light would stay on continuously, even after the drivers shifted out of reverse. In December 2019, a single 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE450 4matic vehicle needed to be taken in for repair for insufficient padding on some of the headrests.

Risks

Getting pulled to a side can result in a crash which may hurt the occupants of the car, other drivers and pedestrians. Due to the nature of the defect, the driver will not be alerted to the problem in advance.

Repair

Dealers will perform a free software update on the ESP to fix the issue. The recall will start on April 13.

Is your car part of this recall?

Over 40,000 vehicles are part of this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ford recalls 79,017 vehicles due to faulty windshields

March 1, 2021 Suhas Ramachandra Ford Recalls

Dearborn, MI – March 1, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has announced a recall of 79,017 Ford F-series trucks with faulty windshields, which may fail to adequately protect the car occupants or injure them during a crash.

The recall includes:

2021 Ford F 150 vehicles
2020-2021 Ford super-duty vehicles

Recall summary

The front windshields of the affected vehicles are not glued well to the vehicle body structure. This violates the federal safety standards, which state that a windshield should be strongly bonded to the body of the car.

The bonding defect is caused by a supplier using a “non-conforming” batch of paint.

Warning signs

The driver may be alerted to a loose windshield if he or she hears “wind noise” or notices a water leak.

Safety risks

A loose windshield is more likely to crack or even separate from the car, especially in the case of an accident. This may result in the car occupants getting injured by broken glass or being exposed to road debris and other objects hitting their face and body at a high speed.

To learn more about the dangers of road debris, please see our recent article about a Land Rover recall for fly-away spoilers.

Other Ford recalls

2020 F 150 trucks were among Ford vehicles recalled last fall for faulty rearview cameras that distorted the image for the driver, resulting in a higher risk of a crash. Over 400 F150 2020 were also recalled in April for a risk of fire.

Repair

To fix the issue, dealers will detach the windshield and reinstall it. The repair is free of charge. Repair notifications will be sent out to the owners starting on April 6.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 79,000 vehicles are included in this Ford F-series recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool and visit the website when more details become available.

Navistar International recalls trucks for possible engine shutdown

February 26, 2021 Rebecca Rand Navistar

Lisle, IL – February 26, 2021 – Navistar has recalled 27,457 International brand trucks that may stall. The recall includes:

2018-2020 International LoneStar trucks
2021 International LoneStar trucks
2017-2021 International LT trucks

Recall summary

The problem originates with a battery cable that may break, causing the truck to lose electrical power and the engine to shut down. This is caused by the cable not being able to withstand the “stresses” placed on it by the trucks’ movement due to a design error, according to the testing conducted by the manufacturer.

Warning signs

In some cases, drivers may be warned of the problem if the engine briefly or intermittently shuts down prior to a complete stall.

Other Navistar recalls

This is the second Navistar recall in February. Earlier in the month, the truck manufacturer recalled over 17,000 medium- and extreme-duty trucks that may move unexpectedly after overpowering the parking brake.

Safety risks

If the truck loses power on the road, it creates a hazard for the driver and other motorists and could lead to a crash.

The repair

Dealers will replace the battery ground cable “with a more flexible” one designed to not to break while the truck is moving. Navistar will send owners recall notifications with more information around April 16.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 27,000 vehicles are included in this Navistar recall. To see if your truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volkswagen recalls Audi Q7 whose airbag may injure children

February 25, 2021 Rebecca Rand Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – August 24, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has remedied issues with 25,509 vehicles including the 2021 Audi Q7 that had problems with front passenger airbags. Additionally, 16 of these Audi vehicles have been declared unreachable and 0 has been removed from the recall. Four groups of these Audi vehicles were remedied in 2021, and one group was remedied in 2022 due to these issues with the front passenger airbags.

Auburn Hills, MI – February 25, 2021 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 26,967 luxury SUVs whose airbags may injure children in the front seat. This VW recall includes 2020 Audi Q7 and 2021 Audi Q7 luxury SUVs.

Recall Summary

Due to a programming error, the front passenger airbag in these Audi Q7 2021 and 2020 cars may deploy too quickly during a crash and injure a child who is in the front seat.

The issue was discovered during testing with a dummy meant to mimic the body of a six-year-old. Airbags hit the dummy’s neck with slightly more force than is allowed by federal safety standards. The impact only occurred in “low-speed front crashes.”

Even though the back seat is the safest place for children in the car, it is still legal in many states for children to ride in the front seat, which is why this test was conducted.

Risks

Airbags deploy in a matter of milliseconds with great force to protect drivers and passengers from impact. But this force can, in some cases, injure children especially if they are too close to the airbag. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends the following to prevent airbag injuries:

Children in rear-facing car seats should not be seated in front of an active air bag.
Children under 13 should be seated in the back seat.
Front-seat passengers should sit as far back from the steering wheel or dashboard as possible.
Always wear a seat belt—airbags are designed to work WITH seat belts, not by themselves.

The repair

To address this Audi recall, dealers will update the airbag computers so that the airbags deploy more safely. This fix will be free. Recall notifications with more details about when and how to get the update will be sent out to owners on April 16.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 30,000 vehicles are included in this Audi Q7 recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Nissan Rogue vehicles recalled for stall and fire risk

February 24, 2021 Ken Boyd Nissan Recalls

Franklin, TN – February 24, 2021 – Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. (NASDAQ:NSANY) has remedied issues with 1,787 vehicles, including the 2021 Nissan Rogue SV, that had been dealing with a fuel hose disconnecting from the fuel tank. Additionally, none of these Nissan vehicles have been categorized as unreachable or removed from the recall. All these 2021 Rogue SV models were remedied by Nissan during the first and third quarters of 2021.

Franklin, TN – February 24, 2021 – Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. (NASDAQ:NSANY) has recalled 2,146 Nissan Rogue vehicles, due to a risk of a fuel leak, which may cause the engine to stall or result in a fire. The recall includes 2021 Nissan Rogue SUVs.

Recall summary

The issue arose when Nissan took the fuel pumps of these 2021 Rogue SUVs apart to “confirm [their] performance.” When the manufacturer put them back together, certain parts may not have been properly secured. As such, the fuel pumps may become loose or disconnect completely, causing a fuel leak and potentially, an engine fire. Additionally, the car may stall and not restart.

Warning signs

If the fuel hose or some of its parts are not locked into their position, the driver may smell a fuel odor and see the Malfunction Indication Light (MIL) illuminate.

Risks

If this Nissan Rogue 2021 stalls in traffic, it may hit another vehicle, stationary objects or pedestrians. It may also block traffic and get hit by other vehicles.

A vehicle fire can injure or kill the SUV’s occupants and people around them. If you suspect a fire, turn off the SUV, move all occupants away from the vehicle and call 911 immediately.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will need to inspect and reposition the fuel hose and the lock ring. There will be no charge for the repair. Recall is to begin on March 1.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 2,100 vehicles are included in this Nissan recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Volkswagen recalls Atlas vehicles for steering issue

February 23, 2021 Ken Boyd Volkswagen Recalls

Auburn Hills, MI – February 23, 2021 – Volkswagen AG (NASDAQ:VWAGY) has recalled 10,303 vehicles, due to a manufacturing error that may cause the front steering knuckles – which is what allows the wheels to turn – to fracture, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2021 VW Atlas SUVs and 2020-2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The affected component’s part number is 3QF.407.255.E-256.

Recall summary

Steering knuckles – also known as spindles – connect the car’s wheels to the suspension and steering components. Each front wheel has their own knuckle. Because of a supplier error, one or both of the front steering knuckles may fracture, and the driver may lose control of the vehicle.

Risks

If the knuckles fracture while the vehicle is moving, the driver may immediately lose control, which greatly increases the risk of a crash. Without the ability to steer properly, the driver may hit other vehicles, stationary objects or a pedestrian.

Other recalls, lawsuit

The 2020 Atlas SUV has been recalled for front seat frame, improperly aligned headlights, tires and rearview camera issues. In March of 2020, Volkswagen was the subject of a class action lawsuit regarding warranties on the Atlas and other vehicles.

VW’s Atlas 2021 cars are not subject to any additional recalls.

The repair

To fix the VW recall issue, dealers will need to inspect and possibly replace both steering knuckles. The repair is free of charge. Owners will be notified on March 26.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 10,300 vehicles are included in this recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ford recalls over 150,000 cars that may have Takata airbags installed

February 19, 2021 Rebecca Rand Ford Recalls, Takata Airbag Recalls

Dearborn, MI – February 19, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 154,224 vehicles that may have had dangerous Takata airbag inflators installed again after undergoing a recall for this same issue. These inflators are at risk of exploding and hurling shrapnel that could injure or kill vehicle occupants. There are two separate recalls for this issue. The first includes:

2004-2011 Ford Ranger trucks
2005-2014 Ford Mustang sports cars
2008-2012 Ford Fusion sedans
2009-2011 Mercury Milan sedans
2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ luxury sedans
2007-2010 Ford Edge SUVs
2007-2010 Lincoln MKX luxury SUVs
2006 Ford GT sports cars

The second recall includes:

2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks

Recall summary

Ford dealers may have accidentally installed airbags containing these potentially lethal inflators during repairs for collision or theft damage after a recall related to this same issue was completed. It is not clear which particular Takata recall the company is referring to since many of these models were subjects to different recalls, albeit for the same issue.

These airbags were supposed to have been purged from Ford’s stock of replacement parts once new, safe ones became available. However, instead of that, they may have been put in 1,117 vehicles that comprise the first group. In the case of the second group, only 45 of over 150,000 cars contain the inflators but it is not clear which ones. Therefore, at the behest of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Ford is issuing a recall to address the issue.

Risks

Worldwide, Takata airbag inflators have killed at least 27 people, including two that ruptured and killed people riding in 2006 Ford Rangers.

A Ford spokesperson told Consumer Reports that none of the Ford Rangers in this recall are on the “Do not Drive” list of cars considered to be exceptionally high-risk. However, certain Ford Rangers are indeed on that list. You can check to see if your car is one of them here.

You can read more about the problems with Takata inflators in this article about GM’s recent Takata airbag recall.

The repair

Ford dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace vehicles airbag inflators for free. Recall notifications go out the week of March 8, and will include more information about when and how to seek repairs.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 154,000 vehicles are included in this Ford recall. As of April 29, 2021, – the last date information was available – 5,693 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: July 17, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have updated the number of cars that have been replaced to reflect the most up-to-date information.

Mercedes-Benz recalls 1.4 million vehicles that may call emergency services to wrong place

February 18, 2021 Rebecca Rand Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Jacksonville, FL – February 18, 2021 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) – which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand – has recalled 1,376,603 vehicles that may call emergency services to the wrong location if the vehicle crashes. The recall spans 83 models of 2016-2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class and G-Class vehicles. It includes some of the following:

2016-2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA class 250
2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz A220
2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG A35
2017-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43
2017-2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63
2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35
2017-2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45

You can see the complete list of vehicles here.

A separate recall has been issued for the same problem in Mercedes-Benz vans in the following models:

2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris
2017 Mercedes-Benz Metris
2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris
2019 Mercedes-Benz Metris
2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris
2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500
2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500
2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500
2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500

Recall summary

The recall concerns the vehicles’ emergency call system, or “eCall,” which activates after a crash. The system, which can trigger automatically in a crash or at the push of a button, shares the car’s GPS location information with emergency services so that they know where to send help. If the car’s power supply is disrupted during a crash, the recalled vehicles may send the wrong location to emergency services.

Risks

Sending the wrong information to emergency services will delay help to crash victims, who, according to the Part 573 safety recall report Mercedes submitted to the government, would have no idea that first responders were dispatched somewhere else. This can increase the risk of injury or death.

The repair

Owners will receive a free software update from Mercedes-Benz. “Mercedes Me” subscribers will receive the update remotely. Customers without this subscription will be notified by mail that an update will be streamed to their car remotely unless they wish to opt out. In that case, a Mercedes-Benz dealer can install the update in-person.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over a million vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mercedes-Benz recalls GLE-class SUVs with confusing backup light

February 17, 2021 Rebecca Rand Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Jacksonville, FL – February 17, 2021 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) – which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand – is recalling 8,186 SUVs whose left-side backup light may stay on continuously, potentially confusing pedestrians and other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. The recall concerns a part called “control unit” (part number A1679000414) and includes:

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 SUVs
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 SUVs

Recall summary

The 2020 Mercedes GLE 350 and GLE450 recall concerns the SUV’s left backup light, which illuminates when the vehicle is put in reverse. This light may stay on after the SUV is shifted out of reverse. This could confuse other drivers and pedestrians, increasing the risk of a crash.

The lights on the SUV are controlled by a small computer, or “control unit”. The control unit’s circuit board may not be able to withstand the SUV’s vibrations due to a “process deviation” during manufacturing. This causes the control unit to malfunction and keep the backup light on.

The repair

Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the malfunctioning control unit for free. Notifications with more information will be sent out to owners on April 6, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 8,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

General Motors begins government-ordered Takata airbag recall

February 15, 2021 Rebecca Rand Cadillac Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls, Takata Airbag Recalls

December 2, 2021 UPDATE – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has remedied 248,214 models including the 2014 Chevy Silverado 2500. No vehicles have been deemed unreachable but 1,373 vehicles have been removed from the recall of the GM Takata Airbag Recall.

Warren, MI – February 15, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has begun a series of recalls of nearly 6 million vehicles built with potentially dangerous Takata airbags. This particular recall covers 1,778,128 vehicles, and includes the following models:

2007-2014 Cadillac Escalade
2007-2014 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2007-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT
2007-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche
2007-2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2007-2014 Chevrolet Suburban
2007-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
2007-2013 GMC Sierra 1500
2009-2014 GMC Sierra 2500
2009-2014 GMC Sierra 3500
2007-2014 GMC Yukon
2007-2014 GMC Yukon XL

Recall summary

The recalled vehicles were built with Takata airbag inflators that, due to damage from moisture, may explode when the airbags are deployed. If the inflator explodes, its metal casing can fragment into shrapnel that could fly into drivers’ and passengers’ bodies, possibly maiming or killing them. This December article explains in more depth why the U.S. government ordered General Motors to recall these vehicles.

Repair

Recalled GM vehicles are divided into five priority groups, labeled priority group 6 through priority group 10. Owners of the vehicles in group 6 – whose cars are older and were sold or registered in the hottest parts of the country – will be notified by mail when repair is available in early March. Consumers in groups 7-10 – that are considered lower risk – will be advised of the recall in late February, but it is not clear when the repair will be available.

However, consumers in both categories may be able to receive a repair earlier by contacting their dealer.

Use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool to see if your car is affected and to connect with an authorized dealership.

All repairs will be free of charge.

Risks

Exploding inflators pose a significant danger to vehicle occupants. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed that Takata inflators have killed at least 18 people in the U.S. and at least nine more abroad.

You can find some broad recommendations for owners of affected cars – including a list of cars that should NOT be driven – in this article detailing the background of this GM recall.

Other GM airbag inflator recalls

In December, GM recalled Chevy Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks, as well as GMC Sierra 2500, 1500 and 3500 pickups whose roof airbag inflators could shoot off an end cap, potentially injuring occupants or distracting them.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 1.7 million vehicles were originally included in this Takata / GM airbag recall. As of April 9, 2021, – the last date information was available – 104,212 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool.

Note: July 17, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have updated the number of cars that have been replaced to reflect the most up-to-date information.

Recall summary

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Risks

Repair

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