Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalled for risk of engine fire

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalled for risk of engine fire

October 9, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – January 3, 2022 – Hyundai (NASDAQ:HYMTF) repaired 75,650 2013 to 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Models dealing with ABS brake module failures that may cause engine fires. Additionally, 3,540 of these Santa Fe Sport models have been categorized as unreachable and 6,204 have been removed from the recall. One group of Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was remedied in 2020 and the other two groups were remedied in 2021 for this risk of an electrical short in the ABS module.

In 2021, Hyundai expanded a similar recall of the 2016-2021 Hyundai Tucson due to a faulty circuit board within the ABS module that can cause an electrical short.

Pleasanton, CA – August 27, 2020 – Hyundai (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 151,205 Santa Fe Sport vehicles due to the risk of an electrical short in the anti-lock braking system (ABS), which may cause an engine compartment fire. The recall includes 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

Recall summary  

The 2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sports are equipped with ABS that may leak brake fluid into the module due to a design issue. Over time this can result in a short circuit and potentially catch fire.

Fire presents a high risk to car occupants, Santa Fe owners should have their vehicles evaluated and repaired as soon as possible.

Risks 

Drivers and passengers may be harmed by “toxic gases and other hazardous substances,” if an engine compartment fire occurs. There is also a risk of “flying debris” or an explosion. 

If you notice the ABS indicator light or the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) turn on or smell “smoke or a burning or melting order,” your Santa Fe vehicle may be at risk of an engine compartment fire. 

What to do in the event of a fire

 If you suspect that the car may be on fire, you should:

  • Pull over as soon as possible.
  • Turn off the engine.
  • Exit the vehicle immediately.
  • Call 911.
  • Avoid opening up the hood.

The repair

The dealer will inspect the ABS system and, if necessary, will replace it free of charge. Hyundai expects to begin the recall on October 23.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

To date, fifteen engine compartment fires related to the Hyundai anti-lock brake recall have been documented. Over 150,000 vehicles are included in this Santa Fe Sport recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool.

Ken BoydHyundai Santa Fe Sport recalled for risk of engine fire
RAM recalls pickups for engine fire risk

RAM recalls pickups for engine fire risk

October 7, 2020 Rebecca Rand , ,

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 28, 2020 – Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) (NYSE: FCAU)  has recalled 32,318 Ram pickups for an engine oiling issue. The recall includes:

  • 2019-2020 Ram 3500 heavy duty trucks
  • 2019-2020 Ram 4500 commercial trucks
  • 2019-2020 Ram 5500 commercial trucks

Recall summary  

The vehicles in questions are equipped with 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engines. A software problem can starve engine parts of oil as the car warms up. This could damage the engine and the related parts and cause a fire.

Risks

Car fires kill over 300 people a year on average and injure over a thousand, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Their report blames at least 20% of vehicle fires between 2009 and 2017 on equipment failures.

FCA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have not received any reports of injuries or deaths resulting from the Ram software problem. 

Fire safety tips

If you suspect your engine is on fire:

  • Stop your car someplace safe. 
  • Do not open the hood. Oxygen will rush in and feed the flames. 
  • Get yourself and others away from the vehicle, at least 100 feet. 
  • Call the fire department at 911 when you are in a secure location.
  • Do not return to the vehicle for any reason.

The repair

The fix is a free software update that a dealer will upload to your vehicle. The new software will make sure that plenty of oil is sent to the engine as the car warms up. The repair should take less than half a day, and is currently available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 32,000 vehicles are included in this Fiat Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandRAM recalls pickups for engine fire risk
Nissan recalls compact cars for crooked headlight

Nissan recalls compact cars for crooked headlight

October 5, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 27, 2020 – Nissan (OTCMKTS: NSANY) has recalled 5,520 compact cars with crooked headlights that may affect the driver’s ability to avoid collisions. The recall includes 2020 Nissan Sentras.

Recall summary  

The right-side LED headlight on these 2020 Sentras is misaligned. That goes against the federal safety guidelines that require headlights to adequately light the road without blinding oncoming drivers.

Risks

Headlights that are not adjusted properly may reduce the visibility for drivers coming your way.  At the same time, lights that are too dim limit how much the person behind the wheel can see. Both create a higher risk of accidents. 

As such, out of all the fatal accidents which occur In the United States, about half happen at night. Considering that only about 25% of all driving takes place at night, this means the nighttime fatality rate is about three times as high as the daytime rate. Data also shows that the more poorly lit a road is, the more severe its accidents are.

The repair

Originally, Nissan planned to have dealers replace the faulty headlights, starting October 5.

But, on August 27, 2020 Nissan notified dealers that it was filing a petition arguing that the defect did not warrant a recall because of how minor it is. If the supervising agency National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sides with the manufacturer, the lights would not be replaced.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 5,000 vehicles are part of this Nissan recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandNissan recalls compact cars for crooked headlight
RAM 1500 pickup trucks recalled for faulty floor mats

RAM 1500 pickup trucks recalled for faulty floor mats

October 2, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – August 27 2020 – FCA US LLC (NYSE:FCAU) has recalled 160,229 Ram 1500 trucks that operate with adjustable pedals. The driver side floor mats may prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to an idle position, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2019 and 2020 Ram 1500 pickup.

Recall summary  

The vehicles equipped equipped with all-weather floor mats and adjustable accelerator pedals. Due to a design issue, the mats may prevent the pedal from returning to idle position after the driver accelerates. This recall does not effect the RAM 3500, 4500 or 5500 this time.

Risks 

There are several situations in which the floor mat issue can cause a crash. First, if the car is moving at a high speed, the stuck accelerator pedal would prevent the car from slowing down as expected. This may cause the driver to run a light or hit another vehicle from behind.

Secondly, during traffic congestion, the repeated use of the accelerator pedal increases the risk of the floor mat problem occurring. The risk of a crash is also higher if the floor mat is moved out of position when the driver enters and exits the vehicle.

What to do if the accelerator pedal is stuck

If you feel that the accelerator pedal is stuck, DriverEd.com recommends: 

First, shift your pickup into neutral. Then, apply the brakes to begin to slow your vehicle down. Always, keep your eyes on the road and look for a way out.

If possible you should warn other drivers by blinking and flashing your hazard lights. Attempt to drive the car safely off the road. once you have come to a complete stop turn off the ignition.

The repair

The dealer will notify owners and modify the floor mat, so that the mat does not interfere with the accelerator pedal. The recall begins October 16, and is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 160,000 vehicles are included in this Ram truck recall. To see if your truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s vehicle identification number (VIN) lookup tool and get help scheduling a repair with dealer today.

Ken BoydRAM 1500 pickup trucks recalled for faulty floor mats
Volkswagen recalls six models with potentially dangerous backrests

Volkswagen recalls six models with potentially dangerous backrests

September 30, 2020 Rebecca Rand ,

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 27, 2020 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS: VWAGY)  has recalled 4,854 vehicles with faulty front-seat backrests that may break in the event of a crash. The recall includes:

  • 2020 Volkswagen Jetta compact cars
  • 2020 Audi Q5 and SQ5 compact SUVs
  • 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SUVs
  • 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUVs
  • 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs

Recall summary  

The seat-back adjustment mechanism on these vehicles’ front seats was not “welded properly” and may break if the car is rear-ended.

Volkswagen discovered the issue in July during a road test but it is not the first time the company faces backrest woes.

Risks

If the backrest breaks during a rear-end crash, the occupants of both the front and back seats may be hurt by the instability. 

The breakage is especially perilous for children in the backseat who could suffer the worst of the injuries and even be killed. In a 2016 verdict, Volkswagen’s Audi unit was ordered to pay $124.5 million to the parents of Jesse Rivera Jr. after a weak driver’s seat broke during a crash and collapsed into the seven-year-old, leaving him with permanent brain damage.

The company argued that neither the driver – the boy’s father – nor the child wore seat belts, a fact that the family denied.

A 1960s standard 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) standard for seat back strength has not been updated since the 1960s and – as of 2016 –  the bar was set so low that even a cheap banquet chair could pass.  

Despite that, several manufacturers have increased the seat strength and the NHTSA may be moving in the same direction.  Last July, the agency released a study showing that the seat back rotation should be reduced to “prevent injury to the seat occupant and occupants seated directly behind it.” 

Where to put children

The backseat is still the safest place for children, though safety experts now recommend putting children behind unoccupied seats or the lightest front seat passenger.

The repair

Not all the recalled vehicles are certain to have defective backrests, but owners may be able to tell that there’s something wrong if the backrest is unstable or makes noises.  Regardless of whether anything appears wrong, it is recommended that owners contact their dealer without delay. 

Volkswagen will inspect the front seats to see if they’re defective, and will replace any seats if needed, free of charge.  This remedy is currently available, and should take less than half a day, but may take longer if a replacement seat is needed.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,000 vehicles are part of this Volkswagen recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls six models with potentially dangerous backrests
Chevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Hood Latch Software

Chevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Hood Latch Software

September 28, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – August 18, 2020 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 7,071 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles whose controls fail to prevent them from developing high speeds despite an unlatched front trunk.

The trunk may then open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2020 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles.

Recall summary  

Due to the lack of safety controls, these vehicles can develop high speeds despite having the front trunk unlatched. 

The cause is multifold. First, thanks to a design flaw, drivers can accidentally press the front trunk release button on their key fob.

Second, the cars’ internal controls fail to limit the speed  – allowing the vehicle to reach up to 82 miles-per-hour (mph) – despite detecting that the trunk is not securely closed.

Drivers will still receive audible and visual alerts telling them that the trunk is open.

What happens when the driver speeds up?

As the car reaches a higher speed, air resistance may force open the unlatched hood, blocking the driver’s front view.

Risks 

Not being able to see in front of the vehicle creates a  very high risk of a crash. The driver may not see traffic down the road and hit a vehicle from behind.

To prevent that from happening, drivers should pay attention to their warning system. When the hood is not properly latched, the driver will receive two different types of warnings.

They will first see an icon indicating an open hood on the instrument panel and hear a chime. Once the vehicle is put in drive and moves faster than 3 mph, the chime sounds repeatedly.

In spite of the warnings, the vehicle can be driven up to 82 mph with the hood unlatched. As the driver speeds up, air resistance may force open the unlatched hood.

The repair

GM’s upcoming software update will limit the affected vehicle’s speed to 26 mph when the hood is not latched.

The manufacturer is also going to re-design both the key fob and  the “door trim switch and release button” inside the hood to reduce the risk of a driver inadvertently opening the hood with the fob.

The repair is expected to begin October 3, and is free of charge. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 7,000 vehicles are included in this Chevrolet recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydChevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Hood Latch Software
Fiat-Chrysler recalls Grand Cherokees and RAM 1500s with stalling risk

Fiat-Chrysler recalls Grand Cherokees and RAM 1500s with stalling risk

September 25, 2020 Rebecca Rand , ,

Pleasanton, CA – Aug 14, 2020 – Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE: FCAU) has recalled 58,016 SUVs and pickup trucks that may stall on the road. The recall includes:

  • 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs
  • 2014-2018 Ram 1500 pickup trucks

Recall summary  

The recall stems from an issue inside these vehicles’ diesel engines. The car uses a magnet-coated wheel to keep the engine in sync. The magnetic material, however, may chip off, causing the engine to get out-of-sync and stall. 

Fiat-Chrysler started looking into the issue in March. As of July 31, Chrysler had identified 13 customer complaints (which Fiat-Chrysler calls “CAIRs”), 1,020 warranty claims, and six field reports related to these failing magnetic wheels. 

Risks

Stalling in moving traffic can raise the risk of crashes, injuries, or worse. Vehicles may not be able to react in time and could ram a stalled car from behind. Even if the driver safely gets to the shoulder, they are still at risk of being hit. 

If your car stalls, turn on the emergency hazard lights. If you can do so safely, try to shift into neutral and maneuver your car to the side of the road. Call  your roadside assistance provider and be sure to stay in the car. The shoulder is very  dangerous for pedestrians.

The repair

Fiat-Chrysler will offer a free software update that will keep the car from stalling in the case that the magnetic wheel is damaged. Chrysler will notify owners of the recall on October 2. The repair should take less than half a day.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 58,000 vehicles are part of this Chrysler recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFiat-Chrysler recalls Grand Cherokees and RAM 1500s with stalling risk
Mercedes-Benz issues recall for fly-away spoiler

Mercedes-Benz issues recall for fly-away spoiler

September 23, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – August 15, 2020 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand, has recalled 10,644 compact SUVs whose spoilers may detach from the car while driving. The recall covers 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB250 SUVs.

Recall summary  

The recall concerns the rear spoiler, which may not be fully attached to the car. The spoiler, which sits above the tailgate, was not fully welded due to a production error. 

Mercedes-Benz launched an investigation into the defect in March, following a customer complaint. The automaker discovered missing welding on the spoiler. The investigation traced the defect back to a supplier in Mexico.

Risks

The defective spoilers, which could detach while driving can become an obstacle in the roadway, forcing drivers to make quick maneuvers that could result in a crash. The fly-away spoilers may also directly hit  another vehicle.

Between 2011 and 2014, road debris played a role  in around 200,000 crashes  and caused close to 40,000 injuries and 500 deaths, according to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.  Over 75,000 of those crashes were caused by debris flying off of one vehicle and striking another.  

Can you tell?

GLB250 owners may be able to tell that their spoiler is loose if they hear a noise when they open the trunk or see scratches in the paint on the tailgate. They may also see that the spoiler simply does not seem to fit right. Drivers noticing these issues should contact their dealer.

The repair

Authorized dealers will check the SUV’s rear spoilers and replace them if they’re not fully attached.  Owners will be notified about the recall on around October 20. The repair – as with all recalls – is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 10,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandMercedes-Benz issues recall for fly-away spoiler
Chevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Trunk Release Button

Chevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Trunk Release Button

September 21, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – August 6 2020 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 5,141 Corvette vehicles with trunk release buttons that are not working correctly.

When the vehicle is shut off for ten minutes or longer, the release button inside the front trunk compartment will not open the trunk. The recall includes:

  • 2020 Chevrolet Corvette

Recall summary  

On July 30, General Motors determined that certain Corvette models should be recalled to repair the front trunk compartment release button. The button is installed so that someone inside the front trunk can open the trunk lid. 

Risks 

If a person – especially a small child – climbs inside the trunk and shuts the lid, he or she might not be able to get out and is at risk of injury from a lack of oxygen, or extreme heat or cold while in the trunk. It’s important to monitor children who are near cars, or sitting in a parked car without a seat belt in place.

The repair

The dealer will install a software update, so that the release button works correctly. The repair should take 45 minutes, depending on the dealer’s service department schedule. Owners have been notified of the recall, which will begin on September 21. The repair is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 5,000 vehicles are included in this Corvette recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydChevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Trunk Release Button
Volvo Cross Country vehicles recalled for faulty seat belts

Volvo Cross Country vehicles recalled for faulty seat belts

September 18, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – June 30, 2020 – The Volvo Group (NASDAQ:VLVLY) has recalled 307,910 Cross Country vehicles with seat belts that are not properly closing. The recall includes:

  • 2008-2016 Volvo V70 and XC70 vehicles
  • 2007-2016 Volvo S80 vehicles
  • 2011-2018 Volvo S60 and V60 vehicles
  • 2016-2018 Volvo S60CC  vehicles
  • 2014-2020 Volvo S60L vehicles
  • 2009-2015 Volvo S80L vehicles
  • 2009-2016 Volvo XC60 vehicles
  • 2015-2018 Volvo V60CC vehicles

Recall summary  

On July 9, Volvo determined that certain Cross Country models should be recalled to repair seat belts in the front seats, on both the driver and the passenger sides.

The need for repair is caused by a faulty steel cable that connects the seat belt to the occupant’s seat. Due to an undisclosed issue, the cable may fatigue over time, especially when bent over the seat cushion. The fatigued cable may weaken or break and not fully restrain the occupant in the event of a crash.

Risks 

Seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. If the belt is not securely fastened, the car occupants can be injured by inflating air bags or thrown from the vehicle in the event of a crash. As such, out of 37,000 people killed in car crashes in 2017, close to half were not wearing seat belts.

The repair

To fix the issue, your dealer will replace the seat belt cable for both front seats. The repair will be free of charge and is estimated to take an hour.

However, that replacement is not available until at least December. In the meantime, Volvo recommends that drivers and passengers fasten the seat belt “in a vertical position,” parallel to the backrest, without bending it over the seat cushion.  This is set to minimize the damage to the cable.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 307,000 vehicles are included in this Volvo recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydVolvo Cross Country vehicles recalled for faulty seat belts
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