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Toyota Tundra trucks recalled for faulty turn signals and hazard lights

September 16, 2020 Ken Boyd Toyota Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – July 15 2020 – Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) has recalled 183,397 Toyota Tundra trucks with front turn signals and front hazard warning lights that do not flash brightly enough, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes:

2018-2020 Toyota Tundra trucks

Recall summary

The turn signals and hazard lights operate using LED headlights. A wiring error on the part of a supplier resulted in signals and lights not being bright enough.

Federal law requires that signals must be bright enough for other drivers to notice and understand that the vehicle is signaling a turn. In July, Toyota determined that the signals did not meet the standard and began the recall on August 17th.

Risks

Hazard lights are often used when the vehicle is not moving or has mechanical problems. Other drivers, particularly those in oncoming traffic, must be able to clearly see both turn signals and hazard lights. If the lights are not noticeable, there is a high risk of a crash.

The 2020 Tundra has no other safety recalls, but both the 2018 and 2019 models have had various issues – including those with the fuel pump and the airbags – that have resulted in separate recalls.

The repair

The affected trucks need the wiring that connects to the lights to be replaced. The repair takes 45 minutes but Toyota advises owners that it may be necessary to leave the vehicle for a longer period of time. The repair is available now and is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 180,000 trucks are included in this Toyota recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Nissan recalls Leaf hybrids for back-up camera glitch

September 14, 2020 Rebecca Rand Nissan Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – July 18, 2020 – Nissan (OTCMKTS: NSANY) has recalled 6,157 hatchback hybrids with malfunctioning back-up cameras. The recall includes 2020 Nissan Leaf hybrids.

Recall summary

Due to a software issue in these Leaf hatchbacks, the back-up camera display can suddenly disappear when the car is in reverse and be replaced with the previous image. This is especially prone to happen when the car is first started and the reverse speed is greater than usual.

Risks

Rearview cameras are supposed to help prevent back-up crashes by showing the driver a 10-foot to 20-foot area behind the vehicle. If the camera is not functioning properly, there is a risk that the driver runs over the person or an object behind them.

The history of rearview cameras

Back-up cameras became mandatory on all new vehicle models in mid-2018. This was precipitated by the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007 that was named after 2-year-old Cameron who was tragically killed by a backing up SUV that could not “see” him. After the passage of the act, Congress issued safety standards to prevent child deaths and injuries from back-over accidents.

Before the passage of the new standards, back-up crashes killed an estimated 284 people and injured around 12,000 annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The repair

Dealers will update the back-up camera software for free. The software update is currently available, and should take less than half a day.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 6,000 vehicles are included in this Nissan recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Honda minivans and SUVs recalled for faulty control panel

September 11, 2020 Rebecca Rand Honda Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – July 29, 2020 – Honda (NYSE: HMC) has recalled 607,784 vans and SUVs with malfunctioning instrument panels and rear view cameras. This is one of the five recalls Honda issued so far this year. This recall includes:

2018-2020 Honda Odyssey minivans
2019-2020 Honda Passport SUVs
2019-2021 Honda Pilot SUVs

Recall summary

Due to a glitch in programming, the vehicles’ instrument panels have been known to randomly turn off depriving the driver of vital information – such as the car’s speed and oil level – and disabling the rear view camera display. The shutdown has sometimes been accompanied by a continuous beeping or crackling noise that has been really distracting to drivers.

Risks

Rearview cameras display a 10-foot to 20-foot zone directly behind the car to avoid backover crashes. If the camera malfunctions when the car is in reverse that can result in an accident. In fact, one of the Honda drivers reported leading up to the recall that the frozen rearview camera display caused him to nearly hit his neighbor when backing out of the driveway!

Separately, not having access to vital safety information such as the car’s speed or oil level is very dangerous. It can, for example, cause the driver to go over the speed limit or bring about the engine’s failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Finally, having the infotainment system fail – or hearing any kind of unusual noises – while driving can be very distracting. Distracted driving is dangerous— in 2018, distracted driving killed 2,841 people and injured 400,000 more.

The repair

Honda will update the car’s software, which should stop the infotainment system from crashing. The update is available for free at dealerships now, and should take a half day or less to be completed.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 600,000 vehicles are included in this Honda recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Land Rover vehicles recalled for faulty door latches

September 9, 2020 Ken Boyd Land Rover Recalls, Range Rover Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – July 2 2020 – Tata Motors (NYSE:TTM) has recalled 6,211 Range Rover vehicles with door latches that are not properly closing. The door latches may open when the car is moving, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes:

2013-2016 Range Rover vehicles
2014-2016 Range Rover Sport vehicles

Recall summary

On July 9, Tata’s subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover North America determined that certain Range Rover models should be recalled to repair door latches. This follows on the heels of another recall for the same issue last year. The recall did not fully address the problem.

The culprit of the recall is the Keyless Vehicle Latching System (KV Latch), which allows entry to the vehicle without a key. After using the system, the doors may appear fully shut while in fact being unlatched. This may lead to the doors opening while the vehicle is in motion.

Risks

It is very risky to have a door open while the car is in motion. The occupants may fall out of the car; you could hit a nearby cyclist or be hit by another vehicle. It is not a minor problem either – falls from cars, for example, caused 75,000 injuries between 2011 and 2012.

The repair

The dealer will disable the KV latch system and install a software update. The latch system may be reactivated if, after the software update, it is determined that it is functioning properly.

The first repair should take between 20 minutes to 3.5 hours, depending on the number door latches that must be repaired. Owners have been notified of the recall and the repair is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 6,200 vehicles are included in this Range Rover recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia Sedona minivans recalled for potential fire hazard

September 7, 2020 Ken Boyd Kia Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – July 1, 2022 – Kia Motors America (OTC:KIMTF) has remedied issues with 4,078 2020 Kia Sedona that were dealing with electrical issues caused by an alternator failure. Additionally, 54 of these 2020 Kia Sedona have been deemed unreachable, and 20 have been removed from the recall. Two groups of these Kia Sedona models with alternator failures were remedied in 2020, four groups in 2021, and 1 group during the first quarter of 2022.

Pleasanton, CA – July 8, 2020 – Kia Motors America (OTC:KIMTF) has recalled 5,385 Kia Sedona vehicles because a nut on the generator of the electrical power in the car was not sufficiently tightened during assembly. The nut may loosen over time, which creates an extreme risk of fire. Affected vehicles include:

2020 Kia Sedona

Recall summary

In July, Kia announced that a nut on the alternator was not properly tightened when the car was in production. The alternator converts energy generated by the engine into electricity, which charges the vehicle’s battery and powers the electrical system.

The nut in question maintains the electrical connection between the battery wire and the alternator terminal. If it is loose, a resulting electrical arc may cause a fire.

Risks

A loose alternator terminal nut creates an extreme fire risk. In February of 2020, Kia received a customer complaint which alleged that a 2020 Sedona caught on fire. The manufacturer investigated and found that an alternator terminal nut was missing. Kia inspected a group of Sedona vehicles and determined that some terminal nuts were not properly tightened.

What to do in case of a fire

Car fires are extremely dangerous. If your vehicle catches fire, here is what you should do:

Pull over to a safe location as soon as possible
Turn off the engine
Immediately get yourself and your family away from the vehicle
Call 911

If you think that there is a fire under the hood, do not open it to avoid feeding the fire oxygen.

The repair

To eliminate the risk of fire, the B+ alternator terminal nut must be inspected and tightened, if necessary. The update itself should take less than half a day.

There is no charge for this repair, and the recall is expected to start on August 14, 2020.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 5,300 cars are included in this Kia recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mercedes-Benz recalls A-class sedans over water damage risk

September 4, 2020 Rebecca Rand Mercedes-Benz Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – July 18, 2020 – Daimler AG (OTCMKTS:DDAIF), the owner of the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 3,615 compact sedans with an air conditioning hose that may leak water into the cabin. The recall includes 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedans(A220).

Recall summary

Due to a manufacturing error, certain 2019 A-Class vehicles may have an improperly-installed air conditioning hose that could leak water into the floor of the vehicle. The hose is designed to carry condensation out of the vehicle, but a loose seal allows water to seep into the floors and center tunnel of the car. The center console hosts the dashboard, one of the most important pieces of equipment in a vehicle.

The seepage can have more serious consequences than wet carpets— the water can damage or short-circuit various electrical components in the floor and center of the car, creating a safety hazard.

Risks

The leak can damage or impair important electrical components, including the module that controls the airbags. If the module is damaged, the airbags may not be able to protect drivers or passengers in the case of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

It may also activate the car’s “limp-home” mode, which drastically reduces the car’s speed. If you are driving and your car enters this mode, the check engine light will illuminate and the car may feel sluggish. If you are on the freeway, it is best to pull over and call for help, as your reduced speed may make you a traffic hazard.

Finally, it could lead to a car’s “failure to start” or malfunctioning of other elements, such as the fuel pump.

If your car suffers this kind of leak, you may notice fogged windows or wet carpets in the area where your foot pedals are located.

The repair

An authorized dealer will check the air conditioning drain hose and make sure it is tightly fastened. This free service is currently available, and should take less than half a day to complete.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 3,000 vehicles are included in this Mercedes-Benz recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Honda issues a second recall for faulty sliding doors

September 2, 2020 Rebecca Rand Honda Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – July 29, 2020 – Honda (NYSE: HMC) will recall 324,194 vans whose sliding doors might not fully latch and could slide open while the car is moving. The recall includes:

2018-2020 Honda Odyssey

Recall summary

The recalled vehicles were designed with reduced moisture protection. As a result, in cold temperatures, water can seep in and freeze on cables inside the door handle. The frozen cables cannot move properly, which could keep the door from fully latching shut.

This is the second time the manufacturer conducts a recall for the same issues. As a result of the first recall, Honda replaced the door latches, but some vans’ doors continued to slide open while driving.

The issue has not resulted in injuries or crashes but there have been 31 incidents so far, according to Honda.

Risks

If a car door suddenly opens while a vehicle is moving it poses a safety hazard to occupants who could fall out of the car. Falls from vehicles account for 17% of all non-crash vehicle fatalities, according to a 2015 report by the National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHTSA). These falls caused 75,000 injuries between 2011 and 2012, the report says.

Repair

Honda will replace the cables inside the door handle at no cost to the owner. The repair is already available, though official owner notifications will not be sent until September 23.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles are included in this Honda recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Honda recalls minivans for rear view camera leak and software glitch

August 31, 2020 Rebecca Rand Honda Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – May 10, 2022 – Honda Motor Company (NYSE:HMC) has remedied issues with 159,860 2019-2020 Honda Odyssey Minivans that had failures with the rearview camera. Additionally, 297 of these vehicles have been categorized as unreachable and 686 have been removed from the recall. Two groups of these 2019-2020 Honda Odyssey Minivans with rearview camera failures were remedied in 2020 and three groups were remedied during 2021.

Pleasanton, CA – July 28 2020 – Honda (NYSE: HMC) has recalled 212,068 Odyssey minivans with faulty rear view cameras. The recall includes 2019 and 2020 Honda Odyssey Minivans.

Recall summary

The rear view camera display on the recalled vehicles may fail to appear, look distorted or produce an error message.

This is a result of one of the two issues. The first one is that – because of a design flaw – moisture can penetrate the camera via the mounting holes, damaging it or disabling it altogether. The rearview image may also fail to display due to a programming glitch that disables the camera in bright environments.

2018 Honda Odysseys may also experience these issues and will be provided with the same fix as the vehicles above.

Risks

Back-up crashes kill an estimated 284 people a year and injure around 12,000, according to the NHTSA. Rearview camera systems are intended to help prevent back-up crashes by showing the driver a 10-foot to 20-foot area behind the vehicle.

Since 2018, the National Highway Transit Safety Administration (NHTSA) has required all new vehicle models to be made with rearview cameras. Now a necessity rather than an accessory, it is required by law that these cameras function properly.

The repair

Honda will replace the rear-view camera with a redesigned one, free of charge. The company will notify owners on or around September 23. Because there are several open recalls on Honda 2018-20 Odyssey vehicles, you may be able to have multiple recall repairs completed at once. This could take about a day, according to the experience of some Honda owners.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 200,000 vehicles are included in this Honda recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Honda minivans and SUVs recalled for faulty rear view camera

August 28, 2020 Ken Boyd Honda Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – July 28 2020 – Honda (NYSE: HMC) has recalled 499,342 Pilot, Odyssey, and Passport vehicles that have a delayed or inoperative rear view camera display. This issue can reduce the driver’s view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes:

2019-2020 Honda Odyssey Minivans
2019-2020 Honda Passport SUVs
2019-2021 Honda Pilot SUVs

Recall summary

In July, Honda announced that there is a glitch in the vehicles’ software responsible for controlling the instrument panel and the audio system. Due to the error, the backup camera image may not display or may be delayed so when the vehicle is started, the display audio and rearview camera both stay off. 2018 Honda Odysseys may also experience this issue and will be provided with the same fix as the vehicles above.

All of the above vehicles are also subject to several additional recalls for issues with speedometer display and sliding doors that do not latch properly in freezing conditions.

Risks

Rearview camera systems are designed to prevent backover crashes by displaying a 10-foot to 20-foot zone directly behind the vehicle.

If the driver is in the habit of using the camera when the car is in reverse, the software problem creates a high risk of an accident. A driver may back over an item on the ground or hit an individual behind the car.

As of August 4, Honda notes that there have been no reports of crashes related to these actions. Passports and Pilots have an additional issue with the rearview camera. When these two vehicles are shifted into reverse, the rearview camera may not display.

The repair

The remedy is a free software update that the vehicle owners can be installed directly by the vehicle owners or their dealers. Dealers were notified in July, while the vehicles owners will be made aware of the issue in late September. It is not clear when the update will be available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Close to half a million vehicles are included in this Honda recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Hyundai recalls over 200,000 cars for interior fire hazard

August 27, 2020 Rebecca Rand Hyundai Recalls

Pleasanton, CA – July 3, 2020 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) is recalling 272,126 light vehicles for a fire hazard related to the 12-volt accessory outlet. The recall includes:

2012 Hyundai Accent
2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra
2011-2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
2012 Hyundai Veloster

Recall summary

In June, Hyundai determined that 12v “cigarette lighter” outlets inside the cars had been installed too tightly during assembly, disabling the component designed to prevent overheating.

This can lead to the recalled cars smoking or catching fire when fixing a flat tire using the outlet. The tires are inflated using a tire mobility kit which gets plugged into the outlet and come standard on these models.

Hyundai first received a report related to this defect in October 2011. In November 2018, a car caught fire inside someone’s garage while the tire inflator was in use. Despite that, the car manufacturer was unable to replicate the smoke and burning in tests until this summer.

Safety risks

In the tests Hyundai conducted while investigating this issue, the outlets generated smoke and melted parts of the dashboard. Inhaling smoke from a burning vehicle may pose a health hazard to drivers and passengers, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Modern cars, the administration warns, are made with many synthetic materials, like plastic, that emit dangerous gases when they burn.

If you smell burning plastic or smoke while driving, stop the car someplace safe. Once stopped, turn off the engine and exit the vehicle. If you suspect a fire, stay 100 feet away from the car and call for help.

Repair

The recall will officially begin on August 28, when the company will notify dealers and owners of the issue. However, the repair is not yet available. In the meantime, owners should not use the tire inflator until their 12V outlets have been repaired.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 200,000 cars are included in this Hyundai recall. Check and see if your car is one of them using Motorsafety.org’s free recall lookup tool.

Recall summary

Risks

The repair

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Recall summary

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The history of rearview cameras

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What to do in case of a fire

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The repair

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