Ford recalls F-150s whose parking brakes may activate on their own

Ford recalls F-150s whose parking brakes may activate on their own   

August 19, 2023 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – August 19, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 870,701 2021-2023 Ford F-150 pickup trucks with a single exhaust system over unexpected parking brake activation. This may lead to a crash, upping the risk of an injury.  

The recall comes on the back of almost 1,000 warranty claims and field reports.

Recall summary  

All listed vehicles are equipped with an electric parking brake, which is activated at the push of a button, while the mechanical work is performed by an electric motor. 

In the affected trucks, the wiring that connects to the said motor may rub against the rear axle, which is a shaft that delivers power to the car’s wheels, propelling the car forward.

Over time, this may damage the wires and cause a short circuit, which would result in the inadvertent application of the parking brake.

Recall risks

Unexpected parking brake activation while driving may block the rear wheels and destabilize the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

Warning signs 

If the parking brake is activated, there will be a corresponding warning light and message on the dashboard. 

Background of the recall

The recall comes on the heels of 918 warranty claims and three field reports alleging unexpected application. No injuries or crashes have been reported.

Other Ford recalls

Earlier this month, Ford recalled close to 40,000 super-duty pickup trucks and SUVs because of faulty instrument panels, as reported.

Separately, some of the F-150s involved in the current recalle may have been affected by a recall from November 2022 caused by windshield wiper issues. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the wiring harness with an upgraded one if it is damaged. If it is not, dealers will use protective wrap to prevent damage. All repairs will be free of charge.

Owners should be notified between September 11, 2023 and September 15, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford parking brake recall affects more than 850,000 trucks. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls F-150s whose parking brakes may activate on their own   
Ford recalls SUVs, pickup trucks with faulty instrument panels

Ford recalls SUVs, pickup trucks with faulty instrument panels  

August 13, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI  – August 13, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 38,695 vehicles with instrument panels that could fail to light up. This ups the risk of an accident and injury for the car occupants and other motorists.

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2023 Ford Escape 
  • 2023 Ford F-250 SD
  • 2023 Ford F-350 SD
  • 2023 Ford F-450 SD
  • 2023 Ford F-550 SD

Recall summary  

The dashboard instrument panel shows relevant information such as vehicle speed, fuel level and engine temperature, as well as warning or error messages. This function is made possible by joints soldered together inside the panel.    

In the affected vehicles, an improper soldered joint may prevent the instrument panel from lighting up.

Recall risks

Users will not be able to read the vehicle’s speed and other safety-related information, upping the risk of a crash. 

Other Ford recalls

Ford is currently being investigated by the U.S. government over allegations that doors on its 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles may open while driving, upping the risk of a crash. The investigation could lead to a recall of roughly 350,000 SUVs.

Separately, the manufacturer has just issued its fifth recall for Ford Transit vans because of the same issue, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the instrument panels free of charge. Ford will reimburse owners for repairs done before the recall announcement was made.

Owners will be notified between August, 14, 2023 and August 18, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 38,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford instrument panel recall. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls SUVs, pickup trucks with faulty instrument panels  
Kia recalls 40,000 SUVs over fire risk

Kia recalls 40,000 SUVs over fire risk  

August 12, 2023 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – August 12, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 39,765 SUVs because they may catch fire while driving or parked. This ups the risk of a crash, injury and property damage. 

This is the latest in an ongoing string of Kia and Hyundai fire-related recalls. The affected vehicles include:

  • 2023 Kia Soul
  • 2023 Kia Sportage
  • 2023 – 2024 Kia Seltos

Recall summary  

The vehicles above are equipped with the Idle, Stop and Go (ISG) system which includes an oil pump and a circuit board and shuts down the engine when the car is stationary “to maximize fuel efficiency.” While the engine is off, the oil pump ensures that transmission, brakes and power steering can remain operational.

In the affected vehicles, the circuit board may develop a short, consequently overheating and potentially leading to a vehicle fire.

Recall risks

You can find out all about the risks posed by vehicle fires in this article about another Kia fire recall.

Warning signs 

The defect could trigger multiple warning lights, including those regarding electric power steering, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Auto Hold, Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). Other than that, the IGS may fail to operate, sending the vehicle into a limp-home mode, which may be hard to turn off. Lastly, the driver could also notice smoke coming from the engine bay. 

Safety tips 

Kia advises owners to “park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repair has been performed.”

Here are also the things you should do if the car does catch on fire.

Other Kia recalls

Apart from this issue, some of these vehicles may have been affected by a power brake assistance recall that happened in July 2023. 

Moreover, Kia and its sister company Hyundai are being investigated by the U.S government on the back of multiple and continuous fire-related recalls. The last recall in the series occurred in August of last year and affected over 280,000 of Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade cars, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the electric oil pump and the circuit board free of charge. 

Owners should be notified on September 28, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Almost 40,000 vehicles are affected by this Kia fire recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls 40,000 SUVs over fire risk  
Ford issues fifth recall for vehicles with faulty doors

Ford issues fifth recall for vehicles with faulty doors

August 6, 2023 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – August 6, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 112,225 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vans because their doors may open while driving, upping the risk of an injury.  

This is at least the fifth Ford recall due to this issue. Vehicles that were previously repaired might need a new remedy.

Recall summary  

Due to a supplier error, a spring inside the vans’ locking mechanism may be “susceptible to cracking and failure over time.” As a result, the doors may not close securely and could open while the vehicle is in motion.  

The component causing this recall is the core driver latch, with part numbers DT1A-V21813-B for the driver’s side and DT1A-V21812-A or DT1A-V21812-B for the passenger door. 

Recall risks

You can find out all about the associated risks in this article about a similar Volkswagen recall.

Background of the recall

The part behind the recall has been implicated in at least five other Ford recalls and several U.S. government investigations, according to the information provided by the manufacturer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is the government body in charge of regulating traffic safety. The most recent one occurred in June 2020 and replaced three of the previous recalls conducted for the same issue because of an inadequate remedy.

It is not clear if any of the previously repaired vans are once again included in the current recall, which comes on the back of multiple warranty claims.

Warning signs 

The door with a broken latch mechanism will be difficult to close and will likely rebound when the driver slams it shut. Incorrectly latched doors could also generate excessive “wind noise,” trigger a ”Door Ajar” warning or turn on the interior dome light.  

Other Ford recalls

Ford is currently subject to a separate government investigation involving faulty doors on its Ford Escape SUVs. The investigation could result in a recall of 350,000 of these vehicles, as reported.

Over 14,000 Ford Fusion hybrids were recalled in July 2023 because they could stall or catch fire.

The repair

Dealers will replace the door latches on the affected vehicles with upgraded ones free of charge. 

Owners should be notified between August 28, 2023  and September 1, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford door latch recall affects more than 100,000 vans. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord issues fifth recall for vehicles with faulty doors
Toyota recalls hybrid SUVs over fire risk

Toyota recalls hybrid SUVs over fire risk   

August 5, 2023 Bojan Popic ,

Plano, TX – August 5, 2023 – Toyota (NYSE:TM), which also owns the Lexus brand, has recalled 43,442 SUVs because their charging system may short circuit and overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.  

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2021 – 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime 
  • 2022 Lexus NX450H+ 

Recall summary  

Plug-in hybrids have two electrical systems – a high-current one to drive the wheels and a 12-volt system to power other components, such as lights or power windows. In between, there is a converter, which negotiates this voltage difference and ensures the 12-volt battery is being recharged.  

In affected vehicles, the converter may develop an electrical short due to damage “during production by the supplier.” This may cause it to overheat, augmenting the risk of fire. 

Recall risks

You can find out all about fire-related risks in this Hyundai recall from July 2022. 

Other Toyota recalls

Some of these SUVs may have been affected by a Toyota recall caused by a potential loss of stability, which took place in May 2022, as reported

More recently, in October 2022, more than 83,000 Lexus SUVs and Toyota trucks were recalled because their parking brakes would stop working, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the faulty converters with improved ones free of charge. 

In the meantime, Toyota advises owners “not to charge their vehicles when the ambient air temperature is below or expected to drop below 41 degrees Fahrenheit”. 

Owners should be notified between August 7, 2023, and September 10, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 40,000 SUVs are affected by this Toyota hybrid fire recall. To do a Toyota recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicToyota recalls hybrid SUVs over fire risk   
Mercedes-Benz recalls C300 and AMG C43 sedans that may stall

Mercedes-Benz recalls C300 and AMG C43 sedans that may stall  

July 30, 2023 Bojan Popic

Jacksonville, FL – July 30, 2023 – Mercedes-Benz (OTCMKTS: MBGYY) is recalling 8,178 cars whose transmission may fail, causing the vehicle to lose drive, which ups the chances of a crash and injury. 

This recall affects the following cars with an automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel-drive system:

  • 2022 – 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300
  • 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 

Recall summary  

Due to a manufacturing error, the transmission wiring harness – which is part of the mechanism responsible for propelling the car forward – is too short and can rub against other components. This could damage the wire over time, resulting in a loss of transmission.

Recall risks

The defect may result in the driver being stranded on the side of the road or losing power in traffic. Both situations increase the risk of an accident and injuries for everyone involved.

Warning signs

If the damaged wiring affects the transmission’s operation, the driver will be warned with several corresponding messages on the dashboard. 

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

Earlier this month, there was a large Mercedes-Benz recall – which included some of the affected vehicles – also due to the risk of stalling, as reported. However, in that case the problem was caused by a failing fuel pump.

Additionally, some of the C300 cars may also have been affected by an October 2022 recall due to a electrical problem which could cause them to burst into flames.

The repair

Dealers will repair the harness free of charge. Owners should be notified on August 29, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 8,000 cars are affected by this Mercedes-Benz loss of drive recall. To do a Mercedes-Benz recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicMercedes-Benz recalls C300 and AMG C43 sedans that may stall  
US government investigates Ford SUVs with faulty front doors

US government investigates Ford SUVs with faulty front doors

July 29, 2023 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – July 29, 2023 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Ford (NYSE:F) over allegations that welds on some of their vehicles’ doors may break, preventing them from closing or opening properly. They may also open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The investigation comes on the back of multiple injuries and one report of property damage.

If it leads to a recall, it could affect an estimated 350,000 vehicles, including: 

  •  2020 – 2021 Ford Escape 
  •  2020 – 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on July 7,  2023, following multiple complaints of the front doors on said SUVs suddenly opening on their own while driving. Drivers also had a hard time opening and closing the doors and reported that some of the windows would also not open.

Based on initial findings, this is caused by the door hinge separating from the pillar to which it is welded. Consequently, the doors are not aligned correctly against the body and will not latch when closed.  

Risks

Doors that open suddenly while the car is moving may hit and injure pedestrians, cause property damage or startle the driver, leading to an accident.

In fact, leading up to the investigation, NHTSA received 118 complaints about the issue, as well as reports of 25 “minor injuries” and one of property damage. 

Warning signs

Many owners heard “loud popping noises” when opening and closing the doors before the hinges separated completely.  

Other Ford recalls

Earlier this month, Ford recalled a batch of Fusion hybrids with battery issues that may cause them to stall or even catch fire. 

In December of last year, over half a million of Escape and Bronco Sport SUVs were recalled due to a fuel leak that had a potential to cause a vehicle fire, as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Ford broken doors’ recall, potentially affecting almost 350,000 SUVs. To do a Ford recall check and see if your car might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Ford SUVs with faulty front doors
Ford recalls Fusion hybrid vehicles that may stall or catch fire

Ford recalls Fusion hybrid vehicles that may stall or catch fire

July 23, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI  – July 23, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 14,452 2019-2020 Fusion Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) because of a problem with the vehicle’s battery which may result in a stall or the engine catching fire. Both issues raise the risk of a crash and injuries for everyone involved.

The recall comes on the back of multiple fires and warranty claims.

Recall summary  

The battery energy control module (BECM) is a computer that ensures that the battery remains properly charged and functions properly. The BECM is protected by the current interrupt device (CID) whose role is “to interrupt the power supply when the charging current is too high.”

In the affected vehicles, the CID may be activated erroneously, which can result in the vehicle stalling or catching fire.

Recall risks

The risks of a stall are described in the following article, while the risks of a car catching on fire can be found in this article about a related Hyundai recall.

Car exploding in the parking lot

Leading up to the recall, the manufacturer received seven reports about the cars involved catching fire – including one that seemingly randomly “exploded in a residential parking lot.” 

Over 250 warranty claims have also been filed but luckily, no injuries or accidents have been reported.

Safety tips

Affected owners are advised to not charge the vehicle’s battery until the vehicles have been repaired.

Even though the manufacturer does not explicitly state this, owners of cars involved in similar recalls are also usually advised to park away from structures while waiting for a repair.

Warning signs

Users may notice a “Stop safely now” message on the dashboard, just before the vehicle loses power. 

Other Ford recalls

In March 2023, older model-years of Ford Fusion were part of a 1.28 million-vehicle recall over brake issues. The recall was conducted on the back of a U.S. government investigation.

Last month, Ford also recalled 16,375 2022–2023 F-150 Lightning battery electric vehicles (BEVs) because of faulty rear lights, as reported.

The repair

The remedy is currently under development. Ford will advise drivers once it has been found. All repairs will be provided free of charge as it is customarily done in all recalls.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 14,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford battery recall. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls Fusion hybrid vehicles that may stall or catch fire
Polaris recalls Slingshot vehicles over faulty rearview cameras

Polaris recalls Slingshot vehicles over faulty rearview cameras

July 22, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Medina, MN  – July 22, 2023 – American manufacturer Polaris (NYSE:PII) is recalling 22,218 vehicles over rearview cameras that may fail to display an image. This ups the risk of a crash, injury, and property damage.

The following vehicles are covered by this recall: 

  • 2020 Polaris Slingshot GT 
  • 2020 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot R
  • 2021 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot S
  • 2021 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot S Tech
  • 2020 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot SL
  • 2022 – 2023 Polaris Slingshot SLR

Recall summary  

A rearview camera shows an image of the vehicle’s rear portion when reverse gear is engaged, helping drivers see behind the vehicle and watch out for hazards. 

In the affected models, a software error may lead the rearview camera image to freeze when the driver shifts out of reverse. When the driver shifts back into reverse, the camera image may no longer be displayed on the dashboard screen.   

Recall risks

All risks caused by an inoperable rearview camera are explained in this article about a similar recall by Ford.

Other Polaris recalls

In March 2023, the manufacter recalled a number of 2022–2023 Slingshot vehicles due to the risk of fire.

The repair

Owners will receive instructions on how to update the software themselves. They can also take the vehicle to the dealer for a free software update.

Polaris will reimburse customers who paid for their own repairs before the recall was announced.

Owners will receive letters with more information by July 28 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Over 22,000 vehicles are affected by this Polaris rearview camera recall. To do a Polaris recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloPolaris recalls Slingshot vehicles over faulty rearview cameras
US government investigates stalling Kia EV6 electric vehicles

US government investigates stalling Kia EV6 electric vehicles

July 16, 2023 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – July 16, 2023 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Kia (OTCMKTS: KIMTF) over an allegation its 2022 Kia EV6 electric cars may lose motive power or even experience a “complete electric failure,” upping the risk of a crash and injury. 

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect around 20,000 cars. 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on July 3, 2023, following 11 complaints of cars losing power. In at least some cases, the cars could not be restarted and had to be towed.

Upon inspection, dealers found that there was a “strong correlation” between the power loss and the failure of the integrated control charging unit (ICCU).  

What is an integrated control charging unit?

The integrated control charging unit is an electric “charger” that powers up both the high-voltage battery used to drive the electric motor and the low-voltage battery, which provides 12-volt electricity for the rest of the car’s systems.  

Based on the initial findings, an excessive current may damage ICCU’s circuit board, preventing the low-voltage battery from being charged. This ultimately shuts down the systems using it as a power supply, making the vehicle inoperable.  

Risks

Without sufficient power being delivered to the wheels, the driver may have difficulties maneuvering the vehicle into a safe spot. This dramatically increases the risk of a crash.

“Unnerving” experiences

In fact, one driver described an “unnerving” experience when the car suddenly decelerated to 22 miles per hour (mph) from 40 mph “during rush hour on a secondary road with a limited shoulder.”

Drivers also reported their cars being stuck at dealerships for weeks after they “could no longer be driven.”  Some drivers have been told that the part was “on national backorder.”

Warning signs

Before the power loss, some drivers observed “Stop the vehicle and check power supply” and “Check electrical vehicle system” warning messages pop up on the instrument cluster.  In addition, one driver stated there was a “loud pop from the rear passenger side of the vehicle”  just before the message appeared. 

Other Kia recalls

Earlier this month, Kia recalled nearly 100,000 Sportage SUVs because their brake boosters may fail to activate. 

Some of the Kia EV6 cars mentioned here may have been affected by a recall caused by the risk of a rollaway, which took place in May 2022. 

In addition, both Kia and Hyundai are subject to a separate U.S. government investigation for non-crash related fires, as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Kia loss of power recall, potentially affecting almost 20,000 electric cars. To do a Kia recall check and see if your car might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates stalling Kia EV6 electric vehicles
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