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Chrysler Recalls 2019 Dodge Charger Vehicles With Missing Air Bag Information

May 4, 2019 Sean Reyes Dodge Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – May 4, 2019 – Chrysler is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Charger vehicles in which both of the front sun visors may lack the required air bag warning information. Not having this information available could increase the risk of injury. As many as 1,097 vehicles may be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this issue, the driver- and passenger-side sun visors on the affected 2019 Dodge Chargers may not have had the required air bag warning information attached. The driver-side sun visor may contain no air bag warning label at all, and the passenger sun visor may contain warning labels intended for non-U.S. markets. Because of these omissions, these vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” Failure to provide the air bag warning information increases the chance of driver or occupant injury.

Timeline of Events

A 2019 Dodge Charger built for the U.S. market but containing non-U.S. sun visor air bag warning labels, was reported Feb. 1, 2019 in a customer protection audit at Chrysler’s Brampton Assembly Plant.

On Feb. 6, Chrysler Engineering was notified that non-U.S. sun visor air bag warning labels had been built into some U.S. market vehicles. The location and content of the non-U.S. sun visor air bag warning labels were compared against the federally mandated requirements, revealing differences between the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and the non-U.S. labels.

Chrysler decided March 21 through its Vehicle Regulations Committee to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected vehicles.

The Solution

The recall began April 17, 2019. Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger sun visors, at no cost. Consistent with past practices, the automaker will reimburse Dodge Charger owners who have incurred the cost of repairing a problem that subsequently became the subject of a field action. Chrysler requests that customers send the original receipt and/or other adequate proof of payment to the company for confirmation of the expense.

Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is V35. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V246000.

Chrysler Recalls 2019 Jeep Cherokees For Loose Passenger Seat Bolts

May 3, 2019 Sean Reyes Jeep Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – May 3, 2019 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S., LLC is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles due to a manufacturing defect. The front passenger seat mounting bolts may be loose. The resulting seat movement in the event of a crash could increase the risk of injury. As many as 253 vehicles may be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, some 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles built at the Belvidere Assembly Plant could have front passenger seat mounting fasteners that were not tightened to the correct torque. When this happens, it could lead to the increased risk of passenger injury in an accident.

Timeline of Events

Chrysler’s U.S. Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization first received word Jan. 22, 2019 of three vehicles from the first shift of Nov. 26, 2018 with front seat passenger seat mounting bolt torques below specification, and opened an investigation.

Further testing in January showed that vehicles built with front passenger seats not fully fastened down may not reliably be detected when test-driven. After reviewing Belvidere assembly records, Chrysler discovered that torque traceability records had been compromised. The automaker concluded that three factors contributed to the torque traceability problem: an untrained operator, improper tool tethering that allowed the operator to work out of the station and a fastener tool with limited torque traceability.

As of March 21, Chrysler had not received any complaints or field reports related to the issue, nor were they aware of any incidents or injuries resulting from the problem. Despite the absence of any such troubling reports or warranty claims, the automaker decided March 21 to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected vehicles.

The Solution

The recall formally began April 11, 2019. Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and if needed tighten the mounting bolts, free of charge. Consistent with past practices, the automaker will reimburse Jeep Cherokee owners who have incurred the cost of repairing a problem that subsequently became the subject of a field action; Chrysler requests that customers send the original receipt and/or other adequate proof of payment to the company for confirmation of the expense.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is V31. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V248000.

GM Recalls 2017 – 2019 Chevrolet Trax Vehicles for Steering Issues

April 26, 2019 Sean Reyes Chevrolet Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – April 26, 2019 – General Motors is recalling certain 2017 – 2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. Improper welding of a joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may result in the detachment of the arm from the vehicle.

This could potentially cause the front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle’s steering and handling and leading to a greater chance of crash. As many as 112,958 vehicles may be affected.

The defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, an improperly welded joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms could fatigue and break, resulting in the vehicle’s lower control arm partially separating from the vehicle.

If this were to happen, the front wheel attached to the control arm would toe outward, adversely affecting the vehicle’s steering and potentially causing the tire to rub against the wheel well, increasing the risk of a crash.

Timeline of events

A GM dealer filed a field product report November 14, 2018 concerning a left front-control arm that partially separated from a 2018 Chevrolet Trax.

Based on a visual inspection of photos of the failed control arm, GM found that the weld connecting the arm to the bushing did not match design specifications. I

In response, GM’s supplier originally stated that the welds on the failed component part and other control arms produced at its facility conformed to design specs.

Following a formal product investigation on January 31, 2019, GM’s supplier confirmed on February 28 that the welds on the failed part did not comply with the applicable design specifications.

The welds were improperly modified because the lower-control arm stampings failed not match specs.

From March through April, the automaker worked with its supplier to identify affected vehicles that may have been manufactured with the defective part and to assess the condition’s impact on vehicle performance.

GM engineers at the Milford Proving Grounds conducted drivability testing April 12 on a Chevrolet Trax vehicle with a front lower-control arm that was cut at the affected weld.

GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority consequently decided April 15 to conduct a safety recall. As of that date, only two warranty claims relating to this condition had been reported for cars sold in the U.S., with no evidence of any crashes.

The solution

GM has not yet provided a notification schedule for the recall. The automaker will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge.

The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V312000.

To find out if your vehicle is part of this recall, use MotorSafety.org’s free look-up tool.

Honda Recalls 2018-19 Vehicles Because of Timing Belt Defect

April 26, 2019 Sean Reyes Honda Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – April 26, 2019 – Honda is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the timing belt teeth may separate from the belt itself, potentially resulting in engine stalling, which could cause a crash. As many as 93,946 vehicles may be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, the timing belt teeth may separate from the belt. This may result in an engine stall, which could increase the risk of crash.

Timeline of Events

From August to October 2018, upon receiving the first report of a stalled engine due to a defective timing belt, Honda opened an investigation. Three additional reports were received during this time.

In December, the supplier confirmed that an improperly hardened timing belt was the cause of teeth separating from the component. The supplier continued its investigation to find the cause of the faulty manufacturing.

Following re-creation tests by the supplier, it was found that a particular mold used to produce the timing belts starting in May 2018 did not allow the belt to properly vulcanize and harden. The mold had been modified to prevent pressure from leaking. This problem, together with a bottom plate that had the moisture drain path partially blocked by excess rubber deterioration, adversely affected vulcanization.

In April, Honda decided that a motor vehicle safety defect existed and launched a safety recall. As of April 4, the automaker received 15 warranty claims, 15 field reports, and no evidence of crashes or injuries related to this issue.

The Solution

The recall will begin June 1, 2019. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle, replacing any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving replacement belts will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components replaced at no cost.

Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura’s number for this recall is Z4L. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V298000.

Karma Automotive Recalls 231 2018 Revero Sportscars for Defective Airbags

April 22, 2019 Sean Reyes Uncategorized, Video

BMW Issues Recall for Defective PCV Valve Heaters Affecting 185,000 Vehicles

April 19, 2019 Sean Reyes BMW Recalls, Video

Chrysler Recalls 298,000 due to Defective Transmission Shifter Cable Bushing

April 19, 2019 Sean Reyes Dodge Recalls, Video

Ford Recalls 2015-19 Pickup Trucks Due To Engine Block Heater Issue

April 17, 2019 Sean Reyes Ford Recalls

Laguna Hills, CA – April 17, 2019 – Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks. The affected vehicles have engine block heater cable splice connectors that were insufficiently inspected during a previous recall. The cables may have been damaged, which could cause a short, increasing the likelihood of overheated or melted wiring and chance of fire. As many as 131,068 vehicles may be affected.