Chrysler Recalled 52 Vehicles for Improperly Machined Steering Columns
April 8, 2019
Jeep Recalls, RAM Recalls, Video
Volvo Recalls 2018-19 XC60 and S90 Vehicles For Front Seat Defect
April 5, 2019
Volvo Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – April 5, 2019 – Volvo Car USA is recalling certain 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The rear flange nuts on the driver and passenger front seat rail may not have been installed during assembly. If a crash were to happen, the missing nuts could affect the front seat structure and position, increasing the chance of injury. As many as 2,297 vehicles may be involved.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, because of potentially missing flange nuts, the front driver and passenger seats may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to front-seat occupants. Installation of the flange nuts may have been omitted as the result of an error during the supplier’s assembly process, compromising the front seat’s structure and position.
Timeline of Events
Volvo received information from its supplier March 4, 2019, indicating issues in their production during a certain period of time meant the quality of delivered components could not be guaranteed. A review was initiated immediately and the potential issue went to the Critical Concern Management Team (CCMT), which began an internal investigation March 6. This led to the CCMT identifying the issue as critical. Consequently, based on its internal analysis and supplier documents, Volvo decided March 20 to institute a worldwide recall of all affected vehicles.
The Solution
The recall will begin May 17, 2019. Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge to car owners. In addition, the supplier process has been updated and improved.
Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo’s number for this recall is R19931. 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 19V220000.
Volkswagen Recalls Golf Sportwagen, Jetta, Golf and Tiguan Vehicles for Rear Coil Springs Issue
April 2, 2019
Volkswagen Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – April 2, 2019 – Volkswagen Group of America is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may fracture prematurely, which could damage a rear tire, causing loss of vehicle control and ultimately a crash. As many as 56,173 vehicles may be affected.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, if the rear coil springs prematurely fracture while the vehicle is being driven, the consequences could be dire for its operator and anyone else sharing the road. A broken coil spring can damage a rear tire, thus becoming a hazard on the roadway and leading to a loss of vehicle control, putting people at risk and possibly causing damage to other vehicles on the road. The affected vehicles were assembled with rear coil springs from suppliers using materials that did not meet specifications and also did not follow process parameters.
Timeline of Events
The problem was first reported to Volkswagen AG and VW de Mexico Product Safety Committees Dec. 12, 2018. Upon determining that a manufacturing defect had occurred, the automaker decided to conduct a safety recall. In addition, further tests were assigned to assure that all affected vehicles could be identified.
The issue was then presented to VW de Mexico Product Safety Committee Feb. 15, 2019. The results of the testing were presented to Volkswagen AG and VW de Mexico Product Safety Committees February 27, and an extension of the previous recall was subsequently launched.
The Solution
The recall will begin April 19, 2019. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge.
Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 42J5. 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 19V188000.
(Video)Volkswagen Recalls 2019 Jetta Vehicles with Faulty Airbags
March 29, 2019
Video, Volkswagen Recalls
Porshe Recalls 14,000 Vehicles for Faulty Instrument Display
March 28, 2019
Porsche Recalls, Video
GM Recalls 2016 – 2018 Cadillac CTS and ATS, Chevy Camaro and Corvette for Power Steering Issue
March 28, 2019
Cadillac Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – March 28, 2019 – General Motors is recalling certain 2016 – 2018 Cadillac CTS and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles because the power steering assist system may fail, increasing the risk of a crash. As many as 26,772 vehicles may be affected.
The defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, the affected vehicles may experience a loss of electric power steering assist while driving. This would demand more effort in steering, especially at lower speeds, with a potentially greater risk of a crash.
Timeline of events
GM launched an investigation September 18, 2018 into loss of power steering assist in the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro.
Between September 19 and late October, GM’s safety investigator, with help from engineering experts, analyzed vehicle owner questionnaires, customer complaints, legal claims, and warranty data to assess the number of cases in the field and to identify common root causes.
An intermittent electrical loss within the torque-sensor printed circuit board was found in about 80 percent of the cases reviewed. The same issue was found in two Corvette steering gear assemblies. GM then expanded its investigation, discovering that the Cadillac CTS and ATS were also at risk.
Between November and mid-December, field analysis revealed spikes in warranty rates between June and September 2016, and a three-day window in February 2017.
Between mid-December and late January 2019, GM worked with its supplier to identify the problematic circuit boards and VIN numbers of affected vehicles.
Following an open investigation review, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority decided January 31 to conduct a safety recall.
The solution
The recall will begin March 2019. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. GM’s number for this recall is N182182760.
Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
Porsche Recalls 98 Vehicles with Faulty Rear View Camera Display
March 27, 2019
Porsche Recalls, Video
Volkswagen Recalls 2018 Audi A3 And RS3 Vehicles For Rear Seat Head Restraint Issue
March 27, 2019
Audi Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – March 27, 2019 – Volkswagen Group of America is recalling certain 2018 Audi A3 sedans and RS3 vehicles because the rear center headrest latching pins may be missing. As many as 3,326 vehicles may be affected.
The defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, the latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint may be missing. If a crash were to occur, the restraint could become loose and cause injury to occupants in the vehicle.
Timeline of events
Communications on this issue were first exchanged June 29, 2018 between Volkswagen suppliers. The Audi Product Safety Committee was informed of the problem Aug. 17.
Between September 2018 and January 2019, the automaker engaged in detailed investigation and testing regarding the root cause of the issue, possible process improvements, overall impact, and potentially affected parts/vehicles.
The testing and statistical analysis showed that the defect was present in approximately one out of the affected 20,600 vehicles worldwide. It was determined that after the component supplier had opened an additional production line, a process error occurred for a limited period.
This may have allowed headrests that were not manufactured properly to be erroneously mixed with properly manufactured headrests during the quality-monitoring check.
The Audi Product Safety Committee concluded on February 6 that a defect was present and decided to conduct a safety recall. In addition, the supplier of the components has adjusted its manufacturing processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.
The solution
The recall began March 7, 2019. Audi has notified owners, informing them that the center rear head restraint will be inspected. If the pins are missing, the head restraint will be replaced.
This work will be performed for customers free of charge. Audi will not offer a reimbursement plan under this recall.
The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V095000.
Check your car’s recall status using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
GM Recalls GMC Sierra 3500 And Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Trucks for Fueling Issue
March 27, 2019
Chevrolet Recalls, GMC Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – March 27, 2019 – General Motors is recalling certain 2016 – 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 pickup trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks.
If the fuel level sensor in the front tank becomes stuck in a low-level position, the fuel transfer pump may continue to pump fuel from the rear tank to the front tank even after it is full, causing an overpressure condition in the front tank. As many as 18,574 vehicles may be affected.
The defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, the fuel level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
In rare circumstances, the front fuel tank could expand and contact a moving drive shaft, which could create a hole in the front fuel tank and allow fuel to leak.
If this happens in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur. Customers may hear a grinding or knocking noise if the over pressurized front fuel tank contacts the moving drive shaft.
Timeline of events
GM originally recalled certain 2011 – 15 heavy duty trucks equipped with gas engines and dual fuel tanks for the same issue starting October 12, 2017.
Although the automaker saw no indications at that time that the condition existed in similar trucks built after 2015, it began to monitor field data for later model years. GM conducted an initial review April 16, 2018 and a subsequent review October 28.
GM’s Open Investigation Review board looked at potentially relevant new field reports identified through the monitoring process November 28 and decided to open an investigation into applicable 2016 – 2018 trucks.
The investigator reviewed the new field data with GM’s subject matter experts.
It was found that the problem may be present in vehicles built before the carmaker began using a new low pressure fuel pump in October 2017, but there was no evidence that the condition existed in vehicles equipped with the new fuel pump.
As with the previous recall, the issue was limited to heavy duty trucks with gas engines and the dual-tank option, and the only trucks produced with those options were the 3500 series chassis-cab vehicles.
The Open Investigation Review board reviewed the results of the investigation on January 28, 2019.
As a result, GM’s Safety & Field Action Decision Authority decided on January 31 to launch a safety recall for heavy duty trucks built between 2016 and 2018, before GM began using the new low-pressure fuel pump.
The solution
The recall began March 5, 2019 when owners were sent an interim notification. A second notification will be issued when the remedy becomes available. Dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump module free of charge.
Dealers will also inspect the front tank and replace if necessary. Courtesy transportation is available for customers whose vehicles are involved in this recall and are within the warranty coverage period. GM’s number for this recall is N182204190.
The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V088000.
To check if your vehicle is part of this recall, use MotorSafety.org’s free look-up tool.
Ford Recalls Over 27,000 Lincoln Continental Vehicles For Door Latch Issue
March 27, 2019
Lincoln Recalls
Laguna Hills, CA – March 27, 2019 – Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2017-2019 Lincoln Continental vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an intermittently functioning door latch motor due to the buildup of silicon contamination, resulting in the door latch not fully engaging. As many as 27,609 vehicles may be affected by this issue.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, the door-latch motors may not operate correctly, potentially resulting in a door not closing completely. A latch that is not fully engaged may allow the door to open suddenly while driving, increasing the risk of injury.
Timeline of Events
The first report of this issue occurred in June 2018 when the Ford data analysis group informed the North American Critical Concerns Review Group of a small number of incidents involving doors that would not close and doors that opened while driving. None of these reports alleged any accidents, injuries or loss of vehicle contents as a result. Engineering then began an initiative to recover the electronic door latch system components from complaint vehicles for suppliers to analyze.
From July through August, an examination of returned parts from the field showed a diagnostic trouble code indicating out of position parts. The customer concern could not be duplicated, however, when the same parts were later tested on a bench or in a vehicle. As part of this investigation, quality control personnel attempted to duplicate the latch performance concerns under various system and electrical conditions, as well as looking at other causes such as component assembly, vehicle level assembly, cable interaction and door alignment. Additional component testing was also done to reproduce the customer allegations and trouble codes, including high and low temperature soaking and cycling.
From September through November, lab analysis revealed small amounts of silicon dioxide on the latch motor commutator, as well as the presence of silicon within the potting material on the printed circuit board of a door latch. As a result, Ford continued its assessment of silicon dioxide contamination on system function.
Based on theoretical engineering analysis from December 2018 to January 2019, Ford felt that it could be possible for a door latch motor contaminated with silicon dioxide to stop its rotation in a way that the latch striker would only be partially engaged. Field data also showed an increase in door latch repairs from September through December 2018.
Ford subsequently contacted dealers and customers to better understand the nature of these repairs and customer experiences. Based on a detailed engineering review of the latch assembly design and performance, Ford felt that if any key component of the latch system were out of position, the driver would receive door ajar warnings and notifications, including a door perceived to be closed that was actually unlatched or in a partially latched condition.
Ford’s Field Review Committee addressed the matter Feb. 4, 2019 and approved a field action. The automaker is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.
The Solution
The recall began March 2019. Ford is notifying Lincoln Continental owners, and dealers will replace the latch assemblies on all four doors, free of charge.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 19S03. 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 19V077000.
