US government investigates Nissan over faulty airbags

US government investigates Nissan over faulty airbags

July 5, 2024 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – July 5, 2024 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) over airbags that may trigger in the absence of an accident. This alleged defect increases the risk of an injury for the occupants of the car.

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect 74,702 2015 Nissan Rogue SUVs.  

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA), opened an investigation on May 31, following “multiple” reports about side curtain airbags deploying when the car doors are slammed or shut.

Risks

Airbags that deploy inadvertently may injure the occupants. In addition, once triggered, the airbags are not functional anymore, meaning they will not there to provide protection if the car is involved into an accident later.

Other Nissan recalls 

In March 2024, Nissan issued a Nissan Rogue recall due to the cars’ seat belts failing to restraint the occupants in the event of a collision, as reported.

In May 2024, Nissan recalled brand new Sentra sedans over a loss of motive power, also as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

The issue could lead to a Nissan airbag recall, possibly affecting approximately 75,000 SUVs. To do a Nissan recall check and see if your car is affected, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Nissan over faulty airbags
US government investigates I.D4 cars whose doors may open while driving

US government investigates I.D4 cars whose doors may open while driving

July 3, 2024 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – July 3, 2024 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) whose car doors may open while driving. This ups the risk of a side collision and could lead to a recall of 51,500 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4 electric cars. 

The affected vehicles were already recalled two separate times but it appears that the remedy was not sufficient.

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on May 16, following 13 complaints of doors opening inadvertently while the vehicle was in motion. Some occupants could not open or close the doors due to inoperable door handles. 

This investigation aims to find out if the repairs carried out during the recalls were sufficient.  

Risks

The defect augments the risk of a side collision.

“Windows covered with water”

One driver complained that the issue escalated from a simple “annoyance” to a “scary safety hazard.” While stopped at the green light, he could not start the car after a door opened on its own and got stuck, preventing him from closing it to get the car going.

Another said that that when she rolled the windows “down then up,” they would be “covered with water.”

Background of the investigation

The door handles on these vehicles were the cause of two previous recalls, one of which took place in May of last year.

Other Volkswagen recalls 

The cars involved in the investigation were recalled in June due to malfunctioning displays, as reported.

In December, Volkswagen recalled I.D4 cars due to sunshades that were deemed flammable, also as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

If this investigation results in another Volkswagen door handle recall, it could affect approximately 50,000 electric cars. To do a Volkswagen recall check and see if your car is affected by this, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates I.D4 cars whose doors may open while driving
US government investigation forces Hyundai to issue third Genesis recall in two months

US government investigation forces Hyundai to issue third Genesis recall in two months

April 18, 2024 Bojan Popic

Fountain Valley, CA – April 18, 2024 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF), which owns the Genesis brand, is recalling 98,878 electric cars that may lose power. The defect ups the risk of a crash and injury, especially in dense traffic. 

Affected models include:

  • 2023 – 2024 Genesis GV60
  • 2023 – 2024 Genesis GV70 EV
  • 2023 – 2024 Genesis GV80 EV
  • 2022 – 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
  • 2023 – 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 

This recall is the result of an ongoing U.S. government investigation and follows over 600 stalling incidents.

Recall summary

The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) is a computer which powers not only the 12-volt electric system but is also responsible for powering the motor.

In the affected vehicles, an electrical overload can blow the charger’s fuse. This would cut off the power supply to the 12-volt battery and cause the car to lose propulsion in approximately 30 minutes after it happens.

Recall risks

For the risks of this recall, please see this article about a GM investigation due to a similar defect.

Warning signs

The ICCU failure may trigger several warnings, including a malfunction indicator warning (MIL) light and a corresponding message on the dashboard, accompanied by an audible chime and “a loud pop.” Drivers may also notice a “rapid reduction in speed.”

Background of the recall

The U.S. government auto-safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into the issue in June 2023 after receiving 30 complaints alleging the loss of motive power from drivers of 2022 Ioniq 5 vehicles.

By the time the recall was launched, the manufacturer learned about 618 “unique incidents” related to the defect. No injuries or crashes have been reported.

Other Hyundai recalls

Hyundai has been long plagued by fire-related recalls.

Several Genesis models were recalled a month ago over wiring issues that may cause them to burst into flames. Some of the same cars were recalled yet again earlier this month due to the same risk.

The repair

Dealers will update the ICCU with an improved software version and, if needed, replace the fuse.  The repair will be free of charge.  

Owners should receive letters with more information on May 14, 2024.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Hyundai power loss recall affects nearly 100,000 electric cars. To do a Hyundai recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigation forces Hyundai to issue third Genesis recall in two months
US government investigates Tesla over alleged steering loss

US government investigates Tesla over alleged steering loss  

February 27, 2024 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C.  – February 27, 2024 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) over allegations about their electric cars may lose power steering. The alleged defect ups the risk of a crash and injury.  

If the investigation leads to a Tesla recall, it could affect an estimated 334,569 vehicles, including:   

  • 2023 Tesla Model 3 
  • 2023 Tesla Model Y   

Investigation summary   

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened a preliminary investigation on July 28, 2023, following 12 complaints about cars losing power steering.

While investigating, the agency uncovered over 2,300 complaints alleging the same thing and received information about a crash associated with the defect.

Steering racks provided by Tesla were identified as the culprit.

The regulator is now taking the investigation to the next level, where it aims to discover what causes the racks to fail.

Risks

Jammed or otherwise inoperable steering makes the vehicle difficult to control, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

‘Significant problems with the steering wheel’

Complaints submitted to NHTSA talk about the steering wheel locking up or becoming “exceedingly stiff” in brand new cars. Drivers had to use “immense manual power” to move the vehicle and reported being “lucky” that these incidents did not occur on major highways.

Safety tips

“Multiple complaints” mentioned that the driver could “temporarily” remedy the problem by turning the car on and off. 

Warning signs 

The loss-of-steering incidents were sometimes accompanied by a “Steering Assist Reduced” warning message and clicking sounds while turning. 

Other Tesla recalls

In January, Tesla recalled more than 2 million of their electric cars because they may crash into first-responder vehicles while cruising on autopilot.  

This month, the manufacturer recalled some of the same cars due to “insufficiently visible display messages,” as reported.

Is your vehicle a part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Tesla steering loss recall, potentially affecting more than 330,000 electric cars. To do a Tesla 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 Tesla over alleged steering loss  
US government investigates GM over stalling Volt hybrids

US government investigates GM over stalling Volt hybrids

January 8, 2024 Bojan Popic ,

Washington, D.C. – January 8, 2024 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating General Motors (NYSE:GM) over allegations that their hybrid sedans may stall while driving. This alleged defect augments the risk of a crash and injury. 

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect an estimated 73,000 of 2016 – 2019 Chevrolet Volt hybrid cars.  

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on November 11, 2023, following 61 complaints of hybrids losing power while driving or failing to start at all. The cars also were also prone to entering the “limp-home” mode or even losing power steering.

Based on the initial findings, this may be caused by a failure of a computer called the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The BECM manages how much electricity is stored in batteries and delivered to the electric motor drivetrain to propel the car forward.

GM previously addressed the issue by instructing dealers to “replace and reprogram” the BECM in 2018 and then again in 2022. It is not clear how many of the affected vehicles have already received the replacements.

Risks

Maneuvering a vehicle that is losing power or stalls can be difficult, especially if it happens in dense, fast-moving traffic. Such situations can lead to a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Warning signs

Based on complaints, “little to no warning” preceded the loss of motive power.  In some cases, though the check the engine or “propulsion power is reduced” warnings would appear on the dashboard prior to the loss of power or failure to start.

Some drivers were unable to switch to the gas mode to resolve the issue.

Other Chevrolet recalls

In December, General Motors recalled Chevrolet Trax and Buick vehicles because their instrument clusters would switch off while driving. 

In January, several GM models, including Chevrolet Silverado and Suburban, were subject of a large-scale recall caused by blinding headlights. 

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a General Motors power loss recall, potentially affecting more than 70,000 hybrids. To do a GM or Chevrolet 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 GM over stalling Volt hybrids
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