Safety Recalls

 
Two separate recalls have been announced by Hyundai and Kia, this time affecting almost 600,000 vehicles.

The affected vehicles in these latest recall notices are: the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV, built from June of 2013 - May of 2015; the Kia Optima sedan, built from June of 2013 - October of 2015; and the Kia Sorento SUV, built from June of 2013 - December of 2014.

Each of the affected vehicles has defective components that are part of the braking system, which could leak brake fluid, and in turn, start a fire in the engine compartment.

Drivers could notice smoke from under the hood, or possibly smells of something burning or melting. Vehicle owners are advised to park these vehicles outside until they have been repaired, because they may catch fire while parked and unattended, and could burn down a garage, home, or other building, causing a serious risk of burns or death.

Hyundai and Kia will start notifying vechicle owners via postal mail starting in mid-October, so they can have their vehicle repaired at a Hyundai or Kia dealership, free of charge.

For more information, vehicle owners can call Hyundai customer service at 800-633-5151 and reference recall number 20V520, or Kia customer service at 800-333-4542 and reference recall number 20V519.

Read more at Consumer Reports: Hyundai and Kia Issue More Fire-Related Recalls

Also at Car and Driver: Hyundai and Kia Recalling 591,000 Vehicles for Fire Hazard

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
Ford Motor's UK division has issued a recall of more than 26,000 plug-in hybrids for a problem that has led to overheating batteries, and in some cases, fires.

The Ford Kuga is the UK sibling of the Ford Escape PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle).

This is the first year the Kuga is available for sale, and they have been snapped up at a fairly brisk pace.

A problem in the charging system with the batteries looks to be the cause of these problems. Ford is recommending that vehicle owners do not charge their vehicle until it is repaired, and place the vehicle in EV Auto mode, so the vehicle can operate off of gas.

While the overheating can occur while the vehicle is charging, Ford has said that is could also happen just while "the vehicle is parked and unattended..."

Ford is contacting Kuga owners via postal mail, so they can have their vehicle repaired at a Ford dealership, free of charge.

Read more at AM Online: Ford suspends Kuga plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales after battery fires

Also at Ford Authority: Ford Kuga PHEV Sales Stopped After Overheating Batteries Cause Fires

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
Volvo has issued a sweeping recall of some 2.1 million vehicles around the world, sold over the last decade and a half.

The vehicles included in this recall are the 2006 - 2019 S60, S60CC, S60L, S80, S80L, V60, V60CC, V70, XC60, and XC70.

The front seatbelts are anchored to the vehicle by a steel cable, and Volvo has discovered that under certain conditions, that cable could become worn and reduce the ability of the seat belts to function properly, thereby increasing the chances of injuries.

Volvo will contact vehicle owners by mail, so they can bring their vehicles to be repaired at a Volvo dealership, free of charge.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also contact Volvo customer service at 800-458-1552 and refernce recall # R10029.

Read more at AM Online: Largest ever recall of 2.1m Volvo cars built between 2006 and 2019

Also at Consumer Reports: Volvos Recalled for Potential Seat Belt Problem

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
On August 4th, four different recalls were issued by Honda, to correct a number of potentially hazardous problems.

The following vehicles are affected by some or all of the recall notices issued by Honda: the 2018 - 2020 Odyssey; the 2019 - 2020 Passport; and the 2019 - 2021 Pilot.

There are two separate recalls that affect the backup cameras. One recall is for software that controls the display of the camera, which can malfunction and cause the display to be delayed, so that it's not in real-time, or not actually displaying at all in some cases. Either of these situations could increase the chances of a collision.

The other camera related recall is for defective rear camera assemblies, which could cause the image to be distorted or possibly not to display at all, which could also be hazardous and increase the chance of a collision.

Another recall involves software for the front display cluster of digital gauges. The malfunctions can cause various items not to display, such as the engine oil light, gear selector position, or the speedometer, all of which could potentially cause hazardous situations, depending on the vehicle's state of operation when the digital gauges fail to display.

The fourth recall of the group currently only affects the 2018 - 2020 Odessey door handle cable in the sliding door. Water can get into these cables for the door latches, and in freezing temperatures, prevent the door from latching properly. If the door came open while the vehicle is in motion, it could increase the chance of people or objects coming out of the vehicle, with potentially serious injuries as a result.

Honda plans to start contacting vechicle owners, regarding the specific recalls that affect their vehicle, by the last week of September, so they can have their vehicle repaired at a Honda dealership, free of charge.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also contact Honda customer service at 888-234-2138 and refernce recall # Y7Y for the camera, and recall # T89 for the digital instrument panel. As of August 12th, a recall number for the Odyssey's door handle cable was not available from Honda.

Read more at Car and Driver: Honda Recalls 600,000-Plus Odyssey Vans, Pilot and Passport SUVs

Also at Amo Mama: Honda Recalls 608,000 Vans and SUVs Because of Faulty Software

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling almost a million vehicles in the U.S. and another 200,000 plus in the rest of North America.

The affected vehicles are 2007 - 2011 Dodge Nitro SUVs and the 2008 - 2010 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.

These vehicles have a plastic emblem on the steering wheel, which is also the cover for the driver's airbag, that is held on by some clips. The clips can loosen over time, and if the airbag deploys, the emblem and clips could fly at the driver with force, causing injury or death.

These airbag covers on the steering wheel need to be replaced with a cover that uses a newer type of clips, which should remedy the problem.

Fiat Chrysler should start notifying vechicle owners in August, so they can have this problem fixed at an FCA dealership, free of charge.

For more information, vehicle owners can call Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403.

Read more at Torque News: Fiat Chrysler Recalling 1.2 Million Older Vehicles

Also at Consumer Reports: Dodge and Chrysler Recall Vehicles to Fix Airbag Covers

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

The Toyota Prius has been a popular car among buyers of electric and hybrid vehicles. However, just like their gasoline counterparts, hybrid and electric vehicles can have their share of problems as well.

A problem has been uncovered by Toyota that prompted them to issue a recall almost 267,000 of the 2013 - 2015 Prius and 2014 - 2017 Prius V Hybrids.

Within the intricate software systems for vehicles like these, is a system called Failsafe Driving Mode. There have been incidences of a software glitch occuring that doesn't allow the vehicle to transfer into this mode when needed, and the vehicle can experience problems such as power loss and stalling, which could increase the chances of a crash.

These problems could lead to a failure of the vehicle's inverter as well.

Toyota has stated that they are aiming to begin contacting owners of these vehicles by August, so they can have any necessary repairs performed, free of charge, at a Toyota dealership.

Toyota Prius owners may be able to obtain some information (although Toyota doesn't guarantee it) prior to being contacted, by going to Toyota.com/recall and providing either their license plate or VIN number.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also contact Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331.

Read more at Newsweek: Toyota Recall: Prius Cars Recalled Over Stalling Trouble and Power Failure

Also at Consumer Reports: Toyota Prius and Prius V Models Are Recalled Because They May Lose Power and Stall

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
The first half of 2020 has seen many recalls issued to re-repair vehicles that were originally repaired in earlier safety recalls.

Ford is now a member of that group, having to issue a recall for more than 2.1 million vehicles - many of which were recalled once before, or even twice in some cases, for the same problem.

The door latches on a number of vehicles have been failing, in what Ford characterizes as "exposure to extreme temperatures".

In these cases, the latch can then fail to secure properly when the vehicle door is closed. In some instances, the door can then come open again while the vehicle is in motion, creating a hazardous situation, and the potential for a collision with another vehicle or other objects.

The wide range of vehicles that are a part of this recall include: the 2011 - 2014 Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback; the 2012 - 2015 Ford Focus sedans and hatchbacks; the 2013 - 2014 Ford Fusion sedan; the 2013 - 2014 Lincoln MKZ sedan; the 2013 - 2015 Ford Escape SUV; the 2013 - 2015 Ford C-MAX wagon; the 2014 - 2016 Ford Transit Connect van; the 2015 Ford Mustang coupe and convertible; the 2015 Lincoln MKC SUV.

Ford will soon start notifying vechicle owners, although a specific date has not been specified, so they can have the door latch repaired at a Ford dealership, free of charge.

For more information, vehicle owners can call Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 20S30.

Read more at MarketWatch: Ford recalls 2.1 million cars because their doors can open while the vehicles are moving — it's the third recall for the same problem

Also at Consumer Reports: Ford and Lincoln Recall Over 2 Million Vehicles to Fix Door Latches

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

In an expansion of an earlier recall, there are now roughly 1.8 million Nissan Altimas with potentially defective hood latches.

This recall includes 2013 - 2018 Nissan Altima sedans, many of which have been previously repaired for the same problem.

The hood latches can become corroded and then fail to properly latch securely.

It's possible for the hood to fly open while the vehicle is in motion, blocking the driver's view of the road, and causing the very real possibility of a crash.

Although a permanent solution hasn't been developed, Nissan expects to start notifying vehicle owners by the beginning of August, so that their vehicles can be repaired, free of charge, at a Nissan dealership.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also contact Nissan customer service at 800-647-7261.

Read more at Car and Driver: Nissan Recalls 1.8 Million Altima Sedans for Faulty Hood Latch

Also at Consumer Reports: Nissan Expands Altima Recall Because of Hoods That Could Open Unexpectedly

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
A recall of more than 136,000 vehicles has been initiated by Honda.

Defects in the fuel pumps of a number of Honda and Acura models are causing them to fail, which could potentially cause a vehicle to experience a loss of power, or stall while being driven, and increase the chances of loss of control or a crash.

The Acura models involved in this recall are: the 2018 - 2019 NSX; the 2019 RDX, RLX, and RLX Sport Hybrid.

The Honda models involved in this recall are: the 2018 - 2019 Accord, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, and HR-V; the 2019 Fit; the 2019 - 2020 Insight.

Honda expects that vehicle owners will start receiving notices by the end of July, to have the fuel pump replaced, free of charge, at a Honda dealership.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also contact Honda customer service at 888-234-2138.

Read more at Consumer Reports: Acuras and Hondas Recalled for Stall Risk

Also at Car and Driver: Honda, Acura Recalling Nearly 140,000 2018–2019 Vehicles for Fuel-Pump Problem

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
Mitsubishi initiated a recall in May, for over 141,000 vehicles in the U.S., and almost 82,000 more in Canada.

This recall stems from certain vehicles that have front suspension parts that can become corroded and rust, caused by salt water, or more specifically road salts that are used by a number of states during their cold winters.

The corrosion and rusting can cause these suspension parts to come apart, which could lead to loss of vehicle control, and potentially a crash.

The vehicles involved in this recall include: the 2008 - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer and 2010 Lancer Sportback; the 2008 - 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander and 2011 - 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

Mitsubishi expects that vehicle owners should begin receiving notifications by mid-July, so they can have their vehicles repaired at a Mitsubishi dealership, free of charge.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also contact Mitsubishi customer service at 888-648-7820 and reference recall number SR-20-003.

Read more at CTV News: Suspension rust problem forces Mitsubishi to recall vehicles in Canada, U.S.

Also at Consumer Reports: Mitsubishi Recalls Cars and SUVs in Northeast and Midwest States for Suspension Problems

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
Subaru is recalling roughly 2000,000 vehicles for faulty low pressure fuel pumps, which could cause a vehicle to stall, increasing the chances of a crash.

The 2019 models included in this recall are: Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, and Outback.

Drivers couild notice a warning light on the dashboard, but this is not certain in every instance.

Subaru will soon begin contacting vehicle owners, so they can have their vehicles repaired, free of charge, at a Subaru dealership.

Read more at WBZ Channel 4, Boston: Subaru Recall: Fuel Pumps Could Fail In Over 200,000 Vehicles

Also at Express: Car recall issued to almost 200,000 popular Subaru cars because of simple fuel pump glitch

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
We all know the saying, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall", but it's also true that the bigger they are, the longer it takes them to stop.

Semi truck drivers depend on having good, properly working brakes as much, or more, than just about anyone else on the road.

The latest recall affecting a huge number of semi trucks, is due to a problem that could prevent the ABS warning light from lighting up when the ABS system is not working.

With that system not funtioning, when the driver thinks that it is, it could increase the possibility of a crash. In some of these trucks, this defect could actually cause unrelated lights to inadvertantly illuminate.

The following models are included in the more than 455,000 vehicles being recalled by PACCAR, the company that owns Kenworth Truck Co. and Peterbilt Motors: the 2008 - 2019 Peterbilt 330, 335, 337, 340, 348, 365, 367, 384, 386, 387, 388, 389, 567, 579, and 587; the 2008 - 2020 Kenworth T170, T270, T370, T660, T680, T800, T880, and W900.

PACCAR expects to begin contacting affected truck owners by mid-June, so they can have their rigs repaired, free of charge.

For more information, affected Kenworth & Peterbilt owners may also call Kenworth customer service at 425-828-5888 and reference recall number 20KWB, or Peterbilt customer service at 940-591-4220 and reference recall number 20PBC.

Read more at CDL Life: More than 450,000 Kenworths and Peterbilts recalled for warning light defect that could increase crash risk

Also at Yahoo Finance: PACCAR Recalls 12 Years Of Trucks For Warning Light Failures

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Trucks and SUVs are more popular than ever, and with that popularity has also come problems.

Ford has seen more than their fair share of recalls, and this latest recall affects more than 55,000 F-150 and Ranger pickup trucks, as well as Expedition SUVs with the Police Package option, all built in early 2020.

A small clip, that is part of the shifter assembly for the transmission, could have been installed improperly. If the clip comes loose, it could create a situation where the vehicle may not be in park, when it appears to be, and in some cases, may even allow the driver to remove the key from the ignition.

If the vehicle is not actually in park, and the brake is not applied, the vehicle could unexpectedly start to roll, increasing the possibility of a crash and/or injuries.

Ford expects to start notifying vehicle owners by the end of April, so that their vehicles can be repaired, free of charge, at a Ford dealership.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 20S18.

Read more at WCVB News Channel 5, Massachusetts: More than 55,000 Ford vehicles recalled due to gear shifting issue

Also at Consumer Reports: New Ford F-150, Ranger Trucks Recalled Due to Shifter Problem

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
Backup cameras have become an important part of the overall safety system in the newer vehicles we drive these days.

Vehicle owners are becoming accustomed to being able to trust what they see in these cameras, and now, a certain problem in some vehicles may jeopardize that confidence until it is fixed.

More than 318,000 vehicles outfitted with 8.4-inch or 12-inch displays are being recalled by Fiat Chrysler for a software glitch that can allow the last image in the backup camera to remain on the display for an extended period of time, after the car has been shifted out of reverse.

If a driver looked at that image while driving, it could startle or distract the driver, and increase the chance of a crash.

The list of vehicles affected by this problem includes: the 2019 Dodge Challenger coupe; the 2019 - 2020 Chrysler Pacifica minivan; the 2019 - 2020 Dodge Durango SUV, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, & Ram 3500 pickup truck; the 2019 - 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade SUV; the 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee.

Fiat Chrysler will start notifying vechicle owners near the end of May, so they can have the affected software updated, free of charge.

For more information, vehicle owners can call Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403 and reference recall number W30-W37.

Read more at MSN Autos: Over 300,000 Jeep, Ram and Dodge vehicles recalled for glitchy backup cameras

Also at Consumer Reports: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram Models Recalled Due to Rearview Display Issues

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

This latest recall may not seems like a large number compared to the more tham 41 million vehicles that have already been recalled for potentially defective Takata airbags, but, yet again, another recall, this time from Nissan-Infinity for some 216,000 plus vehicles, adds to the overall total of these potentially lethally exploding airbags.

Perhaps the automotive industry should just recall every vehicle that was ever outfitted with a Takata airbag.

Like the recalls that have come before, the propellant that is used to deploy the airbags can, over time and under certain environmental conditions, become unstable and cause the airbags to erupt from their housing with such force, that shrapnel from the canisters can fly out into the passenger compartment, potentially injuring or killing the people in that vehicle.

The vehicles involved in this recall include: the 2011 - 2012 Infiniti QX56 SUV; the 2012 - 2017 Nissan NV cargo van; the 2013 - 2015 Nissan Armada SUV; and the 2013 - 2015 Nissan Titan pickup truck.

Nissan expects to start notifying vehicle owners by the end of May, so that they can schedule appointments to have their vehicles repaired, free of charge, at Nissan and Infinity dealerships.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also contact Nissan customer service at 800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 800-662-6200.

Read more at ABC Action News Channel 6, Philadelphia: Nissan recalls over 250K vehicles to replace Takata air bags

Also at Consumer Reports: 216,678 Nissan and Infiniti Vehicles Recalled for Dangerous Takata Airbags

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
In late March, Ford issued a recall for roughly 268,000 vehicles, mostly in the U.S. and Canada.

Very warm weather, which seems to be more and more common for much of the U.S. during the summer, can cause certain door latches to crack and fail.

The affected vehicles include the 2014 - 2015 Ford Fiesta, the 2014 - 2016 Ford Fusion sedan, and the 2014 - 2016 Lincoln MKZ sedan.

Problems arising from these faulty door latches include the car door(s) not being able to properly close, or even a door opening while the vehicle is in motion, which could potentially lead to a crash or injuries.

Ford will contact vehicle owners so they can have their vehicles repaired, free of charge, at a Ford dealership.

For more information, vehicle owners can call Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 20S15.

Read more at WWMT Channel 3: Ford Motor Co. issues recalls for North America, Canada

Also at Consumer Reports: Ford Recalls Almost 250,000 Cars Because Doors Could Open While Driving

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Industrial manufacturer PACCAR Inc. is recalling more than 35,000 Peterbilt semi trucks for a potential fire risk.

Included in the recall are 2015 - 2020 Peterbilt tractor models 365, 389, 567, and 579.

At issue is a cable for certain left-hand jumper terminals, that was made to long for the space that it's in, which could allow it to rub back and forth on the left front suspension spring, and wear away the protective insulation, which could cause a short circuit, and potentially catch on fire.

PACCAR expects to begin contacting affected owners at the beginning of May, so they can have the affected cable replaced, free of charge.

For more information, affected owners may also call PACCAR customer service at 940-591-4220 and reference recall number 20PBA.

Read more at CDLLife: 35,000 Peterbilts recalled for defect that could cause truck to catch fire

Also at Truckers News: Two recalls issued for Peterbilts

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
On March 13th, Volvo issued a recall for roughly 736,000 vehicles produced in 2019 and 2020.

The following models are included in the recall: XC40, XC60, & XC90 crossovers and SUVs; S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90 & V90CC sedans and wagons.

The problem stems from the Automatic Emergency Brake system, with sensors and software algorithms that decide when the vehicle may need to preemptively apply braking on the driver's behalf. It has been found to not function properly on occasion.

In a statement, Volvo indicated that "...the autobrake support system may not function as intended in certain situations and temperatures. This means that the AEB support system may not automatically brake the car as intended".

Volvo maintains that "...the regular brake system in these cars is not affected, meaning that the cars are safe to use."

When a fix has been finalized, affected veicle owners will be contacted by Volvo to have their vehicle repaired at a Volvo dealership, free of charge.

Read more at MSN Money: Volvo recalls 736,000 cars for autobrake issues

Also at Malay Mail: Volvo recalls 736,000 cars for autobrake issues

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
In Early March, Hyundai Motors stated that it is issuing a recall for nearly 207,000 2013 - 2014 Sonata sedans.

Over time, the heat in the engine compartment can cause fuel lines connected to the fuel pump to crack.

If a cracked fuel line leaks fuel, it can potentially lead to a fire, and subsequent injuries or deaths.

Hyundai now recommends that vehicles are parked outside until the recall repair can be performed.

Hyundai is hoping to begin the official recall period by the end of April, although, as of mid-March, they have not yet finalized a solution.

Vehicle owners will be contacted to have their Sonata repaired, free of charge, at a Hyundai dealership.

Affected owners may also call Hyundai customer service at 855-371-9460 and reference recall number 189.

Read more at WTOP News: Hyundai joins Kia in another recall to prevent engine fires

Also at Consumer Reports: Hyundai Sonatas Recalled for Fuel Leak and Fire Risk

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
Roughly 51,000 Kia Sedona minvans in the U.S. and an additional 3,000 of these 2011 and 2012 models in Canada are being recalled.

Fuel lines that connect to the fuel pump can develop cracks, over time, from being exposed to the ongoing heat in the engine compartment.

Fuel from these cracked fuel lines could leak and catch on fire. Injuries or deaths could result from such a fire.

The recall period is expected to begin by mid-April, once Kia has replacement parts figured out. Affected vehicle owners will be able to have their vehicles repaired for free, once they are notified by mail.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also call Kia customer service at 888-327-4236 and reference recall number SC188.

Read more at Consumer Reports: Kia Sedona Minivan Is Recalled Due to a Fire Risk

Also at auto123: KIA CANADA RECALLING AROUND 3,000 SEDONAS DUE TO POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
More than 1.1 million vehicles are being added to an earlier recall of almost 700,000 others by Toyota and Lexus. A defective fuel pump, that resides inside the fuel tank, can fail without warning, which could increase the chance of a crash if it happens while the vehicle is on the road.

There are no replacement fuel pumps for these vehicles, as of the beginning of March. Toyota and Lexus engineers are still working on a replacement solution.

The full list of known vehicles is as follows:

2013 - 2015 Lexus LS 460 sedans

2013 - 2014 Lexus GS 350 sedans

2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUVs; Lexus IS-F sedans

2014 - 2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser; Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 SUVs

2014 - 2015 Lexus IS350 sedans

2015 Lexus NX 200t SUVs and RC 350 coupes

2017 Lexus IS 200t sedans and RC 200t coupes

2017 - 2019 Toyota Sienna minivans; Lexus RX 350 SUVs

2018 Lexus GS 300 sedans

2018 - 2019 Toyota Avalon, Camry, and Corolla; Lexus ES 350, GS 350, IS 300, IS 350, LS 500, and LS500h

2018 - 2019 Toyota Highlander and Sequoia SUVs and Tacoma and Tundra trucks

2018 - 2019 Lexus LC 500, LC 500h, RC 300, and RC350 coupes and RX 350L SUVs

 
Toyota expects to begin contacting vehicle owners by mid-March, and when a repair solution is finally available, affected vehicle owners will be contacted, so that their vehicles can be repaired, free of charge, at Toyota and Lexus dealerships.

For more information, vehicle owners can call Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331 and reference recall numbers 20TB02 and 20TA02, or Lexus customer service at 800-255-3987 and reference recall numbers 20LB01 and 20LA01.

Read more at Auto Blog: Toyota adds more than 1.1 million vehicles to previous fuel pump recall

Also at Consumer Reports: Toyota and Lexus Recall Cars That Can Stall Abruptly While Driving

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
When LED headlights were first proposed by auto makers, many thought they just wouldn't be bright enough to replace traditional headlights.

Now, just the opposite is true, and Ford is recalling just over 217,000 F-150 pickup trucks in the U.S. and Canada for headlights that can be bright enough to cause problems for oncoming drivers.

F-150s with LED headlights for the 2018 - 2020 model years have an anomoly in the software that controls them, so that when a driver manually switches on the low beams, the daytime running lights stay on, and the combination of both sets of lights being lit at the same time can create a situation where an oncoming driver's vision is impared, which increases the chance of a crash.

Eventually, Ford wll contact affected vehicle owners to have the software updated to fix the problem, free of charge, at a Ford dealership. As of early March, a solution has not been finalized.

For more information, affected vehicle owners may also call Ford customer service at 800-392-3673 and reference recall number 20C03.

Read more at PowerNation: Ford Is Recalling 217,000 F-150s For Headlights That Are Too Bright

Also at Consumer Reports: Ford F-150 Pickup Trucks Recalled Because Their Headlights Are Too Bright

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
In a move mirroring its' sister company, Hyundai, Kia has issued a recall of more than 228,000 vehicles that are at risk of catching on fire.

This recall covers Sedona minivans from 2006 - 2010 and Sorento SUVs from 2007 - 2009.

This safety risk arises due to the design of the housing for the Antilock Brake System (ABS) electronics, which can allow moisture inside. The moisture could cause the electronics to short circuit. This could cause a fire, and potentially cause injuries, death, and/or property damage.

Kia plans to begin contacting vehicle owners in April, and Kia dealerships will repair these vehicles free of charge.

For questions and additional information, affected owners can call Kia customer service at 800-333-4542 and reference recall number SC186.

Read more at Market Watch: Kia recalls more than 200,000 vehicles over electrical problem that can cause fires

Also at Consumer Reports: Kia Sedona Minivans and Sorento SUVs Are Recalled Due to a Fire Risk

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
Some 211,000 vehicles, along with several thousand from abroad, are being recalled by Ford.

Part of the rear suspension called the toe link could fracture under certain conditions. This could lead to loss of vehicle control and a potential crash.

Included in this recall are the Ford Flex, Taurus police car, Taurus SHO, and Lincoln MKT from 2013 - 2018.

Ford will begin contacting vehicle owners in March, so they can bring their vehicles to Ford dealership to be repaired at no cost to the owners.

Read more at WGN Channel 9, Chicago: Ford recalls over 240K vehicles to fix suspension problem

Also at Car and Driver: Ford Recalls Flex, Lincoln MKT over Suspension Flaws

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

An issue with some of the bolts used in almost 15,000 units of the Tesla model X, built before mid-October of 2016, has prompted a recall by Tesla.

The bolts are in the power steering system, and under certain conditions, notably in areas where road salts are used, these bolts can become corroded and potentially fail.

The power steering system could stop working, and while the vehicle could still be steered, it would be more difficult, and that, combined with the surprise to the driver of what is happening, could increase the chances of an accident.

Tesla, in acknowledging this situation, has stated that affected vehicle owners will be contacted to have their vehicles repaired, free of charge. Att he time of this writing, Tesla is still waiting on the new supply of upgraded bolts to perform the repairs.

Read more at Reuters: Tesla recalls 15,000 Model X SUVs for power steering issue in North America

Also at Consumer Reports: Tesla Recalls Model X for Steering Issue

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

The 2006 - 2001 Hyundai Elantra sedan and 2007 - 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring wagon are the subject of a recall for just over 429,000 vehicles from Hyundai Motor America.

Due to a faulty Antilock Braking System (ABS) module that can allow moisture inside it, the potential exists that "...an electrical short in the ABS unit may cause an electrical fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing risk of an injury," according to Hyundai's statement to NHTSA.

The fact that this can occur, even when the vehicle is off, makes it dangerous to park it inside a garage or next to any flammable structure or objects.

A spokesperson for Hyundai also stated that "When the vehicle is on, short circuits are preceded by other noticeable symptoms..." such as the ABS dashboard light coming on, or unusal noises.

Hyundai expects to begin contacting vehicle owners beginning in April, and a Hyundai dealership will repair these vehicles at no cost to the owners.

Affected owners may also call Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and reference recall number 188.

Read more at Consumer Reports: Hyundai Elantras Recalled for Fire Risk

Also at Automotive News: Hyundai recalls nearly 430,000 U.S. vehicles over possible short circuit

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Due to a lower control arm bracket weld on the left side that may have been welded out of position, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced a recall of 2020 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited vehicles. 3005 Jeeps are affected by this recall.

FCA has confirmed that affected vehicles could have that control arm separate from the vehicle, which could increase the chance of a crash, or injury from debris, if the control arm were to strike the ground while the vehicle was in motion.

Fiat Chrysler expects to begin contacting vehicle owners in mid-March. Repairs will be performed at no cost to the owners.

Vehicle owners may also contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403 and reference recall number W01.

Read more at Mopar Insiders: FCA Recalls 3,005 2020 Jeep Wrangler Models For Control Arm Weld Issues

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

General Motors is starting off 2020 on a bit of a bumpy road, it would seem.

GM finds itself having to recall a significant number of 2019 Chevy Sliverados, GMC Sierras, and a smaller number of Cadillac CT6s beause a fix for an earlier recall has caused new problems for some vehicle owners.

Near the end of 2019, GM issued a recall for these vehicles, due to a software error that could potentially disable the antilock brake systems and electronic stability control.

As it turns out, the software update designed to correct those errors could actually cause failure of the electronic braking system. In cases so far, this failure seems to happen when someone uses the OnStar app to start the vehicle.

Vehicle owners were able to start having their vehicles repaired in mid-January, free of charge, to correct this latest problem.

Read more at Detroit Free Press: GM recall causes brake failure in potentially thousands of pickups

Also at Car and Driver: GM Recalling Silverado, Sierra for Second Time for Brake-Failure Issue

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Recently, Honda Motors has identified more than 1.5 million vehicles that it has added to its' list of recalled vehicles with potentially dangerous Takata airbags.

What makes this group significant is that the majority of these models are older than most previously known vehicles, with some being sold back in the late 1990's.

Like some other recalled vehicles with non-Azide Takata airbags, when these airbags malfunction, they can either underinflate, which may not protect passengers well enough, or the propellant canisters can explode too forcefully and send metal fragments into the vehicle's passenger compartment, which could injure or kill people in the vehicle at the time.

The vehicles in this latest batch include: 1997 - 1998 Acura 2.2CL coupes, 1998 - 1999 Acura 2.3CL coupes, 1997 - 1999 Acura 3.0CL coupes, 2001 Acura 3.2CL coupes, 2001 Acura MDX SUVs, 1998 - 2000 Acura 3.5RL sedans, 1999 - 2000 Acura 3.2TL sedans, 1998 - 2000 Honda Accord sedans and coupes, 1998 - 2000 Honda Civic sedans, 1998 - 2000 Honda Odyssey minivans, 1996 -2000 Honda Civic coupes, 1997 - 2000 Honda CR-V SUVs, 1997 - 1998 Honda EV Plus hatchbacks, and 1998 - 1999 Isuzu Oasis minivans.

Although the recall is expected to begin with customers being contacted in early March, vehicle owners will still have to wait for an unknown period of time before replacement parts are actually avaialble for their particular vehicle, at which time they will receive another letter with information about scheduling the repair for their vehicle, which will be performed free of charge at a Honda dealership.

Affected vehicle owners may also call Honda/Acura customer service at 888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 866-441-9638 for more information.

Read more at Consumer Reports: Honda and Acura Recall Over 1.5 Million Cars for an Airbag Problem

Also at Cnet RoadShow: Takata airbag issue lands at Honda again, 1.5 million cars recalled

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Nissan has just announced a recall of roughly 346,000 vehicles in which it will replace "temporary" airbags that were installed to replace originally faulty Takata airbags.

The "temporary" airbags essentially, are the same type of Takata airbags that are part of the millions that have been recalled over the last several years, just newer, so that the unstable propellant used in them will not have had as long a time to degrade as in the airbags they were replacing.

This time, these vehicle will receive airbags of a newer generation, that should be free of defects.

The following vehicles are included in this group: the 2001 - 2003 Maxima, 2002 - 2004 Pathfinder, 2002 - 2006 Sentra, and the 2007 - 2011 Versa hatchback and sedan from Nissan, as well as the 2001 - 2004 I30 and I35, 2002 - 2003 QX4, 2003 - 2008 FX35 and FX45, an the 2006 - 2010 M35 and M45 from Infinity.

Nissan will contact vehicle owners, who will be able to have the repairs performed for free at their respective Nissan and Infinity dealerships.

For more information, vehicle owners may also call Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Read more at ABC News channel 7, New York: Nissan recalls nearly 346,000 vehicles to replace Takata air bag inflators

Also at Consumer Reports: Nissan and Infiniti Recall More Than 300,000 Vehicles to Replace Defective Airbags

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Daimler AG's, Mercedes-Benz division is recalling roughly 745,000 vehicles for a potentially dangerous sunroof situation.

The vehicles at issue are: 2001 - 2007 C-Class coupes, sedans, and wagons; 2003 - 2009 CLK-Class coupes; 2003 - 2009 E-Class sedans and wagons; 2006 - 2011 CLS-Class sedans.

The bonding adhesive that "glues" the glass sunroof panel to the sunroof frame can degrade over time, and potentially allow the glass panel to come off the frame while the vehicle is in motion.

This could cause a hazardous situation, especially for vehicles behind that one, and increase the potential for a crash or vehicle damage.

Vehicle owners should start being contacted in mid-February, and will be able to have the defect fixed for free at a Mercedes dealership.

For more information, affected vehicle owners can call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and reference NHTSA campaign number 19V918.

Read more at Live Mint: Mercedes-Benz recalls 745,000 cars for faulty sunroofs

Also at Consumer Reports: Mercedes-Benz Recalls Cars for Sunroofs That Could Detach

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Following up on a previously reported recall of over a half million Ford Super Duty pickup trucks, Ford has announced they have a fix for it....   tape.

The recall in question is for a carpet fire risk, due to sealbelt pretensioners potentially causing sparks when engaged.

The carpet and insulation in question appear to be in an area that is not visible, so Ford is choosing use use a particular metal ducting tape, popular with the air conditioning repair industry, to cover the areas that could be exposed to any sparks.

Obviously, for most consumers, a preferable solution would be one in which the seatbelt pretensioners no longer cause any sparks.

For more information, affected vehicle owners can call Ford customer service at 800-392-3673 and reference recall number 19S52.

Read more (with pitures) at Motor 1: Ford Super Duty Recall Solution Is To Use Some Tape On It

Also at Consumer Reports: Ford Recalls Super Duty SuperCrew Trucks Due to Fire Risk

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

A potentially defective hydraulic control unit for the braking systems of some 2006 - 2010 Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, and Mercury Milan sedans has prompted for to issue a recall of just over 600,000 of these vehicles.

At issue is a situation where some of these units can stick open and make the driver have to push the pedal down farther and harder in order for the brakes to engage.

The extra required effort, which would be unexpected to the driver, could increse the chance of a crash.

Ford will begin contacting affected vehicle owners in mid-January of 2020, who will be able to have the problem repaired free of charge at a Ford dealership.

For more information, vehicle owners may call Ford customer service at 800-392-3673 and reference recall number 19S54.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Ford Recalls More Than 600,000 Vehicles Over Hydraulic Defect

Also at Consumer Reports: Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury Sedans Recalled for Faulty Brakes

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

General Motors has rolled out two recalls that together, affect over 900,000 vehicles, most of which are lolcated in the United States.

The first recall is for 2019 models, including: Cadillac CT6 sedans, Chevy Silverado 1500 pickups, and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups.

At issue is the service brake system notification software, which could malfunction and disable the anti-lock brake system or the electronic stability control. In certain circumstances, that could lead to a crash. The instrument cluster alert light would also not activate.

The other recall affects 2019 and 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups.

These trucks could have rings on the battery's positive cable that were made with too much glue, and could catch fire, which could lead to a crash and/or injuries.

GM dealerships will repair affected vehicles free of charge.

Read more at Automotive News: GM issues two recalls for more than 900,000 vehicles worldwide for brake, battery problems

Watch the report at MSN: General Motors announces worldwide recall of over 900K vehicles

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

A newer series of Takata airbags are having similar, disastrous problems, like so many millions of other vehicles that have alreay been recalled over the last several years.

This time, a different type of inflator, called a Non-Azide inflator, is experiencing defective behavior.

The manufacturing defect is allowing them to absorb moisture, and this can lead to a situation when the inflators deploy, that they either underinflate, or explode and send metal fragments into the vehicle compartment (like the millions of other previously recalled Takata airbags).

In either case, the malfunctioning airbags can lead to injuries, and even deaths.

The airbag systems that contain these Non-Azide airbag inflators, that were made by Takata between 1995 - 1999, can be found in vehicles from Audi, BMW, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota.

Read more at People Magazine: 1.4 Million Cars — Including Toyotas, BMWs — Recalled Over Exploding Airbags Shooting Shrapnel

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Beginning in December, Nissan Motors will begin contacting vehicle owners for a dangerous potential brake fluid leak, that could lead to a vehicle catching on fire.

The vehicles affected by the recall are: the 2015 to 2018 Nissan Murano SUV, the 2016 to 2018 Nissan Maxima sedan, and the 2017 to 2019 Infiniti QX60 and Nissan Pathfinder SUVs.

A faulty seal in a pump for the Anti-lock brake system may allow fluid to leak onto a circuit board, and could catch fire.

Affected owners should be aware "...if the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle."

Vehicle owners will be able to have their vehicles repaired free of charge at their respective Nissan or Infinity dealerships.

For more information, vehicle owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 and reference recall number 19V807000.

Read more at NPR: Nissan Is Recalling Nearly 400,000 Vehicles Over Potential Fire Hazard

Also read NHTSA's letter to Nissan: Brake Fluid Can Leak Into ABS Pump and Ignite

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

By the end of November, Ford expects to begin contacting owners of 2019 and 2020 F-150 pickup trucks regarding a potential problem with the vehicle's battery cable.

A fastener that connects the cable to the battery may not be secured properly and could become loose.

In certain instances, engines could stall, and smoke, sparks, and/or shorting could occur, including the possibility of a fire starting.

Vehicle owners will be able to bring their affected truck to a Ford dealership and have the problem corrected free of charge.

For more information, vehicle owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 19S40.

Read more at the Houston Chronicle: Ford recalls F-150s; loose cable can cause stalling or fires

Also at Consumer Reports: Ford Recalls F-150 Pickup Trucks for Battery Problem

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

 
Not too long after Subaru's Forester recall, the company has issued two more recalls for engine related problems.

About 205,000 vehicles are affected by a defect in the positive crankcase ventilation valve. The valve can literally fall apart, and debris from the valve can get into the engine, causing a loss of power.

The 2017 - 2019 Impreza and the 2018 Crossrek are the vehicles subject to this recall.

Subaru is also recalling 466,000 2017 - 2019 Impreza sedans and hatchbacks and 2018 - 2019 Crosstrek SUVs for a problem with the engine's computer. In some cases, the computer could keep supplying power to the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could blow out the fuse and cause a short circuit. If this happened while someone was driving the vehicle, it could increase the possiblity of a crash.

Vehicle owners are expected to begin being contacted by Subaru, starting in December, to have their vehicle repaired at a Subaru dealership, free of charge.

Subaru owners may also contact Subaru customer service at (844) 373-6614 for more information.

Read more at Torque News: Subaru Hit With Another Huge Recall Affecting New Crosstrek And Impreza Models

Also at KDKA Channel 2 Pittsburgh, PA: Subaru Recalls Cars, SUVs Due To Engine Control, Debris Trouble

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

An airbag problem that, at least this time, has nothing to do with Takata, has prompted Subaru to recall more than 366,000 of its' popular Forester SUVs, manufactured between 2015 - 2018.

In models with heated seats, there is a deficiency in one of the electrical connections, which could come loose and deactivate the airbag, whether or not a passenger is in the seat.

If the vehicle was involved in a crash, there would be a higher chance of a passenger sustaining greater injuries.

Starting November 29th, Subaru will begin notifying affected vehicle owners, so they may have their vehicle repaired, free of charge, at a Subaru dealership.

For more information, Forester owners may contact Subaru's customer service at (844) 373-6614 and reference recall # WUM-98.

Read more at WCAX Channel 3: Subaru recalls some Foresters due to airbag issue

Also at Consumer Reports: Subaru Forester SUVs Recalled for Airbag Deactivation Risk

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

In late November of 2019, BMW expects to begin a recall that will cover almost every vehicle they've built since 2018, which even includes two Rolls-Royce models, and the Toyota Supra.

At issue are the software settings for the vehicles' backup cameras. Currently, drivers are able to adjust brightness and contrast in such a way that the image would no longer be visible, and the vehicle may retain those settings, even after the vehicle is shut off, then started and put into reverse again.

Fortuantely, the fix will be fairly easy for BMW dealerships to fix, free of charge, for vehicle owners. A software update will take care of the problem.

The following list of vehicles built between 2018 - 2020 is extensive: BMW 330i, 530e, 530i, 540d, 540i, 640i, 740le, 740li, 745le, 750li, 840i, M340i, M5, M550i, M850i, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, Z4; Rolls-Royce Cullinan & Phantom; Toyota Supra.

For more information, vehicle owners may also call BMW customer service at (800) 525-7417, Rolls-Royce customer service at (877) 877-3735, or Toyota customer service at (888) 270-9371.

Read more at Consumers Reports: BMW Is Recalling More Than 250,000 Vehicles Due to Back-Over Concerns

Also at Motor1: BMW Recalls Nearly All Of Its Vehicles Built Since 2018

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

On October 2nd, Ford Motor Company issued two separate recalls.

The first recall involves their 2019 F-Series Super Duty pickup trucks.

A manufacturing flaw may lead to a fractured axle shaft. If the vehicle is in two-wheel drive, the vehicle could experience "a loss of motive power" which could lead to a crash. If the vehicle is parked, without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle could experience "unintended vehicle movement" which could also lead to a crash.

Almost 32,000 vehicles are affected by this recall. Ford's reference number is 19S31.

The second recall involves the 2020 Ford Explorer SUV.

In some Explorers, an improperly secured wiring harness could come into contact with the air-conditioning pulley. If the wiring harness is damaged, it could lead to a short circuit and even a potential fire.

Over 10,000 vehicles are affected by this recall. Ford's reference number is 19S32.

For both of these recalls, owners will be notified and vehicles will be repaired free of charge. For more information, vehicle owners may also call Ford customer service at (800) 392-3673 and reference the appropriate recall number.

Read more at Blackburn News: Ford issues recalls for two popular models

Also at Ford Motor Company: FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUES TWO SAFETY RECALLS, AMENDS A PREVIOUS RECALL

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

GM and its' Chevrolet division are recalling well over 10,000 flip-style key/fob combos for a second time.

This key was already recalled, but dealerships continued to sell these as replacement parts well after the recall had already been in effect.

This recall affects the 2010 - 2015 (5th generation) Chevy Camaro.

The flip-key/fob units will be replaced with a redesigned model, free of charge, at Chevrolet dealerships.

For more information, Camaro owners may call GM customer service at (586) 596-1733 or Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020 and reference recall # N192223230.

Read more at Jalopnik: GM Kept Selling Replacement Keys It Already Recalled, Has To Recall Them Again

Also at Consumers Reports: GM Kept Selling Defective Key Years After Recalling It

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Chevrolet is recalling roughly 300 Equinox SUVs from the 2019 and 2020 model years.

Due to an imperfection in the manufacturing of the fuel tanks on some all-wheel-drive models, there is the chance that fuel could leak out from the improperly sealed seam.

If this were to happen while an ignition source was present, such as high heat or a spark, it could potentially start a fire.

GM will notify owners of the affected vehicles, and a Chevrolet dealership will replace the fuel tank for free.

For more information, Equinox owners may call GM customer service at (586) 596-1733 or Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020 and reference recall # N192271870.

Read more at GM Authority: 2019-2020 Chevrolet Equinox Recalled Over Fire Risk

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

A fault in the way some setting are managed in the backup camera software has prompted Nissan to recall between 1.2 and 1.3 million 2018 & 2019 Nissan and Infinity vehicles.

The Infinity models involved in this recall include: Q50, Q60, Q70, Q70L, QX30, QX50, QX60, and QX80.

The Nissan models involved in this recall include: GT-R, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, Note, NV, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, and Versa.

A software update will fix this problem, and will be performed free of charge at Nissan and Infinity dealerships.

Vehicle owners should be notified by Nissan between late October and early November.

For more information, vehicle owners may also call Infiniti customer service at 800-662-6200 or Nissan customer service at 800-867-7669 and reference recall # 19S29.

Read more at New York Post: Nissan recalls 1.3 million vehicles over faulty backup cameras

Also at Consumers Reports: More Than 1.2 Million Infiniti and Nissan Cars, SUVs, and Trucks Recalled

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Adding to an earlier recall from April of 2019, GM now has a total of just over 206,000 2015 - 2019 Chevy Trax SUVs.

The recall is focused on improper welds used to assemble the lower control arms, which are part of the vehicle's suspension.

If the welds fail, the vehicle could have steering problems, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

As of September 20th, vehicle owners have not yet been officially notified, but once they are, Chevrolet dealerships will inspect and fix affected vehicles free of charge.

For additional information, Chevy Trax owners may call Chevrolet's customer service at 800-222-1020 and reference recall numbers A182202370 and A192261870.

Read more at NBC Chicago Channel 5: GM Recalls Chevrolet Small SUVs; Suspension Welds Can Break

Also at Consumer Reports: Chevrolet Trax SUVs Are Recalled Due to a Faulty Suspension Part

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Although dealers were notified in the beginning of September, as of September 20th, customers have not yet been officially notified by Chevrolet or GM about this latest recall affecting over 177,000 2018 Malibu sedans.

The problem with these vehicles is a software bug in the Engine Control Module, that in turn, controls the fuel injectors in these 1.5 liter engines.

If the data in the ECM becomes corrupted, the fuel injectors could be disabled. If the vehicle was in operation, the engine would stall, thereby increasing the chance of a crash.

Once Chevrolet has finalized a fix, affected Malibu owners will be notified, and will be able to have their vehicle fixed free of charge at a Chevrolet dealership.

For more information, vehicle owners may contact GM's customer service at 800-630-2438 and reference recall number N192221960.

Read more at Cnet Roadshow: 2018 Chevy Malibu recalled for software bug that may kill fuel injectors

Also at Consumers Reports: Chevrolet Malibu Recalled for Engine Problems

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

On Friday, September 13th, Ford announced a recall of 338,332 Explorer SUVs, for what it described as an "improperly coined seat-frame edge", or to put it more plainly, a seat edge where the material was not ground down until it was smooth enough.

All of the affected vehicles are 2017 models, with powered seats. The area in question is on the side of the seat frame near the center console.

Ford will use a special tape to fix the affected area, free of charge, when owners bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership, once they've been notified by the company.

For more information, vehicle owners may contact Ford at 800-392-3673 and reference recall number 19S29.

Read more at Jalopnik: Ford Recalls 340,000 Explorers Because People Keep Injuring Their Hands On Sharp Seat Frames

Also at Consumer Reports: Ford Explorer Recalled for Sharp Edges on Seats

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Adding to an earlier recall, which began in May of 2019, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has recalled another batch of over 693,000 pickup trucks, because the power locking tailgates can unexpectedly open when the vehicle is in operation.

A tab in the latching system can break, which could lead to the tailgate opening without warning.

The affected vehicles include various 2013 - 2018 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, & 3500 pickup trucks.

Vehicle owners that are included in this latest recall should start receiving notices around mid October, and can have their vehicle repaired free of charge at a Chrysler/Dodge dealership.

Read more at Automotive News: FCA adds 693,000 Rams to tailgate recall

Also at WBIW Channel 13: Ram adds 693,000 pickups to recall list

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

With multiple crashes and injuries already reported, pressure from the federal government has GM finally issuing a recall for approximately 3,770,000 vehicles.

The vacuum pump in the power assist brake system installed in some vehicles can lose efficiency, thereby increasing stopping distances, and potentially lead to a crash and injuries.

The vehicles affected by this recall include: the 2014 - 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 & 3500 pickup trucks; the 2015 - 2017 Cadillac Escalade SUV; and the 2015 - 2018 GMC Yukon, Chevy Suburban & Tahoe SUVs.

In part of the statement based on their investigation, NHTSA said that "vehicles may experience brake boost failure, which would require increased brake pedal effort, leading to a hard brake pedal feel, and potentially increased stopping distance."

Vehicle owners will start to be notified in September, and Cadillac, Chevrolet, & GM dealerships will fix respective owners' vehicles free of charge.

Read more at WBIW Channel 13: GM recalls nearly 3.8M pickups, SUVs to fix brake issues

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Beginning October 7th, Ford will begin notifying owners of more than 550,000 vehicles regarding a potential problem with the sturdiness and stability of the seat backs in those vehicles.

The affected vehicles include: the 2018 - 2020 Ford Explorer, the 2018 - 2020 Ford F-150 pickup, the 2019 - 2020 Ford Expedition, the 2019 - 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks, and the 2020 Lincoln Aviator.

In these vehicles, certain manual recliner mechanisms for the seatback position may be missing a part that is necessary to provide proper stability for the seat, especially in a crash, which could increase the chance of injury.

Ford dealerships will inspect recalled vehicles and make necessary repairs free of charge.

For more information, vehicle owners can contact Ford and reference recall number 19C07.

Read more at Autoblog: Ford recalls over 500,000 trucks and SUVs, including Explorer, F-150, and Lincoln Aviator

Also at NBC News: Ford recalls 550K vehicles because seat back may fail

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Toyota has announced that it is issuing a recall for airbags that were installed as a fix for an earlier recall of the same vehicles.

This group of 191,000 vehicles include: the 2003 - 2008 Corolla and the 2005 - 2008 Matrix.

In this particular case, these replacement airbags may be damaged and may fail to inflate properly, which could increase the chances of injuries during a crash situation.

Owners of these vehicles will be notified and the airbags will be replaced free of charge at a Toyota dealership.

Read more at USA Today: 191,000 Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix cars recalled to fix defective airbags

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

In a recall that is expected to commence by Oct. 11th, Volkswagen is recalling roughly 679,000 vehicles for a defect that could lead to a rollaway situation.

Due to a buildup of silicate on the contact for the shift lever micro switch, the ignition key could inadvertently be removed without the vehicle actually being in Park. This could lead to a crash and/or injury.

The models included in this recall are: the 2011 - 2019 Jetta sedan, the 2012 - 2019 Beetle coupe and convertible, the 2015 - 2016 & 2018 - 2019 Golf hatchback, the 2015 - 2019 Volkswagen GTI and Golf GTI hatchback, and the 2017 - 2019 Golf SportWagen wagon. All of the affected vehicles have automatic transmissions, manual handbrakes, and keyless entry systems.

Volkwagen dealerships will repair the defective system at no cost to the customers.

For more information, vehicle owners may also contact Volkswagen at 800-893-5298.

Read more at CNBC: Volkswagen recalls 679,000 US vehicles to fix electrical problem that could cause cars to roll away

Also at Cars.com: 679,000 2011-2019 Volkswagen Cars: Recall Alert

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Toyota announced a recall of approximately 7,000 vehicles with potentially faulty brake booster pumps, which is expected to begin September 9, 2019.

Toyota has said that warning lights on the dashboard should light up if the malfunction occurs.

The vehicles included in the recall are: the 2019 Lexus ES 300h, LC 500, LS 500, LS 500h, & UX 250h, the 2019 Toyota Prius & RAV4 HV, the 2019 - 2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and the 2020 Corolla HV.

Toyota / Lexus dealerships will replace defective brake booster pumps free of charge.

Vehicle owners can also call Toyota's customer service at 888-270-9371 and use reference numbers K1L & K0L for their recall, or call Lexus' customer service at 800-255-3987 and use reference numbers K2F & KLF for their recall.

Read more at Green Car Reports: Some 2019-2020 Toyota and Lexus hybrids recalled for brake booster issue

Also at ConsumerAffairs: Toyota and Lexus vehicles with stability and braking issues recalled

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

On August 14th, Ford Motor Company stated that they have issued a recall of more than 108,000 vehicles due to faulty parts that provide tension to the seat belts.

The vehicles included in the recall are the 2015 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans.

In affected vehicles, the seat belts may not operate properly. Ford said in their statement: "Seat belt assemblies that do not adequately restrain the occupant in a crash can increase the risk of injury."

Ford / Lincoln dealerships will repair the affected parts free of charge.

For more information, vehicle owners can call Ford's customer service at 866-436-7332 and use reference number 19S25 for this recall.

Read more at MarketWatch: Ford to recall over 108,000 vehicles, including Fusions and Lincoln MKZs

Also at ConsumerAffairs: Ford recalls Fusions and Lincoln MKZs

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Volkswagen should be notifying vehicle owners by mid-September about its' latest recall of almost 28,000 vehicles.

The 2015 & 2016 Volkswagen CC and Tiguan share a component for the airbag system which has been found to be faulty on some of these vehicles.

A capacitor in the Control Module is the affected part in this system. When it's faulty, it could prevent the airbags from deploying, or cause them to deploy unexpectedly, which could lead to an injury or a crash.

Volkswagen dealerships will replace the affected Control Modules free of charge.

Read more at c|net Road Show: VW recalls 28,000 CC and Tiguan vehicles for inadvertent airbag deployment

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Volvo, which has been owned by Geely Holding Group of China since 2010, has recalled roughly 507,000 vehicles, beginning in July 22nd.

The intake manifold, which is made of plastic in the affected vehicles, can melt under certain conditions, and potentially lead to a fire.

The vehicles affected by this problem are: 2014 to 2019 S60, S80, S90, V40, V60, V70, V90, XC60 and XC90. All of the affected vehicles have diesel engines.

Volvo dealerships will repair owner's vehicles free of charge.

Read more: Volvo recalling 500,000 cars worldwide over faulty engine component amid fire risk fears

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Honda expects to begin by August 12, 2019, what it says should be the fifth and final phase of planned recalls related to the Takata airbag fiasco, which has now dragged on for years, and encompasses what is the largest single automotive recall problem in history.

This recall of roughly 1.6 million vehicles, includes the following models: 2001 - 2005 & 2008 - 2010 Honda Civic GX NGV, 2001 - 2011 Honda Civic & Civic Hybrid, 2001 - 2012 Honda Accord, 2002 - 2003 Acura 3.2TL, 2002 - 2004 Honda Odyssey, 2002 - 2011 Honda CR-V, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003 - 2006 Acura MDX, 2003 - 2011 Honda Element, 2003 - 2015 Honda Pilot, 2005 - 2012 Acura RL, 2006 - 2014 Honda Ridgeline, 2007 - 2013 Honda Fit, 2009 - 2014 Acura TL & TSX, 2010 - 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour, 2010 - 2013 Acura ZDX, 2010 - 2014 Honda Insight, 2011 - 2013 & 2015 Honda CR-Z, 2011 - 2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon, 2012 - 2015 Honda Crosstour, 2013 Acura ILX, 2013 - 2014 Honda Fit EV, and the 2015 Acura RDX.

Honda and Acura owners can call Honda customer service at (888) 234-2138 for more information, and also check if their vehicle is included in the recall at the owners.acura.com or the owners.honda.com websites.

Honda states that more airbag inflator recall information, including a detailed fact sheet can be found at hondaairbaginfo.com.

Honda Motors will notify owners by mail, and Honda and Acura dealerships will replace the affected air bags free of charge.

Read more at Consumer Affairs: Recall of 1.6 million Hondas and Acuras announced

Also at USA Today: Honda recalling 1.6 million cars to replace Takata airbags. Is your car affected?

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Mazda's latest recall, in which they expect to notify owners before Aug. 26th, 2019, involves a software problem that could cause the engine to stall without warning in affected vehicles, which could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash.

It is possible that the dashboard's "Check Engine" light may also illuminate if the software fault occurs.

The software is part of a computer for the engine's fuel efficiency systems.

The vehicles included in this recall are: the 2018 to 2019 CX-5 SUV, 2018 to 2019 Mazda6 sedan, and the 2019 Mazda3 sedan & hatchback.

Mazda dealerships will reprogram the software component for vehicle owners, free of charge.

For additional information, vehicle owners may also contact Mazda at 800-222-5500 and reference recall number 3719F.

Read more at WACH Columbia, SC: Mazda recalls over 262K vehicles to fix engine stall problem

Also at Consumers Reports: Mazda Recalls 262,000 Vehicles Because They Could Stall

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

Ford has issued a recall of more than 1.2 million 2011 through 2017 Explorer SUVs.

A flaw that could allow a fracture in the suspension to occur, could lead to a crash. Ford has already received reports of drivers losing steering control and of crashes due to this problem.

Owners will be able to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership, where the affected parts will be replaced free of charge.

Cutomers wanting to obtain more information from Ford about this recall can use the reference number 19S17.

Read more: Ford recalls over a million Explorer SUVs over potential suspension failure issues

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Although unrelated to the ongoing Takata airbag fiasco, a number of sudden, unexpected airbag deployments in their newest 2019 CR-V SUVs, have prompted Honda to recall roughly 137,000 of them.

A problem with some of the wiring and cable management in these vehicles is causing a situation where an airbag system could suddenly deploy, without warning, leading to a crash and/or injuries.

Honda has received at least six reports of these sudden airbag deployments, that we know of so far, from this defect.

Once vehicle owners have been notified of their vehicle's recall, their vehicles will be repaired, free of charge, at a Honda dealership.

Read more: Honda recalls 137,000 SUVs due to sudden air bag deployments; 3 in US injured

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

For a number of years now, BMW has been dealing with a number of its' vehicles catching on fire.

In a recent move by the company, it has added nearly 185,000 more vehicles to a recall initiated in 2017.

This recall involves a number of models from its' 3-series, 5-series, and Z4 families of vehicles, ranging from 2006 through 2011. The vehicles most recently added are primarily 2006 models.

A problem with the positive crankcase ventilation valve heater can lead to degradation and a possible electrical short and subsequent fire.

Due to the serious potential nature of this defect, BMW owners should actively check if their vehicle is among those recalled, and until the vehicle is repaired, should not park the vehicle in their garage or directly next to or under a structure that could catch on fire.

Vehicles covered by this recall will be repaired for free at a BMW dealership.

Read more: BMW recalls nearly 185,000 vehicles over fire risk

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Beginning May 31st, more than 322,000 Dodge Darts will be recalled by Fiat-Chrysler due to the risk of them rolling away without warning.

A faulty bushing in the automatic 6-speed transmission of certain 2013 to 2016 Dodge Darts could fail. If this happens, the shifter cable could come loose from the transmission.

When that happens, the vehicle may not actually shift into the intended gear, including Park, and the vehicle could roll away.

Until owners have had their vehicle repaired, Fiat-Chrysler recommends drivers to shut off the engine and engage the parking brake before they step away from the vehicle.

Fiat-Chrysler dealerships will repair these vehicles at no cost to the owners.

Read more: Fiat Chrysler recalls more than 320,000 cars due to rollaway risk

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin
 

A defective relay for the windshield wipers is the reason that almost 188,000 2016 to 2018 Mazda3 sedans and hatchbacks are being recalled by Mazda.

If the relay fails, the windshield wipers would stop working. If that were to happen while it's raining, it could increase the risk of a crash.

Mazda expects the recall to begin by June 3rd, 2019, and vehicle owners will be notified by mail.

Mazda dealerships will fix the affected vehicles free of charge.

Read more: Mazda3 recalled to fix faulty windshield wipers

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A problem with sub-par coil springs in the suspension has caused Volkswagen Motors to recall the following vehicles: 2015 to 2019 Golf hatchbacks; 2017 to 2019 Golf Sportwagens; 2018 to 2019 Tiguan SUVs; and 2019 Jetta sedans.

The rear coil spring is an integral part of the vehicle's suspension, and if it were to break, it could cause damage to the rear tires, increasing the chances of a crash.

Customers will be able to have their vehicles repaired free of charge at Volkswagen dealerships.

The NHTSA's campaign number for this recall is 19V188000. Customers may also contact Volkswagen Customer Service at 800-893-5298 and reference recall number 42J5.

Read more: Volkswagen Recalls Cars and SUVs Because Springs Could Break

See if your vehicle is affected: safercar.gov/vin