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Category Archives: quality
Korean Brands Top 2022 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study
“Some automakers are performing much better than others at preventing problems from occurring. These problems include the vehicle’s mechanicals, exterior and interior – but also infotainment systems, driver assistance systems and all the other electronic systems in today’s vehicles,” said David Amodeo, director of global automotive at J.D. Power. Continue reading
NHTSA Issues Consumer Alert on Hyundai, Kia Fires
“Although the cause remains unknown, the manufacturers believe an electrical component in the anti-lock brake system may experience an internal electrical short circuit that could increase the risk of fire both while the vehicle is being driven or parked,” NHTSA said. Continue reading
RAM – OE Firestone Truck Tires Recalled for Belt Separation
These tires were imported by Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BATO). BATO supplied the tires to Stellantis as original equipment for installation on 2021-2022 RAM 2500 and RAM 3500 vehicles. BATO also supplied these tires to retailers for sale in the replacement market. Affected tires were produced at a single plant from May 2, 2021 through May 8, 202. Affected tires can be differentiated from non-affected tires by the unique combination of brand, tire line, size, and DOT code. Continue reading
Nissan Recalling 690,000 Rogue SUVs for Fires
In affected Rogues, if water and salt collect in the driver’s side foot well, it may wick up the dash side harness tape and enter the connector. If the connector becomes corroded, electrical current may continue to flow between the connector terminals, potentially causing the driver’s power seat or power window to become inoperative, AWD warning light illumination, battery discharge, and/or thermal damage to the connector. In the worst-case condition, a fire can occur. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, nhtsa, Nissan Rogue Safety Recalls
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Bad Airbags – Kia Recalls 411,000 Model Year 2017-19 Vehicles
In the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Kia claimed that “variances in the manufacturing of the ACU” can cause contact between the ACU cover and the Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) chip on the ACU’s Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and cause damage to the EEPROM’s soldering joints resulting in an open circuit. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Forte, Forte Koup, Ken Zino, kia recalls, nhtsa, Sedona, Soul, Soul EV
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Recall – New F-Series Aluminum Driveshafts Fracture
There have been 27 reports of fractured aluminum driveshafts potentially related to a sagging underbody insulator on these vehicles. Continue reading
Ford Motor Recalls F-Series, Ranger, Bronco, Transit, Transit Connect, Maverick for Various Safety Defects
In a series of recall documents filed on 16 December but made public by the National Highway. Traffic Safety Administration today, Ford Motor Company has recalled ~60,000 vehicles for a variety of safety defects including bad tailgates, cruise control radar, separation driveshaft separation from the transfer case, panoramic roofs flying off, and fuel tanks damaged by drill holes. All repairs will be made free of charge as required by federal law. Continue reading
BMW Recalls Cars, Crossovers for Diesel Engine Fires
Dealers will replace the Korean KORENS EGR cooler with one from another unnamed supplier and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge as required by law. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 12, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Continue reading
Posted in quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, BMW Fire recalls, Death of the diesel, Ken Zino, nhtsa
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Bad Brakes – Ford Recalls Bronco Sport, Escape SUVs
NHTSA discovered the problem. The Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance contacted Ford at the beginning of October 2021, regarding the results of its FMVSS 135 compliance audit on the 2021 model year Bronco Sport vehicle equipped with a brake vacuum booster. The stopping distance test results for “Brake Power Assist Unit Inoperative” were 191.9 meters which exceeds the federal regulation of 168 meters. Continue reading
Honda Recalls 725,000 Models for Hoods Flying Open
American Honda Motor is recalling 725,000 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles because the hood can fly open while driving. The hood latch striker can become damaged and separate from the hood. Honda has known about the problem for more than five years.* Honda said in the required NHTSA filing that there are no reports of accidents or injuries due to this safety defect. Continue reading
Posted in quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Honda Hood Recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa
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Volkswagen Recalls Atlas SUVs for Sudden Air Bag Explosions
Incorrectly manufactured parts at a sub-supplier, Air International Thermal of Auburn Michigan, for the air conditioning system is the cause of the safety defect. The so-called remedy component is the same part number as the recalled part which has been correctly manufactured. In an apparent attempt to limit the cost of the recall, the recalled part will be repaired if affected, not replaced. The recalled part is the Air Conditioner Evaporator Housing, part number 3QF.820.007. Continue reading
Posted in quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, nhtsa, VW Atlas Recalls
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Operator Error – Ford Recalls 2021 Bronco for Bad Airbags
Further review of the supplier’s test data found test anomalies were completely associated with bags folded by one of the six associates assigned to the airbag fold operation. It was eventually determined that this distinct associate began introducing an extra fold operation when reassigned to this fold operation in late June. Continue reading
Posted in quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 2021 Bronco Recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, ford recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa
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GM Recalls 15,000 SUVs for Sudden Stalling
Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge as required by US law. Analysis of field data and returned warranty-replaced parts indicates that the condition was caused by a supplier manufacturing issue by Vitesco Technologies in Seguin Texas. Continue reading
No Surprises in J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Initial Quality Study
“Owners are caught in the middle when vehicle and phone technologies don’t properly connect,” said Dave Sargent, vice president of automotive quality at J.D. Power. “This year there are many examples of smartphone technology not working as intended in new vehicles. With more vehicles being fitted with the wireless technology owners want, the study reveals an increase in connectivity problems between smartphones and vehicles, leaving many owners unhappy.” Continue reading
NHTSA – Consumer Alert for Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Fires
The potentially affected van production began on August 12, 2016, when production of Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs began, and ended on August 7, 2018, when 2018 MY production ended. The suspect population was determined using vehicle manufacturing records. Similar vehicles not included in this recall are not PHEVs or were built after the suspect vehicle production period. Continue reading →