Category Archives: quality

Ford Recalls Explorer, Super-Duty F-Series for Safety Defects

Ford Motor is recalling 2020-2021 Explorer Police FHEV, Explorer Police 3.3L, and 2020-2022 Explorer 2.3L RWD, 3.0L PHEV, 3.3 L FHEV, and 3.0L ST gasoline vehicles because the rear-axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.

In another recall, Ford is recalling 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle’s transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the ‘Park’ mechanism. Debris lodged within the ‘Park’ mechanism may prevent the vehicle from achieving or holding ‘Park,’ increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away and a crash.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls F-150 Pickups for Sudden Shifting into Neutral

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling 47,084 model year 2021 F-150 vehicles for shifting into neutral without warning. Affected vehicles are equipped with 3.5L GTDI, 2.7L and 5.0L engines, 10R80 transmissions and not equipped with Auto Start-Stop technology built between … Continue reading

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Chinese Junk Watch: Walmart’s Dimensions Bluetooth Speaker Helmets

The helmets are black with black straps and a black buckle. The white label on the inside of the helmet contains the Item # ACTGEAR-238BTS in the bottom left corner. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled helmets and contact Sakar for instructions on receiving a free replacement helmet. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls 160,000 F-150 Pickups for Bad Wipers

The front windshield wiper motor made by Trico in Mexico may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. An inoperative wiper motor has the potential for reduced visibility or loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. In the require NHTSA filing Ford said, “The primary causal factors that led to inoperative or poorly performing wipers were poor quality motor brush plate spot welding, insufficient motor magnet adhesive being applied, and insufficient motor nut assembly torque. Continue reading

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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