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Category Archives: quality
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
Bridgestone Recalls Alenza, Dueler, Ecopia, Turanza and Firestone Destination Tires for Leaks
A Tire Laser Marking System which uses laser light to mark certain information on tire sidewalls, malfunctioned. The malfunction caused the laser to remain stationary and burn a pinhole into the tire sidewall near the first digit of the Tire Identification Number date code – the last 4- digits of the TIN. Continue reading
What Car? Britain’s Most and Least Reliable Cars
“Our latest study also shows that a high price tag isn’t always a guarantee of reliability, because some of Britain’s cheapest cars are among the most reliable,” said What Car? editor Steve Huntingford. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, quality
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, What Car?
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Chinese Junk Watch – Six More Recalls from CPSC
CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years. However, in AutoInformed’s view, Chinese products remain a problem both in their design and manufacturing quality control. Herewith are some of the latest in Chinese Junk. Continue reading
Confirmed: General Motors to Recall more Bolt EVs at $1B Cost
General Motors is expanding the current Chevrolet Bolt EV recall to cover the remaining 2019 and all 2020-2022 model year vehicles, including the Bolt EUV. With this expansion, all Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles are now recalled due to the risk … Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz USA Recalls Rear Seatbelts on 2021-22 Models
The rear seatbelt automatic locking retractors may “deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.” These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” Continue reading
Recalls – Roof Rail Air Bag Shrapnel on 410,019 GM Pickups
A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash from what is in effect shrapnel. 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 →