Category Archives: quality

New Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Ram ProMaster Recalls

Posted on 25 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Chrysler (FCA US or Stellantis) is recalling ~285,000 2018-2021 model year Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. Chrysler is also recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram ProMaster vehicles, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic safety Administration.

The Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 is potentially more urgent because the right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. The sudden rupture of the inflator due to stress cracking from moisture could send shrapnel into the interior, potentially causing serious injuries. Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch – Starbucks Mugs Recalled

Posted on 21 March 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said today that gift sets containing a ceramic mug with metallic coating that bears Starbucks branding are being recalled because of hand injuries caused by use of the Nestlé mug. They were sold in 11 oz. and 16 oz. sizes as part of gift sets sold during the 2023 holiday season: Starbucks Holiday Gift Set with 2 Mugs, Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa and Mug, Starbucks Peppermint and Classic Hot Cocoas and Mug, and Starbucks Holiday Blend Coffee and Mug.

There have been 12 incidents of the mugs overheating or breaking resulting in 10 injuries, including nine severe burns/blisters on fingers or hands, and one cut on a finger. One incident required medical attention. Continue reading →

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Jaguar Land Rover North America Recalls I-Pace EVs

Posted on 18 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling 2019 I-Pace SUV vehicles, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The high-voltage battery in the electric Jaguar may overheat, which is a potential fire hazard. These vehicles were built at the Graz Vehicle Assembly Plant in Poland from 6 June – 31 October 2018 and use a Polish-built battery from Chinese LG energy Systems. They were previously recalled under NHTSA 23V369 and will need to have the new safety defect remedy completed. Continue reading →

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More Ford Safety Recalls on Bronco, Explorer, Maverick SUVs

Posted on 18 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2023-24 Bronco, 2020 Explorer and 2024 Maverick SUV models, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Affected vehicles with various safety defects include Bronco child safety locks, previously recalled Explorer rearview cameras, and Maverick fuel tank leaks or potential fires. Continue reading →

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Tracker Off Road OX EVs Recalled for Battery Fires

Posted on 16 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling Tracker Off Road OX EV light utility vehicles because the lithium ion battery pack catch on fire. Owners should immediately stop using the Tracker OX EV and contact their authorized Tracker Off Road dealer or service center to schedule a free inspection and repair of the battery module.

Textron advises that until the Tracker Off Road dealer or service center has completed this service, do not charge the recalled vehicle and park the recalled vehicle outdoors at least 15 feet away from any buildings or other vehicles.
Continue reading →

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Nissan and Infiniti Recalls for Bad Airbags

Posted on 11 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling model-year 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50 and 2023 Rogue vehicles because of bad airbags that might not  protect the driver, according to the required filling that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. Quick action by Nissan limited the scope of the potential safety defect. Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch – EVERCROSS EV5 Hoverboard Fires

Posted on 7 March 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today is warning consumers to immediately stop using EVERCROSS EV5 hoverboards because they pose a risk of fire to consumers. CPSC has received one report of a fire, resulting in substantial property damage to a residential building in New York City in May 2023.* They were sold online on Amazon.com, eBay.com, Likesporting.com, Lowes.com, Newegg.com, Ridefaboard.com and Walmart.com for between $180 and $300 from July 2021 to the present.

“EVERCROSS has not agreed to recall these hoverboards or offer a remedy to consumers,” CPSC said. In AutoInformed’s view, Chinese products remain a problem both in their design, manufacturing quality control and labor employment practices. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Expeditions, Navigators for Bad Seat Belts

Posted on 26 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles, according to documents made publicly available by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning.

The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend. About 80,000 SUVs are involved in a safety defect that occurs because of rust. Continue reading →

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Recalls – Ford E-350, E-450 with Dual Rear Wheels

Posted on 19 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is once again recalling model year 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. A bad connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake-hydro boost unit can cause a sudden loss of power steering fluid, according to documents made public today by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is a modification of a previous recall on the trucks, NHTSA 22V-089, Ford Field Service Action 22S08. These vehicles are often used as buses. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 2023 Explorers for Loose Steering Knuckles

Posted on 19 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling some 2023 Explorer vehicles because the right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing, according to document made public by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. Lincoln Aviator models made at the same plant, Chicago Assembly, are not affected by this safety defect.

A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Moreover, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking. Either of these circumstances can increase the risk of a crash. Continue reading →

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Toyota Cleans Daihatsu House Over False Tests

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“President-to-be Inoue has for many years been working on structural reform of Toyota’s Latin American business, including a renewed regional management system involving Brazil and Argentina. Despite the many difficult decisions he has had to make, he is a leader who has moved reforms forward by implementing thorough dialogue with front-line members. Utilizing this experience, he will lead the revitalization of Daihatsu as the person responsible for ‘on-site management,’ Executive Vice President-to-be Kuwata will promote corporate cultural and organizational reform initiatives by leveraging his experience in human resources and on-site management,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Kia Recalls 2024 Tellurides for Sudden Engine Failures

Posted on 12 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Kia America  (Kia) is recalling 2024 Telluride vehicles because the engine valve springs may break while driving, which can result in a sudden loss of power and possibly create a hole in the engine block, which is a fire hazard. Abnormal engine noise, check engine light illumination, and a rough running engine are warning signs that the driver may notice before the engine fails. Tellurides are made in Georgia at a non-unionized plant.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released the required recall filing. Kia told NHTSA that “The engine valve springs may break while driving due to fatigue cracking as a result of damage to the springs during manufacture by the supplier. A broken valve spring may result in a loss of motive power. In rare cases, a hole in the engine block may occur due to a broken valve entering the combustion chamber.” Continue reading →

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Nissan Recalls Leaf EVs for Bad Rearview Cameras

Posted on 12 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling ~58,000 model-year 2018-2022 LEAF electric vehicles because damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, “Rear Visibility.” If the rear view image is not available, rearward visibility may be reduced, potentially increasing the risk of a crash. The recalled Leaf models were made at the non-unionized Smyrna, Tennessee assembly plant. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Recalls GLC models for Headlight Glare

Posted on 12 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 15,500 vehicles because the headlights may be incorrectly adjusted too high during production and create a glare for oncoming traffic. As such, these luxury vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

The recall was made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Th recall appears to have been set in motion by an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rating of GLC (253 platform) vehicles more than one year ago, including their headlamp adjustments. Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls 750,000 Vehicles for Bad Airbag Deployments

Posted on 12 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“Due to a natural disaster at the manufacturing plant of a tier-2 supplier, the tier-1 supplier temporarily changed the base material in the printed circuit board of the seat weight sensor, which was not sufficiently verified for its intended use. The alternative base material could allow additional strain to the printed circuit board that can lead to a capacitor cracking and an internal short circuit,” Honda said in the required recall filing with NHTSA. Continue reading →

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