Tag Archives: nhtsa

GM Recalls 500,000 2021-22 SUVs for Bad Seat Belts

Posted on 22 August 2022 by Ken Zino

“The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left- or right-side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed,” was the defect cited in a mandatory NHTSA filing made public today. GM had reports of the problem going back to October of 2020. Workers at GM supplier ZF Occupant Safety Systems manufacturing plant in Mexico may have not properly followed processes and inadvertently missed the rivet forming operation. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Recalls 2022 Maverick Pickups for Bad Airbags

Posted on 16 August 2022 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered the problem in June of 2022 during a FMVSS 226 compliance audit on a 2022 model year Maverick. The displacement results for the front lower primary target were 111.9 mm, which exceeds the federal regulation of 100 mm. Side curtain air bags that may not meet the displacement requirements of FMVSS 226 S4.2.1 Ejection increase the risk of injury in a crash. No warning of the existence of potential deadly problem occurs before an accident. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

VW Recalls Audi, Golf Models for Exploding Airbags

Posted on 8 August 2022 by Ken Zino

In the required NHTSA filing made public today VW Group said, “Audi is aware of one customer claim due to this issue.” The issues are an inflator explosion that may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. And/or an improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash. Continue reading →

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ferrari NA Recalls 2005-2022 Models for Brake Failures

Posted on 8 August 2022 by Ken Zino

The repair consists of replacing the brake fluid reservoir cap and updating the software where applicable in the affected vehicles to provide for a different warning message if the vehicle should lose sufficient brake fluid. Continue reading →

Posted in recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Subaru Recalls 2015-2021 WRX Sedans For Backup Lights

Posted on 1 August 2022 by Ken Zino

In the required NHTSA filing made public today, Subaru said: “The operating environment of the Backup Lamp Switch may expose the internal switch contacts to heated oil. When heated, sulfur in the oil may cause a chemical reaction with the materials used on the switch terminal contact surfaces and plate spring. This chemical reaction may cause corrosion and a non-conductive film to form on the contacts resulting in poor electrical conductivity. Continue reading →

Posted in recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blinded: More Software Recalls from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota

Posted on 25 July 2022 by Ken Zino

There’s irony in the ongoing automotive hardware safety problems that are caused by a software infection. In the latest two examples of expensive, normally robust machines by Mercedes-Benz and Toyota have vision systems that are subject to the safety-defect recalls that were publicly revealed today by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

Posted in quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford HEV Fire Recalls: Escape, Maverick, Lincoln Corsair

Posted on 18 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the under-engine shield and active grille shutter modified. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

IIHS Wants Speed limiters on Trucks: ’bout time!

Posted on 15 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Why this is creeping at an idle rate in the bureaucracy is inexplicable because excessive speed was a factor in about one-third of all US crash deaths during 2020. FMCSA began discussing speed limiters more than a decade ago. Continue reading →

Posted in safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hyundai Again Recalls 2017-18 Ioniq HEVs, PHEVs for Fires

Posted on 11 July 2022 by Ken Zino

This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 18V-704. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new repair completed. The main power relay or PRA was made by: LS IS Company in Korea. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Off the Engine Rails: Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator Recall

Posted on 11 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Dealers will perform an engine rail strength test and replace the rails as necessary, free of charge as required by Federal regulations. If the engine rails require replacement, owners will have the option for a vehicle replacement or buyback. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Expedition, Navigator Fire Fix Found After NHTSA Alert

Posted on 8 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Parts are still not available for some vehicles. Moreover, Ford is expanding the population to include a total of 66,221 Expedition and Navigator SUVs in the U.S. built between July 27, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021 based on further analysis of the causes for the fires. Ford has received 21 reports of under hood fires – including five since the original recall filing in May. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Recalls 66,000 2022 F-150 BEVs, Bronco, Ranger Models

Posted on 5 July 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2022 F-150 BEV vehicles equipped with 20″ or 22″ all season tires. Ford is also recalling 2022 Bronco and Ranger vehicles for windshield failures. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Covid Lock-downs Caused Ongoing Speeding, Risky Driving

Posted on 22 June 2022 by Ken Zino

“The empty roads probably tempted pandemic-stressed drivers to put the pedal down,” says Jessica Cicchino, vice president of research at IIHS. “But information collected since the lock-downs ended and the roads filled back up suggests that risky driving has become the new normal.” Continue reading →

Posted in safety | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ford Motor Recalls 2.9 Million Vehicles for Rollaways

Posted on 20 June 2022 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 2.9 million 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The Hilex-supplied bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach causing unexpected rollaways. This is an expansion of previous recalls that were based on customer complaints to NHTSA.* Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Too Darn Hot – Ford Mustang Mach-E Recall

Posted on 17 June 2022 by Ken Zino

On recalled Mustangs, Direct Current (“DC”) fast charging and repeated-wide open accelerator pedal movements can cause the high voltage battery main contactors to overheat. This overheating can lead to arcing and deformation of the electrical contact surfaces, which can result in an electric relay switch remaining open or a relay switch that welds closed from heat. Ford has not thus far issued instructions to stop driving vehicles under this safety recall? Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, quality, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment