Tag Archives: manufacturing error

BMW Hybrid Battery Overheating

Posted on by

BMW North America will be asking the owners of certain 2020-2021 BMW and MINI hybrid cars and SUVs, to return to their dealerships to repair a manufacturing problem affecting the high voltage battery.

Vehicles Affected Include
2021 BMW 330E
2020-2021 BMW X3
2021 BMW X5
2020 Mini Countryman

The high voltage battery in these vehicles may not have been produced according to specification. According to the defect report, an incomplete cleaning during the battery module welding process could result in welding beads left within the battery assembly. Depending upon the size, shape and position of the beads, the beads could develop a short between the cells. In rare cases, the short circuit could lead to a thermal event and a vehicle fire.

Drivers will be alerted of a problem through a warning message displayed in the instrument cluster.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their BMW dealership to have the battery modules inspected and replaced as necessary. The NHTSA recall number is 20V-495.

Ford Explorer And Lincoln Aviator Airbag Deployment Problem

Posted on by

Ford have identified a problem affecting the seat back side airbags in a small number of 2020 Ford Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles.

According to the defect report, the front seat back sub-assemblies may have been placed in the wrong work in progress rack after a machine interruption. Some of the DC runner nuts may have not been torqued, leaving the air bag and seat back module not fully secured. The problem could delay the positioning of the air bag cushioning and the deployment of the airbag could be affected.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return their their Ford or Lincoln dealer so that they can verify that the fasteners have been properly tightened. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S48 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-497.

2021 Winnebago Revel – Loss Of Power Steering

Posted on by

Winnebago Industries have identified a problem affecting the alternator and serpentine belt in certain 2021 Revel motorhomes.

According to the defect report, a misalignment of pulleys associated with the installation of the auxiliary alternator could cause the alternator belt to wear and become completely disengaged. If this happens, the engine serpentine belt could also become disengaged and result in immediate loss of power steering control and other belt controlled components. This loss of power steering changes the expected handling of the vehicle and can increase the chances of an accident. Drivers may experience a flapping sound prior to disengagement of the belt.

Dealers will inspect the alignment of the belt pulleys and repair problems as necessary. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 162 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-474.

2020 Ford F-150 Grinding Noise When Engine Starts

Posted on by

Ford will be contacting a small number of 2020 Ford F-150 owners because of a problem with the electrical system in their trucks. According to the safety report filed with the NHTSA, the affected vehicles were built at their Kansas City assembly plant June 30, 2020 and July 1, 2020.

These trucks may have been built with a positive power supply cable nut that does not meet design specifications. These nuts do not have the correct torque characteristics or conductive coating needed at the power supply attachment to the starter motor. This could increase the amount of heat generated during starting and could create an electrical arch that could start a fire. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through grinding noises when starting or restarting during a stop-start event, or the engine may not start at all.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the starter motor B+ power supply attachment nut replaced with the correct part. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S40 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-467.

GM Roof Rail Airbag Defect

Posted on by

General Motors had decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2020 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs. GM will be contacting owners of affected vehicles with instructions to return to their dealerships for repairs.

According to the recall report, the diffuser component of the roof rail airbag inflator may have an improper crimp that would allow it to separate from the inflator during airbag deployment. If this happens, the performance of the airbag may be degraded and could increase the risk of injury to occupants in an accident.

Vehicles Affected
2020 Buick Enclave
2020 Cadillac XT5
2020 Cadillac XT6
2020 Chevrolet Blazer
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2020 Chevrolet Traverse
2020 GMC Acadia
2020 GMC Sierra 1500
2020 GMC Sierra 2500
2020 GMC Sierra 3500

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect roof rail airbag modules. GM’s number for this recall is N202305380 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-446.

2020 Kia Stinger Difficult Steering

Posted on by

A small number of 2020 Kia Stinger owners will be returning to their dealerships to fix a problem affecting steering. The vehicles involved are equipped with 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines.

According to the safety report, a machine calibration issue may have resulted in an insufficient number of balls used within the Rack Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Assembly . Over time, the balls could become fatigued and fracture, allowing pieces to get stuck in the steering rack. If this happens drivers will notice difficulty steering or a complete loss of steering.

Kia dealers will correct the problem by replacing the MDPS Assembly. Kia’s number for this recall is SC193 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V422.

Expedition & Navigator Called Back For Improperly Welded Headrests

Posted on by

Concerns related to improperly welded second row headrest attachment brackets will have some 2020 Ford Expedition and 2020 Lincoln Navigator vehicles recalled for repairs. Dealers are required to inspect and repair the problem before demonstrating or delivering any new stock.

According to the defect report, an in plant inspection found that the headrest to seat back frame attachment bracket was out of position during assembly and some welds did not properly penetrate the headrest bracket. As a result, the strength of the headrests are weakened and they do not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for head restraints. An improperly welded headrest bracket may not adequately restrain an occupant during a crash.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealership to have the seat structure inspected and replaced as needed. Ford’s number for this recall is 20C12 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-366.

2020 Audi Q8 Transmission Fluid Leak

Posted on by

Volkswagen will be contacting owners of certain 2020 Audi Q8 SUVs, regarding a potential problem affecting the transmission in their vehicle.

Due to a manufacturing error, the flanges of certain gearbox oil pipes were made from an uncertified material. Because of this difference in material, a permanent connection could not be created during the welding process and a transmission fluid leak could develop between the transmission oil pipe and the flange. A loss of transmission fluid will result in oil marks on the ground beneath the vehicle and a warning lamp indicator, once the fluid goes beneath a certain level.

Dealers will correct the problem by inspecting the transmission oil pipe welds and replacing it as necessary. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 38C7 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-272.