Tag Archives: manufacturing error

Inaccurate Transmission Indication

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Ford has determined that a potential safety defect exist in certain 2020 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Ranger trucks equipped with 10 speed automatic transmissions.

According to the defect report, some vehicles may have been manufactured with a gear shift cable lock that may not be fully seated. The partially seated clip could allow the transmission to slip and show a different gear than the transmission is in. This could result in “shifter mismatch”, “shifter inoperative”, “shifter stuck in park” or “no start” symptoms. Drivers may be able to shift into “Park” and remove the key while the transmission may not actually be in “Park”. The instrument panel display will continue to show the correct transmission gear state.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their Ford dealerships to have the shifting lock clip inspected and replaced as necessary. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S18 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-197.

Jeep Grand Cherokee & Dodge Durango Loss Of Power

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2019 Dodge Durango vehicles because of a problem affecting the powertrain of their vehicles.

According to the defect report, the front differential may have been built with pinion gears that were not sufficiently hardened. Over time the gears could wear down until torque power cannot be transferred from the drivetrain to the front wheels. If this happens drivers will experience loss of power and loss of the “Park” function when stationary. Prior to loss of power, drivers may notice a gear whine or grinding noise coming from the drivetrain

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the front differential replaced. This recall is expected to begin May 15, 2020. Chrysler’s number for this recall is W22 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-183.

2019 Volkswagen Arteon Reduced Brake Performance

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Volkswagen will be contacting a small number of 2019 Volkswagen Arteon sedan owners, because of a manufacturing error affecting the braking system.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the electronic brake booster pressure input rod may have been incorrectly attached to the brake pedal. This incorrect installation may require the driver to use extra braking force and could lead to a disconnection of the pressure input rod. Additionally, in the event of a 12V power failure, the brake performance could be further impaired.

Volkswagen dealers will inspect the mounting of the pressure rod and replace the electronic brake booster and mounting of the pressure rod, depending on the inspection results. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 47P8 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-135.

Click Here to view the complete 2019 Volkswagen Arteon recall notice.

2019 Ford Ranger HVAC Blower Motor Failure

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Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2019 Rangers because of a problem with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor in their vehicles. The trucks affected had their HVAC blower motor replaced between October 9, 2019 to November 22, 2019 as part of recall 19V-726.

According to the defect report, the replacement motor installed, may have been built with improper clearance between the electrical terminal and the base plate. If the terminal shorts against the plate, it could overheat, melt, smoke and/or ignite.

Ford will ask owners to return to their dealerships to have the HVAC blower motor inspected and replaced as necessary. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S12 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-137.

2020 Nissan Versa Fuel Smell

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A small number of 2020 Nissan Versa owners will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding an issue with the fuel system in their cars. The vehicles affected were manufactured between the the dates of September 06, 2019 – September 23, 2019.

According to the defect report, a manufacturing deviation may have resulted in fuel tanks with insufficient wall thickness in one area. The low wall thickness, in combination with the burr trimming process, may have resulted in a small hole in the tank seam. If the owner fills the tank over half full, the tank could leak and a strong fuel smell will come from the rear of the vehicle. If the fuel leak comes in contact with an ignition source, there is a possibility of a vehicle fire.

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the fuel tank. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 20V112.

Mercedes Benz AMG G63 and G550 ABS/ESP Warning

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Mercedes Benz will be contacting the owners of certain 2019-2020 AMG G63 and G550 vehicles because they could contain a differential locking module control unit that does not meet the current production specifications.

According to the defect report, a resistor on the board could be affected by the sulfur fumes from the axle oil. If the resistor is impaired, the electrical current could increase and cause communications between the control unit and the locking actuator to be shut down. Both ESP and ABS system would be deactivated, increasing the risk of a crash under certain conditions. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through an illumined ABS and ESP message in the instrument panel.

Dealers will inspect the differential locking modules and replace them as necessary. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 20V-090.

2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler Front End Noise

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler’s regarding a problem with the welds on the front track bar bracket. An out of specification weld could result in the bracket separating from the frame. Before complete separation, drivers may experience front end noises, an off center steering wheel position, a “Service Electronic Stability Control” message and light, on the dashboard cluster.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the track bar bracket welds inspected and repaired as necessary. For more information about the problem, owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is UA5 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-675.

Ford Electric – Charge Cord Overheating

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Ford will be asking owners of certain 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi, and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles, to return to their dealers for a problem affecting the 120V convenience charge chord. (Cords affected include part numbers FM58-10B706-AA, FM58-10B706-AB, FM58-10B706-AC, FM58-10B706-AD, FM58-10B706-AE and FM58-10B706-AF.)

According to the defect report, the cord originally provided with these vehicles are missing a thermistor used to identify over temperature conditions. If the defective cord is used in combination with an AC outlet that is not on a dedicated circuit, is damaged, worn or corroded, it could experience an increased contact resistance and could overheat. Early indicators that a problem exists include: incomplete or slow charge cycles, inability to charge, burning odors or visible melting damage.

Dealers will replace the current cord with a new 120V convenience cord with a thermistor. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S24 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-592.