Tag Archives: fire risk

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.

2015-2018 Porsche Macan Fuel Smell

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Porsche will be contacting the owners of certain 2015-2018 Macan SUVs because of a problem affecting the fuel system in their vehicles.

According to the defect report, under high load conditions there is a possibility that the fuel supply port at the filter flange of the fuel pump could contact the service cover. The supply port could develop hairline cracks over time, potentially leading to a fuel odor. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may increases the risk of fire.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Porsche dealerships to have the fuel pump flange inspected and replaced as necessary. Technicians will also rework and apply a protective film to the fuel pump flange. Porsche’s number for this recall is ALA2 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-077.

Nissan Brake Fluid Leak Could Result In Fire

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Nissan will be asking the owners of certain 2015-2019 Infiniti and Nissan vehicles, equipped with ADVICS ABS actuators, to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the braking system. These vehicles were previously recalled under NHTSA campaign number 18V-601, but were not repaired. This new recall (19V-807) also expands the previous population. The affected models include:

  • 2017-2019 Infiniti QX60
  • 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima
  • 2015-2018 Nissan Murano
  • 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder

Due to manufacturing variation, the ABS actuators may contain an oil seal with inadequate sealing performance. The seal could prematurely wear and leak brake fluid. If this occurs, the ABS warning lamp will illuminate to warn the driver, but if the warning is ignored, the brake fluid leak could create an electrical short in the actuator circuit. In rare instances, this could lead to a fire.

Note: When brake fluid leaks onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine is started. If this occurs, owners should park their vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

2017 Honda CR-V Fuel Leak & Engine Stalls

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Honda will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Honda CR-V’s regarding a manufacturing problem affecting the fuel system. An incorrect die may have been used to create the end form on the fuel feed pipe. The feed pipe may not attach properly to the feed hose and could disconnect when pressurized. A fuel leak could result in an engine stall and a risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the fuel supply pipe replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is KH1 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-442.

2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 & E550 Safety Defect

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Mercedes-Benz (MBUSA) will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles, because one of the under body panels may have been manufactured out of specification. Vehicles equipped with dual exhaust systems may not have enough clearance between the catalyst and the panel. High temperatures could melt the panel and under certain conditions result in a fire.

Dealers will inspect and replace the under body panel, as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-831.

Mazda CX-5 Fuel Line Could Rupture

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The owners of certain 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles may be driving vehicles which fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, “Fuel System Integrity”. According to reports, these vehicles were manufactured with a fuel filler pipe that could, under certain impact crashes, rupture and spill fuel exceeding the limits allowed by the FMVSS. The problem could increase the risk of a vehicle fire and injury to occupants. Continue reading →

Cadillac ATS Window Defroster Could Overheat

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General Motors have announced a safety defect affecting certain 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS sedans and will be asking owners to return to their dealership for repairs. According to reports, these vehicles may have a rear window defrost coil antenna that may have been manufactured with a weak terminal connection. If the weak connection is subject to excessive cycling or continuous operation a fire could develop inside the rear pillar on the driver’s side. Continue reading →