Unexpected ABS Activation In 2024 Acura ZDX All-Wheel Drive Vehicles

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In a concerning development for Acura ZDX All-Wheel Drive owners, a potentially dangerous issue has been identified within certain 2024 models. The problem, rooted in the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system (ABS), could lead to unexpected activation of the ABS, causing a release of brake pressure that significantly diminishes braking performance. This defect poses an increased risk of accidents, particularly during specific low-speed braking events.

The problem first came to light in July 2024 when Honda, Acura’s parent company, was notified by General Motors (GM) about the issue. GM had received reports of two minor accidents, both allegedly linked to a sudden loss of braking, which were suspected to be caused by a software glitch in the ABS. In addition to these accidents, GM also reported a field complaint regarding the issue, though no accident had occurred in that instance.

Honda quickly launched an investigation into the matter. Upon closer examination, it was discovered that the issue was indeed related to a defect in the anti-lock brake system. Specifically, during certain braking events at speeds below 25 mph on dry surfaces, the ABS may activate with undue sensitivity. If this occurs and a specific sequence of wheel movements follows, the ABS will continue to release brake pressure in the service brake system. The result is a dramatic reduction in stopping performance, or in some cases, a complete failure of the brakes, greatly increasing the risk of a crash.

After confirming the defect, Honda determined that it posed a significant safety risk and initiated a safety recall. The company has emphasized that, as of now, no warranty claims, field reports, or incidents involving injuries or crashes related to this defect have been reported in Acura vehicles.

Affected vehicle owners will be notified of the recall and instructed to perform an iN VIN status inquiry to verify if their vehicle is eligible for the update. This notification is crucial for ensuring that all potentially affected vehicles, including those in new or used vehicle inventories, are addressed promptly.

To resolve this issue, Acura will be updating the electronic brake control module software. This update will be delivered either through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by visiting an Acura dealership. The update is designed to correct the sensitivity of the ABS, preventing the unexpected release of brake pressure and restoring normal braking function.

Acura has designated this recall with the internal number UJE, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has assigned it the campaign number 24VC-614.

Owners of the 2024 Acura ZDX All-Wheel Drive are urged to check whether their vehicle is affected by this recall. If you own one of these vehicles, it’s important to respond to the recall notice and ensure that the necessary software update is performed as soon as possible. This proactive step will help avoid the risks associated with the ABS defect and ensure your vehicle operates safely.

Cadillac Lyriq Defective Brake Performance

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A potential safety issue has been identified in certain 2023-2024 Cadillac Lyriq all-wheel-drive vehicles. This defect could affect the vehicle’s braking performance, posing a risk to drivers and passengers.

The investigation into this issue began in May 2024, when General Motors (GM) received reports of two minor accidents allegedly caused by a sudden loss of braking. Both incidents were suspected to be linked to a software problem within the vehicles’ Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). In addition to these accidents, GM was also alerted to a separate field complaint that, while not resulting in an accident, seemed potentially related to the same problem.

To get to the bottom of the issue, GM’s investigation team gathered and analyzed field data from various sources. Despite the initial reports, they found no additional cases that could be connected to this defect. However, through careful analysis, they determined that the problem could indeed occur, but only in extremely rare situations. Specifically, the issue arises when a false ABS event occurs on a dry road at speeds under 25 mph. During this event, if a particular series of wheel movements takes place, the ABS system might continue to release brake pressure in the vehicle’s service brake system, even when it shouldn’t.

Fortunately, GM has confirmed that no injuries or fatalities have been associated with this condition. However, given the potential risk, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided in August 2024 to issue a safety recall for the affected vehicles.

The defect report explains that under certain rare braking conditions on dry surfaces at speeds below 25 mph, the ABS may become overly sensitive. If the ABS falsely activates and a specific sequence of wheel movements occurs, the system might continue to release brake pressure, which can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the service brakes. This could lead to a reduction in stopping performance or even cause the brakes to become inoperative, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

To address this issue, GM has made an update to the electronic brake control module software. This update can be installed either through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by visiting a GM dealership. If you own one of the affected vehicles, GM urges you to take action as soon as possible. The recall number for this issue is N242453471, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number is 24V-598.

Airbag Issue in 2021 and 2024 Nissan Titan Vehicles

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A recent safety concern has emerged for a small number of 2021 and 2024 Nissan Titan vehicles due to a potential issue with their Air Bag Control Unit (ACU). This problem, if left unaddressed, could increase the risk of injury to occupants in the event of a crash.

In May 2024, Nissan was alerted by their airbag supplier about a production error that involved a missing spacer between the ACU fastener and the base plate. This spacer plays a critical role in ensuring that the ACU is properly secured. Without it, there is a risk that the fastener could interfere with the vehicle’s floor pan, leading to the fastener becoming loose. If this occurs, the airbag may deploy late or not at all, which could significantly increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Upon learning about the problem, Nissan and the supplier conducted a thorough audit. They discovered that 531 affected parts had been shipped to Nissan’s Canton, MS Plant. Fortunately, 528 of these parts were identified and quarantined before they could be installed in vehicles. However, three parts had already been installed in 2024 Nissan Titan vehicles that had been shipped.

In June 2024, the supplier identified additional affected parts included in a service part kit, of which 41 were shipped to Nissan. Nissan was able to quarantine and scrap 37 of these parts, but four had already been installed in 2021 Nissan Titan vehicles during repairs.

On July 19, 2024, after further assessment, Nissan confirmed that the absence of the spacer could indeed cause interference with the floor pan, potentially leading to loose fasteners and compromised airbag deployment.

As a result of these findings, Nissan decided on July 29, 2024, to initiate a Voluntary Safety Recall for the seven affected vehicles—three from the 2024 model year and four from the 2021 model year. While there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue, Nissan is taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its customers.

Nissan will address the issue by replacing the ACU in the affected vehicles. Owners of these vehicles will receive notification letters starting September 19, 2024. The recall number assigned by Nissan is PD120, and the corresponding National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number is 24V-580.

Although the number of vehicles affected is small, this recall is a critical step to ensure the safety of Nissan Titan drivers and passengers. If you own a 2021 or 2024 Nissan Titan, keep an eye out for the notification letter and get the the necessary repairs.

2021 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator PCM Software Update

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A select number of Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 23V-116 are now slated for a crucial Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software update.

In February 2023, FCA US LLC’s Vehicle Regulations Committee launched a safety recall (19A) targeting specific 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator models with manual transmissions. This recall was triggered by reports of potential overheating of the clutch pressure plate due to friction. Such overheating could cause the pressure plate to fracture rapidly, leading to cracks or holes in the transmission case. This damage could result in the expulsion of heated debris from the transmission case, posing safety risks to vehicle occupants and other road users.

By June 2024, FCA’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization received reports of vehicles stalling after undergoing the 19A recall remedy. An investigation focused on specific 2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles with manual transmissions that had received the initial remedy under FCA US Recall ID 19A / NHTSA Recall 23V-116. The investigation found that these vehicles might encounter an issue with the Revolutions per Minute (RPM) reduction feature in the PCM software.

The issue was traced to a suspect software release that began on June 19, 2024. This software release introduced a malfunction affecting the RPM reduction feature. The release period ended on June 26, 2024, when the software was withdrawn from availability. Affected vehicles were identified using PCM scan data, ensuring precise identification of those needing further attention. It was confirmed that similar vehicles not included in the recall either lacked manual transmissions or were not updated with the problematic software version.

The remedy involves updating the PCM software in the affected vehicles to ensure the RPM reduction feature operates correctly. This update aims to eliminate the risk of stalling and enhance overall vehicle performance.

Owners of the affected Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator models will receive notification letters by August 15, 2024. These letters will provide detailed instructions on how to proceed with the necessary software update.

For reference, FCA US LLC has assigned the number 92B to this recall, and the NHTSA campaign number is 24V-572. It is crucial for vehicle owners who had previously completed repairs under recall 23V-116 to ensure this new remedy is completed to maintain vehicle safety and reliability.

Hyundai Santa Fe Air Bag Warning Light

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In April 2024, Hyundai became aware of a significant safety issue involving the main floor wiring harness in certain 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) models. This issue was first identified following reports of an inadvertent rear seat side airbag deployment in a Santa Fe vehicle in South Korea. As a result, Hyundai initiated a preliminary investigation, which was subsequently extended to include the North American market.

The defect centers on the main floor wire harness, which in the affected vehicles is susceptible to damage due to contact with the passenger-side, second-row bench seat’s folding hinge assembly. This contact can result in the wire harness becoming chafed, leading to several potential hazards:

  • Illumination of the Air Bag Warning Light: A damaged wire harness can trigger the air bag warning light on the vehicle’s dashboard, indicating a malfunction.
  • Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment: The damage can cause the airbags to deploy unintentionally, posing a significant risk to vehicle occupants.
  • Failure to Deploy Air Bags During a Crash: Conversely, the damage could also prevent the airbags from deploying in the event of a crash, reducing the effectiveness of this critical safety feature.

Hyundai’s investigation revealed eight unique incidents related to this defect in the U.S. market. These findings prompted the company to take immediate action to address the issue and ensure the safety of its customers.

Hyundai will notify affected vehicle owners via first-class mail, instructing them to bring their vehicles to an authorized Hyundai dealer for inspection and repair. The repair process will involve:

  1. Inspection of the Wire Harness: Dealers will check the condition of the main floor wire harness for any signs of damage.
  2. Securing the Wire Harness: If no damage is found, the harness will be properly secured to prevent future contact with the seat’s folding hinge assembly.
  3. Replacement of Damaged Wire Harness: If damage is detected, the wire harness will be replaced with a new one to ensure the vehicle’s safety systems function correctly.


As a precaution, Hyundai advises vehicle owners to be vigilant for any of the warning symptoms mentioned in the defect report, such as the air bag warning light illuminating. If any of these symptoms are present, owners are urged to immediately go for diagnosis and the necessary repairs.

Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed out on September 23, 2024. Hyundai has assigned the internal recall number 265 to this campaign, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has designated it as campaign number 24V-561.

Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Battery Fire Warning

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Chrysler Pacifica Battery FireChrysler (FCA US, LLC) has found a problem with some 2019-2021 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles, as well as some 2017-2018 Pacifica PHEVs that got a software update under a previous recall (NHTSA recall number 22V-077). The issue is with the battery pack, which could cause a fire even when the car is parked and the ignition is off.

Chrysler first learned about this issue in February 2022 through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, which led them to start a voluntary safety recall on certain Pacifica PHEVs, known as recall Z11.

Since then, Chrysler and LG Energy Solution (LGES) have been working to figure out the root cause of the problem. They’ve analyzed field reports, bought back vehicles, looked at vehicle data, conducted thermal tests, and torn down battery packs to get to the bottom of it.

In November 2022, the Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) team at Chrysler was informed about a battery fire in a Pacifica PHEV that had already been fixed under recall Z11.

From June 2023 to December 2023, TSRC learned about five more fires involving the HV battery in some Pacifica PHEVs that had the Z11 remedy. They tried to buy back these vehicles to analyze if the recall fix was working.

In April 2024, Chrysler received a Pacifica PHEV with a post-Z11 remedy fire in the battery pack. After analyzing the vehicle and battery pack, they sent the battery back to the supplier for further inspection. They found a torn anode tab in one of the cells, but couldn’t identify a second factor causing the fires. This confirmed that the Z11 remedy wasn’t effective.

A folded or torn anode tab can lead to lithium by-product build-up over time. This defect, combined with another unknown factor, can cause an internal short in the battery pack, potentially resulting in a vehicle fire.

Chrysler advises owners not to charge their vehicles and to park them outside and away from structures until repairs are made. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module (BPCM) software, and if necessary, replace the battery pack assembly. The recall numbers are 72B and 73B, and the NHTSA campaign numbers are 24V-356 and 24V-358. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 22V-077 will need to have the new fix applied.

Front Seat Air Bag May Not Deploy As Intended

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Chrysler is reaching out to owners of specific Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Jeep models due to a potential issue with the seat belt buckle switch sensor. This problem might prevent the front seat airbag from deploying properly in the event of a crash, posing a significant safety risk.

The recall affects the following vehicle models:

2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia
2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
2019-2023 Fiat 500X
2019-2023 Jeep Renegade
2024 Fiat 500E

In November 2023, the Stellantis Europe Customer Experience (CX) department, specifically through the European Reactivity process Acceleration for Customer Enthusiasm (RACE) organization, initiated an investigation. This came after they received multiple reports of airbag warning lights illuminating in certain vehicles. These warning lights are critical indicators of potential issues within the vehicle’s safety systems, specifically those related to the airbags.

The Stellantis Europe CX team conducted a review of the supplier data, connector design, and any changes in the vehicle’s manufacturing history. Their investigation identified that the affected vehicles might have been built with a suspect connector on the buckle switch sensor. By February 2024, the Stellantis Europe CX organization had officially opened a safety investigation into the buckle switch sensor’s integrity. The investigation continued, and in June 2024, Stellantis Europe, through their Vehicle Regulations Committee, decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall for the affected vehicles.

The Scope of the Problem

As of June 26, 2024, Stellantis Europe had identified 578 field reports in North America potentially related to this issue. These reports were received between November 9, 2023, and June 26, 2024, indicating a widespread concern among vehicle owners.

According to the defect report, the problem arises from a disrupted connector on the buckle switch sensor. This disruption can affect the conduction on the seat wiring and buckle connectors, leading to a potential malfunction of the front seat airbag. In the event of a crash, an airbag that fails to deploy as intended can significantly increase the risk of injury to the driver.

Warning Signs for Drivers

Drivers of the affected vehicles might notice specific warning signs indicating a problem with the airbag system. These signs include:

  • The airbag warning light staying on even when there is no issue with the airbag itself.
  • The seatbelt reminder buzzer sounding even when the seatbelt is fastened properly.

These indicators should not be ignored, as they signal a malfunction that could compromise the vehicle’s safety systems.

Owners of the affected Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Jeep models will receive official notification letters starting August 22, 2024. These letters will provide detailed instructions on the recall process. Owners will be asked to return their vehicles to authorized dealers to have the buckle switch sensor connection inspected and repaired at no cost.

The recall has been assigned the number 82B by FCA US, LLC, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has designated the campaign number 24V-510 for this recall.

Steering Wheel Could Unexpectedly Turn

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The secondary steering torque sensor may not be properly calibrated on certain 2018-2023 Ford Mustang, 2018-2020 Ford F-150, 2018-2021 Ford Expedition, and 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with electronic power assist steering (EPAS) gears, which were installed as replacement service parts and are now found to have potential calibration issues.

This issue came to light when Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) was alerted by the supplier about an assembly problem affecting certain steering gears. To thoroughly understand the extent of this problem, Ford’s CCRG conducted a detailed review that included examining supplier maintenance records, warranty reports, and vehicle testing data. The findings prompted Ford’s Field Review Committee to decide on issuing a recall to address the defect.

The defect report indicates that the electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) gears, which were sold as service parts, may have an incorrectly calibrated secondary digital torque sensor in the steering gear. Specifically, the polarity of this sensor may be inverted. If the primary steering torque sensor fails or develops a fault, and the secondary digital torque sensor’s polarity is inverted, the steering wheel could start oscillating without warning. This means the steering wheel might alternate between clockwise and counterclockwise movements when the driver attempts to steer, leading to unintended steering assist from the electronic power steering gear.

This oscillation poses a significant safety risk as it can make steering unpredictable and difficult to control, potentially leading to accidents. Recognizing the severity of this issue, Ford has taken measures to address it.

Ford dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software in the affected vehicles to correct the calibration issue. This update is intended to ensure the proper functioning of the secondary torque sensor, thereby preventing the unintended steering oscillation.

Owner notification letters were mailed on August 5, 2024, to inform vehicle owners about the recall and the necessary steps to have their vehicles repaired. Ford has assigned this recall the number 24S45, and it is also registered under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number 24E-055.