Tag Archives: safety defect

Rear Suspension Toe Link Could Separate On Cadillac And GMC SUVs

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General Motors (GM) has decided that a safety defect affecting suspension exists in certain 2022 Cadillac XT5, 2022 Cadillac XT6, and 2022 GMC Acadia vehicles. Owners will be receiving notices with instructions to return to their Cadillac or GMC dealer to have the suspension in their vehicle inspected and repaired as necessary.

GM became aware of the problem in March 2022, after a quality engineer at one of GM’s assembly plants identified a Cadillac XT6 that was missing a toe link to a knuckle bolt in the vehicle’s left side rear suspension. The manufacturing records showed that the bolt had been fully tightened, but further investigation found that the supplier’s error-proofing equipment had been improperly configured following a change in the assembly process. As a result, the tool operator could have failed to fully tighten the bolt without the error-proofing equipment detecting it.

According to the defect report, after an assembly process was moved to a new area, error-proofing equipment was not initially set up properly. This allowed a window where the operator may miss tightening certain fasteners without the failure being flagged. The affected toe links may be loose or become separated, resulting in misalignment of the left-rear wheel and increasing the risk of a crash

GM investigated the potentially affected population and inspected 271 suspensions that had been contained at the plant, with six more instances of loose fasteners identified. Although GM have not received any claims or complaints related to the subject condition and they are not aware of any associated accidents or injuries but have decided to conduct a safety recall.

Dealers will inspect the left-rear suspension and replace the fastener if it is loose or missing. GM’s number for this recall is N222364330 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-427. Approximately 736 vehicles may be affected.

Mazda Engine Stall From Fuel Pump Failure

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Mazda is recalling certain 2018-2020 vehicles because the impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

In March 2019 Mazda received the first field report of an engine stall due to an inoperative fuel pump. A study of the pump showed that cracking on the impeller surface made the impeller more likely to deform. Further investigation found that solvent used during the manufacturing process and low-density impellers may be factors causing impeller cracking. During the test, the surface of the impeller cracked as the solvent dried over time. It was confirmed that fuel pumps produced with impellers of lower density exposed to production drying solvent for longer periods of time could experience the impeller cracking at a level that could lead to excessive fuel absorption, and could cause impeller deformation.

The Vehicles Affected Include:
2019 Mazda CX-3
2018-2019 Mazda CX-5
2018-2019 Mazda CX-9
2019-2020 Mazda Mazda2
2018 Mazda Mazda3
2018 Mazda Mazda6
2018-2019 Mazda MX-5

Fuel pump failure may result in engine no start and/or vehicle stall while driving at low speed and, in rare instances, a vehicle stall could occur while driving at higher speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. Drivers may notice this defect by a check engine light, and/or rough engine operation.

Mazda will be contacting owners of affected vehicles with instructions to return to their dealers to have the fuel pump replaced. Mazda’s number for this recall is 5321K and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-875.

Nissan Armada & Infiniti QX80 Engine Stall

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Owners of certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 Infiniti QX80 SUVs equipped with V8 engines could experience a fuel system problem that could result in an unexpected engine stall. Nissan learned of a potential issue on these vehicles in June 2020 and initiated an investigation which has lead to the recall of approximately 24,000 vehicles.

According to the defect report, the fuel pump module was not designed to manufacturer specifications and could fail. During the impeller manufacturing process, a buildup of molten plastic on the injection moulding machine cylinder tip could cause the density of the impeller to be out of specification. Fuel inside the fuel pump can cause the impeller to swell, increasing friction between the impeller and inlet cover. Eventually the fuel pump will bind internally and the engine will stall.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to the dealers to have the fuel pump module replaced. Nissan’s number for this recall is R21A2, Infiniti’s number for this recall is R21A3 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-373.

2020-2021 Ford Explorer and 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator Engine Vibrations

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Drivers experiencing engine vibrations in their 2020-2021 Ford Explorer and 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator SUVs could have vehicles manufactured with engine mounting fasteners that were not correctly installed.

According to a defect report filed with the NHTSA, the automated tool used to secure the right-hand motor mount fasteners was not functioning properly and a manual handheld tool was used.  The manual backup process was not calibrated correctly and the motor mounts were improperly torqued.  Over time, one or more of the mounts could loosen and the engine will begin to vibrate.  If the problem is not fixed the engine mounts could eventually break.

Ford will notify owners to return to their dealers to have the right-hand motor mount fasteners replaced. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2021. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S72 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-788.

2020 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Hood Rattle

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General Motors has decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2020 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks. They will be contacting owners to return to their dealerships to have repairs done.

According to the defect report, the hood latch striker may have not been properly heat treated at the supplier and over time could fatigue and fracture. If the striker wire fractures, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. Drivers may be alerted of a partial fracture from an audible rattle coming from the hood.

Vehicles Affected
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2020 GMC Sierra 2500
2020 GMC Sierra 3500

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the hood latch assembly. GM’s number for this recall is N192284960 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-142.

Click here to view the complete recall notice.

Dodge Caravan – Jeep Wrangler Brake Warning

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Dodge Caravan and 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles because of a problem that could increase the chance of a crash. According to the NHTSA defect report, the brake switches in these automobiles are more likely to malfunction, causing the rear brake lamps to continuously illuminate and allowing the transmission to be shifted out of “Park” without the brake pedal being depressed.

Drivers will be alerted of a problem through a illuminated malfunction indicator lamp, an audible warning chime and brake lights that continuously illuminate.

Chrysler will be asking owners to return to their dealers to have the brake switches replaced. Owners who would like more information about the problem can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U09 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-098.

Buick Regal & Envision Safety Defects

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General Motors has decided that defects relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2011 Buick Regal and 2016-2017 Buick Envision vehicles.

  • The first problem affects certain 2011 Regal cars equipped with 8 way power adjustable front seats. The wiring harness for the seats could chafe against the seat frame and cause an electrical short. The problem could result in an inability to adjust the seats, flickering lights on the instrument panel, sparking or smoke from under the seat, and possibly a fire. Dealers will inspect and secure the wiring harness and repair chafed wires as necessary. GM’s number for this recall is 30710 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-517.

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