Tag Archives: manufacturing defect

VW / Jeep – Illuminated Airbag Warning

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An illuminated airbag warning light in certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles could mean an airbag crash sensor needs replacement.

ZF North America, the manufacturer of Remote Accelerometer Sensors (RAS) installed in these vehicles, are recalling certain RAS built from a specific production period. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, soldering connections inside the sensors may have been damaged due to exposure to higher than expected temperatures during manufacturing. As reported by FCA and VW, if present in a vehicle, an affected airbag crash sensor may not communicate correctly with the airbag control module. If this occurs, the airbag warning light will illuminate.

Warning: There is a risk of delayed airbag deployment during a frontal crash or a risk of a non-deployment in low speed collisions.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the air bag crash sensor replaced. Chrysler’s number for this recall is V63. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 69AL. The NHTSA campaign number is 20E-052.

Kia Stinger Engine Compartment Fire

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Some 2019 Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 3.3L T-GDI engines and manufactured between June 21, 2018 to July 9, 2019 could experience an engine compartment fire. There have been six (6) fire related customer complaints and no known crashes or injuries related to this problem.

According to the defect report, these vehicles could experience an engine compartment fire in the area of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU). Kia is still investigating possible causes and are asking drivers to watch for signals that a fire could occur. This includes the illumination of warning lights on the instrument panel, including tire pressure, ABS and MIL lights. Other signs include a burning or melting odor and smoke from the engine compartment. Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall is repaired.

The fix for this defect is still under development and is expected to begin October. Kia’s recall number is SC196 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-518.

Jeep Grand Cherokee / RAM 1500 Engine Stall

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Some 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2014-2018 RAM 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines may have been manufactured with crankshaft tone wheels that could experience magnetic signal material delamination.

The magnetic material attached to the tone wheel provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor. If this material delaminates, the engine will lose its ability to synchronize injector pulses and cam timing. Loss of crankshaft position can result in an engine stall and the inability to restart. The problem can occur without prior warning.

The remedy for this condition is not currently available. Dealers will stop the engine from stalling by updating the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost. If tone wheel failure occurs, the engine warning light will illuminate but the vehicle will not stall.

The recall to update the powertrain control module software is expected to begin in October. FCA’s number for this recall is W58 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-475.

Mitsubishi Outlander Seat Belt Safety Problem

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A seat belt safety problem will have approximately 177,000, 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV owners returning to their dealerships for repairs. This recall is expected to begin in September.

According to the defect report, the seat belt buckle cover on the second row seat can become damaged when folding the left hand side seat back. If this happens the latch may become inoperative and may not be able to engage the seat belt tongue. Occupants sitting in this position will be unprotected.

Mitsubishi dealers will correct the problem by modifying the second row center seat belt buckle cover. They will install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base and provide a new warning label insert for the owner’s manual. Mitsubishi’s number for this recall is SR-20-004 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-403.

2019-2020 Toyota Rav4 and Rav4 Hybrid Suspension Cracks

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Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2019-2020 Rav4 and Rav4 Hybrid vehicles because of a problem that could exists with the front lower suspension.

According to the defect report, the lower suspension arms connecting the front wheels to the vehicle front cross member may be defective due to improper production conditions at the steel supplier. If a vehicle with an affected suspension arm is repeatedly driven with rapid acceleration and deceleration, it is possible that cracks could propagate throughout the arm, causing it to eventually separate from the front wheel assembly. The problem could result in loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have both front lower suspension arms replaced. Toyota’s interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-286.

2019 Subaru Stalls And Won’t Start

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Subaru will be contacting the owners of certain 2019 model cars and SUVs because of a problem affecting the fuel system in their vehicles.

According to the defect report, the fuel pump in these vehicles may have an impeller that was manufactured with a density that does not meet the manufacturer standards. If the impeller is exposed to solvent drying for extended periods of time, it could develop cracks that would lead to excessive fuel absorption. Over time the impeller could deform and interfere with the body of the fuel pump. If the fuel pump stops working, the check engine warning will illuminate, the engine will run roughly and could stall without the ability to restart.

Vehicles Affected
2019 Subaru Ascent
2019 Subaru Impreza
2019 Subaru Legacy
2019 Subaru Outback

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the low pressure fuel pump. Subaru’s number for this recall is WRD-20 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-218.

2020 Toyota Corolla Backup Lights Stop Working

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Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2020 Corolla vehicles because of an electrical problem that could cause the backup lights to fail.

The vehicles affected are equipped with a rear hatch that contains a wire harness for rear end electrical components. During the inspection process, damaged testing equipment may have caused the contact gaps of the wire harness connector to increase. Lower contact pressure inside the connector increases the chances of an oxide layer developing on the surface of certain terminals. Over time the electrical resistance could increase, resulting in loss of backup lamps. If the lamps do not illuminate when the vehicle is backing, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Those receiving notices can return to their dealerships to have the rear hatch wire harness replaced. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are 20TB07 and 20TA07 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-205.

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.