Tag Archives: manufacturing defect

GM & Chevy Airbag Safety Problem

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General Motors has decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab trucks. There is a chance that the retainer ring inside the passenger airbag module was damaged during the assembly process and may allow gas to escape during an airbag inflation. This would reduce the amount of gas available to fill the airbag, increasing the risk of injury to passengers during certain crashes.

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the passenger side air bag module. GM’s number for this recall is N182198820 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-868.

Kia Stinger Electrical Short

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Kia Motors will be asking the owners of certain 2018 Stinger cars to return to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the electrical system of their vehicles. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, a wire harness within the engine on the passenger side could contact a burr on the fender body panel, causing insulation damage and a potential short. The short could generate sufficient heat that it could result in an engine fire. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp or the activation of “limp home mode”.

Dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage and replace it as necessary. A fender plug and wire harness cover will be installed to prevent future damage. Kia’s number for this recall SC170 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-754.

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.

2018 VW Tiguan Rear Suspension Noises

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Volkswagen will be asking the owners of certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles, to return to their dealership to have their rear shock absorbers inspected.

According to the defect report, a mechanical misalignment of the arc welder torch used to fasten the loop to the base assembly, could result in a weak weld between the two parts. If these welds break and the parts separate while the vehicle is operated, drivers could unexpectedly lose control.

Owners experiencing unfamiliar noises coming from the rear suspension of their 2018 VW Tiguan vehicles are asked to return to their dealerships immediately to have the rear shock absorbers inspected and replaced as necessary.

For more information contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 42i7 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-262.

2017 Jeep Renegade Defective Oil Pump / Balance Shaft Module

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Chrysler will be asking a small number of 2017 Jeep Renegade owners to return to their dealers because their vehicles are suspect to have a defective oil pump / balance shaft module (BSM). According to the defect report, these vehicles may have been manufactured with a cracked oil pump housing that could propagate throughout the housing and cause the oil pump to fail. Drivers will receive no warning of a problem except that the engine may not run optimally just prior to an engine stall.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the oil pump inspected for its production information and replace the BSM as necessary. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U18 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-131.

2018 Hyundai Santa FE & Santa FE Sport Steering Problem

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Hyundai will be contacting owners of certain 2018 Santa FE midsize SUVs because of a problem affecting the steering system.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, temperature problems during the molding process could result in steering wheel hub assemblies with insufficient breakage strength. The steering wheel could completely separate from the steering column leaving the driver with no way of steering the vehicle.

Hyundai will be notifying owners to return to their dealers to have the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly inspected and replaced as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 173 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-118.

2018 Nissan Versa Note – Air Bag Deployment Problem

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Nissan will be contacting a small number of 2018 Versa Note owners because their vehicles could fail to meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for side impact protection. According to the defect report, some vehicles may be equipped with an Autoliv side curtain air bag inflator that was manufactured out of specification. A component within the aribag could detach during deployment potentially causing injury to vehicle occupants.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Nissan dealership to have the side curtain air bags replaced. For more information about the problem owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 17V-837.

2017 Mercedes Metris ABS Warning & Brake Noises

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Daimler has determined that certain 2017 Mercedes Benz Metris vans may have been manufactured with front axle bearing retaining rings that were not seated correctly. The retaining rings could extend from the steering knuckles allowing the wheel bearing to move out of position. The problem could result in an ABS sensing error warning on the instrument panel, unfamiliar brake noises, unpredictable drive-ability and the loss of a wheel.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the front axle wheel bearing retaining rings inspected and correctly positioned as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the defect can contact Daimler customer service at 1-877-762-8267.