Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued several vehicles recalls for the week ending on April 21. The vehicle recalls affecting all of the major auto brands including Ford, GM, BMW, Audi, and Lexus among others. The recalls exist due to the number of vehicles involved, which are into the hundreds of thousands.
Volkswagen/Audi Vehicle Recall
The makers of Volkswagen and Audi both made announcements that recalls were in place that affect many of their models in the United States. The recall is designed so that vehicle owners are aware of certain issues that may affect their vehicle, such as an inaccurate level of transmission oil that could cause a potential fire if overheating occurs.
Read More »By catching the potential problems now will prevent serious damage or issues involving driveability and premature wearing of the clutch. In worse cases, the transmission could easily create a foamy leak that could cause a fire.
All dealerships are making the effort to contact R8 owners to have their vehicles inspected and repaired if any signs of related issues exist. A few of the solutions involve having the gear oil topped off or even having the part replaced.
The most vehicle recall occurring under the Volkswagen Tiguan model, which spans between 2017 and 2021 with over 6,700 models rolling out of the factory with an improperly installed hatch spoiler. Due to their inadequate attachment, they may turn into a projectile while driving. According to Volkswagen, the vehicles with the bad spoilers were installed at a port or another installation area. The installers were provided with incorrect instructions on how the spoiler should be installed. So if you installed your own spoiler, then you will not be covered.
All dealers of VW will be making replacements and attachments for spoilers that were improperly attached by all installers who were authorized to make the attachment.
As a third Audi recall, it is not as substantial and is only recalling a small amount of S3 and A3 models because of having a symbol that was wrong for the child seat anchor. Although this is not seen as a mechanical issue, it just makes for a swap of a symbol meant for the E.U and not the U.S.
BMW
Under BMW, more than 900,000 vehicles have been recalled due to a potential hazard involving the PCV valve heater that could cause a fire if it short-circuits.
According to BMW, the PCV valves in the affected models incorporate heating elements made of copper that is supplied with a continuous current, as well as a PTC element.
With a plastic coating on the contacts of the tube, the possible irregularities could cause a cavity within the contacts and around the element itself. If a cavity occurs, moisture could develop and cause a short to occur.
When a malfunction occurs, a dashboard maintenance indicator will be illuminated. When this malfunction happens, the driver will see or smell smoke. However, having the dash light come on will not be the alarming part and if the car does begin to smoke, then the vehicle needs to be off the road immediately and turned off and exited. Currently, there have been no reports of any injuries connected with the malfunction.
Although this is the third recall for BMW, the issue has been continuous since 2017 and was to address the issue stemming from model years 2007 to 2010. Then, in 2019, there were more than 180,000 more vehicles were included from 2006 models. Unfortunately, the campaigns to clear up the issue have not been completed yet as more vehicles seem to be recalled all the time, as well as the equipment, needs to be made aware of again.
General Motors
For GM, the auto giant has decided to recall over 650,000 vehicles that have a windshield wiper defect. The models affected the most include the 2014 and 2015 GMC Terrain and 2014 and 2015 Chevy Equinox. The vehicle windshield wipers could ultimately fail due to a corroding ball joint or from wear.
There are more than 680,000 units affected, which alludes to 1% of the cars will include a wiper defect. This recall is voluntary for both Terrain and Equinox models to have the windshield wipers replaced.
All owners of these models will be notified by mail in May and a dealer will make the necessary repairs to the wiper free of charge to owners. A similar recall was made in 2017 by GM that stated corrosion could occur on the wiper ball joints.
Ford
There will be more than 735,000 Ford vehicles to be recalled due to a part causing oil leaks and an error in the software that could result in bad brakes. Half of the recall will involve the 2020-2022 Escape and the 2021-2011 Broncos that have the 1.5L engine. These engine’s oil separator housing may crack and leak oil. This leak could potentially cause a fire to develop.
According to Ford, it was reported that a total of 8 engine fires had occurred and may be related to the oil leak. All Ford dealers will make the necessary inspection to check for cracks or other damage that could lead to a leak and make replacements when needed.
Besides the Bronco and Escape recall models, the F-150 model year 2022, Maverick, Navigator, Expedition, and other F series trucks will be recalled due to their inability to tow a trailer equipped with an electric over hydraulic brake system may fail.
Hyundai
Recall for Hyundai will involve a few of their 2019 Nexo models due to a possible hydrogen leak after refueling.
An investigation into a fire involving the hydrogen leak sparked questions of the hydrogen fuel compartment having a leak after a fire was caused shortly after refueling in South Korea. When fueling was complete, the hydrogen leaked into the fuel filler where a fire ignited. Luckily the hydrogen station was able to extinguish the fire before any more damage could occur.
Nissan
The recall for Nissan will involve their 2020 Sentry models. The recall will involve the LED headlight, which may have been aligned incorrectly as it was manufactured. Because of this alignment error, the vehicles do not meet the FMVSS number 108 covering lights and lamps. There are more than 5,500 vehicles with this lighting issue.
Tesla
A recall involving Tesla will cover X models for the 2021-2022 model year. The recall inv wolves the airbags for either curtain side, which may fail to deploy during an impact with the windows open. Because of this, the vehicles are below the standards set by the FMFSS that covers ejection mitigation. This issue involves more than 7,000 vehicles.
Other model years being recalled include the models Y, X, and S for the model year 2020-2022 and the model S for model years 2017-2022.
The issue with these models surrounds the boombox, which permits sound to be heard externally as the vehicle drives. This may interfere with the sound of a Pedestrian Warning if it is activated. With this issue, the vehicles fail to comply with the FMVSS 141 covering sound requirements pertaining to electric and hybrid vehicles. This issue involves more than 590,000 Tesla vehicles.
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