[satrikon_454]

Kia Motors America has recalled 342,381 Souls once again in the US, due to an unsuccessful steering issue fix that took place the first time. The first instance was in November 2015, making this the second recall in a span of two years. Recall is stated for the models manufactured between July 21st 2013 and September 30th 2015. These include the Soul and Soul EV's.

According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the pinion plug is not secured safely. This means the pinion gear could separate from the steering gear assembly, resulting in loss of steering wheel's function. Despite identifying and acknowledging the issue in earlier, they were not able to rectify the problem completely. As per the report, "The driver will hear a clunking noise from the steering rack while turning the steering wheel".

Kia issued a statement saying, they are not aware of any injuries caused by this issue. Depending on each car, Kia will either secure the pinion plug correctly, or if required, replace the whole steering assembly. Dealers will begin calling the affected cars from mid-November. While this is a voluntary recall, it may be noted that customers who have paid for the first repair will be reimbursed for the same.

IMHO, a well-known brand like Kia cannot let such mistakes happen. This is something that shouldn't have occurred in the first place. Since the recall is for the same problem, the customers won't have a peace of mind even after the second fix. The risk associated with an issue like this is life-threatening. But on the other hand, Kia must be appreciated for committing to customer safety and accepting their mistake publically. They are willing to even replace the steering assembly if need be. All that matters in the end; there should be no serious injuries triggered by this issue.

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Are BMW's really safe?

Mysterious fire surrounds parked BMW's in US. Owners demand answers as dozens of the luxury German cars burst into flames while the engines were OFF

BMW recalls cars in USA for fire risks.

From the article :

WASHINGTON: BMW AG said on Friday it is recalling about 1 million vehicles in North America for two separate issues involving fire risks and said it may expand the recalls to other countries.

One recall covers 670,000 2006-2011 U.S. 3-Series vehicles to address a wiring issue for heating and air conditioning systems that may overheat and could increase the risk of a fire.

The second recall covers 740,000 U.S. 2007-2011 vehicles with a valve heater that could rust and lead to a fire in rare cases. The recall includes some 128i vehicles, 3-Series, 5-Series and X3, X5 and Z4 vehicles.

BMW said both recalls followed recent meetings with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In the heating and air conditioning recall, BMW told NHTSA it first got a report of an incident in 2008 involving heat- related damage to a 2006 3-Series sedan, but did not determine a root cause. The automaker continued to monitor additional field incidents in the following years.

In 2011, BMW made a quality improvement to the blower-regulator wiring harness. No injuries were reported between 2007 and 2014, but in 2015, BMW was made aware of three incidents in which there were allegations of injuries.

In early September, BMW learned of another incident involving a 2011 BMW 3 Series vehicle. Dealers will replace a wiring harness if necessary and potentially additional parts.

In the valve heater issue recall, BMW first received a report in 2009 of an incident in a 2007 X5 involving heat-related damage to the engine compartment, the company told NHTSA.

It received other reports and continued to review the issue and inspect returned parts, but had no reports of injuries or crashes related to the issue. Dealers will replace the valve heater.

[blackwasp]

Ford has asked owners of 2,900 Ranger pickup trucks to stop using them after confirming that a death in an accident in July 2017 involving a 2006 Ranger pickup truck was caused due to a defective airbag inflator made by Takata. Of these, 2,700 vehicles are in US while the remaining 200 are in Canada. Ford has stated that owners should drive their vehicles only after the airbag inflators are replaced.

This is the second death caused by the defective inflators that can rupture and send metal fragments into the driver’s body. The first death occurred in South Carolina in December 2015. Ford has revealed that both the vehicles had inflators built on the same day. The affected 2,900 vehicles were also part of a recall issued in 2016 to over 3,91,000 2004-2006 Ranger trucks.

Ford has stated that the company will bear the costs of towing the affected vehicles to its service centres or dispatch mobile repair teams to the homes of the vehicles' owners. It will also provide loaner vehicles free of cost if required.

Mazda has said that the company will also be issuing a similar stop drive warning to some models of the 2006 Mazda B-Series trucks, which were made at the same plant as the affected Ford Ranger pickup trucks. The Mazda trucks were rebadged versions of the Ranger series of trucks.

There have been over 21 deaths and more than 200 cases of injures related to the inflator issue. Takata had said that it expected to recall 125 million vehicles worldwide to replace the inflators. The Japanese company filed for bankruptcy in June 2017.

In India, manufacturers like Mitsubishi, Honda and Toyota have issued recalls over the same problem.



Source - Reuters

Link to the Team-BHP News

[dhanushs]

Not only Ford and not only Ranger. Majority of the models with Takata airbags have an issue. One of the largest scam in the recent past.

[Joxster]

Came across this article today.

BMW said on Friday it would recall 11,700 cars to fix their engine management software after it discovered that the wrong programming had been installed on its luxury 5- and 7-series models.

In the course of internal tests, the BMW Group has discovered that a correctly developed software update was mistakenly assigned to certain unsuitable model-versions," the company said in a statement. The BMW Group informed the relevant authorities immediately.

BMW issued the statement after a report in news weekly Der Spiegel suggested it had installed software that manipulated emissions of harmful gases such as nitrogen oxide, something its management has always denied. Competitor Volkswagen reached a multi-billion-dollar U.S. settlement after admitting installing so-called "defeat devices" on its diesel models designed to game emissions tests. VW has been roiled by the diesel emissions scandal, which has forced it to set aside 25.8 billion euros ($31.7 billion) to cover fines and related costs, of which it has paid out nearly 20 billion euros.

BMW said the models affected were 5- and 7-series cars made between 2012 and 2017 containing high-performance diesel engines and three turbo chargers. BMW did not say where the cars were, but said it would cooperate with the relevant authorities on further steps.

Source

Cheers

[Joxster]

Ford recalls 1.4 million sedans in North America because steering wheels could fall off

Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 1.4 million Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans in North America because loose bolts could allow the steering wheel to come off.
The automaker said it knows of two accidents and one injury linked to the problem, which federal regulators began investigating in October. Ford said the steering wheel bolt can loosen over time, resulting in detachment of the wheel and a loss of steering control.

The recall covers the following vehicles:
2014-17 Fusions built in Flat Rock, Mich., from Aug. 6, 2013, to Feb. 29, 2016.
2014-18 Fusions and MKZs built in Hermosillo, Mexico, from July 25, 2013, to March 5, 2018.
The vast majority of the vehicles were sold in the U.S., while some are in Canada and Mexico, Ford said.

Ford is telling dealers to install a longer steering-wheel bolt "with more robust thread engagement and larger nylon patch placed properly for proper torque retention."

It's the second time in the last month that an automaker has had to initiate a recall for steering wheels that can fall off. Hyundai recalled about 44,000 of its Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport crossovers in late February, saying the steering wheel assembly could break.

Separately, Ford said Wednesday that it would recall about 6,000 cars for potential clutch plate fractures that could increase the chance of a fire. That recall covers the 2013-16 Ford Focus with a 1.0-liter Fox GTDI engine and B6 manual transmission and the 2013-15 Ford Fusion with a 1.6-liter GTDI engine and B6 manual transmission.
The Focuses were built in Wayne, Mich., from July 2014 through June 2016, while the Fusions were made in Hermosillo from March 2012 through June 2014. Ford said it's not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this recall.

Source

Cheers

[blackwasp]

Ford has issued a recall for a potential steering wheel malfunction issue in some of its cars in North America. It was also revealed that the company is aware of two incidences related to this, one of which lead to injuries.

The recall consists of 2014-18 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured in Ford's Flat Rock, Michigan and Hermosillo, Mexico assembly plants. The total number of units recalled is 13,78,637 out of which, 13,01,986 cars were sold in USA, 62,479 in Canada and 14,172 in Mexico. The steering wheel bolts of the affected cars could loosen up in certain cases leading to the steering wheel coming off, causing a loss of control of the vehicle and thereby leading to an accident.

As part of the recall, Ford has instructed its dealers to replace the affected bolts with longer and better-threaded bolts. The nylon patch on the replacement bolts is also larger, helping in better torque retention. The repair will be done at no extra of cost to the owners.

Ford is also recalling 6,000 Focus and Fusion models for a potential fire hazard due to a fractured clutch plate. The affected Focus models were made in the Michigan plant between 2013-16 and come equipped with 1.0-liter Fox GTDI end and B6 manual gearbox. Meanwhile, the Fusion cars were made at the Mexican assembly plant from 2013-15 and come equipped with a 1.6-liter Sigma GTDI engine and B6 manual transmission.



Link to the Team-BHP News

[volkman10]

Tesla has joined the ranks of established carmakers by issuing its largest recall ever. The action involves some 123,000 Model S sedans, manufactured by 2016.

measure has been taken after Tesla mechanics noticed that, in certain conditions, a power steering bolt might be prone to excessive corrosion. Although Tesla says failure of the said bolt would not make the driver lose control of the car, the company still decided to have the part replaced.

The bolt may become corroded especially in areas with cold climates. The carmaker said there are no known incidents caused by the defect, but that it has found that losing the bolt might make the Model S difficult to steer at low speeds.

Link

[Joxster]

Ford issues two transmission related recalls. Could affect some of the Mustangs sold in India too.

Ford Motor Co. on Friday issued a recall for 2018 model year F-150 pickups and Expedition SUVs with 10-speed automatic transmissions for a potentially unseated transmission gear shift cable clip. The recall also covers 2018 model year F-650 and F-750 pickups with six-speed automatic transmissions. About 347,000 vehicles are affected.

In the affected vehicles, a clip that locks the gear shift cable to the transmission may not be fully seated. That could allow the transmission to be in a different gear from the one selected by the driver.
In some instances that could mean the vehicle may not be in park even when the driver shifts to park and turns off the ignition, which could cause unintended vehicle movement. There would not be any warning chimes or messages, since the shifter would be in the proper position.
Ford said it's aware of one reported accident and injury involving the issue.

Here's where the affected vehicles were made:

2018 Ford F-150 pickups built at Dearborn Assembly Plant, Jan. 5, 2017 to Feb. 16, 2018.
2018 Ford F-150 pickups built at Kansas City Assembly Plant, Jan. 25, 2017 to Feb. 16, 2018.
2018 Ford Expedition SUVs built at Kentucky Truck Plant, April 3, 2017 to Jan. 30, 2018.
2018 Ford F-650 and F-750 pickups built at Ohio Assembly Plant, April 25, 2017 to March 9, 2018.
Second recall

Ford on Friday also issued a recall for about 161 2017-18 model year F-150 pickups, 2018 Expedition SUVs, 2018 Lincoln Navigator SUVs and 2018 Mustang cars with 10R80 transmissions for a potentially missing roll pin that attaches the park pawl rod guide cup to the transmission case.

The issue could lead to the vehicles eventually losing their park function even when the shifter and instrument panel display indicate the vehicle is in park, leading to unintended movement without any warnings.

Here's where the affected vehicles were made:

2017-18 F-150 pickups built at Dearborn Assembly Plant, Oct. 20, 2016 to March 5, 2018.
2017-18 F-150 pickups built at Kansas City Assembly Plant, Dec. 22, 2017 to Feb. 26, 2018.
2018 Expedition SUVs built at Kentucky Truck Plant, Nov. 28, 2017 to Feb. 14, 2018.
2018 Mustang vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Nov. 6, 2017 to Feb. 12, 2018.
2018 Lincoln Navigator SUVs built at Kentucky Truck Plant, Dec. 13, 2017 to March 8, 2018.

Source

Cheers

[aaggoswami]

BMW recalls over 3,00,000 cars.
Source

One of my relative is working with BMW and as per his inputs, The Power Supply cable to the fuse box was an issue.

Article :

BMW is extending a UK recall of its cars after the BBC's Watchdog found that vehicles could cut out completely while they are being driven.
It is recalling 312,000 vehicles: the BMW 1 Series, the 3 Series, the Z4 and its X1 petrol and diesel models made between March 2007 and August 2011.
BMW initially recalled 36,410 petrol cars last year over safety issues.

It said it now recognised there may have been similar problems in cars not covered by the first recall.

The German carmaker initially recalled cars in the UK after Narayan Gurung, who was travelling with his wife on Christmas Day in 2016, died when their Ford Fiesta crashed into a tree to avoid a broken-down BMW in Guildford, Surrey. The BMW had suffered an electrical fault, causing its brake lights to fail and resulting in the vehicle stalling on a dark A-road.
An investigation by Watchdog has found that the fault could affect a wider number of cars.

One BMW owner, Mwape Kambafwile, told the BBC how his BMW 3 Series car had cut out completely while he was driving in December 2016.
"I just thought to myself if I was driving on the motorway with my family in the car, that could have been very dangerous," he said.
Mr Kambafwile said he took his car to BMW who called the next day to say that they had found the fault, which looked like "the cable had burnt out and no current was passing through the fuse box".

BMW allowed Mr Kambafwile to take the car home without any warning not to use it, he said.
He refused to drive the car and was furious to later discover that petrol versions of the same vehicle had been recalled for the same fault.
It recently emerged that BMW had failed to tell the UK's Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency about the electrical fault in some of its cars that led to the death of Mr Gurung. BMW said it had worked with the DVSA and rejected suggestions it had ignored instructions or provided incorrect information.

An inquest revealed that the carmaker had received complaints of an electrical issue that caused a total power failure as early as 2011.
BMW recalled 500,000 cars in the US in 2013, as well as in Australia, Canada and South Africa.
Commenting on Watchdog's investigation, BMW said: "We now recognise that there may have been some cases of similar power supply issues in vehicles not covered by the original recall.
...
"We are therefore announcing today that we will take the proactive step of expanding the existing UK recall to cover all vehicles potentially affected by the power supply issue."
.

[Flyer]

Volkswagen To Recall 410,000 Cars Over Faulty Seat Belts.

German carmaker Volkswagen said it would recall 410,000 cars from its own brand and Spanish subsidiary Seat over faulty seat belts, warning customers not to use the middle seat in the meantime. A spokesman told news agency DPA that some 191,000 Seat Ibiza and Arona vehicles with similar seat belt locks were also affected.

"There is the possibility that in rare situations... when the rear centre seat and the rear left seat are occupied at the same time, the left seat belt lock could be unintentionally released" on some 219,000 2018 VW Polo cars, the group said in a statement.

"The brand advises its customers not to use the middle seat of the new Polo until the car will be equipped with the redesigned belt lock fixture," for which it is awaiting final regulatory approval.

Source

[Who_are_you]

Originally Posted by Flyer

Volkswagen To Recall 410,000 Cars Over Faulty Seat Belts.

German carmaker Volkswagen said it would recall 410,000 cars from its own brand and Spanish subsidiary Seat over faulty seat belts, warning customers not to use the middle seat in the meantime. A spokesman told news agency DPA that some 191,000 Seat Ibiza and Arona vehicles with similar seat belt locks were also affected.

"There is the possibility that in rare situations... when the rear centre seat and the rear left seat are occupied at the same time, the left seat belt lock could be unintentionally released" on some 219,000 2018 VW Polo cars, the group said in a statement.

"The brand advises its customers not to use the middle seat of the new Polo until the car will be equipped with the redesigned belt lock fixture," for which it is awaiting final regulatory approval.

Source

Here is video explaining the design defect.


https://i.imgur.com/vZBV0Ry.gif

[srinath.s]

FCA is recalling 4.8 Million (wrap your head around that!) cars to fix a potential issue with cruise control, where the driver may not be able to cancel it.

Source: Jalopnik

That's why I always say, more the tech, more things that can fail. Too much software in cars is never a good idea.

[GutsyGibbon]

What is it in a modern car that is not controlled by software? We fly in an airplane that is on autopilot.

[aaggoswami]

Lexus to recall 1.2 lakh cars worldwide to fix fuel leaks that can cause fires.

DETROIT: Toyota's Lexus luxury brand is recalling about 121,000 cars worldwide because of fuel leaks in the engine that can cause fires.

The recall covers certain 2006 through 2013 IS350 cars, as well as the 2010 through 2014 IS350C, and the 2007 through 2011 GS350 and GS450h. All have 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engines.

Toyota says a diaphragm material in the fuel injection system can harden over time and crack, allowing fuel to leak. The company would not say if the problem has caused any fires, crashes or injuries.
Most of the recalled cars are in the United States.

Dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipe with a new one containing improved parts at no cost to customers.
Owners will be notified by mail starting in early August.