Category: Auto Defects

Hyundai is adding about 471,000 SUVs to a September U.S. recall for an electrical short in a computer that could potentially lead to fires. According to an Associated Press news report, the South Korean automaker is also warning vehicle owners to park the SUVs outdoors until they are repaired. …Read the rest »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has fined Daimler Trucks North America a civil penalty of $30 million over delays with the recalls of certain Daimler trucks. According to a press release issued by NHTSA, the consent order requires Daimler Trucks to launch an advanced data analytics program to enhance its ability to detect and to investigate potential safety defects. …Read the rest »

Honda is issuing a vehicle defect recall for nearly half a million vehicles to replace a driveline component that may fail and cause a safety risk. According to Consumer Reports, the automaker says that in certain Honda and Acura sedans and hatchbacks, the driveshaft, a part that helps transfer power from the engine to the wheels, may not have been properly rustproofed during the manufacturing process. As a result, it could rust and break prematurely in turn causing the vehicle to lose power without warning while in motion, or roll away when parked. …Read the rest »

Volkswagen is recalling 105,652 Beetle coupes and convertibles from the 2012 through 2014 model years to replace dangerous and defective Takata airbags that may rupture when they deploy and spray metal fragments that could injure or kill vehicle occupants. According to Consumer Reports, this recall is the latest chapter in the massive airbag recall and part of an agreement between Volkswagen and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) according to which the automaker will replace Takata airbags in phases through 2025. …Read the rest »

A number of fire incidents involving older Tesla Model S and X vehicles that experts say are battery-related are raising questions about the safety and durability of electric vehicles as they age. According to a news report in The Washington Post, Usman Ahmad, the owner of a Tesla Model S vehicle said his car “erupted like a flamethrower.” Ahmad said his vehicle spontaneously ignited as he stood on the side of the road. …Read the rest »

General Motors is issuing a safety recall for more than 624,000 Chevy and GMC pickup trucks and SUVs with front bench seats for potential seatbelt defects. According to Consumer Reports, the recall includes vehicles from the 2019 through 2021 model years because the front center seatbelt may not be properly attached to the seat. As a result, the seatbelt may not provide adequate protection to front-center passengers in a crash. This could cause serious injuries or even fatalities. …Read the rest »

Ford Motor Company recalled 33,228 new vehicles in North America for possible burn risk and power loss including vehicles that are sometimes used as hotel and airport shuttles and ambulances. According to a report in the Detroit Free Press, the 2021 Ford E-Series vans with a 7.3-liter engine may have insulation under the engine cover that fails to extend over the whole area as intended. …Read the rest »

Subaru of America has issued an auto defect recall for the 2020 Subaru Outback wagon and 2020 Legacy sedan models because the car’s rearview camera may shut down reducing the driver’s ability to see cars or people behind the vehicle when it is backing up. According to a news report, 7,741 2020-model year Outback and Legacy models are affected by the recall. This is the second recall for the two cars manufactured at the Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana. …Read the rest »

Honda Motor Company has announced that it will recall 1.79 million vehicles worldwide in four separate campaigns including some that have been linked to the danger of fires. Reuters reports that the recalls cover about 1.4 million vehicles in the United States. The Japanese automaker said one of the recalls covers 268,000 2002-2006 model year CR-V vehicles in the United States to replace power window master switches. Honda said there had been no reported injuries, but 16 fires reported related to this particular issue. …Read the rest »

A lot of newer-model vehicles have fold-down seats in the rear so it’s easier for vehicle owners to transport larger items or more items if they need to do so. In almost all vehicles when one side of the rear seat is folded down, a passenger can still sit on the side of the vehicle where the seat hasn’t been folded. However, the seatbelt’s design should allow for the rear passenger to buckle up. …Read the rest »