Ford trucks breaking axle shafts, and other mainly-Ford, non-Mopar recalls

2023 Ford display with Tremor, Transit

Ford is recalling its 2023 “Super Duty” F-250 and F-350 pickups because the left rear axle shaft may break, which can cause loss of power or vehicle rollaway. The recall affects 41,555 trucks in the US. Ford is also recalling the 2023 Edge because the right-side headlight is too bright; and the 2023 Explorer because the turbo oil line may be damaged. Ah, one more Ford recall: various Ford and Lincoln vehicles from 2018 to 2023 (Navigator, Aviator, Transit, Bronco) may lose their rear view camera image. <>Read more

Recall Monday: four different Jeeps, Isuzu Chevys, and more

wrangler breakover

Four different Jeeps had recalls this past week, along with the usual gathering of competitors. The most interesting competitor recall was probably a range of 2023-24 Isuzu N-Series, along with “Isuzu Chevrolet” LCF models. Over at Jeep, just 16 2023 Wranglers were affected by incorrect spare tire carriers which blocked the third brake lights. These … Read more

Used, rebuilt parts coming to USA Mopar dealers (updated)

Dodge Upgraded Driveline

Part of Stellantis’ vision for the future is to make more money from the entire lifecycle of a car, which includes older cars whose owners do not want to pay for expensive new OEM parts. The solution, announced last year as part of the “circular economy,” is both environmentally friendly and economical for owners: selling used and rebuilt parts under the B-Parts Reuse brand… <>Read more

Ford goes traditional for Recall Monday; but it’s mostly trucks

Ford Bronco

Recall Monday brings us another week of recalls. We headlined the Jeep Wagoneer recall for trim which can interfere with airbags; this should usually be a quick, simple fix for the dealers. Ford, on the other hand, went truly traditional (for Ford) with yet another rollaway recall. The 2023 Ford Bronco may have an unsecured transmission, which can prevent the Park pawl from engaging. The fix is a new transmission… <>Read more

Recalls hit many cars but not Mopars

recalls

Last week was big for recalls, but somehow Stellantis brands weren’t included in any of them. 

The Kia Niro and Niro PHEV (2017-22 Nero, 2018-22 PHV) could have engine compartment fires.  Ford recreational vehicle chassis had instrument panel failures. GM recalled 2013 Volts, Sonics, Camaros, and Veranos because of bad airbag inflators. Lucid had three software-based recalls and the 2021-22 Jaguar I-Pace could forget to heat its coolant when the defroster was on, failing to defrost windshields. Also, while these aren’t usually covered, heavy truck makers Volvo and Mack both recalled recent vehicles due to battery short-circuits and fires, which suggests that batter problems are not unique to Jeep.

In the weirdness department, Honda had the wrong information on CR-V stickers on 2017, 2020, and 2022 models; and Kia’s electric oil pumps could cause fires (2023 Soul and Sportage, 2023-24 Seltos).  <>Read more

Numerous Ford truck recalls; small Pacifica fuel line leak recall

recalls

… Meanwhile, at Ford, the 2014-16 Transit Connect vans may have a crack in their front door latch Paul; a dark instrument panel on 2023 Ford F-250 through F-550 trucks and 2023 Escapes; the front windows may go one way but not the other on 2023 F-250 through F-550 trucks; and the electric parking brake may activate unexpectedly activate on 2021-23 F-150s. No other ordinary cars or trucks were recalled last week; Stellpower does not usually report on RVs or heavy trucks. <>Read more

Any color, as long as it’s white: Jeep, Ram, and Dodge’s oddly pricey color options

pricey paint - Jeep, Dodge, Ram

Henry Ford famously said that buyers of the Model T could have any color they wanted, as long as it was black—because black paint was cheap and (mainly) because it dried quickly.

Today, if you want a Ford Bronco, you can get white, black, gray, red, green, or blue, all free even on the base model (though there is an $1,895 charge for bringing the car to your dealership, which is $200 more than Jeep charges).

At Dodge, black is the only free color on the Hornet, whether you get a base model or an R/T Plus at over $45,000. Every other color is $495 or $595. <>Read more

Honda, Mercedes top recalls list

Recalls graphic

This week’s recall list was occupied solely by Honda and Mercedes, unless one widens their search to include medium and heavy duty trucks and buses. The most interesting of those recalls was issued by Hino, which had two recalls—one covering six trucks because the front axle U-bolts may come loose, and one (covering the same trucks) because the front axle U-bolts were not tightened properly. … <>Read more

Ram vs Chevy vs Ford in pickups, vans; Mopar, GM, Ford in traditional cars

2023 Ford display with Tremor, Transit

Yesterday we saw that the Challenger cruised to a victory over the Mustang in sales—but what of pickups, cars in general, and vans?

Ram sold 117,699 pickups and chassis cabs in the second quarter of 2023 (all figures are for US sales only), just about the same number they sold in the same period of 2022. Year to date, sales are down by 9%, but still come to nearly a quarter million… <>Read more

Flaming Fords, bad shocks, loose belts, bad Mercedes pumps: the week’s recalls

Ford on fire, Tesla steering wheel recalls

The first week of June starts with a recall list dominated by Mercedes models from 2021 to 2023, as a common fuel pump could shut down and take the engine with it on a huge variety of models. This includes Sprinter and Metris vans as well as various AMG and Mercedes retail vehicles. While we’re in Germany, Porsche also reported in with recalls on a variety of 2016-2020 Macans and Panameras whose seat belt anchors may come loose; and 2022-23 911 GT3s whose dual center-mounted brake lights can both light up, confusing other drivers. (They have one in the spoiler and one in the vehicle.) Finally, BMW has some badly made chargers for the 2022-23 I4 and IX, and the 2023 760I. … <>Read more

Loose nuts, leaks, and deformities: Week brings oddball recalls to Toyota, VW, others

2018 Toyota Camry

Stellantis made it through the week without any recalls, but competitors were not so lucky. There’s an old joke that the most dangerous part of the car is the loose nut behind the wheel, but 2023 Camrys (including the Camry Hybrid) actually has loose nuts holding the wheel on. Well, in any case, the wheels … Read more

How Ram, Jeep, and Dodge are balancing price and volume

Muddy Jeep Wrangler badge (2024)

People judge brands along many dimensions—for example, Reliability, Safety, Value, Styling, Performance, and Comfort. Brands position themselves in two ways—through the product itself, and through marketing. For example, Dodge has hammered on Styling and Performance in its marketing for over ten years—and has honed its product lineup on both dimensions…. <>Read more

Yet more Ford fires, fracturing Alfa brakes, Cross Corollas, the wrong wheels: Recall Monday

Ford on fire, Tesla steering wheel recalls

The NHTSA issued its weekly summary of recalls today.

Ford had an interesting fire recall on the 2020-23 Escape, 2022-23 Maverick, and 2021-23 Lincoln Corsair: engine failure can cause a fire. When Fords with the 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines have an engine failure, they can vent oil and fuel vapor which can be ignited by hot engine or exhaust parts, causing a fire. <>Read more

Recall Monday: Ford fires, Tesla steering wheels falling off

Ford on fire, Tesla steering wheel recalls

This week’s list of recalls does not disappoint, with two companies having overheating batteries, Ford yet again fixing fires, and Tesla having steering wheels come off, because that’s something that still happens after over a century of cars with steering wheels. Ford’s fires affect the 2015-19 Lincoln MKC, and since it can involve fires while … Read more

New Tacoma’s threat to Gladiator, future Dakota

toyota tacoma

Jeep has staked out a unique niche in the midsize pickup market, good enough for a #3 share in 2022—with 77,855 sales, most likely exceeding Jeep’s original expectations. That is not likely to remain Mopar’s only midsize pickup, though; a new Dakota or Ram 1200 has long been rumored to be under active development for global sale.

The new pickup would most likely replace the Mitsubishi L200-based Ram 1200, which was never sold in the United States or Canada. As such, its primary competition in North America would likely be the Toyota Tacoma, which had 237,323 sales in 2022—absolutely dominating the market, with the #2 Chevrolet Colorado only reaching 89,197 sales (adding  the GMC Canyon version brings that to 117,016, which is still less than half the Tacoma). <>Read more