After seven fires were reported, Chrysler is recalling the 2017-21 Pacifica PHEV. Fewer than 24,000 subject vehicles were sold. Some of the affected minivans might have had a software update already. Later models, which are most of the Pacifica Hybrid’s production, have a newer manufacturing process which bypasses the problem. The vehicles may still be … Read more
Two sets of cars sold by FCA US have been recalled; hundreds of thousands of cars are affected, mostly (based on sales over the last years) Jeep Renegades. First, 332,000 Italy-made cars had a seat belt buckle sensor which may be badly connected so that the front airbag will not work; the airbag is programmed … Read more
Every week, the NHTSA releases American recalls for cars, motorcycles, RVs, and commercial vehicles. Normally, most of the recalls are for commercial and recreational vehicles, but this week automakers upped their game and issued a surprisingly wide range of goof-fixes.
At Ford, we have misaligned cruise control modules which can slam on the brakes for imaginary objects or ignore real potential crashes. Slamming on the brakes on a highway can obviously cause a crash, so watch out if you are behind a 2023-24 Ford Escape; so can suddenly downshifting to first gear, as the 2014 Ford F-150 pickup seems to do
The American agency in charge of car safety, NHTSA, listed several recalls from Chrysler this week, some more embarrassing than others. We start with the most embarrassing—missing door beams in 2021-24 Ram ProMasters. While only 266 vehicles are affected (in the US—Canada and Mexico will likely account for a few more), the vehicles are missing … Read more
An amusingly small number of Rams and a quite large number of Durangos and Ram 2500-3500s are being recalled for two different issues. Just 214 Ram pickups (1500, 2500, and 3500) have an “insufficient weld” in the transmission control unit; fluid can leak onto electrical parts, causing loss of power or loss of the Park … Read more
Ford has two recalls this week, one for failing Maverick tail-lights, and one for flyaway glass roofs on the 2017-19 Transit Connect. Drivers may want to be careful of Mercedes vehicles for a while, because a wide range of GL, ML, and R vehicles from 2006 to 2012, including two AMG models, may have bad … Read more
Stellantis issued three recalls for two problems last week; 24V289 and 24V291 both covered Jeep Grand Cherokees (2022-24 for the former and 2023 for the latter), because the rear view camera image may not display. The first recall covers just 8 vehicles whose coax cable might be loose; dealers merely have to secure it. The … Read more
Ford had two recalls this week—one because the battery can lose so much power the engine stops working, without the computer noticing (2021-24 Bronco Sport, 2022-23 Maverick); and one because it stuck the wrong labels into 2024 Mavericks. Neither was as embarrassing as Tesla’s problem with the rubber brake coverings slipping off the stainless steel … Read more
Stellantis did not have any U.S. recalls last week, but Ford entered yet another fire-risk recall on the 2022 Escape and the related 2022-23 Bronco Sport. A cracked fuel injector may leak and cause a fire in these vehicles, when equipped with 1.5 liter engines. The “solution” is to add a leak detection system and … Read more
It was a week for mildly odd recalls as 2023 Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyons were brought back for over-tightened front wheel hub bolts, 2022 Jeep Cherokees, came back for broken turn signals, and 2024 Chrysler Pacificas, including Voyagers, had an early recall for unintentional deactivation of traction control. 2024 Hyundai Santa Fes could have obstructed rear … Read more
This week’s recalls were dominated by Ford again, with one recall affecting one vehicle (with two nameplates) at Chrysler. 2024 Mustangs may have leaking fuel lines (yet another fire risk); 2023 Bronco Sports and Mavericks have bad tires; and 2023-24 Transit tires may rub against the wheel liner.
Chrysler issued several recalls this past week, after a long quiet period. The 2018-21 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 side curtain airbags may rupture, as reported earlier, due to vendor-side manufacturing errors; the risk is relatively low as so far all five incidents have been in 120°F+ interior heat, but this is not guaranteed to … Read more
FCA is recalling a number of 2018-21 Chrysler 300C/300S/300s and Dodge Chargers due to side airbag inflation modules which were contaminate with moisture during construction. The problem, caused by the supplier, can lead to ruptures; but unlike the Takata airbags, which could go off at any time, these seem to only deploy when the interior … Read more
Ford has found yet another way to cause car fires with the 2024 Maverick; the company is recalling just 217 Mavericks because the gas tanks have an open pinch joint, allowing fuel leaks. Owners are supposed to immediately park and cut the engine if a fuel leak is detected, which can be indicated by the … Read more
While the week’s reporting was dominated by the release of the Dodge Charger, Stellantis did have a few recalls as well. The 2022-23 Ram ProMaster could fail to warn drivers when the seat belt was unlocked, affecting around 30,000 vans—not all of them. High beams might not activate on 2023-24 Grand Cherokees (including L)—a recall … Read more
This was a bad day for two companies making vehicles that have an off-road-ready aura. The Toyota Tacoma has a roughly 381,000-truck recall on the 2022-23 Tacoma, which appears to be roughly the entire run, because welding debris on the ends of the rear axle assembly could loosen the retaining nuts; the axle can separate … Read more
