USA RECALL - HONDA - Over 300,000 Accords recalled for possible side airbag deployment if doors are forcefully shut.

• Side and/or side curtain airbags may inadvertently deploy if the ignition is on and a door is forcefully slammed or there is a significant impact to the vehicle underbody.
• Issue arises from side impact deployment threshold specification; Not a hardware or supplier issue.
• Free software update will adjust the deployment threshold.

Honda will voluntarily recall 303,904 model-year 2008-2009 Accord vehicles in the United States to update the side Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) software, free of charge.

The SRS threshold setting for the side impact sensor is such that with the vehicle ignition on, if there is a strong, non-vehicular collision impact to the lower body of the vehicle or if a door is shut with extreme force, the SRS control unit may interpret the input as a crash and command the side seat airbag and/or side curtain airbag to deploy. 

Airbags that unexpectedly deploy may increase the risk of injury. Honda has received 19 injury claims related to this issue.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage each owner of an affected vehicle to take it to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Mailed notification to customers will begin in mid-December 2015. Additionally, owners of these vehicles can now determine if their vehicles will require repair by going to 

www.recalls.honda.com 

or by calling (888) 234-2138.

USA RECALL #6 - JEEP - Unintended Side Curtain Air Bag Deployment

RECALL Subject : Unintended Side Curtain Air Bag Deployment

Report Receipt Date: JAN 28, 2015 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V041000 

Component(s): AIR BAGS 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 167,749 

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

SUMMARY:

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 1, 2013, to November 19, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience unintended side curtain and seat air bag deployment during vehicle operation.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the air bags deploy unexpectedly during vehicle operation, it can increase the risk of personal injury and increase the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the occupant restraint control module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on March 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R05.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

CHINA - Honda recalls over 550,000 Accords and Elysion models for Takata Airbag issues.

Honda Motor Co. two Chinese joint ventures are recalling 553,000 vehicles to fix potentially defective airbabs made by Takata Corp., underscoring the global reach of the safety crisis after similar campaigns in the U.S., Canada and Japan.

Guangqi Honda, one of its Chinese joint ventures, will recall 527,136 Accords produced from May 2002 to December 2007 to replace the driver-side airbags, according to the website of China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Another Honda venture will recall 26,128 Elysion minivans made from June 2012 to June 2014, the company said.

The latest recalls will add to the more than 13 million cars Honda has called back globally to replace Takata airbags that can deploy with too much force and spew metal parts at motorists.

Since 2008, automakers have recalled more than 20 million vehicles worldwide that were equipped with Takata airbags.

Honda has tapped two alternative suppliers to make substitute airbag inflators after Takata's devices were linked to four fatalities in the U.S. and the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child in Malaysia.

"Because of the increasing use of common components, carmakers can be extremely vulnerable if a single, key supplier like Takata fails in quality," Seiji Sugiura, an auto analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Center, said by phone. "Honda and other carmakers will have to switch to other suppliers in the longer term."

No injuries and deaths have been linked to the recalled vehicles in China, said Honda spokeswoman Misato Fukushima. The automaker will announce more recalls in other markets once it figures out how many vehicles to recall, she said.

Zhu Linjie, a spokesman for Honda in China, said the recall will start on Feb. 28 because replacement inflators aren't available right now. Motorists can drive the cars as usual and don't have to disable the airbags, he said.

Honda's latest action was an investigative recall, which automakers conduct as a preventive measure to fix vehicles before establishing a defect officially exists.

REPORT HERE

USA RECALL #15 - CHRYSLER GROUP - Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

RECALL Subject : Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

Report Receipt Date: OCT 14, 2014 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V643000 

Component(s): 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 126,772 

Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC

SUMMARY:

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured June 2, 2013, to June 28, 2014, and 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 30, 2012, to April 30, 2014. Due to a fault within the Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module, the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags may be disabled. The malfunction indicator light “MIL” should illuminate to initially warn drivers of a failure.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates use of the passive restraint system.

REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on December 8, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P67.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA RECALL #4 - Chrysler Group recalls FIAT 500L models for possible airbag issues.

Report Receipt Date: AUG 06, 2014
NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V481000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 25,483 

Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC

SUMMARY:

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver's knee airbag may result in its improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

CONSEQUENCE:

If the knee airbag air bag does not deploy properly during a crash, there is an increased risk of driver injury.

REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P42.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

UK RECALL #4 - Mercedes-Benz recalls 713 SLK and SL models for possible airbag faults.

Vehicle Details
Reference :	R/2014/085
Manufacturer Ref :	SRPC1402
Make:	MERCEDES BENZ
Model :	SL & SLK
Launch Date :	27/08/2014
Numbers Involved :	713
Build Start Date :	01/03/2014
Build End Date :	31/05/2014

Recall Details
Concern :	AIRBAG MAY NOT PERFORM AS SPECIFIED
Description :	The front passenger air bag module may not have been installed according to specifications. If activated it is possible that separate parts of the passenger air bag module may become loose and may detach.
Remedial Action :	Recall affected vehicles and replace air bag module
Vehicle Id :	WDD1724032F091725 to WDD1724752F094099 WDD2314752F094099 to WDD2314742F029444

USA RECALL #4 - GM recalls 22, yes just 22 SUV's for possible air bag failure

SUMMARY:

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Suburban, Suburban LTZ, Tahoe, Tahoe LTZ, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL Denali vehicles manufactured on May 13, 2014. The affected vehicles were assembled with a roof rail air bags (RRAB) that were not reinforced at the points were the bags contact the hardware used to attach the roof carrier.

CONSEQUENCE:

During deployment, the RRAB may be punctured or torn by the roof carrier hardware, reducing its performance and increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

REMEDY:

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roof carrier attaching hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early September 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet) or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14359.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA - After GM, now it is Toyota (AGAIN) Pontiac, and Honda that issues recalls, will it ever end ?

On top of a new batch of GM recalls announced today, Toyota and Honda have issued recalls of their own. Toyota is recalling certain 2002-2004 Toyota Sequoia and Lexus SC models as well as 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla, Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Tundra, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. 

In almost 844,000 of these cars, the airbag inflator may rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash, releasing metal fragments that can strike passengers. The recall applies to the original airbags installed in the vehicle as well as any replacement airbags that may have been put in. 

Toyota will notify owners of recalled vehicles to come in for repairs, but so far it has not yet scheduled a date for the recall to begin. A smaller recall involves around 1,000 Honda Fit subcompacts for a driveshaft failure. In these cars, the driveshaft may break because of a heat treatment manufacturing error in the factory. This problem may cause the vehicle to lose power and coast to a stop if already in motion. But if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake activated, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. 

Only 2013 model year Fits equipped with manual transmissions are affected by this recall. The recall is expected to start June 15. All repairs for the Honda and Toyota recalls will be conducted free of charge. Consumers can contact Toyota customer service at (800) 331-4331 while Honda owners can call the automaker at (800) 999-1009. Pontiac Vibe owners can call GM at (800) 521-7300. For more information on all vehicle recalls in the U.S., visit www.safercar.gov

TOYOTA UK launches mass recall, part of 6.3 million worldwide

• Toyota announces safety recalls covering three issues affecting some RAV4, Hilux, Yaris and Urban Cruiser models
• A total of 35,124 UK-registered vehicles are affected
• No reports worldwide of any accidents, injuries or fatalities linked to these issues
• Toyota to provide customers with prompt inspection and repair programme, at no charge
• Customers can check if their vehicle is affected using registration number look-up function on Toyota.co.uk

Toyota has announced recalls today for three separate issues affecting some RAV4, Hilux, Yaris and Urban Cruiser models.

The recalls affect a total 35,124 UK-registered cars.  Worldwide, there have been no reports of any accidents or injuries relating to these issues.  Toyota is conducting the recalls according to DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, previously known as VOSA, Vehicle Operating Standards Authority) code of practice.

Spiral cable assembly – RAV4 and Hilux 

Toyota has identified a possible issue affecting the spiral cable assembly in the airbag module fitted to some RAV4 and Hilux models. Due to the shape and location of a retainer for the Flexible Flat Cable in the airbag unit, there may be a risk when the steering wheel is turned of damage to certain circuits that provide connectivity to the airbag.

If connectivity is lost, the airbag warning light will illuminate on the instrument panel and the driver’s airbag may be deactivated.

The vehicles subject to this recall are RAV4 and Hilux models manufactured within the period June 2004 and December 2010. In total this covers 24,785 UK-registered models, the number split broadly equally between the two models.

All the vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled so that an improved spiral cable can be fitted.

The installation will take about one hour to complete; the work will be carried out free of charge.

(N.B. This recall also includes some Land Cruiser models, but none of the vehicles are registered in the UK.)

Seat rail spring – Yaris and Urban Cruiser

Toyota has found that the spring in the mechanism that locks the driver and (in three-door cars) front passenger seats in position on the seat adjustment rail may be under-strength and could break, should the seats be frequently moved back and forward.

Should the spring break, the seat may not lock into its adjusted position, and could move in the event of a crash.

The vehicles affected were built between January 2005 and August 2010. In total this covers 10,339 UK-registered cars.

All the vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled for inspection of the springs and, where required, replacement with new ones. The job will take between 40 and 90 minutes per seat, depending the model and work required; the work will be carried out free of charge.

Steering column bracket – Yaris and Urban Cruiser

Toyota is aware that the weld which connects the steering column bracket to the instrument panel on some Yaris and Urban Cruiser models might break when the steering wheel is repeatedly turned with full force.

The driver may hear an abnormal noise from the bracket area and if the vehicle continues to be driven, it is possible that the bracket will fail, causing the steering column to tilt out of position. However, the driver will not lose steering control.

The vehicles subject to this recall are second generation Yaris with tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjustment and Urban Cruiser models built within the period September 2005 to February 2009. In total this covers 1,293 UK-registered models. (N.B. these are a sub set of the 10,339 being recalled for the seat spring issued described above.)

All the vehicles affected by this issue are being recalled so that the bracket can be inspected. If no damage is found, an extra bracket will be fitted to avoid any problems occurring in future. If there is evidence of damage, a replacement instrument panel reinforcement will be fitted.

According to the action required, the job will take between two-and-a-half to four-and-a-half hours to complete; the work will be carried out free of charge.

Customer information

Vehicle owners will be contacted by Toyota within the coming weeks by post or telephone and asked to make an appointment to bring their car to their nearest Toyota Centre, in accordance with DVSA guidelines.

Customers can check whether their vehicle is affected using a registration look-up function in the owners section of the main Toyota website (www.toyota.co.uk).

If owners require additional information they can contact Toyota Recall Helpline on 0800 1388744.

USA - Nissan recalls nearly ONE MILLION vehicles in N.A. because airbags might fail to deploy.

Nissan Motor Co. said it will recall 989,701 vehicles including its latest Altima sedans in North America to fix a software problem that could deactivate the airbags.

The software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by Nissan. This may lead to a failure of the airbag to deploy during a crash and could increase the risk of injury to the passenger, according to the document. 

Nissan has received no report of accidents related to the problem, said Noriko Yoneyama, a company spokeswoman. The recall will only affect vehicles sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico, she said.

The recall will include the 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedan and QX60 crossover, the 2013-14 Pathfinder SUV, Leaf electric car and Sentra compact, according to the statement. 

Nissan said on Sept. 26 it would recall 910,000 vehicles globally, including the Serena minivan and X-Trail SUV, over an accelerator fault. That recall was part of the reason the company cut its profit forecast by 15 percent in the year ending March 31, it said.

REPORT HERE

USA - RECALL: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi is recalling certain 2013 Outlander Sport SUVs because of a problem that may cause air bags to fail in the event of a crash.

Models affected by the recall were manufactured from July 20, 2012 through May 29, 2013. About 733 units are affected, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Mitsubishi will notify owners of the recall, although a specific timetable is not yet known. Once the recall begins, owners can take their cars to dealerships for a free inspection, and if necessary, a free repair of the wire. In the meantime, owners can contact Mitsubishi at (800) 222-0037. Owners can also receive recall information from the NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline, available at (888) 327-4236. For online information on all recalls in the U.S., visit www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA

The Mitsubishi recall affects models equipped with leather seats. During the installation process for the leather seat covers, workers may have improperly routed wiring for the driver side air bag. As a result of the error, drivers may accidentally damage the wiring by adjusting the height level on the power seats. The air bag warning light will come on, and if a crash occurs, the driver side air bag may not deploy.

REPORT HERE

CHRYSLER RECALL #4 - Airbag Control Module

Chrysler Group LLC will recall 226 model-year 2013 minivans in North America – most of which are in dealer hands – to replace their airbag-control modules.

The modules were inadvertently programmed with software that may compromise airbag deployment.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any related injuries, accidents, customer complaints or dealer reports.

Shoulder restraints and other safety systems are unaffected.

The campaign, which is limited to the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country models, involves 184 vehicles in the U.S.; 40 in Canada and two in Mexico.

Approximately 180 of the vehicles are in dealer hands. Chrysler Group will notify affected customers and replace the modules at no cost.

Customer questions or concerns can be addressed by calling 1-800-853-1403.