2017 Ford ExplorerHandout Ford mid-June recalled roughly 1.2 million Explorer SUVs in the U.S. and 28,000 in Canada over an issue with the rear suspension that may lead to diminished steering control and, in turn, an increased risk of a collision. On vehicles that see frequent full rear suspension articulation – that is, that regularly exercise the rear suspension across its full range of motion – the suspension’s toe link could fracture, making the truck harder to control. Ford Explorer SUVs from model years 2011 through 2017 built at the company’s Chicago plant may be affected. The automaker also launched a second recall the same day for the same issue, specifically for roughly 12,000 sedans and crossovers sold in parts of Canada. Affected vehicles in that recall include the 2009 through 2015 Lincoln MKS; 2009 through 2017 Ford Flex; and 2010 through 2017 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKT if built in the company’s Chicago or Oakville, Ontario plants and sold in Alberta, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. While the Explorer toe link fracture led only to a single report so far or a truck hitting a curb, the Canadian sedan recall has resulted in at least one crash involving minor injuries. The repair in both recalls will see dealers replace the left- and right-hand rear suspension toe links with new forged units and re-align the
Origin: Ford recalls 28,000 Explorers in Canada over increased crash risk
recalls
Audi recalls first electric vehicle in U.S. on battery fire risk
The 2019 Audi e-Tron, the luxury automakers first fully electric series-production model, will be in Canadian showrooms in the spring and pricing starts in the $90,000 neighbourhood.Audi Canada Volkswagens luxury brand Audi is recalling its first all-electric vehicle due to the risk of a battery fire. The company issued a voluntary recall of approximately 540 E-Tron SUV models sold in the U.S. because of a risk that moisture can seep into the battery cell through a wiring harness glitch, spokesman Mark Dahncke said. The company isn’t aware of any fires or injuries because of the flaw, which affects a total of 1,644 models, he said. The E-Tron, which went on sale in the U.S. in April, is Audi’s first fully-electric car and one in a wave of contenders from traditional automakers looking to challenge Tesla’s dominance of the segment. While electric vehicles are no more prone to accidents or fires than gasoline-powered cars – and might be less so, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – the lithium-ion battery technology that powers them is still evolving, and there is no consensus on safe system design. Audi said there have been five instances globally where a battery fault light turned on because of the moisture issue. It began contacting E-Tron owners in the U.S. last week, prior to a warning from federal safety regulators, and should have a repair available by August. “We are applying an abundance of caution as no such incidents have been reported globally,” the company said in a statement. Audi said it’s offering E-Tron owners loaner vehicles and an $800 cash card to cover gas or incidentals during the recall period, as well as free roadside assistance. There are still E-Trons unaffected by the recall available for sale, it
Origin: Audi recalls first electric vehicle in U.S. on battery fire risk
Ram recalls over 38,000 pickups due to airbag issues
2019 Ram 1500 Laramie LonghornBrian Harper / Driving FCA is recalling 38,890 Ram 1500 pickup trucks from the 2019 and 2020 model years due to an internal error in the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) that can cause the airbags to turn off. This poses as a safety risk because the airbags may not deploy in a crash, which can cause serious injury, bodily harm, or perhaps even death. To fix the issue, Ram will notify affected vehicle’s owners and instruct them to take their pickups to a dealer, where the Occupant Restraint Controller will be inspected. If found to be faulty, the part will be replaced. If no fault is detected, then it will simply be updated. In Canada, 38,890 RAM 1500 pickup trucks are affected, but it’s estimated that just under 296,000 units are affected in the U.S. alone, along with 1,817 in Mexico and 6,154 outside the NAFTA region. Ram 1500 Classic pickups are not affected. The recall is expected to start on June 20. Customers can either check online, or contact FCA at 1-800-465-2001 and reference recall no. V61 or V71, to see if their trucks are
Origin: Ram recalls over 38,000 pickups due to airbag issues
Ram recalls 6,886 trucks in Canada over driveshafts that could fail
2019 Ram 1500Handout / Ram Ram is recalling close to 7,000 pickups in Canada because their rear driveshafts could detach thanks to a bad weld. Some 6,886 model year 2018 and 2019 Ram 1500 44 trucks are affected, the automaker said. In affected vehicles, a weld in the rear drivehsaft could crack and fail, and the shaft could separate from the pickup. If the truck is in rear-wheel-drive mode when this happens, it could cause an immediate lack of propulsion. Additionally, the broken-off shaft could pose a hazard to other drivers or people nearby. Owners may notice a weird vibration or hear noises prior to the weld separating, though FCA notes only about one per cent of the recalled vehicles are likely actually affected. The automaker came across the issue last summer when it noticed a higher-than-expected number of warranty claims coming in for cracked driveshafts. Affected owners will be notified via mail, and will have their driveshaft replaced for
Origin: Ram recalls 6,886 trucks in Canada over driveshafts that could fail
Kia recalls Niro models in UK for urgent fix
Kia has issued a voluntary recall notice to UK drivers of its Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid compact SUV models. This is because an electrical relay fitted to 5020 vehicles built between November 2016 and September 2017 is prone to overheating. The Korean manufacturer says it isn’t aware of any fire or injury resulting from the issue but nevertheless advises owners to contact its customer services department on 08000 158757 or email enquiries@kiacustomercare.co.uk to have the faulty component replaced. The fix will be carried out at no cost to the owner and is expected to take only around an hour. Kia UK has been contacted for further
Origin: Kia recalls Niro models in UK for urgent fix
Kia recalls Niro models
Kia recalls Niro models The hybrid and PHEV models are included in the recall Kia is recalling more than 5,000 Niro Hybrid and Niro Plug-in Hybrid models, over concerns about the safety of an electric relay. The voluntary recall is a precautionary one, since Kia says that the relay has the potential to overheat. There have been no incidents reported to Kia, with no fires or injuries as a result of the issue, but Kia is recalling 5,020 of the Niro models built between November 2016 and September 2017. Vehicles will be inspected at dealerships and affected relays replaced at no cost to customers. The issue has been identified as a result of on-going research and development. Owners of affected models will be contacted by Kia, but anyone concerned about their Niro Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid can contact Kia on 08000 158757, or email enquiries@kiacustomercare.co.uk. Inspection and any work required should take about an hour. Chris Lear, Director of After Sales said: “The safety of our customers is our number one priority and we are taking this action to ensure their vehicles are not affected in any way.”
Origin: Kia recalls Niro models
Over 15 per cent of rideshare vehicles may have open recalls, CR finds
In this file photo, mechanic Antonio Ramos works on a car at San Rafael Firestone January 5, 2009 in San Rafael, California.Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Approximately one out of every six vehicles signed up for Uber and Lyft “carry unaddressed safety defects,” suggests a Consumer Reports review of data from Seattle and New York City. Uber and Lyft are letting down their customers and jeopardizing their trust, said CR safety policy advocate William Wallace. Uber’s website says people can ride with confidence,’ while Lyft promises peace of mind,’ yet both companies fail to ensure that rideshare cars are free from safety defects that could put passengers at risk. CR looked at information on nearly 94,000 vehicles registered to Lyft and Uber in the two metropolitan areas. Among the vehicles noted was a 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS with a total of eight unaddressed safety recalls, including possible seat-belt issues and engine failure. In other vehicles, CR’s researchers found issues like “deadly Takata airbags that could hurt or kill the driver or front-seat passengers.” It’s worth noting this seemingly high 1-in-6 rate of open recalls is around the same for all vehicles in the U.S. There are plenty of ordinary people who just don’t want to repair their cars, even when they should. Over 100 million people use the two popular ride-hailing apps as a regular way to get around, and according to CR, neither one has a clear policy when it comes to addressing open recalls.
Origin: Over 15 per cent of rideshare vehicles may have open recalls, CR finds
GM recalls more than 40,000 trucks in Canada for engine fire risk
2017 Chevrolet Silverado HDHandout General Motors is recalling over 368,000 pickups and other trucks worldwide, including more than 40,000 in Canada, after 19 reports of fires caused by engine block heater cords. The recall covers certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 trucks, as well as the 2017 through 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500. All have GM’s 6.6-litre diesel engines and an optional engine block heater used to keep the block warm in extremely cold temperatures. GM is asking customers not to use engine block heaters until further notice. The company said early May the electric heater cord or the terminals connecting the cord to the heater could short-circuit and fail. That can cause fires. No injuries have been reported. GM is still trying to find the cause of the problem and develop a fix. The company began investigating the problem in December and found that a fire can occur if a block-heater coolant leak develops and the coolant comes in contact with the cable terminals, or if the cable itself is damaged. About 324,000 U.S. trucks are covered by the recall, and about 40,319 in Canada. GM began notifying dealers on April 26 and told them to stop selling the trucks until repairs are made. No date has been set yet to notify
Origin: GM recalls more than 40,000 trucks in Canada for engine fire risk
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