Ford Recalls

The Ford Motor Company has announced the following recalls for its Escape, Bronco Sport, Lincoln Corsair, and Maverick vehicles:

2020-2023 Escapes and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport equipped with 1.5 liter engines.  The fuel injectors in these vehicles can crack and develop a fuel leak.  The resulting fuel leakage can ignite causing an underhood fire.  521,778 vehicles have been recalled and Ford intends to update the engine control software to indicate when a fuel leak occurs. Ford also will install a drain tube to channel fuel away from a hot engine surface.  Owner notification is expected to begin on December 19, 2022.  Ford’s recall number for this recall is 22S73.  It should be noted that this recall applies to vehicles repaired under campaign # 22V-191.  Vehicles previously repaired will have to have the new remedy installed. 

2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter HEV or PHEV engines.  Engine oil and fuel vapors can accumulate in the engine compartment.  These vapors, in the presence of an ignition source, can ignite and cause an engine fire.  Owners are advised to shut down their vehicles as soon as possible if they hear any unusual engine noises, sense a reduction in power, or see smoke.  Ford dealers will modify the under engine shield and active grille shutter free of charge.  Ford’s recall number for this recall is 22S47.  It is expected that 100,689 vehicles will be affected by this recall.  Owner notification began on August 19, 2022.

2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport equipped with 1.5 liter engines.  The engine oil separator housing can crack and leak oil.  This recall is expected to affect 345,451 vehicles.  Owners should take their vehicles to their dealer for a free inspection.  If necessary, dealers will replace the oil separator and seals, free of charge.  Ford’s number for this recall is 22S21. Owner notification began on April 18, 2022.   

For additional information on any of these recalls, owners can contact Ford by calling 1-866-436-7332 and referencing the Ford recall number of the particular recall.

Ford F 350 Engine Fire

In our last blog update, January 7, we talked about the recall issued by Hyundai regarding faulty antilock brake and hydraulic electronic control units.  In that blog, we also discussed the recall of thousands of Tucson SUVs that contained a defective ABS/HECU control circuit board.  The circuit board has a tendency to corrode, short circuit and cause an engine fire.  A recent investigation into an engine fire in a 2017 Ford F350 showed that a similar ABS/HECU was installed in that vehicle at the factory.  The vehicle was purchased new by the insured/owner and as a result, the ABS/HECU had never been replaced.  A photograph of the ABS/HECU is shown below.  When compared to the photograph of the ABS/HECU in the previous blog entry, the units are identical.  Although it is unknown if the unit in the Ford truck is the same as the recalled unit in the Hyundai Tucson, corrosion could still be the reason why the engine fire occurred in the Ford vehicle.  Engine fires attributed to the faulty ABS/HECU units can occur without warning.  That is, there are no instrument panel warning lights that illuminate prior to a fire.  In this particular case, the warning that the owner got was that the engine lost power (since it was a diesel engine).        

ABS/HECU found in Ford F 350

Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Recalled for Fire Hazard

Hyundai Motor Company has recalled approximately 600,000 vehicles due to a brake fluid leak that could result in an engine fire.  The recall applies to 2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs, 2013-2015 Kia Optima sedans, and 2014-2015 Kia Sorento SUVs.  The brake fluid leak has been located and attributed to the anti-lock brakes hydraulic control unit.  As brake fluid is lost, drivers might notice a decrease in braking capacity.  Hyundai recommends that the vehicle be kept parked, outside of garages and away from other vehicles and structures, if possible.  This is because fires can occur even if the vehicle is not in operation.  For additional information, owners can visit Hyundai’s website at www.hyundaiusa.com, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Safety Recalls” under the Owners column on the right side of the page.  Owners will also need their vehicle identification number to determine if their vehicle is included in this recall.  Owners can also contact Hyundai by calling 1-800-633-5151.  Owner notification is expected to begin on October 15, 2020.  Dealers will replace the hydraulic control unit free of charge.

Hyundai Recalls Elantra and Elantra Touring Vehicles

Hyundai Motor America has announced that it is recalling 429, 686 Elantra vehicles for a problem with the ABS (antilock braking system) module that can cause an engine fire.  The vehicles involved in this recall are: 2006 through 2011 Hyundai Elantra manufactured between August 26, 2005 and November 23, 2010; and 2007 through 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured between June 21, 2007 and December 6, 2010.  It should be noted that the recalled vehicles are no longer in production.  The problem with the ABS module is that moisture can enter the module and cause the circuit board to short circuit.  The short circuit CAN occur even if the vehicle is turned off.  Hyundai Motor America plans to notify owners and request that they return their vehicles to their dealers for repair.  The repair will consist of the installation of a relay in the main junction box.  The intent is to deenergize the ABS module when the vehicle is turned off.  This repair will be performed at no cost to the vehicle owner – Hyundai plans to reimburse owners for out-of-pocket expenses.  It is recommended that owners communicate with their dealers and make sure they understand what allowable charges are and what will be reimbursed.  Notification of owners and dealers will begin in April 2020.  For additional information, owners can contact Hyundai by calling 800-633-5151 and referencing manufacturer recall number 188. 

Vehicle Recalls

Recently, some major manufacturers have recalled some of their vehicles for some serious defects. First, General Motors has recalled 1.4 million of its vehicles for an oil leak that can result in an engine fire. This particular recall is also part of a series of recalls for this same problem; that were initiated in 2008. At one time, the problem was thought to have been caused by leaky valve cover gaskets. Currently, GM is saying that drops of oil can be deposited on a hot exhaust manifold and ignite. But, GM is not saying what the source of the oil is; only that they are working on a repair. The vehicles that are involved in this recall are:

1997-2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala

1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina

1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue

1997-2004 Buick Regal

All of the above vehicles are equipped with 3.8 liter, V6 engines. Owners should take their vehicles to their GM dealerships for repair. For additional information, owners can contact GM by calling 1-800-222-1020 for Chevrolet vehicles, 1-800-762-2737 for Pontiac, and 1-800-521-7300 for Buick.

Second, GM isn’t the only car maker with problems. Nissan is recalling 46,846 model year 2013-2016 Altimas and 2016 Maximas. This is in addition to the already recalled 5,500 model year 2016 Maximas. These vehicles are all equipped with 3.5 liter, V6 engines. The problem with these vehicles is that an O-ring installed between the fuel tank and fuel sending unit was improperly installed and can leak in the event of a crash. Fuel in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire. Nissan has already begun notifying owners. Owners should take their vehicles to a Nissan dealer for a free repair. For additional information, owners can contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Third, BMW is recalling approximately 86,000 Mini hatchbacks for a steering problem. The vehicles that are involved are 2002-2005 Mini Cooper, Cooper S, and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S convertibles. These vehicles can lose their electro-hydraulic power steering assist and as a result, drivers can find it more difficult to control the vehicle. It is possible for a crash to occur if the driver cannot apply the extra effort required to steer the vehicle and maintain control. Mini will begin notifying owners on or about December 1, 2015. Mini dealers will also inspect and replace components as necessary free of charge. For additional information, owners can contact MINI customer service by calling 1-866-825-1525.

 

 

Commercial Truck Investigations

R.J. Hill Consulting has recently completed two investigations into the cause of destruction of two large commercial trucks.  One investigation involved a vehicular accident and a possible brake defect while the other investigation involved an engine fire.  In the case of the accident, the brakes were found to have been completely assembled and operational.  In the second case, the fire could have been attributed to at least two different scenarios: a wiring harness that rubbed against an unknown metallic object (such as a wire braided hydraulic hose) that caused a short circuit to occur and the fire ensue.  In the second scenario, a faulty electrical connection at a breaker possibly resulted in overheating of the connection and ignition of combustible material.  Since no definitive cause was identified, the cause of the fire was ruled undetermined.

Mini Cooper Water Pump Fire Hazard

Several months ago, BMW recalled thousands of Mini Coopers for a problem with a auxiliary water pump.  The pump is equipped with an electronic circuit board that can short circuit and lead to an engine fire.  Recently, we conducted an investigation into a 2009 Mini Cooper S with just such as problem.  The vehicle was supposed to have been repaired at a BMW dealership for the recall.  However, after the vehicle was returned to the european auto dealership for a coolant leak, the vehicle ignited.  During the initial examination, it was discovered that origin of the fire was in the area of the auxiliary water pump.  The damaged components were later inspected and the source of the fire confirmed.  It should be noted that the repair effected by BMW may not be the correct action if fires are occurring after the vehicle have supposedly been repaired.  Has anyone experienced a reignition?

Since posting the above information, there has been a question as to whether the actual recall work was performed.  However, it appears that the auxiliary water pump was replaced.  Since an ignition occurred AFTER the recall work was performed, the ignition suggests that the replacement of the pump was not the correct remedy for the recall and BMW/Mini still has a problem.  Again, has anyone experienced a reignition after a repair was performed?