Recalls from Toyota, Ford and Subaru

Toyota –

Toyota has announced that it is recalling approximately 183,000 vehicles due to a problem with a wiring harness.  The vehicles involved are 2018 – 2020 Toyota Tundra pick up trucks.  The wiring harnesses in these vehicles were assembled incorrectly and as a result, the front turn signal bulbs do not illuminate as brightly as they should.  Owners should take their vehicles to their dealer and the dealer will modify the wiring harness free of charge.  For additional information, owners contact Toyota by calling 1-888-270-9371.  Owners can also visit the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.nhtsa.gov)  and enter their vehicle identification number for details on this recall.  Toyota will begin notifying owners by mid to late September.   

Ford –

Ford has recalled 488,600 model year 2015 – 2018 Ford Edge and 2016 – 2018 Lincoln MKX SUVs due a brake problem.  Ford has discovered that the front brake jounce hoses could rupture causing a loss of brake fluid and braking capacity.  If the brake fluid is depleted below a certain level, the brake fluid warning light will illuminate.  Because of the low fluid level, brake pedal travel will increase which will cause a reduction in the deceleration rate.  A reduction in the deceleration rate will increase the risk of a crash.  Owners should take their vehicles to their dealer where the dealer will replace the hoses free of charge.  For additional information, owners can contact Ford by calling 1-866-436-7332.  Owners can also visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website (www.nhtsa.gov) and enter their vehicle identification number to see the recall details.  Ford has not yet announced an owner notification schedule.    

Ford is also recalling 2014 – 2017 model year F 150 pick up trucks as a result of a faulty master cylinder.  292,000 vehicles are involved in this recall.  The master cylinder in these vehicles can leak brake fluid into the brake booster.  Fluid inside the booster can change the brake pedal travel, pedal effort, and reduce braking function.  All of these effects will result in increasing the distance to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.  Vehicle owners should return their vehicles to their dealer for a free repair.  The dealers will replace the master cylinder, inspect the booster, and replace as necessary.  For additional information, owners can contact Ford by calling 1-866-436-7332.  Owners can also visit NHTSA’s website (www.nhtsa.gov) and enter their vehicle identification number to see the recall details.  Ford began notifying owners on June 29 of this year.

Subaru –

Subaru is recalling 188,200 model year 2019 Subaru Ascent SUVs, Impreza sedans and hatchbacks, Legacy sedans, and Outback wagons.  These vehicles are equipped with a faulty low pressure fuel pump.  The pump was manufactured with an impeller that can crack and render the pump inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash.  Owners should return their vehicles to their dealer for a free replacement.  For additional information, owners can contact Subaru by calling 1-844-373-6614.  Owners can also visit NHTSA’s website at www.nhtsa.gov, enter their vehicle identification number and see the details of the recall.  Subaru began notifying owners on June 5.     

Takata Air Bag Recall, Part 2

Back in May of this year, it was announced that Takata had recalled its air bags used in several different vehicle manufacturer’s vehicles.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Takata has extended that recall to include 19 million vehicles from 12 manufacturers.  The current list of manufacturers includes BMW, Honda, Mazda, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Daimler Trucks North America, Daimler Vans USA, Subaru, Ford, Toyota, and General Motors.  Owners are advised to go to www.safercar.gov and click on the “Takata Recall” button on the toolbar to see of their specific vehicle is on the list of those recalled.  Note that the list is extensive and should be reviewed carefully.  The website also offers owners an option to enter their vehicle identification numbers to check for recalls.  The vehicle identification number can be found on most vehicles on the lower left corner of the windshield or the manufacturers sticker located on the inside edge of the driver’s side door or pillar.  The vehicle identification number is a seventeen digit number unique to each vehicle.  Owners can also check with their dealers for recall information.

Takata Airbag Recall

Earlier this year, several automobile manufacturers announced recalls of different vehicle makes as a result of faulty airbags manufactured by a Japanese company called Takata.  Takata manufactured airbags for both driver and passenger’s sides in the recalled vehicles.  After investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and others, it has been determined that the propellant used in the airbags has a tendency to deteriorate in humid areas.  As a result, when the airbag is deployed, the combustion of the propellant which produces the pressure to inflate the bag can do so with greater than necessary force.  The excessive force can cause the inflator to rupture sending pieces of metal to the occupant of either the driver or passenger seat resulting in greater risk of injury to the occupant.  The vehicles that are involved in this recall are Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota.  The recall covers models years generally from 2002 through 2008.  In order to determine if the recall applies to a specific vehicle, owners can go to the manufacturer’s website and use its VIN lookup tool or contact a dealer and ask to speak with a service writer then give that person the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Silly Little Key Fob

NHTSA has announced that Subaru is recalling 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback, 2012-2013 Impreza and 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles. The Legacy and Outback vehicles were equipped with either an automatic or CVT transmission and an audiovox remote engine starter accessory; the other vehicles were equipped with a CVT transmission and audiovox remote engine starter accessory. The problem wth all of these vehicles is that each has a key fob and if that key fob is dropped, it can start the car without the owner’s knowledge. Imagine getting back to your car and finding the engine running! On the other hand, it is possible for the car to run out of gas. Imagine getting back to your car and wondering where your gas went. If you’re lucky, the engine will shut down after 15 minutes (as it is supposed to do) and save you some gas. Subaru is supposed to replace the fobs free of charge, starting at the end of April. For additional information, owners can contact Subaru by calling 1-800-782-2783. Subaru’s campaign number is WQF-42.

Recall News

We have updated the News column of our website to bring you the most recent vehicle recalls on some well-known makes. First, Blue Bird, the makers of school buses, have recalled some of their vehicles as a result of a cruise control problem. Basically, the control may not disengage when the brakes are applied. In addition, Subaru is  recalling some of its Outback and Legacy vehicles due  to a lubrication problem. Apparently, a hole that was supposed to have been provided in their six speed manual transmissions was left out.  As a result, the gears are not being lubricated and there is a possibility that the gears will break. If this happens, the driver will possibly lose control due to the loss of power and crash. Furthermore, Nissan is also recalling some of its “Cube” cars.  Some of the 2009-2010 models leak more fuel than what is allowed when hit  from the rear. Dealers are supposed to have a special protection device to install free of charge. Lastly, Toyota is recalling 2000-2004 “Avalon” because of a crack that can develop in the steering lock bar. If left unattended, the crack will cause the bar to break and the steering wheel to lock. The driver could lose control of  the vehicle and crash. Toyota is also recalling 2003-2007 Lexus LX470 models because of a steering shaft snap ring that can disengage. If that happens, over time, the steering shaft can disconnect causing the driver to lose ccontrol and crash.  For more detailed information,  please visit our website at www.rjhill.com and under the “News” column click on “Recall News”.