General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave SUVs, about a problem that could result in the front air bag not deploying properly. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out beginning of August 2021.

According to the defect report, during a weekly service programming system (SPS) audit, it was discovered that a small number of 2021 Chevy and Buick models may have been manufactured with the incorrect sensing diagnostic module (SDM) data calibration. The data files were corrected in the SPS system and the problem was reported to GM’s safety program. Their investigation found a small number of 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave vehicles may have received the same incorrect data and decided to conduct a safety recall.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of affected vehicles with instructions to update the calibration software in the SDM. GM’s number for this recall is N212340220 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-472

In October 2020 Nissan became aware of a problem with certain front steering knuckles and rear axle housing manufactured at their Yokohama, Japan Plant. Nissan conducted a plant audit and determined that a gap in a particular furnace door caused low temperature conditions during the heat treating process. Axle components located in the low temperature area of the furnace experienced an insufficient amount of heat which resulted in poor hardness. These components have been installed on certain 2020-2021 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles.

If the front steering knuckle or rear axle housing receives an impact such as hitting a curb, the steering knuckle or rear axle housing could deform. If the steering knuckle is deformed, the steering wheel may become off-center, impairing the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle. If the rear axle housing is deformed, it will cause wheel mis-alignment.

If the deformation is not detected and the vehicle continues to be operated, the damaged steering knuckle or rear axle housing may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle.

Vehicles Affected Include
2020 Nissan Murano
2021 Nisssn GT-R
2020 Infiniti QX60
2021 Infiniti QX50
2021 Infiniti Q50

Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary. The NHTSA recall campaign number is 21V-402.

Owners of certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 Infiniti QX80 SUVs equipped with V8 engines could experience a fuel system problem that could result in an unexpected engine stall. Nissan learned of a potential issue on these vehicles in June 2020 and initiated an investigation which has lead to the recall of approximately 24,000 vehicles.

According to the defect report, the fuel pump module was not designed to manufacturer specifications and could fail. During the impeller manufacturing process, a buildup of molten plastic on the injection moulding machine cylinder tip could cause the density of the impeller to be out of specification. Fuel inside the fuel pump can cause the impeller to swell, increasing friction between the impeller and inlet cover. Eventually the fuel pump will bind internally and the engine will stall.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to the dealers to have the fuel pump module replaced. Nissan’s number for this recall is R21A2, Infiniti’s number for this recall is R21A3 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-373.

General Motors has decided that a software defect exists in certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet 6500HD trucks. These vehicles have been manufactured with tires that have a maximum speed rating of 75mph (regular production option (RPO) codes XDV for the front tires and YAP for the rear tires) and engine control module software that limits the speed of the vehicle to 79 mph.

In December 2020, Navistar, informed GM that vehicles may have been built with maximum speed limitation calibrations that exceed tire maximum speed ratings. A GM engineering manager reported the issue to GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program and preliminary information was collected regarding the issue. GM opened an investigation in February 2021, confirmed the speed limiting software in the ECM and the body control module (BCM) would allow vehicles to reach 79 mph, exceeding the 75 mph maximum speed rating of the tires. In May 2021, GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a safety recall.

Owners receiving notification letters will be asked to return to their dealers to have the software calibration for the engine control module (ECM) set to limit the vehicles speed so it will not exceed the speed rating of the tires. GM’s number for this recall is N202325530 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-346.

transmission hose leakIn March 2021, Chrysler / FCA USA Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance (VSRC) organization received information about a potential trend in engine fires in certain Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.

The investigation found the problem to be that certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee SUVs were manufactured with transmission oil cooler (TOC) hoses with rubber that had been incorrectly cured. The suspect period began on January 19, 2021 and ended on March 8, 2021, when all suspect TOC hoses were removed from vehicle production.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, incorrectly cured rubber could allow the hose to weaken and rupture. Transmission fluid leaking from the ruptured hose could contact an ignition source and lead to a vehicle fire. A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury to occupants, persons outside the vehicle and could result in property damage.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the TOC hoses inspected and replaced as necessary. Chrysler’s number for this recall is Y18 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-310.

An investigation into reports of water intrusion into the passenger compartment of certain 2020-2021 Mercedes Benz GLE and GLS, cars and SUVs has led to a recall of over 6,000 vehicles. Owner notifications are expected to be mailed out in June.

According to the defect report, at the end of May 2019 Mercedes Benz launched an investigation into customer complaints of water intrusion into the driver and passenger side foot wells of certain GLE and GLS vehicles. The investigation revealed a deviation in the assembly process of the air conditioner drain hoses that would allow the drain hose to disconnect and condensation to enter the passenger compartment. If a significant volume of condensation enters, it could cause corrosion and/or short circuits to electrical components.

NOTE: Drivers may experience problems with door locks and the vehicles emergency call (eCall) feature; the engine may not start or may enter limp-home mode. Sings that the problem exists include wet carpets in the front foot wells and fogged windows.

Vehicles Affected Include
2020 GLE350
2020 GLE450
2020 GLE580
2020 GLS450
2020 GLS580
2021 AMG GLE53

Dealers will inspect and correct the installation of the air conditioner drain hoses, as necessary. The NHTSA recall Campaign Number is 21V-288.

A defect affecting occupant safety exist in certain 2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC SUVs. General Motors will be contacting owners to return to their dealerships for repairs.

According to the defect report, during installation of the third row seating, one or both outboard seat belts may have been inadvertently entrapped in or miss-routed behind the outboard seat folding mechanism. If a seat belt is routed this way itcould become damaged in the folding mechanism and may not protect occupants during an accident.

If the problem exists, vehicle owners may notice damage to the third row seat belt or may have difficulty latching the belt or operating the third row seat.

Vehicles Affected Include
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

GM dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary. GM’s number for this recall is N202313000 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-190.

Nissan will be contacting the owners of certain 2020-22021 Nissan Altimas, because of a problem affecting the steering in their cars. Approximately 2,407 vehicles are being recalled.

According to the defect report, in December of last year, Nissan became aware of a Nissan Altima owner who reported a loss of steering while driving. The vehicle was towed to a Nissan dealership and an inspection found that the tie rod ball joint fasteners had become loose and fell off. As a result the tie rod ball joint separated from the steering knuckle and steering was lost.  Further investigation found that a back up process had been used during production, that resulted in inconsistent torque control of the torque on the rod ball joint fastener. All vehicles that underwent the back up process during production were audited and 48 loose tie rod ball joint fasteners were found and repaired.

Owner of affected vehicles will be contacted and instructed to return to their dealers to have their Altima inspected. The left and right hand tie rod ball joint fasteners will be tightened to specification and any missing fasteners will be replaced. Nissan’s number for this recall is PC795 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-138.