Tag Archives: air bag safety problem

Toyota Recalls RAV4 And Highlanders Over Airbags

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Toyota has announced a recall on over 300,000 sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) for issues with the airbag sensors that could lead to an unexpected airbag deployment. The problem is being blamed on the two airbag sensors that detect a vehicles roll angle. If both airbags fail after an airbag system check, the airbags and seat belt pretensioners could be triggered. A Toyota spokesman said that there have been reports of injury when the airbag deployed unexpectedly.

The recall involves about 200,000 2007-2008 RAV4 and almost 100,000 2008 Highlander and Highlander HV SUV’s sold in the United States. Owners will receive a recall notice starting in May, where Toyota dealers will replace the sensors free of charge.

Ford F-150 Airbag Recall Expanded

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ford f150 airbag recallThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began an investigation into Ford’s 2004-2006 F-150 trucks last September, which ended in a recall of about 140,000 trucks. The problem was being blamed on an improperly installed wire in the steering column that could chaff and short out. The result was an illuminated seat belt lamp and the potential that the airbag could deploy without warning.

Under pressure from the NHTSA, Ford will be expanding the recall to include almost 1.2 million 2004-2006 Ford F-150 trucks and some 2006 Lincoln Mark LT vehicles. Owners wanting more information can contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Missing Air Bags Put Consumers At Risk

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In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did a study over concerns of injuries and fatalities resulting from air bags not deploying during an auto accident. The most common reason for them not deploying was found to be that they were not there to begin with. During this five year study, an average of 51 vehicles a year were found to be missing air bags. Many of these cars came from rental companies who purchased fleets of vehicles and omitted them as a way to save money, while others were re-salvaged vehicles where the air bags were never replaced.

In many cases, dealerships are unaware that the vehicles they are selling do not have airbags. There are several things consumers can do to make sure this safety feature has not bee omitted.

  • When starting s vehicle look for an air bag indicator light. It should momentarily light and then go out. If the light never comes on, remains on, or flashes, there could be a problem with the system.
  • Have a trusted certified mechanic inspect the system before purchasing the vehicles.
  • Visit the CarFax website to check for airbag deployments that have been reported.
  • Fleet cars with deleted side curtain airbags have an option code “AK-5 (delete head curtain side impact airbags) located on a label under the carpeting in the trunk.
  • A number 5 in the seventh position in the vehicle identification number could also could mean a deleted side airbag.

Hyundai Elantras Recalled For Airbag Sensors

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hyundai elantra airbag sensor recallHyundai has announced two recalls for faulty airbag sensor systems that could lead to the airbags inflating with too much force or when they are not required causing injury to occupants.

  • The first recall involves certain 2007-2009 Elantra vehicles manufactured between July 2006 to November 2008. Under certain circumstances the the connector for the front passenger weight sensor may become contaminated. This could lead to the airbag deploying during impacts that do not require the airbag, or deploying with too much force for the weight of the occupant. In order to fix the problem, dealerships will install a protective cover over the connector to prevent contamination.
  • The second recall involves certain 2007-2008 Elantra vehicles manufactured between July 2006 to August 2007. The drivers seat has a track position sensor that determines how much pressure is used to deploy the airbags according to how close the driver is to the airbag. The air bag control module may receive an unstable signal that may lead to the the airbag deploying at a pressure that is too high or too low for the position of the seat. The recall will have dealers reprogramming the airbag control module to deploy at the proper pressure.

Some vehicles will be affected by both recalls. Hyundai will begin sending out recall notices to Elantra owners starting in April. Anyone wanting more information on these recalls can contact Hyundai’s customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.

Land Rover Recalls LR2 SUV For Airbags

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In a recall that will affect only about 3,000 vehicles, Land Rover will be asking owners to bring in their 2010-2011 LR2 Suv’s for an intermittent problem with the driver’s side airbag. The vehicles affected were manufactured between November 2009 and August 2010. According to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the problem is with the shorting bar in the clock spring. The shorting bar may have been disconnected when the airbag module was installed leading to the airbag not deploying properly or at all. Owner with questions or concerns can contact Land Rover Customer Service Center at 1-800-346-3493 (1-800-FIND 4WD).

Honda Airbag Recall

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In November of 2008 and June 2009 Japan’s number two automaker, Honda, recalled a total of 510,00 vehicles for an airbag inflator. This week the recall has been expanded to include another 428,000 vehicles.

The driver’s airbag inflators in these vehicles may deploy with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to rupture resulting in injury or fatality. The airbag defect has been linked to one fatality and eleven injuries in the United States. There have been no other reports, Honda said. All cars to be recalled globally are made at Honda’s U.S. and Canadian plants.

The latest recall applies to:

Owners of these vehicles will receive notification through the mail or can go to http://owners.honda.com/recalls or call (800) 999-1009; Acura owners can go to http://owners.acura.com/recalls or call (800) 382-2238.

Honda Recalls

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2001-2002 Accords, 2001 Civics, and 2002-2003 Acura TLs – AIRBAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER’S SIDE CAN PRODUCE TOO MUCH PRESSURE. THIS IS TURN CAN SEND METAL SHARDS THROUGH THE AIR BAG AND POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE CALL YOUR HONDA DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM!!!

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