Some 2021 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles may fail to comply to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for controls and displays of the occupant crash protection system.

According to the defect report, the front passenger seat belt and airbag status lights on the overhead console could be unknowingly set to night mode, making them not visible to vehicle occupants.  The body control module (BCM) software in these vehicles may inadvertently set the “night mode” in the daytime when the remote start is used or when the vehicle is turned off and re-started without opening the door for ten minutes.  If night mode is active during the daytime the driver and front passenger may not notice the warning that the seat belt is unbuckled or that the airbag is deactivated.  This problem can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

General Motors will be notifying owners of affected vehicles beginning in February.  Dealers will correct the problem by updating the BCM software.  GM’s number for this recall is N202319980 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-790.

Honda will be asking owners of certain 2018-2020 Accord, 2018-2020 Accord Hybrid and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles, to return to their dealerships to repair a problem that could affect various electrical systems in their vehicles.

According to the defect report, a software programming error combined with certain driver actions could disrupt the communication between the body control module (BCM) and other systems. The problem could result in illumination of several warning indicators and the malfunction of one or more electronic components. The affected components include:

  • Windshield defrosting and defogging.
  • Windshield wiping and washing.
  • Headlights and turning indicators.
  • Rear view camera display.
  • Warnings for electrolyte spillage and electrical shock protection on electric powered vehicles.
  • Audible warning of a stopped vehicle and placing it into park.
  • Powered windows, partition and roof panels.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the BCM software updated. Honda’s number for this recall is X95 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-771.

 

General Motors has identified a defect which could affect vehicle safety in certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and GMC Yukon vehicles equipped with 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engines. They will be asking owners to return to their dealerships to have the Electronic Brake Control Module reprogrammed.

According to the defect report, these vehicles may have a condition in which the engine mounted vacuum pump output could decrease over time. If the vacuum level drops, drivers may notice a vibration in the brake pedal, increased braking effort, a hard brake pedal and/or increased stopping distances. The drivers information center “Service Brakes” warning light will illuminate and a diagnostic code will be set. The condition is most prevalent at low speed and soft braking.

Dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the electronic brake control module to improve how the system uses the hydraulic brake boost assist function when the vacuum assist is depleted. GM’s number for this recall is N202300860 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-603.

Ford had decided that a problem affecting the collision avoidance system exists in certain 2020 Ford Expedition and 2020 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The condition affects models equipped with the standard camera-only pre-collision assist built within a certain time period. Vehicles with optional radar plus camera pre-collision assist systems are not affected.

According to the defect report, the affected vehicles are equipped with pre-collision assist features that are not functional. This includes: Forward Collision Warning, Dynamic Brake Support and Automatic Emergency Braking. There is no warning to the driver that these features are not functional, increasing the risk and severity of a frontal collision.

Dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the software affecting the Body Control Module, Anti-lock Braking System, Instrument Panel Cluster, Headlamp Control Modules and reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S20 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-262.

Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2018 Toyota C-HR subcompact crossover SUVs regarding a problem affecting the electric parking brake (EPB). According to the defect report, an oxide film on the EPB motor could increase the circuit resistance and be incorrectly identified as an open circuit. The problem could result in the illumination of the EPB malfunction light and the inability to release the parking brake. In certain cases it may prevent the parking brake from being applied.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Toyota dealers to have the skid control ECU software updated. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0W and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-717.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2014 Chevy Silverado and 2014 GMC Sierra trucks regarding a problem affecting their vehicles safety. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles could experience a temporary loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist during low speed turns. If power steering assist is lost, the driver may experience problems with the radio, stablilitrack, driver information center, chimes, door locks, air conditioning or cruise control.

Owners will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the EPS module software updated. For more information about the recall, owners can contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-432-8782. GM’s number for this recall is 17276. and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-414.

Daimler has determined that certain Mercedes-Benz GL/GLE/GLS (166 Platform) and GLE Coupe (292 Platform) vehicles may have a problem affecting the front passengger occupant classification system (OCS). According to the defect report, a light occupant remaining stationary on the edge of the seat for a long time could be incorrectly classified as a child seat. The passenger side frontal airbag may be deactivated, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. Drivers will be alerted with an “Airbag Off” warning message illuminated in the center console, even though an occupant is seated in the front passenger seat. Continue reading

Honda will be asking owners of certain 2016 Honda Civic two and four door cars equipped with 1.5L or 2.0L engines, to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the parking brake. According to the defect report, the stability assist electronic control unit software could prevent the electric parking brake from engaging immediately after turning the ignition off. The vehicle could unexpectedly roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. If the parking brake cannot be applied, the brake warning indicator will blink on the instrument panel for 15 seconds to alert the driver.

Dealers will update the vehicle’s software to allow the braking software to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is KC6 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-725.