General Motors (GM) has asked dealerships to stop selling approximately sixty thousand 2012 and 2013 vehicles because of a software problem with the OnStar communication system. According to GM spokesman, Alan Adler, the problem was discovered during rear end crash testing where the airbags are not suppose to deploy. The “sensing diagnostic module,” still senses when to inflate airbags, but when the airbags are not suppose to inflate, certain models may not always receive a call from an OnStar operator to check to see if the occupants are injured. The problem does not require a recall and GM has already repaired many vehicles through a remote upgrade. Owners with vehicles that cannot be repaired remotely will be notified through a GM customer service campaign and will be asked to bring their vehicles to the nearest dealership to have the problem fixed. The vehicles involved in the service campaign include:

  • 2013 Buick Verano
  • 2013 Cadillac ATS
  • 2012 Cadillac SRX
  • 2013 Cadillac XTS
  • 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  • 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  • 2013 GMC Terrain

Volvo will be asking drivers of certain 2013 Volvo S80 sedans and 2013 Volvo XC70 station wagons to bring in their vehicles for a problem that could lead to premature wear of the tires. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) may cause the system to fail to warn the driver that the air in their tires is low. Driving on low tires can result in overloading and overheating and could lead to a blowout. Owners receiving a notification will be asked to bring in their vehicles to have the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) reprogrammed, free of charge. For more information about the problem, contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Mitsubishi is asking owners of certain 2012 i-MEV electric vehicles to bring in their cars to correct a problem that could prevent their airbags from deploying properly. According to Mitsubishi, an incompatibility between the air bag sensor and the self diagnostic software, could deactivate the front and side airbag system. During an accident, the airbags may fail to deploy, increasing the chance of injury. Owners of affected vehicles may notice the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning lamp illuminating to alert the driver of the problem. Owners wanting more information can contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

Hyundai is recalling certain 2007-2009 Santa Fe and 2012-2013 Sonata vehicles because of airbag problems that could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

  • Approximately 220, 000 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured between April 2006 to July 2008, could have an improperly calibrated occupant classification system (OCS). The problem could lead to the airbags not deploying during an accident increasing the chance if injury. Owners will be notified to bring in their vehicles to get the OCS software updated.
  • Approximately 22, 000 Sonata vehicles manufactured between January to June, 2012 are being recalled because the curtain airbag may inflate without a deployment command. The manufacturing error could increase the risk of injury to the occupants and could increase the chance of an accident by distracting the driver.

Owners wanting more information on either recall can contact Hyundai customer services at 1-800-633-5151.

Volvo has announced that they will be recalling certain 2011-2013 S80 sedans for a transmission software control problem. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a software error may prevent the transmission from downshifting properly, and could result in decreased engine RPMs and a possible engine stall. Volvo will be notifying owners starting in the middle of July, and owners can bring their vehicles to their local dealership and have the software for the transmission control module upgraded. For more information about the problem, contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.

General Motors (GM) will be recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Malibu sedans because the airbags may deploy unexpectedly or fail to deploy at all. According to the recall report, the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) could reset itself after an event of hard breaking. If this occurs during an aggressive turning maneuver and then there is a rollover sensed, the roof rail airbags could deploy. The reset SDM could also impede the air bags and seat belt pretensioner from deploying during a severe crash. GM will be notifying customers starting in June, and dealers will reprogram the SDM to correct the problem. Owners wanting more information can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-263-3777 .

Ford will be recalling certain 2012 F-150 trucks to replace the Occupant Classification System Module (OCSM). The OCSM is a system that classifies the size of the occupant in the passenger seat and deploys the airbag accordingly. In certain F-150 trucks, the incorrect software for the system may have been installed. The result would be the airbag not deploying properly increasing the risk of injury to the passenger. Ford will notify owners of the problem and will replace the OCSM free of charge. Owners wanting more information can contact the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Nissan is recalling certain 2011-2012 Nissan Quest minivans because the engine could stall unexpectedly. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while idling or driving at slow speeds on an incline with ¼ tank or less of fuel, the engine could stall due to an insufficient supply of fuel to the engine. Nissan will be notifying owners starting in March, and dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the fuel pump control module. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.