Certain 2023 Volvo automobiles could experience a diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) that could cause a loss of the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.

The vehicles affected include:

2023 Volvo C40
2023 Volvo S60
2023 Volvo V60
2023 Volvo V60CC
2023 Volvo V90CC
2023 Volvo XC40
2023 Volvo XC60
2023 Volvo XC90

Volvo first became aware of this condition in October 2022 when they received the first report of issues with the brake pedal in a 2023 Volvo vehicle. As reports increased, an investigation was opened to find a possible common root cause. In December the investigation was escalated to the Critical Concern Action Process (CCAP) and the Critical Concern Management Team (CCMT) initiated a technical investigation to evaluate the risk assessment and root cause. In January the technical investigation was completed and a recall was initiated.

According to the defect report, certain diagnostic tests that check the grounding of the BCM2 could put it in a faulty state that could result in a loss of brake support functions. The problem is caused by a lack of robustness in software compatibility with a specific BCM2 HW version.

The customer may experience a hard/stiff brake pedal and potential loss of brake support functions such as:

  • Brake-by-wire.
  • ABS, ESC, and traction control.
  • ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), Pilot assist and OPD (One pedal drive)
  • All active safety and city safety functions described in the user manual that involve braking.

The driver display will warn the customer with DIM messages and malfunction indication lamps if this issue occurs. This is an intermittent issue, and the faulty state will remain through the drive cycle until the vehicle enters deep sleep.

Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update to correct the problem. Volvo Car’s number for this recall is R10217 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-012.

A small number of Mercedes-Benz GL and ML class vehicles manufactured September 29, 2014 – March 27, 2015, could experience reduced stability due to a manufacturing assembly error. According to the defect report, the bolts on the front and/or rear axle carriers may not be correctly assembled and could cause the mechanical limits of the remaining bolts to be exceeded. If the bolts fracture the driver may hear unfamiliar noises while driving and could experience loss of control under certain circumstances.

The vehicles affected include:

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the problem by replacing the axle carrier bolts. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Mercedes Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-900.

Mercedes-Benz has determined that a small number of 2016 C300 and 2016 GLC 300 vehicles have an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) hydraulic control unit that may have been damaged during transport. Depending on the extent of the damage, specific ESP functions may be deactivated. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through a display message and warning lights on the dashboard, and may experience loss of electronic parking brake functions.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) hydraulic control units replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-603.

General Motors (GM) will be contacting a small number of 2016 Chevrolet Malibu owners because their vehicles may fail to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for Electronic Stability Control. According to the defect report, the memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) could fail and cause loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ECS). The vehicle could become difficult to control in situations where these brake systems would normally be engaged and the driver information center (DIC) will display a message indicating to service stability control, traction control, or both. This condition does not affect the primary braking system; the service brakes will continue to operate normally. Continue reading

Certain 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles may fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for electronic stability control (ESC). Due to the inappropriate handling of a brake fluid storage tank at Subaru’s manufacturing plant, the brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture that could cause a gelatinous material to form in the brake system. The valve filter in the dynamics control system could become clogged making the ESC ineffective in preventing
loss of vehicle control. Continue reading

Some 2016 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine, hydraulic brake boost compensation and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) could experience a loss of ECS due to a software glitch. The affected vehicles have an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) control module that may not reset the ESC to active status if the key is turned off and back on within 10 seconds. If the vehicle operator does not notice that the “ESC Off” indicator is illuminating on in the cluster the vehicle may be driven without ESC engaged. Continue reading

Hyundai will be notifying owners of certain 2011-2012 Elantras, about a problem affecting the electronic stability control (ESC) system. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the vehicles are equipped with an ESC system that utilized input signals from various sourced throughout the vehicle. One of these sensors could send a signal that results in (1) inadvertent ECS system intervention, (2) illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster, and (3) a diagnostic code for the yaw sensor stored in the ESC control module. The problem could result in inappropriately applied brakes and loss of vehicle control. Continue reading

Chrysler has announced two safety defects affecting certain 2014 Dodge Durango and 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. According to reports filed on the NHTSA website, the two problems will have approximately 260,000 owners returning their vehicles for repairs. The automobile manufacturer is expected to begin sending out notices in December. Continue reading