March 2007
GM is recalling 359 MY 2007 Pontiac G6 passenger vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, 'Occupant Crash Protection.' The right front passenger seats in these vehicles are built with a passenger air bag sensing system. When tested with a representative, unrestrained six year old child, the system is required to turn off the right front passenger's airbag. Interference during system calibration caused the seats to be out of specification. This can increase the risk of injury to a child seat occupant during certain crash conditions. Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule.
Nissan is recalling 16,309 MY 2007 Versa hatchback model vehicles. The terminals for the passenger side seat belt tension sensor harness connector may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. This could result in a loss of electrical continuity causing the occupant detection system to become inoperative. If this occurs, the air bag warning light will come on and the passenger side frontal air bag will be suppressed. Dealers will replace the connector for the seat belt tension sensor harness free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or about April 16, 2007.
February 2007
GM is recalling 13,032 MY 2007 Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia vehicles. The sensing and diagnostic module (SDM), which controls the function of front air bags, may not operate properly. As a result, the front air bags may fail to deploy in a frontal crash. Also, the air bag warning lamp on the instrument panel may fail to provide warning that the system is inoperative. In the event of a crash, this condition could increase the risk of injury to occupants in the front seat. Dealers will reprogram the SDM computer module. This recall began on February 22, 2007.
Subaru is recalling 7,004 MY 2006 Forester and Impreza vehicles. The wiring harness for the air bag occupant detection system in the front passenger seat may have been pinched during production. Pinching of the wiring harness between the floor crossmember and the seat mounting bracket could result in an electrical short in the passenger's front air bag. This could cause the air bag to become disabled and may not deploy in the event of a crash increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Also an electrical short circuit could cause a fire. Dealers will inspect to see if the wiring had been incorrectly routed under the seat bracket. If so, the dealer will repair any damaged wiring, reroute and secure the wiring harness in the correct location, and re-calibrate the occupant detection system as necessary. The recall is expected to begin on or about March 5, 2007.
January 2007
GM is recalling 98,707 MY 2005-2006 Chevrolet Cobalt passenger vehicles not equipped with optional roof-mounted side impact air bags for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, 'Occupant Protection in Interior Impact.' In a crash, head impact protection may be inadequate. Dealers will install energy absorbing plastic to the headliner trim to reduce the severity of head impacts in a crash. The recall is expected to begin during March 2007. This recall was the subject of an investigation, OA-201-051126D, conducted by the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
Honda is recalling 81,000 MY 2004-2005 Accord vehicles. The seat position sensor (SPS) detects the driver's seating position and adjusts the air bag inflation pressure accordingly. The wiring harness for the SPS was attached to the seat frame in the wrong location and may have been over-tightened. The sensor wire may break and cause the SRS indicator light to be illuminated. A failure of the SPS causes the air bag system to default to full inflation pressure, regardless of the seat position. Full deployment of the driver's air bag can increase the risk of injury for smaller drivers in a frontal crash. Dealers will replace the seat position sensor wiring sub-harness. The recall is expected to begin during early February 2007
December, 2006
Toyota is recalling 160 MY 2007 Camry Solara vehicles equipped with curtain side air bags (CSA). The CSA tether strap located in the front pillars may have been incorrectly routed during the assembly process. If the tether strap is not correctly routed, the front side of the CSA may not deploy as designed, which may result in insufficient occupant protection during a side impact crash or rollover event. Dealers will inspect both CSA front tether straps, and if necessary, reroute them. The recall is expected to begin during early January 2007.
November, 2006
Nissan is recalling 96,500 MY 2004-2006 Titan crew cab trucks. The wires in the harness were routed through the rear doors and into the body. These wires may break due to over bending of the harness as the door is opened and closed. The harness contains wires for the driver seat belt pretensioner and for the front passenger seat belt which is part of the occupant classification system. Wires for the rear audio speakers are also contained in the harness. If the wires for the seat belt and speaker wires break and make contact, there is a possibility that the pretensioner may deploy. If this happens when the seat belt is retracted, it will not be possible to use the seat belt. If one of the wires on the right side harness for the seat belt tension sensor breaks, the passenger side front air bag will not deploy as designed in a frontal collision, increasing the risk of personal injury. Dealers will replace the wire harness cover with a different type that prevents over bending of the harness and the harness rerouted. The recall is expected to begin on or about February 19, 2007.
VW is recalling 5,902 MY 2006-2007 Audi A8 vehicles. Where a weak battery exists, it is possible that a low voltage condition could cause the air bag control unit to improperly set a fault code. If this occurs, the passenger side frontal air bag will become deactivated. However, both the air bag warning light in the instrument cluster as well as the 'passenger air bag off' telltale in the center of the instrument panel will illuminate and provide visual warning to the driver. In the case of a frontal crash, the passenger side front air bag would not deploy which could cause injury to the seat occupant. Dealers will update the air bag control module software.
Hyundai is recalling 141,500 MY 2005-2007 Tucson sport utility vehicles. During static air bag deployment testing conducted by NHTSA using fifth percentile female dummies, the testing indicated if a small statured adult driver, not wearing a seat belt, is involved in a frontal or near frontal crash, deployment of the driver air bag may result in an insufficient margin of compliance as measured by the test dummy used in the NHTSA test. This can cause increased risk of injury to the driver under certain crash conditions. Dealers will replace the driver air bag module.
Hyundai has recalled 240,000 model years 2004 and 2005 Elantra vehicles because of a problem that may cause the passenger seat air bag system to misfire because the car’s computer system may mistakenly identify the occupant as an adult passenger instead of a child seat.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the result could be that the front or side impact air bags could fail to operate properly in an accident and cause injury.
The air bag system has “occupant sensors” that are supposed to detect if the occupant on the passenger front seat is an adult person or a child carseat. Knowing the difference allows the air bag system to determine when it is supposed to go off in an accident and when it isn’t.
Kia has recalled 73,000 model years 2004 and 2005 LD Spectra vehicles because of a problem that may cause the passenger seat air bag system to misfire because the car’s computer system may mistakenly identify the occupant as an adult passenger instead of a child seat.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the result could be that the front or side impact air bags could fail to operate properly in an accident and cause injury.
The air bag system has “occupant sensors” that are supposed to detect if the occupant on the passenger front seat is an adult person or a child carseat. Knowing the difference allows the air bag system to determine when it is supposed to go off in an accident and when it isn’t.
According to the federal safety regulators, a total of 73,641 2004 Kia LD Spectra and 2005 LD Spectra vehicles are affected by the recall.
October, 2006
Toyota is recalling 29,542 MY 2005-2006 Scion tC vehicles. The side impact seat-bolster and curtain side air bags may inadvertently deploy. This condition can occur if the door for that side of the vehicle is closed with a high rate of force while the vehicle’s ignition is in the “on” position or within 90 seconds of turning the ignition key from the “on” position to the “off” position
GM is recalling 794 MY 2005-2006 Buick Lacrosse, Rendezvous; Chevrolet MY 2004 Silverado, 2005 Tahoe, 2006 HHR, Malibu, 2005-2006 Trailblazer; Pontiac MY 2005 Montana and 2006 G6; GMC MY 2005-2006 Envoy, 2005 Sierra; and Hummer MY 2006 H3 vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction. If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled.
Earlier Recalls
Nissan Recalls Murano for Seat Belt Defects
Do you own one of these Nissan Murano vehicles?
- 2003 Nissan Murano
- 2004 Nissan Murano
- 2005 Nissan Murano
- 2006 Nissan Murano
Nissan is recalling 203,000 Murano vehicles because the seat belt can be cut by a nearby metal part, weakening or severing the seat belt. Seat belts that don’t work can give you a false sense of security and result in injury or death.
Mazda is recalling 2,600 Miata MX-5 cars because parts holding the airbag in place could fail in an accident. The problem only occurs in low temperatures but the result could be parts flying into your face instead of the airbag itself if the vehicle were involved in a crash that caused the driver side airbag to deploy.
Do you (or did you) own any of these potential lemon 2006 Mazda Miata cars?
The affected vehicles have VIN numbers falling in the range of JM1 NC**** 60 111301 thru 114609 and were built between December 22, 2005 and February 15, 2006
On April 25, 2005 General Motors reported to the federal government’s Safety Recall “department” that it would recall more than two million vehicles, including almost 1.5 million SUV’s and pick-up trucks with seat belt problems. The company said “some” injuries have been reported. There appear to be at least six separate recalls and you may have been notified already, or you may be soon.
The SUV’s and pick-up trucks are from the 2003, 2004, and 2005 model years and include the Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab, Suburban, Tahoe, and Avalanche. Also included are the Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, GMC Sierra Crew Cab, Yukon XL and Yukon models. Even the Hummer H2 is in on the recalls.
The seat belt recalls have to do with misplacement of the belt system which can cause injuries in the event of a crash.
Among the vehicles and potential defects on GM’s recall list:
- 2003, 2004, and 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab, Suburban, Tahoe, Avalanche, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, GMC Sierra Crew Cab, Yukon XL, Yukon, and Hummer H2.
- 2000, 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Series
- 2000, 2001 Chevrolet Yukon XL
- 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Series
- 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 GMC Sierra
- 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet C/K 2500 Series
- 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet C/K 3500 Series
- 2005 Buick Lacrosse
- 2005 Buick Allure
- 2004 Buick Rendezvous
- 2004 Pontica Azteks
- 2002, 2003, 2004 Saturn L Series Wagons
- 2003 Chevrolet Express van
- 2004 Chevrolet Express van
- 2005 Chevrolet Express van
- 2006 Chevrolet Express van
- 2003 GMC Savana van
- 2004 GMC Savana van
- 2005 GMC Savana van
- 2006 GMC Savana van
General Motors is recalling over 425,000 of these vehicles because the seat belt buckles won’t latch or unlock properly.
Lexus --According to Reuters News, automaker Toyota is calling 57,000 2006 Lexus IS and GS models both in the U.S. and overseas for potentially faulty front seatbelts. The recall affects 29,000 units rolling on American roads.
Lexus dealers will replace the buckles in both front seats, which can presently jam due to a faulty part. Lexus reports that drivers can avoid the issue by 'releasing the seatbelt slowly.'
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 06V096000 Recall Date : MAR 28, 2006
Component: AIR BAGS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 133
Summary:
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Consequence:
THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED
TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT
HYUNDAI / TIBURON 2003
Recall Number: 03V321000 Summary: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS MOUNTED BENEATH THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL’S PADDED SURFACE. TEAR LINES ARE FORMED INTO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL’S PADDED SURFACE DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP PAD. THESE TEAR LINES ALLOW A PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SURFACE TO FOLD UPWARD IF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYS. Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER. Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF AMERICA AT 1-800-633-5151, OR IF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO, HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188. Notes: HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 063. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
PRODUCT SAFETY RECALLS
|
General Motors
|
|
|
Recall 02032:
|
Driver Side Dual Airbag Inflator
|
|
Models:
|
2002-2003 Buick LeSabre, Rendezvous; Cadillac Deville; Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo, Trailblazer, Venture, GMC Envoy; Oldsmobile Aurora, Bravada, Silhouette; Pontiac Bonneville, Montana.
|
|
Condition:
|
Some of these vehicles may have a driver side airbag inflator that could fracture at a weld during a deployment. Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the airbag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
|
|
Note:
|
This recall affects only a certain number of these vehicle models. GM is issuing notices to the owners of these models. You may also wish to call your local dealer with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) so that they can check to see if your particular vehicle is involved in this recall.
|
|
General Motors
|
|
|
Recall 02029:
|
Airbag Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM).
|
|
Models:
|
2000 Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban: GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL.
|
|
Condition:
|
Some of these models have a defective SDM which could cause the drivers and/or passenger air bag(s) not to deploy during certain frontal collisions.
|
|
Note:
|
This recall affects only a certain number of these vehicle models. GM is issuing notices to the owners of these models. You may also wish to call your local dealer with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) so that they can check to see if your particular vehicle is involved in this recall.
|
|
|
|
|
General Motors has announced a recall of approximately 570,000 model year 2000 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. Also included are Tahoe/Suburban and Yukon sport utility vehicles.
Reason for Recall
The air bag sensing and diagnostic modules installed in these vehicles could interfere with the timing and sequence of air bag deployment signals, which could result in the non-deployment of driver and passenger side air bags during some frontal collisions.
Full-size pickups and SUV's built between February 1999 and February 2000 are affected. Owners will be asked to take vehicles to their Chevy and GMC dealers, where sensing and diagnostic modules will be recalibrated at no cost.
Also Recalled
GM also announced a recall of 150,000 model year 2002 and 2003 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac vehicles built between May and July of 2002. The driver's side air bag inflator modules in these vehicles could come apart at the weld during deployment, sending pieces of the inflators into the passenger compartment and preventing full inflation of the air bag.
Affected cars
- Buick LeSabre
- Cadillac DeVille
- Chevrolet Impala
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- Oldsmobile Aurora
- Pontiac Bonneville
Minivans
- Chevrolet Venture
- Pontiac Montana
- Oldsmobile Silhouette
- Sport Utility Vehicles
- Buick Rendezvous
- Chevrolet TrailBlazer
- GMC Envoy
- Oldsmobile Bravada
Your local dealership will inspect the module in your vehicle and replace it if necessary.
GM states there have been no reports of incidents with air bags. The potential problems were discovered during testing.