Category Archive: Recalls

Airbag Recall Expands To Include 34 Million Vehicles In US

May 21, 2015

The Takata airbag recall was expanded this week to include 34 million vehicles in the US. The announcement was made by Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on May 19th.

Previously, Takata had refused to admit that a defect was present in its airbags but allowed that vehicles in areas with high humidity might experience problems. The initial recall of vehicles with Takata airbags installed, was limited to vehicles in Florida, the Gulf states and Hawaii. Now Takata has admitted that there is a defect with the inflators and specifically with the propellant used to inflate the airbags.

The propellants in the inflators use a chemical that can degrade over time. If moisture is introduced into the chemical, it can lead to “over-aggressive combustion” leading to higher internal pressures that can rupture the body of the inflator. The defective airbags are responsible for six deaths and more than 100 injuries.

The airbag recall covers driver side airbags in at least 17 million vehicles and passenger side airbags in an additional 17 million vehicles.

With the admission that there is a defect in the airbag inflators, the airbag recall will now include more vehicle manufacturers than previously thought. Vehicles now subject to the recall are made by the following manufacturers:

Honda
BMW
Chrysler
Ford
Mazda

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), it will take vehicle manufacturers about a week to determine which of their vehicles are affected by the airbag recall order. Takata will create a plan to find and replace the affected vehicles as soon as possible with priority going to vehicles located in states with high humidity.

For vehicle owners who want more information about the airbag recall, NHTSA has created a “recalls spotlight” page on their SaferCar.gov website. Follow the link to VIN lookup.

The VIN is your vehicle’s identification number. The VIN can be found either on an inspection plate on the driver side door jamb or under the windshield on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The VIN can also be found on your auto insurance policy and your insurance ID card.

Vehicle owners affected by the airbag recall should expect to receive a letter in the mail from the manufacturer of your vehicle. The recall notice from your manufacturer will give details about how to comply with the recall. Owners who receive an airbag recall notice shouldn’t ignore it and should attempt to get their vehicle repaired as quickly as possible.

Shopping For A Car? NHTSA Has Helpful App

February 5, 2015

If you’re shopping for a car, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has an app that can help you find the safest car within your budget. The app, called “Safercar” is available for both android and iPhones.

The app lists all vehicle models going back to 1990. It separates those vehicles manufactured between 1990 and 2010 from those manufactured beginning with the 2011 model year and later because the testing standards changed. Beginning with the 2011 model year, the testing standards were updated with new, stricter requirements to earn the top “5 Star” safety rating.

After selecting a particular make and model, the app lists that model’s safety ratings for both driver and passengers in frontal and side collisions. It also rates the vehicle’s risk of a rollover in a crash.

The app also lists recommended advanced safety technology such as electronic stability control and rearview cameras and whether or not the equipment is standard or an option on that model. You can also use the app to look up recalls for that particular make and model. Shoppers can save a model for comparisons with other models.

Vehicle owners can also create a personal profile and, by putting in a vehicle identification number for their car, request to be notified of any new recalls by email.

Another very helpful feature, especially for expectant parents or grandparents, is the ability to search nearby locations for car seat inspection stations. By putting in your zip code, the app gives contact information – normally a children’s hospital or the local police department – where you can make an appointment to learn how to properly install your new child car seat.

For more information, visit:

Android phones: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.nhtsa.safercar&hl=en

iPhones: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/safercar/id593086230?ls=1&mt=8\

NHTSA Wants Parents To Register Their Car Seats

December 3, 2014

After several recalls of child car seats, both voluntary and those ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), NHTSA is urging parents and caregivers to register their car seat and to sign up for recall notifications.

To register your child’s car seat you can visit the NHTSA car seat registration website. Once there, you can plug in the manufacturer and model type and you will be directed to the registration page for that car seat.

You can also register on the NHTSA recall notification website. From that page, you can not only request to be notified for car seats but also your vehicle, tires, motorcycles, and more. If NHTSA orders a recall on any of these products, you will be notified by email.

Airbags In Hot, Humid Climates Can Explode

October 21, 2014

Airbags that can explode, sending out flames and hot shrapnel have prompted an urgent recall for millions of vehicle owners. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall on October 20, 2014 for owners of Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, and General Motors. The airbags were manufactured by the Takata corporation of Japan and have been installed in millions of vehicles going back to the 2002 model year.

According to reports, the airbags may be more prone to explode in hot, humid areas so the NHTSA warning is more urgent for those living in the following areas: Florida, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and Hawaii. NHTSA advises owners living in those areas to have the vehicle repaired without delay.

While the press release only mentions an urgent warning for those living in the areas listed above, vehicle owners throughout the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions should get their vehicles checked without delay.

Toyota issued a warning that, until the problem is fixed, passengers should not ride in the front passenger seat. They went further to advise that owners turn off the passenger side airbags.

For more information and a list of the recalled vehicles you can visit: Affected Vehicles, by Manufacturer, Impacted by CY 2013 and 2014 Recalls Involving Takata Airbags

If you are still uncertain, you can see if your specific vehicle has been recalled by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) by visiting: Search for recall by VIN.

To find your vehicle’s VIN, look at the inspection plate just under the windshield or on the driver’s side front door panel.

Right now, the VIN lookup website is experiencing a high volume of traffic so, if you can’t get in, you may want to call your vehicle’s local dealership for more information.

For more information see: Feds Urge Millions of Car Owners to Get Air Bags Fixed Now

Has Your Vehicle Been Recalled?

September 9, 2014

Late last month, the National Highway Transportation Safety Commission (NHTSA) announced the launching of a new, free web site that allows vehicle owners to determine if their personal vehicle has been recalled for manufacturer defects. The website allows vehicle owners to look up any outstanding or incomplete recalls by entering their vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). To find your vehicle’s VIN, you can look either on the driver side dashboard, just underneath the windshield or on the identification plate mounted on the driver’s side door post.

NHTSA has also developed apps for Apple devices and Android devices that could come in handy to find out if that used car you’re thinking about buying has any outstanding recall issues. Read more: U.S. Department of Transportation Unveils New, Free, Online Search Tool for Recalls Using Vehicle Identification Number