The Local & Global Car Defect & Recall Thread

[HAL 9000]

There Are Now Five Different Recalls On The Hyundai Sonata - Jalopnik​

How hard can it be to make blinkers, engines, and trunk lids that work?

It’s tough building a car. You’ve got to get the body panels in place, the wheels have to spin, and the doors need to open and close. Couple all that with an engine that functions, and you’re looking at a lot of work and a lot of potential areas where things can go wrong.

It’s no surprise, then, that from time to time something goes wrong in the process of building a car. But for Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid, that seems to happen more often than it does for its other vehicles.

The Korean marque has now issued a fifth recall for its 2016 Sonata Hybrid model.

The new recall is a strange one, and involves the turn signals on the Sonata. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there have been instances where the opposite turn signal is activated when drivers try to indicate where they’re going.

The NHTSA describes the error as:

“The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.”

This recall affects the 2016 hybrid, as well as the 2017 model and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. In total, this recall could impact 469,377 cars. It’s similar to a recall of Kia’s Sedona minivan, which we wrote about last week.

But, this isn’t the only ruling that’s hit the 2016 Sonata. Last month, Jalopnik also reported that Hyundai was recalling the hybrid due to an engine problem.

According to the NHTSA, connecting rod bearings inside the car’s engine were wearing away, which could result in the car stalling. In the worst case, the motor could even set on fire.

On top of that, Hyundai was forced to recall 348,158 vehicles in August 2021 due to issues with the trunk closure.

In this case, Hyundai said the trunk latch on certain Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Accent, and Azera vehicles might become damaged. The defect could prevent the trunk from being opened on the inside.

These three recalls joined other measures implemented on the cars, including a 2016 recall stating that the sunroof panels on the Sonata may become detached and, later, a move to recall 33 vehicles over issues affecting the driver’s frontal airbag.

In each instance, Hyundai promised a patch for the damaged vehicles.

With the latest issue affecting the car’s turn signals, dealerships will update each car’s software to remedy the problem. Hyundai said it will contact affected owners next month.

There Are Now Five Different Recalls On The Hyundai Sonata - Jalopnik

It’s tough building a car. You’ve got to get the body panels in place, the wheels have to spin, and the doors need to open and close. Couple all that with an engine that functions, and you’re looking at a lot of work and a lot of potential areas where things can go wrong.

jalopnik.com

 

[FiestaST]

Volvo Is Recalling Nearly 200,000 Vehicles For Deadly Airbags

They may not carry the Takata brand, but they carry the Takata spirit

There’s a certain irony to airbag recalls. Any company that sets out to build a safety system and inadvertently develops a claymore has earned their spot in Alanis Morissette’s biggest hit. Most famous among these is the seemingly all-encompassing Takata recall, but now a new member has joined those ranks — Volvo and their ZF-designed airbags.

This isn’t the first recall Volvo has had for ZF’s airbags. Earlier this month, a recall for hundreds of thousands of S60 and S80 models from the 2000s. Now, that same issue has cropped up in the company’s V70 wagons and XC70 crossovers.

The recall affects both vehicles from the 2001 to 2007 model years, and comes on the heels of at least one death due to the faulty inflators. The airbags are said to have been safe when installed, but have degraded over the years to become potentially fatal in a collision.

For a brand as safety-minded as Volvo, this kind of recall is a big deal. It’s odd, then, that Volvo is expecting to mail a notification of the recall to owners in mid-December — two full months after the release of the recall. While it’s easy to find recall information online, many owners don’t know to look until they get a notification.

Volvo Is Recalling Nearly 200,000 Vehicles For Deadly Airbags - Jalopnik

There’s a certain irony to airbag recalls. Any company that sets out to build a safety system and inadvertently develops a claymore has earned their spot in Alanis Morissette’s biggest hit. Most famous among these is the seemingly all-encompassing Takata recall, but now a new member has joined...

jalopnik.com

 

[HAL 9000]

Ford Bronco Sport recalled over moonroof issue - Autoblog​

Fifth recall in a year for the hugely popular crossover

Getting recalled five times in your first year on sale isn't the way the average vehicle wants to start its life, but that's where the Bronco Sport is.

In January, there was an issue with inadequate lube in the rear drive unit, in February a problem with suspension bolts, in March some trouble with the incorrect lower control arms, and in August a bit of bother over a leaky fuel delivery module.

This fifth recall involves an issue with the roof, a bit of weak spot for Ford lately.

According to paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the primer on a small number of Bronco Sports built between April 27 and May 25 of 2021 wasn't given enough time to cure before the moonroof was installed.

This could lead to an inadequate bond between the moonroof frame and the body, which could lead to the moonroof detaching.

The Mach-E, also built in Mexico like the Bronco Sport but at a different Ford plant, suffered a similar fate that's led to a much larger recall.

Out of the 1,036 Bronco Sports included in the recall, only 233 are suspected to have a problem. Ford said four warranty claims have been filed over the issue, but the automaker isn't aware of any accidents or injuries due to it.

Ford will begin notifying owners November 29. Owners can take their Bronco Sports to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for an inspection and, if needed, a new moonroof laid in with the appropriate bond.

Ford Bronco Sport recalled over moonroof issue

Primer on a small number of Bronco Sports built in 2021 wasn't given enough time to cure before the moonroof was installed, which could lead to the moonroof detaching.

www.autoblog.com

 

[FiestaST]

Now Audi's Fallen To The Backup Camera Recall Trend

A swath of 2021 and 2022 Audis will need to be serviced to address a problem that's become increasingly common across the industry.

Audi has issued a massive recall for a swath of new models due to an issue that prevents the backup camera feed from displaying when shifting into reverse. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notice 21V825 an estimated 2,857 vehicles may be affected, consisting of select 2021 and 2022 nameplates:

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, “Rear Visibility.”

That’s not quite every Audi in the current North American lineup, as you’ll notice the A6, A7, TT and R8 are not present in that group. However, the Q3 — the Ingolstadt-based company’s most popular product — certainly is.

The glitch pertains to software but cannot be remedied with a simple over-the-air update. That means owners of affected vehicles will have to bring their cars in for service. Notices are reportedly due to be mailed at about the middle of December but, as always, you can check if your new Audi is included in the list by inputting your VIN number on the NHTSA website.

Now Audi's Fallen To The Backup Camera Recall Trend - Jalopnik

Audi has issued a massive recall for a swath of new models due to an issue that prevents the backup camera feed from displaying when shifting into reverse. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notice 21V825 an estimated 2,857 vehicles may be affected, consisting of select...

jalopnik.com

 

[HAL 9000]

U.S. auto safety regulator awards over $24M to Hyundai whistle-blower - Axios​

The U.S. government's auto safety regulator announced Tuesday it would award over $24 million to a former Hyundai employee who reported key information about safety defects.

Why it matters: Engineer Kim Gwang-ho provided evidence that Hyundai and sister company Kia were hiding a design flaw that was causing engines to seize and catch fire, according to law firm Constantine Cannon, which represents Kim.

• It's the first time the U.S. regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has awarded a whistle-blower.

Details: After Kim brought forth evidence in 2016, the NHTSA found that Hyundai and Kia delayed recalling over 1.6 million vehicles and gave regulators inaccurate information about the defects.

• In November last year, Hyundai and Kia agreed to pay combined penalties of $210 million, $81 million of which went to the U.S. government.
• Both companies also committed to "substantial organizational improvements," the NHTSA said.
• Kim told the Wall Street Journal that Hyundai fired him shortly after he reported his concerns and filed a police complaint against him for allegedly leaking business secrets.

U.S. auto safety regulator awards over $24 million to Hyundai whistleblower

It's the first time the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has provided compensation to a whistleblower.

www.axios.com

 

[FiestaST]

Volvo Recall: S60 and S80 Affected in SA

Volvo has issued a recall for certain S60 and S80 sedans in South Africa. Here’s what you need to know…

The latest recall announcement from Volvo affects S60 and S80 sedans produced between 2001 and 2003. In South Africa, a total of 4 128 cars are affected by this recall.

Following a recent investigation by Volvo Cars and inflator manufacturer, ZF, it has been revealed that there may be a defect with the driver airbag. In the event of a collision and the driver airbag is deployed, it’s said that the driver frontal airbag inflator may rupture and release metal fragments when the airbag is deployed. The affected part is the FG2 Twin Driver Airbag inflator with a 5AT 148N propellant.

One fatality involving this faulty inflator has been recorded and Volvo component testing indicated that roughly 1% of Volvo cars could be impacted worldwide.

Volvo will replace the affected driver airbag but 2001-2003 S60 and S80 owners are required to check if they are affected by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the search box on Volvo’s website. Alternatively, owners can also make contact with their nearest Volvo dealer.

Volvo Recall: S60 and S80 Affected in SA

Volvo has issued a recall for certain S60 and S80 sedans in South Africa. Here’s what you need to know…

www.cars.co.za

 

[HAL 9000]

Tesla recalls Model S, X for faulty driver-side airbags - Autoblog​

The cushion can tear during deployment, providing incomplete protection

Tesla announced this week that it is recalling approximately 7,600 2021 Model S sedans and Model X SUVs to address a potentially faulty driver-side airbag that can be damaged during deployment, resulting in inadequate protection for the driver.

"A torn airbag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing their risk of injury," Tesla said in its Recall Acknowledgement to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has not yet posted Tesla's full documentation of the issue (or the automaker has not yet furnished it), so details are few and far between.

Tesla has been under mounting pressure from the regulator to improve its defect documentation and adherence to mandated recall processes, both of which have gotten the EV builder in hot water in recent months.

Tesla faced blowback for attempting to address issues with its Autopilot semi-self-driving suite when NHTSA discovered it had deployed software fixes to safety systems without conducting a recall campaign.

Tesla said it will have a remedy for the Model X and Model S airbag issue in place in time for a campaign to begin early next year, promising owners that they'd receive a notice to visit their dealers for a fix in January.

Tesla recalls Model S, X for faulty driver-side air bags

Tesla is recalling more than 7,500 examples of the Model S and X due a potentially faulty airbag that can be damaged during deployment.

www.autoblog.com

 

[HAL 9000]

GM rolls out software update limiting Chevy Bolt EV charge to 80%, but removes parking restrictions - Electrek​

GM announced that it is starting to roll out a new software update to Chevy Bolt EVs as part of its recall due to battery fire risks. It will limit the state-of-charge to 80%, but it will remove other restrictions, like not being able to park inside garages.

Today, GM announced a new software update that will remove those restrictions, but it will limit the battery pack’s state-of-charge to 80%.

The automaker said in a statement to Electrek:

“As battery module replacements continue under the previously announced recall, Chevrolet has informed owners of 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs who have not yet received their replacement battery modules that it will begin installation of a software update which will remove the parking and charging limitations on their vehicles while we work on building replacement battery modules. We expect that this software will be available for the remaining Bolt EV and EUV owners in the recall population within approximately the next 30 days.“

In short, it restricts the total range by an additional 10% at the top, but it enables owners to discharge it fully if they have to, which therefore gives them more total range.

GM told Electrek that their research points to this solution mitigating the fire risk while giving owners a more normal experience until they can replace the battery modules.

Owners have to take their cars to the dealership in order to receive the new software update, which GM says also comes with better diagnostic tools to detect problems with the battery pack.

It is now being rolled out to 2019 Chevy Bolt EVs, which GM believes are more at risk, but it will be made available to other builds shortly.

GM rolls out software update limiting Chevy Bolt EV charge to 80%, but removes parking restrictions

GM announced that it is starting to roll out a new software update to Chevy Bolt EVs as part of...

electrek.co

 

[HAL 9000]

Tesla suffers worldwide app server outage, owners can’t connect to their cars - Electrek​

Tesla is currently suffering from a nationwide (update: now worldwide) app server outage -resulting in owners not being able to connect to their cars.

Update: some functionally is now returning.

The Tesla mobile app is an important part of the Tesla ownership experience.

Phones are used as a key to unlock and start Tesla vehicles and Tesla owners can access a lot of controls through the mobile app.

Currently, Tesla owners in the US and Canada are experiencing a complete outage of the app connection.

Electrek received several reports from owners reporting the issue late in Friday afternoon and all 4 Tesla owners on staff couldn’t connect to their cars through the app – myself included:

If Tesla owners don’t disconnect from the app, they should still be able to use their phones as a key through the Bluetooth connection.

However, it is still safer to carry your keycard (or key fob if you have one).

This outage comes after Tesla pushed a new update to its mobile app earlier this week.

It added new features for owners, but it also added a lot of features for buyers to handle the buying and delivery experience.

A source familiar with the matter said that Tesla has been having issues with these new features for buyers that integrate into their own system.

Shortly after, Tesla is now experiencing a complete outage of its app server nationwide.

It’s not clear if the update is linked to this new outage.

Outages of Tesla’s systems are relatively rare, but there have been examples of significant ones in the past.

In September 2020, Tesla experienced a complete outage of both its customer-facing servers and internal system for several hours.

Update (6:00 pm ET): Tesla owners in European markets are now also reporting the same issues.

Update (6:10 pm ET): Tesla. owners in Asian markets are also reporting similar issues. It looks like the outage is worldwide.

Update (6:15 pm ET): Some vehicles seem to be affected differently. Model 3/Y appear to have more problem connecting the Model S/X.

Update (6:30 pm ET): it looks like some functionality is returning and while many still can’t see their cars updating in the app, the controls are still accessible.

Tesla suffers worldwide app server outage, owners can't connect to their cars (update: back)

Tesla is currently suffering from a nationwide (update: now worldwide) app server outage -resulting in owners not being able to...

electrek.co

 

[HAL 9000]

Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII recalled due to software problem - bmwblog​

Even “the best car in the world” is not perfect as the Rolls-Royce Phantom is facing a recall much like lesser cars that can be bought at a fraction of the stately sedan’s price.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a potential problem with 442 units of the current, eighth-generation Phantom, affecting vehicles built during the 2019 to 2022 model years.

442 might not sound like much for a mainstream car, but it’s a fairly important number when talking about one of the most expensive vehicles money can buy that is built in limited numbers for the one-percenters.

The issue stems from the infotainment system as there’s a risk it may not rise to the correct position, making the footage captured by the rear-view camera less visible when backing out.

According to the documentation provided by NHTSA, the affected cars might have faulty software that can “overstress the Central Information Display mechanism caused by excessive unnecessary opening requests from coach door module (CDM).” The issue only appears when the vehicle is unlocked and/or the driver’s door is opened.

It all started in June 2020 when the owner of a US-spec 2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom filed a complaint about the infotainment not fully rising to the desired position. It was seen as an isolated case at that point, but other complaints were made in the coming months, leading up to October when an engineering review was initiated.

Owners of affected cars are going to receive notification letters by December 27 and can contact Rolls-Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735. Needless to say, the software fix is free of charge.

Thankfully, accidents and injuries related to this problem have not been reported so far. It might sound like a minor problem, but when a vehicle is as large as the Phantom, you certainly need the rear-view camera feed to show up in the centre display to safely reverse.

Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII recalled due to software problem

400+ units of the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII are being recalled due to an issue with the infotainment screen not showing the rearview camera.

www.bmwblog.com

 

[HAL 9000]

Tesla drivers left out in the cold after server outage, but what actually went wrong? - Techradar​

Please remember your backup key

Over the weekend Tesla drivers across the globe were left stranded after server outages left them locked out of their cars.

The Tesla app experienced issues for several hours with users taking to Twitter to explain they were unable to connect to Tesla's servers, and therefore could not open up their Tesla Model 3 and other vehicles from the manufacturer.

The issue only affected those attempting to access their vehicles via Tesla's smartphone app; so while users could still open their cars using a physical key, anyone who didn't carry around that backup likely had a frustrating few hours.

The Tesla servers are now back online and users can once again use their smartphones as a car key. But this likely won't be the last time we see an issue affect Tesla's servers though – or any server for that manner – so we'd advise you always have your backup options handy for issues like these in the future, even if using your phone is generally a more convenient solution.

Tesla drivers left out in the cold after server outage, but what actually went wrong?

Please remember your backup key

www.techradar.com

 

[airborne]

Tesla drivers left out in the cold after server outage, but what actually went wrong? - Techradar​

Please remember your backup key

Tesla drivers left out in the cold after server outage, but what actually went wrong?

Please remember your backup key

www.techradar.com

lol, you get to the shops and find your banking app is down so you can't pay for anything, then you realise your Tesla app is also down and you have to walk home

 

[HAL 9000]

Audi Airbag Failure Puts Passengers In The Hot Seat - CarBuzz​

Turn on seat heating, short out airbags? Sounds dangerous.

Audi is recalling more than 200,000 vehicles from model years 2017 to 2020 because of a problem with the passenger side airbag sensors.

According to the NHTSA report the passenger object detection system (PODS) on certain vehicles is integrated into the seat heaters with a connected wire.

If the wire has a fault, the system could switch off the passenger airbag. Thankfully the PODS is connected to a warning light in the instrument cluster noting that the safety feature is off. It would be much worse if the fault didn't illuminate the light.

The recall includes about 20,000 S5s including Sportbacks, 123,000 A4s and Allroads, 11,000 A5s, 28,000 A5 Sportbacks, about 5,000 RS5 models and 10,000 S4s, all sold in the US and Canada.

Build dates range all the way from 2015 for some of the A4s to 2019 for the RS5s. The NHTSA notes that in the event of a crash there'd obviously be an increase of the chance of injury due to the non-deploying airbag.

The fix includes replacing the seat heating mats if necessary, including the connecting cable, or the entire seat covers at no cost to customers. The new components have the connection shielded, as do cars built after November 18, 2019.

Audi Airbag Failure Puts Passengers In The Hot Seat

Turn on seat heating, short out airbags? Sounds dangerous.

carbuzz.com

 

[HAL 9000]

VW Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport recalled for inadvertent airbag deployment - Autoblog​

54,429 VW SUVs are being recalled in total

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport are being recalled due to an unexpected airbag deployment problem.

In total, VW is bringing back 54,429 cars. Of those, 35,449 are from the Atlas population and 18,980 are Atlas Cross Sports.

The issue stems from air conditioning drain tubes that were not manufactured properly, causing them to be blocked. If a tube becomes blocked, water will then leak inside the vehicle and come into contact with the airbag module.

VW goes on to say that if water leaks onto the control module, it could cause system malfunctions, the worst of those being a random airbag deployment.

Yes, that means the airbag could go off at any time, if all of the above stars line up.

Volkswagen doesn’t say that it will in every circumstance, but the airbag warning light might illuminate if a malfunction of the module is detected.

Volkswagen’s fix will involve an inspection of the drain tube and a repair of the tube if necessary — VW says that it expects less than 1% of the recalled population to be affected. If the tube repair is necessary,

VW will also replace the airbag control unit with a new one. As with any recall, all of the work will be done free of charge to the customer.

Recall documents say to expect to receive a notification around Jan. 14 if your Atlas is part of the recalled population.

VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport recalled for inadvertent airbag deployment

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport are being recalled due to an unexpected airbag deployment problem.

www.autoblog.com

 

[HAL 9000]

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer recalled - Autoblog​

Software issue can disable airbags without warning drivers

In September, while Fiat Chrysler engineers were working with supplier Veoneer on a manufacturing issue, they discovered a separate software issue concerning the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) for certain airbags.

After six weeks of investigation, FCA decided on a voluntary safety recall for 87,780 units of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and 11,475 units of the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

That makes 99,255 SUVs that will need to visit the dealer for repairs, with an estimated defect rate of 100%.

The problem is a trio of internal faults with the airbag system that don't cause diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), which the faults are supposed to do. The faults can disable proper airbag deployment for the driver and passenger, as well as disable the knee airbags.

These malfunctions can increase the risk of injury in a crash. However, since they don't throw up any diagnostic trouble codes, the airbag warning light won't illuminate to warn the driver and occupants that there's an issue with the airbag system. Jeep reports that it does not know of any injuries or fatalities stemming from this defect.

FCA says it will begin sending letters to notify owners sometime around December 30. Owners can take their Jeeps to the dealer to have the OCR reprogrammed free of charge.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer recalled

A trio of internal faults don't cause diagnostic trouble codes and can disable proper airbag deployment for the driver and passenger, as well as disable the knee airbags.

www.autoblog.com

 

[HAL 9000]

Honda Pilot, Ridgeline, Passport big recall: Hoods can fly open - Autoblog​

725,000 vehicles involved — here are the signs that yours may have a problem

Honda is recalling a large swath of Pilot and Passport SUVs and Ridgeline pickups to address potentially defective hood latch equipment that can fail while the vehicles are underway, potentially allowing the hood to open unexpectedly, creating a safety hazard.

The recall covers 2019 Passports, 2016-2019 Pilots and 2017-2020 Ridgelines – just shy of 725,000 vehicles.

The company's defect notification indicates that the issue can actually be traced back to a faulty seal between the hood and grille. Air entering the gaps in the seal can cause buffeting at highway speeds.

The vibrations from this buffeting can cause minor damage to the hood latch striker where it meets the hood itself. These stress fractures can eventually cause the striker to separate from the hood completely, allowing it to fly open.

"Hood vibration noises or a loose hood are potential warnings of a failing hood latch striker," Honda said. "A separated hood latch striker may allow the hood to open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash."

Customers with vehicles built within the specified production range should expect to be notified of the recall by January.

Honda will inspect customer vehicles and either reinforce the hood latch striker attachment point or replace the hood entirely if it is beyond repair.

Honda Pilot, Ridgeline, Passport big recall: Hoods can fly open - Autoblog

Honda has announced a recall covering hundreds of thousands of its popular two- and three-row SUVs to address an issue that may allow the hood to fly open.

www.autoblog.com

 

[HAL 9000]

Ford Escape and Bronco Sport recalled over braking issue - Autoblog​

Both CUVs might not stop within the legally required distance if booster fails

Ford is recalling certain 2021- and 2022-model-year Escape and Bronco Sport crossovers for improperly manufactured rear brake pads that won't stop the vehicles within the government-mandated distance.

The problem is said to be caused by a manufacturing error at Continental Automotive Mexicana, the brake pad supplier.

Ford estimates there are nearly 125,000 vehicles covered by the recall, none of which have an electronic brake booster, built from December 2020 to November 2011.

The model breakdown in the U.S. is:

• 2020 - 2021 Escape: 49,553 units
• 2022 Escape: 2 units
• 2021 Bronco Sport: 65,429 units
• 2022 Bronco Sport: 12 units

That's 114,996 total units here, the remainder being in Canada and Mexico.

The pad issue was discovered when the National Highway Traffic Safety Association performed an audit of the Bronco Sport. Government regulations require that if a vehicle's power brakes fail, that vehicle when driven at a certain speed needs to be able to stop before covering a certain distance.

In this case, a Bronco Sport going 60 miles per hour needed to be able to stop in no more than 551 feet without power brakes. The NHTSA audit found the Bronco Sport needed 583 feet for the stop. Hence the recall.

According to Consumer Reports, the average braking distance for a small SUV going 60 mph is 132 feet, and says the Bronco Sport performed the task in 126 feat.

To stress, the issue at hand only happens if the power brakes fail. When Ford investigated after the NHTSA findings, the automaker discovered the Escape, on which the Bronco Sport is based, could also be affected.

Ford is working on validating a fix now. Once that's done, the company will notify owners by mail beginning January 10, 2022, if they should take their cars to the dealer to have the matter repaired free of charge. The automaker says it's not aware of any crashes or injuries because of this.

Ford Escape and Bronco Sport recalled over braking issue - Autoblog

Ford is recalling certain 2021- and 2022 Escape and Bronco Sport crossovers for brake pads that won't adequately stop the cars if the brake booster fails.

www.autoblog.com

 

[HAL 9000]

2022 VW Golf Gets Major Infotainment Upgrade To Fix Speed Issues - Motor1​

Not only does it have improved software, but also significantly more powerful hardware.

Volkswagen introduced the eighth-generation Golf in October 2019, but the market launch of the hugely popular compact model was plagued with software glitches.

So much so that deliveries to customers were halted just a few months later because of a glitchy software for the emergency call function.

The peeps from Wolfsburg not only halted shipments to buyers for a while, but also recalled about 15,000 cars just in Germany alone.

Fast forward to early 2021, issues with the infotainment and the reversing camera prompted a second recall, affecting around 56,000 units built until June 2020.

Visit just about any VW forum and you'll find more than a few Mk8 owners complaining about the MIB3 still being laggy, not to mention crashing once in a while – a problem that extends to the related Skoda Octavia and other MQB sister models.

And now for some good news. VW is rolling out a major upgrade for the Golf 8 with better-optimized software, which includes a new voice control promising to deliver "fast recognition and precise response."

It can comprehend freely worded phrases and can figure out whether the driver or the front passenger is speaking. In addition, it can ask questions and can be interrupted by the user.

While many people find voice control more or less of a gimmick, the 2022 Golf brings some palpable improvements.

VW goes as far as to say the car is receiving a facelift this winter courtesy of a new System on Chip (SOC) with 25 percent more computing power and a graphics card with triple the performance of the old version.

Thanks to the new hardware, VW says it will take less than five seconds to show the list of results after typing a destination entry into the navigation system. The German automaker says it has listened to customers and their problems with MIB3, and hopefully, these have now been addressed.

However, the upgraded infotainment system will only come in newly built cars, so existing owners are stuck with the older setup.

There is a silver lining as those who already have a Golf 8 will benefit from the optimized software as part of a "voluntary service measure" from early 2022 when VW will begin to contact owners. Existing vehicles with the latest software will benefit from a "reduction of the base load and therefore enhanced performance for programs and functions."

Lastly, VW has made one more tweak by blocking the buttons around the hazard warning light whenever the user's finger comes within a few centimetres from the screen. Once the finger touches the display, the sliders for the volume and temperature are also automatically blocked to prevent unwanted activation.

An extra proximity sensor should make gesture controls work better than before from several centimetres away.

Expect these software and hardware revisions to be adopted by the other VW Group models related to the Golf 8.

2022 VW Golf Gets Major Infotainment Upgrade To Fix Speed Issues

Volkswagen is rolling out an update for the Golf to give the infotainment far more computing power and address the software glitches.

www.motor1.com

 

[HAL 9000]

BMW faces $5 million lawsuit over leaking cupholders as water can allegedly damage airbag parts - BMWBlog​

People aren’t buying BMWs for their cupholders, but they do expect them to work as advertised.

Apparently, that’s not the case with those fitted to a certain 2020 X7 M50i that cost $113,345 when owner Fang Lin purchased the fullsize SUV on December 28, 2019.

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the German luxury automaker for at least $5 million due to leaking cupholders.

On April 26, 2021, the plaintiff brought the car to a BMW dealer to fix the sun visor as its locking bar had become loose, much like the left rear door edge seal. In addition, the third-row seat lock message came on intermittently.

The X7 M50i had only 7,502 miles on the clock and spent two days in the shop to iron out those minor issues.

Fast forward to July 8, 2021, Fang Lin returned at the dealer to fix another problem – “the driver’s restrain system malfunction message came on display.”

The premium SUV had 8,388 miles on the odometer at that point and spent another two days at the shop.

Here is what the documentation attached to the class action lawsuit says:

“Defendant, through its authorized dealers, was unable and/or failed to repair the Subject Vehicle within a reasonable number of attempts. Plaintiff justifiably lost confidence in the Subject Vehicle’s reliability and said defects have substantially impaired the use, value, and/or safety of the Subject Vehicle to Plaintiff.”

BMW is being accused that the X7’s front cupholders have a design flaw causing water to drip, which eventually reaches the airbag control module located right underneath.

In a worst-case scenario, that piece of hardware gets damaged and the airbags can “inadvertently deploy,” according to the class-action lawsuit filed by BrightK Consulting, Inc.

Based on the class-action lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Orange County:

“Knowing the truth and motivated by profit and market share, Defendant BMW has knowingly and wilfully engaged in the acts and/or omissions to mislead and/or deceive Plaintiff and others similarly situated.”

Hovanes Margarian, the plaintiff’s attorney, believes there are “thousands” of BMW owners in this situation.

To date, BMW has refused to fix the issue Fang Lin is having with the X7 M50i and its problematic cupholders despite receiving similar complaints in the past from other owners.

“At all relevant times, BMW has been aware of the herein described defect in the cup holders in the Class Vehicles and has consciously disregarded the rights and safety of Plaintiff, members of the Class, and the general public in that numerous complaints about the cup holder’s inability to hold cups with liquid damaging the SRS Air Bag Control Module in the Class Vehicles have been lodged with BMW.”

BMW faces $5 million lawsuit over leaking cupholders as water can allegedly damage airbag parts

BMW is facing a lawsuit because of an alleged design defect of the cupholders in the X7, which may leak water that damages airbag components.

www.bmwblog.com

 

[HAL 9000]

2021 Hyundai Palisade recalled over brake fluid issue - WhichCar? AU​

The problem affects all variants

Hyundai Australia is recalling all variants of the 2021 Palisade over a fault with the brake fluid. In total 217 cars are affected by the issue.

According to the Department for Infrastructure which issued the notice, the brake fluid may be contaminated, which could cause the master cylinder inner cup seal to expand resulting in a reduced braking performance.

Owners can contact their local Hyundai dealer to replace the master brake cylinder and brake fluid, free no charge.

Until the repair is carried out, Palisade owners are advised to pay attention to any abnormality in the brake pedal feel and be conscious of the vehicle stopping distance.

2021 Hyundai Palisade recalled for brake fluid fix

The problem affects all variants of the large SUV.

www.whichcar.com.au