U.S. Product Recalls
U.S. Product Recall News
Chevrolet puts out follow-up recall for Bolts with faulty battery modules
July 26, 2021
Cars reports that in the wake of a probe that resulted in “the recall of some 51,000 Bolt EVs in November, Chevrolet parent automaker GM has issued a follow-up recall for a marginally smaller number of the affected population.” The problem again is “defective battery modules that could lead to a fire.” Cars adds, “Affected vehicles include model-year 2017-19 Bolt EV electric hatchbacks that had been recalled but fell victim to what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes as ‘the simultaneous presence of two rare manufacturing defects in the same battery cell in design.’”
NHSTA Issues recall on certain Kinergy GT tires
July 15, 2021
The NHSTA reports Hankook Tire America Corp. (Hankook) is recalling certain Kinergy GT (H436) tires, size 235/50R19H with DOT code 0521. The 7,026 tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation. Tread separation can result in tire failure and a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers and authorized independent service centers will replace the affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Hankook customer service at 1-800-426-5665.
Ford recalls hundreds-of-thousands of vehicles in due to safety issues
July 17, 2021
In continuing coverage, USA Today reports Ford announced a recall of about 850,000 trucks and cars on Friday, July 16 that encompasses “34,939 Ford F-350 Super Duty vehicles for rear axle issues and 40,995 Lincoln Aviator vehicles for improperly secured battery cable wire harnesses,” but mostly “774,696 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles following six allegations of injuries related to a seized cross-axis ball joint.”
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific NEUTROGENA® and AVEENO® Aerosol Sunscreen Products Due to the Presence of Benzene
July 14, 2021
The FDA reports in an announcement: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (JJCI) is voluntarily recalling all lots of five NEUTROGENA® and AVEENO® aerosol sunscreen product lines to the consumer level. Internal testing identified low levels of benzene in some samples of the products. The only sunscreen products impacted are aerosol products, specifically: NEUTROGENA® Beach Defense® aerosol sunscreen, NEUTROGENA® Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen, NEUTROGENA® Invisible Daily™ defense aerosol sunscreen, NEUTROGENA® Ultra Sheer® aerosol sunscreen, and AVEENO® Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen.
GM recalls more than 400,000 pickup trucks for airbag explosion risk
July 9, 2021
The AP (7/9) reports General Motors is recalling over 400,000 Chevrolet and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles from the 2015 and 2016 model years “because the side air bags can explode without warning and spew parts into the cabin.” NHTSA posted the recall on Friday, with documents showing the air bag inflators have a rupture risk. Indeed, “three inflators ruptured in 2015 Silverados last month, one in Florida and two in Texas.” So far, GM has not received any reports of injuries from the defect. The Hill (7/9, Vakil, 5.69M) reports, “According to Consumer Reports, the recall is separate from another one issued by the NHTSA in November over the same issue, which recalled 9,279 trucks.”
GM recalls 330,000 Silverado, Sierra pickups due to possible engine fires
July 8, 2021
Automotive News (7/8, LaForest, 178K) reports General Motors is “recalling certain Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups because an electrical short circuit can occur in the engine-block heater cable or cords, increasing the risk of a fire.” The affected vehicles totals 331,274 in the US and “are the 2017-19 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and the 2017-19 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6-liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord.” The AP (7/8) reports GM “says it has reports of 24 fires potentially caused by the problem from Dec. 3, 2019 through May 28, 2021.” Cars (7/8, 1.91M) provides the number of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline for questions regarding the recall.
Mazda recalls 2004-2007 Mazda3s due to steering wheel part that could shatter with airbag deployment
July 8, 2021
The AP (7/8) reports Mazda “is recalling nearly 261,000 older small cars because a plastic emblem on the steering wheel can shatter if the air bags are inflated, causing injuries.” Cars (7/8, 1.91M) reports the recall “affects owners of model-year 2004-07 Mazda3 sedans and hatchbacks.” Dealers “will simply replace the airbag module cover for free.” Cars provides the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline for questions regarding the recall. Also reporting are Car and Driver (7/8) and Automotive News (7/8, 178K).
Certain Philips Respironics Ventilators, BiPAP, and CPAP Machines Recalled Due to Potential Health Risks: FDA Safety Communication
June 30, 2021
The FDA reports that Philips Respironics has recalled certain BiPAP and CPAP machines due to potential health risks. The polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam, which is used to reduce sound and vibration in these affected devices, may break down and potentially enter the device’s air pathway. If this occurs, black debris from the foam or certain chemicals released into the device’s air pathway may be inhaled or swallowed by the person using the device.
Kia to Recall 147K+ Vehicles for an Engine-Related Problem
April 20, 2021
Consumer Reports is reporting that Kia is recalling “147,249 2021 Seltos subcompact SUVs and 2020-2021 Soul wagons to address a problem with the 2.0-liter engine. An inconsistent heat-treating process for the piston oil rings can damage the engine and lead to a loss of power, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.”
NHTSA Investigating Faulty Air Bags Manufactured by Joyson Safety Systems
April 12, 2021
Bloomberg is reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “is investigating potentially faulty air bags made by Joyson Safety Systems, the successor to defunct manufacturer Takata Corp. that is at the center of one of the biggest recalls in history.” The agency, “according to documents posted on its website, has started an ‘Open Equipment Query’ that covers 256,181 passenger-side replacement air bag cushions manufactured by Joyson.” Additionally, regulators “said the cushions might have been folded incorrectly, which they said could prevent proper deployment.”
GM to Recall 60K Vehicles Over Power Steering Problem
April 6, 2021
Consumer Reports is reporting that General Motors is “recalling over 60,000 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks from the 2015 model year to fix a faulty part within the power steering assembly that could cause the trucks’ power steering to stop working.” The problem is due to a poor electrical connection within the power steering system.”
NHTSA Opens Two Investigations into Volkswagen Vehicles
April 5, 2021
The AP is reporting that “The U.S. government’s road safety agency has opened two investigations into problems with Volkswagen vehicles, including one that alleges serious gasoline leaks under the hood.” The investigations “cover nearly 215,000 vehicles,” including “more than 191,000 VW Atlas SUVs from the 2018 through 2020 model years” with “fuel injectors in 3.6-liter engines” that have a fire risk. The other investigation includes “just over 23,000 Audi A8, S6, S7, S8 and RS7 vehicles from 2013 through 2016,” where NHTSA “says it has 58 complaints and three field reports about 4-liter twin-turbocharged engines stalling without warning while in highway or city traffic.”
GM to Recall 94,641 SUVs Over Issue that Could Damage Seat Belts
March 24, 2021
Consumer Reports is reporting that General Motors is recalling “certain 2021 model-year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles with third-row seating” because “outboard seat belts for the third-row seats may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism during assembly.”
Stellantis Recalls 20K Ram Trucks Due to Engine Fire Risk
March 23, 2021
The AP reports Stellantis “is recalling more than 20,000” Ram diesel-powered trucks “due to the risk of an engine fire.” Stellantis says “the 2021 pickup and chassis cab trucks have heater electrical relays that can short, overheat and in rare cases cause fires. The fires can start even if the engines are turned off.”
Ford to Recall 2.9 Million Vehicles for Defective Takata Airbag
March 12, 2021
Reuters reports that Ford announced a new recall for 2.9 million vehicles in North America for “potentially defective driver-side Takata air bags.” The company will start notifying owners on April 1.
Hyundai to Recall 82k Battery Systems due to Fire Risk
February 24, 2021
Reuters reports that “Hyundai Motor Co will replace battery systems in some 82,000 electric vehicles globally due to fire risks - a costly $900 million recall that lays bare the thorny issue of how car and battery makers split the bill when problems arise.”
Mercedes-Benz Recalls 40k+ Vehicles for Software Issue
February 20, 2021
Business Insider reports that Mercedes-Benz US is recalling over 40,000 of it “sport utility vehicles over a program software error that could cause a car to move to one side during a maneuver.” The recall includes certain 2020-2021 GLE450, GLE350 and 2020 GLS450, GLE580, and GLS580 models.
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Who Issues Recalls in the United States?
CPSC –Consumer Product Safety Commission
The U.S. CPSC is charged with protecting the public in the United States from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction, such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals.
FDA – Food & Drug Administration
The U.S. FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and related products.
NHTSA – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s NHTSA provides recall information on vehicles and equipment sold in the United States, which has experienced safety-related defects or did not comply with U.S. federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Track NHTSA recalls:
Other Recall Resources
OECD – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- The OECD tracks the recalls of products manufactured and sold world-wide in most developed nations.