Manufacturer recalls for May 2017

The month of May shines a bit with fewer recalls recorded compared to previous months. Here’s the list.

A faulty fuel pump has forced Volkswagen group to recall almost 350,000 Porsche and Audi models. It all started earlier this month when 51,000 Porsche Macan S, Macan GTS and Macan Turbo models produced between March 4, 2014, and April 14, 2017, were recalled to inspect fuel pumps fitted to them. The fuel pump, if faulty, can crack leading to a fuel leak and a possible fire. Now another 292,000 Porsche and Audi models are added to this recall taking the total count close to 350,000. Audi Q5 models built from July 2012 to March 2017 and Audi Q7 models manufactured between May 2012 and July 2015 are included in this recall. As of now, no incidents related to the fuel pump failing were reported. After inspection, VW will replace the faulty fuel pump and add a protective film to the faulty components.

More than 1.25 million units of Ram pickups from FCA are being called back over an electronic issue. The affected trucks may fail to deploy the side airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners in the event of a rollover crash. This is due to a miscalculation made by the central computer which incorrectly assumes a sensor failure if the vehicle sustains “a significant underbody damage”. The vehicles affected by this problem include 2013-2016 Ram 1500 and 2500 pickups along with the 2014-2016 Ram 3500. The software for the occupant restraint control modules will be updated to rectify this problem.

Four out of the 19 manufacturers plagued by the Takata airbag-related recalls have come to a settlement of US $553 million. BMW, Mazda, Subaru and Toyota released a joint statement on it which states that this settlement would fund a set of programs that will “increase recall remedy completion rates for Takata airbag inflators, among other customer benefits.” An outreach program conducted through “traditional and non-traditional means” will be one of the initiatives taken by these firms, at least in the United States. This will help in speeding up the recall and repair process. A rental car program will offer loaner vehicles to the customers of the affected vehicles if the parts required to repair the vehicles are not available within 30 days. A customer protection program will also be launched to further cover repairs required to correct the inflator issues in affected vehicles. Thus far, the Takata airbag issue struck over 42 million vehicles in the U.S. alone. Takata pled guilty to criminal charges in January and was fined for a billion U.S. dollars. According to Automotive News, the company is now on the verge of being bankrupt.

German automaker, BMW has announced a recall for 45,484 of its flagship sedans, the 7-Series, manufactured between 2005 and 2008. These cars are believed to be fitted with doors that can fling open in the middle of a run even when they appear to be closed tight. BMW 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina models, equipped with the Comfort Access or Soft Close Automatic features are the examples monitored under the radar. The owners of these cars will be intimated via email once BMW comes up with a solution.

If you find your car in this list, get in touch with your dealer to know if your car is affected.