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Jul 07, 2023

'RISK OF A CRASH': Recall alerts on Ford, BMW, Chevrolet, Buick, Kia, Hyundai, Nissan and other vehicles trigger warnings to drivers

Transport Canada is issuing recalls for several makes and models of vehicles

Transport Canada is issuing recalls for several makes and models of vehicles because of various safety issues. - Metroland file photo

Transport Canada has published notices of recalls for several makes and models of vehicles because of various safety concerns.

General Motors is recalling their 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse due to faulty airbag mechanics.

On some vehicles, the driver-front airbag inflator could break when the airbag gets deployed in the event of a crash. If this occurs, the airbag may not inflate properly and pieces of it could be hurled towards the occupants of the vehicle, creating a risk of injury or death.

"General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the driver-front airbag module," said Transport Canada.

View the original recall at Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

Kia is recalling their 2013-2016 Kia Optima because of a fuse issue.

A service campaign is being conducted by Kia to inspect and upgrade the safety plug fuse. The safety plug fuse on certain Optima Hybrid (HEV) models could blow, causing the loss of hybrid system power when driving at low speeds. Additionally, the installation of an incorrect aftermarket fuse could cause overheating.

"A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash," Transport Canada said. "Using an incorrect aftermarket fuse could create the risk of a fire."

Kia will be notifying owners by mail to take the vehicle to a dealership to have it inspected for an aftermarket fuse. Kia will also replace the 125-A safety plug with one that has a 150-A rating.

View the original recall at Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

Hyundai is issuing recalls for their 2019 to 2023 Santa Fe as well as the 2022 and 2023 Santa Cruz due to faulty trailer wiring harness kits.

Some vehicles may be equipped with a four-pin accessory trailer wiring harness kit that could fail, possibly resulting in a short circuit that can cause the control module to overheat, creating the risk of a fire, even when the car is turned off and in park.

"This recall only affects Hyundai Genuine four-pin tow hitch wiring harness kits with the part number S2F67-AC401," said Transport Canada. "These kits may have been ordered at the time of a vehicle purchase or purchased separately from a dealer as an aftermarket accessory."

Hyundai will inform vehicle owners by mail to go to a dealership to inspect for a trailer wiring harness kit. If necessary, Hyundai will install a 15A fuse and a wire extension kit. They also advise that if your vehicle has a tow hitch harness installed, it should be parked outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until repairs have been completed.

View the original recall at Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

Nissan is recalling the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 because of faulty driver's seat frames.

"On certain vehicles, the driver's seat frame may not have been properly welded. As a result, the seat frame could break in a crash," said Transport Canada. "A seat frame that breaks in a crash could create an increased risk of injury."

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver's seat cushion frame.

View the original recall at Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

BMW is recalling several older vehicles because of an airbag issue.

The 2002 and 2003 3 and 5 Series of vehicles, the 2003 X5 and the 2004-2006 3 Series are being recalled because "long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag," Transport Canada said.

"This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function."

BMW updated this recall, issuing a do not drive advisory for the vehicles that have not yet been repaired and advising owners to bring the vehicle in to have the driver-front airbag inflator inspected and replaced if necessary.

Transport Canada also notes that the Canadian climate results in the airbag propellant slowly degrading. This recall is being done to try to prevent future risk and inflators are expected to be replaced before function can be affected.

To find out if your vehicle needs to be repaired, owners can:

• Visit https://www.bmw.ca/en/ssl/VehicleRecall.html

• Contact your preferred or local BMW Retailer

• Call BMW Customer Relations Recall Services at 1-855-217-3002

View the original recall at Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

Ford is issuing recalls for the following vehicles:

2020 FORD E150

2020 FORD EXPEDITION

2020 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY

2020 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY

2020 FORD F-450 SUPER DUTY

2020 FORD F-550 SUPER DUTY

2020 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

2020 FORD F-150

2021 FORD E150

2021 FORD EXPEDITION

On some truck models, the windshield wiper arms may not have been manufactured correctly and as a result, they could slip and not clean the windshield properly.

"Windshield wipers that do not work properly could affect a driver's visibility," said Transport Canada. "This could increase the risk of a crash."

Owners will be notified by mail to take their vehicle to a dealership and have the windshield wiper arms replaced.

View the original recall at Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

Clarification - May 18, 2023: This file was updated to clarify that automobile manufacturers issue recalls. Transport Canada's main role in the recall process is to conduct oversight.

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