Here are a couple recalls that may be of interest and for ‘good-to-know’ facts.

This first one is not too important to us but it is one of those good-to-know items that may come in handy down the road.  Knee air bags don’t affect us when it comes to auto glass installation but it can be one of those things that should be mentioned to your customers as a service.

Report Receipt Date: AUG 06, 2014

NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V481000

Component(s): Air Bags

Potential Number of Units Affected: 25,483

Vehicle Make, Model, Model Year(s)

•             FIAT 500L 2014-2015

Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC

Summary:

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver’s knee airbag may result in its improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.”

Consequence:

If the knee airbag air bag does not deploy properly during a crash, there is an increased risk of driver injury.

Remedy:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver’s knee air bag, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is P42.

Notes:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

This recall would be very important to those that use Ford Transits as a service vehicle however the recall is for vehicles without rear seats so the risk of injury is only if aftermarket seats are added.

Report Receipt Date: AUG 06, 2014

NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V483000

Component(s):

Potential Number of Units Affected: 592

Vehicle Make, Model, Model Year(s)

•             FORD TRANSIT 2015

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Summary:

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Transit cargo vans without rear seating positions manufactured March 12, 2014, to June 24, 2014 and equipped with windowless sliding doors. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured without the epoxy reinforcement on the windowless sliding doors.

Consequence:

A sliding door without the epoxy reinforcement has an increased potential of unlatching in certain side impact crashes. A door that unlatches may open, allowing for a vehicle occupant to be ejected in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy:

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement plate into the windowless sliding door, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin around September 22, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford’s number for this recall is 14S16.

Notes:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

This recall is right up our alley and we will be called to replace these windshields.  If one of your customers complains of bubbles in the glass, remind them of the recall.  If the bubbles are located near or at the bonding area of the glass, then the recall is more serious and should be encouraged.

Report Receipt Date: AUG 06, 2014

NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V484000

Component(s):

Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,139

Vehicle Make, Model, Model Year(s)

•             LINCOLN MKC 2015

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Summary:

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured August 20, 2013, to June 6, 2014. The affected vehicles may have visible air bubbles in the windshield glass. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, “Glazing Materials.”

Consequence:

Air bubbles in the windshield could impact the driver’s visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the windshields for air bubbles, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford’s number for this recall is 14C07.

Notes:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

This recall is important to the proper operation of the air curtains and replacement of the interior garnish moldings must be encouraged.

Report Receipt Date: JUL 30, 2014

NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V563000

Component(s):

Potential Number of Units Affected: 6,292

Vehicle Make, Model, Model Year(s)

•             HONDA FIT 2015

Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Summary:

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2015 Honda Fit vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014, to June 9, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an A-pillar interior cover designed for vehicles without side curtain air bags.

Consequence:

The affected vehicles are equipped with side curtain air bags and in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the side curtain air bags, the incorrect A-pillar interior cover may adversely affect the performance of the side curtain air bags increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy:

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the A-pillar interior cover and install the correct A-pillar cover, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 25, 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda’s number for this recall is JF9.

Notes:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

See you next week.