In this week’s blog we’ll look at some recalls that have piqued my interest.
Manufacturer: Mack Trucks Inc.
Summary:
Mack Trucks, Inc. (Mack) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 CHU, CXU, GU and TD vehicles manufactured June 16, 2009 through July 18, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the Electronic Power Distribution Module (EPDM) may be contaminated from water leaks in and around the windshield. If exposed to water leaks, contaminants such as road salts may deposit on the EPDM.
Consequence:
Deposits of contaminants may result in the circuits being bridged, creating a high resistance short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy:
Mack will notify owners and dealers will inspect the EPDM. If contamination has occurred, dealers will replace the EPDM and address the leak, free of charge. The recall will begin in late April 2014. Owners may contact Mack Trucks at 336/393-2000. Mack’s number for this recall is SC0375.
Notes:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888/327-4236 (TTY 800/424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
This recall obviously concerns those technicians who have a Mack truck fleet to service. As a matter of fact, they probably know about this issue already. If they ran into a leaking windshield or made a mistake and had a leak in one of their installations, they probably had to deal with the replacement or repair of the EPDM module.
The word of caution for those that do not work on these vehicles often is to pay particular care when installing this windshield and double check for leaks when the installation is completed. The ultrasonic leak detector is recommended because it is a dry test instead of a wet test that could cause damage to the module.
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Summary:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less, and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger’s head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, “Occupant Protection in Interior Impact.”
Consequence:
In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy:
GM will notify owners. The manufacturer has not yet provided a remedy plan or notification schedule. Chevrolet owners may call 800/630-2438. GMC owners may call 866/996-9463. GM’s number for this recall is 14082.
Notes:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888/327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
This vehicle is a popular service vehicle for automotive glass companies. If your company often uses two-man installations, make sure you get your service vehicle in for the recall repair as soon as possible. You do not want to put your second man at risk of injury due to improper air bag deployment.
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Summary:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model-year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat-mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence:
Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increases the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
Remedy:
GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 800/521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 866/694-6546, Saturn at 800/553-6000 and GMC owners at 866/996-9463. GM’s number for this recall is 14030.
Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
Notes:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888/327-4236 (TTY 800/424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
This recall is on airbags and seat belt pretensioners that may not deploy in the event of a side impact. If this vehicle is involved in a side impact and it recently had a sidelite replaced on that side, there could be a question of liability. Make sure that your customers are aware of the recall and urge them to make an appointment to have it fixed.
