by Bob Beranek

Garnish Moulding Retention

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Posted by :Bob Beranek On : May 28, 2015

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The following Toyota recall notice reminds me that many technicians are either unaware or don’t pay attention to the design of the interior garnish mouldings. Their correct placement is vital to the proper deployment of the side air curtains.

These are the decorative interior “A” pillar mouldings that many technicians remove to aid in the cut out and removal of the windshield. Some of these are easily removed and their removal gives peace of mind to the technician who now doesn’t have to worry about damaging them during the installation. However, some mouldings are attached to the body frame by a secondary attachment that keep them from becoming a projectile and hurting the passengers if the side curtain air bags are deployed.

Any vehicle that is equipped with an air curtain has a method by which the interior mouldings are displaced for deployment, but not completely detached. The methods used to retain the feature after displacement are straps which are fastened to the “A” pillar. These can be progressive releasing clips, or two-stage clips. Whichever, method is used to retain the moulding, the technician must make sure that they are properly re-installed after removal.

The straps used to hold the mouldings are usually made of heavy fabric and are attached to the “A” pillar with the use of fasteners like a screw or bolt. When the air bag is deployed, the moulding is blown away from the frame but the strap holds it in place. The progressive-clip system is one that uses progressively stronger retainers that release in the proper order as the air curtain is deployed. The two-stage clip is one that releases its first stage to move the moulding away from the pillar to allow deployment, but the second stage holds it from completely detaching.

The removal of these mouldings can be a challenge to the automotive glass technician, but with today’s heated windshields and other performance technology, you may have to remove them to disconnect the wiring. However, properly used modern power tools and others (like wire-out tools) will allow the technician to bypass the removal of the “A” pillar mouldings most of the time. This installation does require that the well-equipped automotive glass shop and mobile unit has a selection of clips and fasteners for the proper replacement of moulding retention systems, if necessary.

Report Receipt Date: APRIL 22, 2015

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V240000

Component(s): STRUCTURE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 387

Vehicle Make, Model, Model Year(s)

  • TOYOTA SIENNA 2015

Manufacturer: Gulf States Toyota Inc.

SUMMARY:

Gulf States Toyota Inc. (GST) is recalling certain model year 2015 Toyota Sienna vehicles manufactured January 23, 2015 to April 13, 2015, and equipped with non-Toyota-brand overhead entertainment accessories installed by GST. During reassembly of the interior after the overhead entertainment system installation, a trim panel securing clip may have been reused instead of being replaced.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the clip was damaged during the entertainment system installation, in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment, the trim panel may detach and strike one of the vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury.

REMEDY:

GST will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trim panel securing clip, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 8, 2015. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST’s number for this recall is 15R1.

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.

Recalls

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Posted by :Bob Beranek On : December 4, 2013

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The following notices from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation can reflect directly or indirectly on the installation of the windshield or other automotive glass parts. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the details, print this notice for reference and inform your customers of the recall if they have not already received notice.

•  Chevrolet Malibu 2014

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC

Summary:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started, preventing the windshield defroster from working. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, “Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems.”

Consequence:
The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver’s visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:
GM will notify owners and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 6, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 800/521-7300. GM’s recall campaign number is 13380.

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.

• Toyota Avalon 2013
•  Toyota Avalon Hybrid 2013
• Toyota Camry 2013-2014
•  Toyota Camry Hybrid 2013-2014
•  Toyota Corolla 2014

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Summary:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. (Toyota) is recalling certain model-year 2013-2014 Camry and Camry HV, model-year 2013 Avalon and Avalon HV and model-year 2014 Corolla vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper switch assembly may short circuit. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, No. 104, “Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems.”

Consequence:
A short circuit could cause inoperative windshield wipers, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper switch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 800/331-4331.

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.

• Porsche 911 Carrera 2014
• Porsche Boxster 2014
• Porsche Cayman 2014

Manufacturer: Porsche Cars North America Inc.

Summary:
Porsche Cars North America Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2014 Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman, Cayman S and 911 Carrera (S, Cabriolet, S Cabriolet, 4, 4S, 4 Cabriolet, 4s Cabriolet) vehicles manufactured September 2, 2013, through September 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the passenger seats may be equipped with defective wiring harnesses resulting in intermittent contact with the harness plug.

Consequence:
The intermittent plug may cause the passenger seat frontal and knee airbags to be deactivated. In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, this may increase the risk of injury to the front passenger.

Remedy:
Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in late November 2013. Owners may contact Porsche at 770/290-3500. Porsche’s recall number is AD04.

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.

Toyota Issues Recall Concerning Airbags

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Posted by :Bob Beranek On : October 24, 2013

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True to my habit of informing my readers of pertinent recalls, Toyota announced the recall for the 2012-13 Avalon, Venza and Camry models. The recall concerns the airbag system in its relation to the air-conditioning condenser. I have included the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall announcement for you perusal.

Please make sure that you warn your customers of the ramifications of not following the recall instructions.

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Summary:

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Avalon, Avalon HV, Venza, Camry and Camry HV vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning condenser may become clogged causing water to accumulate at the bottom of the air conditioning condenser unit housing. The accumulated water may then leak through a seam in the housing onto the air bag control module potentially resulting in a short circuit of the module.

Consequence:

A short circuit may cause the air bags to become disabled or inadvertently deploy. An inadvertent airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury or the possibility of a crash. An inoperative airbag can increase the risk of injury in a severe crash. The power steering assist could also become inoperable resulting in increased steering effort and can increase the risk of a crash at low speeds.

Remedy:

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will seal the air conditioning condenser unit housing, and install a protective cover on the airbag control module, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Toyota at 800/331-4331.

Notes:

Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888/327-4236 (TTY 800/424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.