Recall Alert: 2008 BMW 1 Series, 3 Series

BMW has issued a recall notice for all 1 Series and 3 Series vehicles from the 2008 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall is due to incorrect crimp connectors used on the side airbag and belt tensioner wiring.

Insufficient contact between the crimp connector and the corresponding plug could lead to an increase in the electrical resistance of the connection, which could cause the airbag to fail to deploy during an accident. Obviously, an airbag failing to deploy could lead to more severe injury in the event of an accident.

BMW hasn’t provided NHTSA with its remedy or notification schedule for the repair, but owners may contact BMW at 800-831-1117. They may also contact the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

2008|BMW|1 Series

Recall Alert: 2009 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator

Ford has issued a recall for 1,357 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles from the 2009 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The brake stop lamp switch may be adjusted incorrectly, which could cause a delay in the brake lights’ illumination.

In other words, the brake pedal could be depressed and the lights could either illuminate late or not at all. The failure of brake lights could endanger the vehicle’s occupants or other drivers on the road.

Dealers will adjust the brake stop lamp switch for free. Owners may contact Ford at 866-436-7332 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

2009|Ford|Expedition

2009|Lincoln|Navigator

Recall Alert: 2008 Saturn Vue

GM has issued a recall for 44,451 Saturn Vue crossovers from the 2008 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The crossover’s body-colored door handles might stick or bind. In this case, a door may not latch.

An unlatched door could come open while driving, putting the occupants in danger and increasing the risk of injury.

Dealers will replace the outside door handles with new chrome handles for free. Owners may contact Saturn at 800-972-8876 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

2008|Saturn|Vue

Recall Alert: 17,614 Volvo Vehicles

Volvo has issued a recall for 17,614 vehicles, including the 2008-09 versions of the S80, V70 and XC70, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is due to a software programming error in the fan control module for the engine cooling fan that may cause it to stop working. This can reduce air-conditioner performance and possibly even cause the engine to fail in a worst-case scenario, increasing the risk of an accident.

Dealers will replace the fan control module with a new one for free. Owners may contact Volvo at 800-458-1552 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 1,348 Toyota Vehicles

Toyota has issued a recall for 1,348 vehicles from the 2009 and 2010 model years regarding an error in labeling, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Affected vehicles include the 2009 Scion tC and xB, the 2009 Toyota Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra and Yaris, and the 2010 Tundra.

Vehicles in this group were not equipped with modification labels for the vehicles’ load-carrying capacity. This means the vehicles fail to conform with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.” The real risk is that these vehicles could be overloaded by an owner, which could increase the risk of an accident.

Toyota will notify owners and provide them with the correct label. Owners may contact Toyota at 888-270-9371 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2009 Mazda3

Mazda has issued a recall for 7,100 Mazda3 vehicles from the 2009 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is due to a malfunction in the electronic stability system, which fails to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. During difficult driving situations, failure of the stability system could lead to an accident.

Dealers will inspect the system and replace the malfunctioning unit for free. Owners may contact Mazda at 800-222-5500 or the NHTSA hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2002-03 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai has issued a recall for 91,202 Sonata vehicles from the 2002-03 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall is due to a thin chrome plate on the interior door handle.

After enough wear, the chrome plating on the upper edge of the handle may crack or separate, leaving a sharp edge protruding from the door handle. This could cause a scrape or laceration.

Dealers will repair the chrome-plated interior door handle for free. Owners may contact the Hyundai customer assistance center at 800-633-5151 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2008-09 Pontiac G8

GM has issued a recall for 35,038 Pontiac G8 vehicles from the 2008-09 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall involves the brake pedal position switch, which may have been programmed incorrectly during the manufacturing process.

The brake lamps may be continually lit while driving, so other drivers won’t know when the vehicle is braking. In addition, some models may have an incorrectly programmed tire pressure monitoring system that will not illuminate the warning light when tire pressure drops below certain standards. In a worst-case scenario, the tires could fail while driving.

Dealers will reprogram the brake position sensor and tire pressure monitoring system free of charge. Owners may contact Pontiac at 800-620-7668 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: Nissan Murano

Nissan has issued a recall for 362,891 Murano vehicles from the 2003-07 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In some vehicles, the intake air ducts may separate from the intermediate resonator in the air intake system.

The separation is due to premature aging of the duct material, and engine movement exacerbates it. This may even cause the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of an accident.

Dealers will inspect and replace the necessary components for free. Owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen has issued a recall for 25,594 Jettas from the 2006-09 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects all models with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; the fastening screw contact surfaces on the driveshaft cover plate may have been manufactured incorrectly.

The screws may not have been torqued properly during assembly and could loosen over time, resulting in a knocking sound during driving. If they loosen enough, the driveshaft could detach from the gearbox. A damaged gearbox housing can also leak oil.

Dealers will inspect the driveshaft screws and replace them, if necessary, for free. Owners can call Volkswagen at 800-822-8987 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.