WASHINGTON/TORONTO: Here is our monthly summary of recalled vehicles we feel are of interest to our readers. This information has been gleaned from the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and by Transport Canada. This is NOT a complete list of all vehicles recalled by either agency.
UNITED STATES RECALLS:
Recreational Vehicles:
Forest River Inc. (Forest River) is realling certain model year 2016 Shasta Airflyte 16 and Shasta Airflyte 19 trailers manufactured September 26, 2014 to August 17, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the rear exit window glass may come loose and fall out due to poor adhesion. If the rear window glass detaches, it could fall onto the road and be a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trailers to verify that the windows are properly secured. Any window that fails the inspection process will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8717. Forest River’s number for this recall is 53-08282015-0081.
Forest River Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Forest River Cherokee and Vengeance recreational trailers manufactured May 16, 2008, to September 14, 2015. The wiring harness for the trailer’s lights, electric brakes, battery charging and many of the interior 12V fixtures may have an insuffient ground wire. With an insufficient ground wire, the wiring harness may overheat, increasing the risk of fire. Additionally, the ground wire failure would result in the loss of the trailer’s external lights and electric brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trailer wiring harnesses, and upgrade the ground wires, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 18, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River’s customer service number at 1-260-593-4005. Forest River’s recall number is 17B-0918-2015-0090.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Shasta Airflyte 16 and Shasta Airflyte 19 trailers manufactured September 26, 2014, to August 17, 2015. The affected vehicles may have insufficient clearance between the tire and the wheel well at the top of the tire tread and also at the inner sidewall. If there is insufficient tire clearance, the tire may rub, resulting in sudden tire failure which could increase the risk of a crash. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new axle that provides the proper clearance between the tire and the wheel well, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8717. Forest River’s number for this recall is 53-08282015-0082.
Foretravel, Inc. (Foretravel) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nimbus, Phenix, and IH45 motorhomes manufactured May 16, 2011, to February 24, 2014. The affected vehicles are built with independent front suspensions that may have loose ball joints. A loose ball joint may separate from the steering linkage resulting in a loss of steering control and an increased risk of a crash. Foretravel will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorhomes and tighten the ball joints, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Foretravel customer service at 1-800-955-6226, option 3.
Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Big Sky, Challenger, Everest, Fuzion, Montana, and Raptor travel trailers and fifth wheels equipped with an IOTA ITS-50R transfer switch. These transfer switches, used in vehicles wired to be powered by a generator, may fail when exposed to elevated electrical loads and used in higher ambient temperatures. As the transfer switch fails, it may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IOTA ITS-50R transfer switch with a different brand transfer switch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 5, 2015. Owners may contact Keystone customer service by calling 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 15-234.
Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Keystone Avalanche recreational vehicles, model 355RK, manufactured from May 6, 2013, through April 24, 2014; model year 2015-2016 Keystone Alpine, models 3100RL, 3101RL, 3555RL, 3556RL, 3590RS, 3591RS, 3600RS, 3601RS, and 3730RS, manufactured from October 8, 2014, through July 28, 2015; and model year 2016 Keystone Laredo, models 325RL, 350FB, and 355RL, manufactured from July 13, 2015, through July 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a rear window that has a sticker labeling it as an emergency exit sticker. However, this window may be partially blocked by the rear ladder and was not intended to be a secondary emergency exit. In the event of an emergency, occupants could try to escape through the rear window, but would not be able to. This delay in their escape may increase the risk of injury. Keystone has notified owners, and dealers will remove the emergency exit sticker, free of charge. The recall began on August 17, 2015. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 15-233.
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Tuscany XTE motorhomes manufactured March 28, 2013, to February 27, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the dinette convertible table top insert may slide out of position allowing the insert to flip up if it is sat on. If the insert flips up when sat on, the occupant may fall, increasing the risk of injury. TMC has notified owners, and dealers will install an additional support bracket to slide the table insert into, preventing the insert from flipping up, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC’s number for this recall is RC000104.
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Axis and Vegas recreational vehicles manufactured March 26, 2015, to July 6, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning control may lock on one setting, preventing the operator from changing the air flow, thereby eliminating the ability to defrost the windshield. If the windshield cannot be defrosted, the driver’s visibility may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. TMC has notified owners, and dealers will install a jumper harness to prevent the condition, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC’s number for this recall is RC000103.
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Winnebago Vista, Brave, Trend, Minnie Winnie, and Itasca Sunstar, Tribute, Viva!, and Spirit vehicles manufactured March 18, 2013, to November 18, 2014. Due to a manufacturing issue, the deadbolt locks installed on the vehicles may become stuck in a locked position. A stuck deadbolt could potentially trap occupants inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Winnebago will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair deadbolts as needed, free of charge. Winnebago issued an interim notification to owners on August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535, or TriMark customer service at 1-641-394-3188.
Other Vehicles:
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 4, 2013, to July 11, 2014. Use of the front windshield wipers on dry glass may cause damage to the body control module (BCM). BCM damage may result in the failure of the windshield wipers, impairing the driver’s vision and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a ground strap to protect the BCM from damage, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is R39.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jeep Renegade vehicles manufactured September 18, 2014, to June 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems. Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash. Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from https://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is R45.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ram 2500 trucks and 2013-2014 Ram 3500 trucks and cab chassis manufactured October 9, 2012, to July 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have inadequate welds securing the front track bar frame brackets, which may result in the bracket components separating from the frame. If the bracket components separate from the frame, the vehicle may be more difficult to steer and control, increasing the risk of a crash. The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall is expected to begin October 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is R46.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 1500 Quad Cab trucks manufactured August 26, 2013, to August 8, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with side air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) that may not fully overlap the C-pillars in the event of a vehicle crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, “Ejection Mitigation.” In the event of a vehicle crash, if a SABIC does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury to the rear seat occupant. Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will inspect the right and left side air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) for proper orientation and a foil patch will be installed on both sides of the headliner. One or both of the air bag inflatable curtains (SABIC) will be replaced if necessary. The recall is expected to begin on October 9, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is R47.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ram 1500 diesel 4×2 trucks manufactured August 8, 2013, to July 2, 2015. The affected vehicles have a battery harness that may rub against the frame bracket for the right engine mount resulting in an electrical short. If the harness shorts, the vehicle may stall and there is an increased risk of a fire. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to confirm that the battery harness is correctly routed and secured. Any harness that shows evidence of wear will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is R43.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 and 2015 Ford F-650, and F-750 trucks manufactured February 14, 2011, to April 28, 2015, and equipped with a 70% fixed bench passenger seat. The affected vehicles have passenger seat belt anchorage floor attachments that are not installed in the correct location. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.” Seat belt anchors that are installed in an incorrect location may increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will correct the seat belt anchorage locations, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on September 19, 2015. When the remedy plan has been finalized and repair parts are available, owners will be mailed a second notice. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 15C09.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Civic vehicles manufactured January 16, 2014, to November 6, 2014 and 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured March 12, 2014, to May 12, 2015. The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft. If the transmission drive pulley shaft is damaged, it may break, and the vehicle may lose acceleration or the front wheels may lock up while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 16, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s numbers for this recall are JU2 (Civic) and JU3(Fit).
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 28, 2002, to August 30, 2002. The affected vehicles were manufactured with air bag modules, preventing them from meeting the advanced air bag safety standards. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” Air bags that do not meet the safety requirements increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash. Honda will notify owners, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is JU0.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Fit vehicles manufactured December 6, 2013, to August 28, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience damage to the wires inside the Plug Top Ignition Coils (PTC) due to improper protection against electrical noise. If the wires become damaged, the coil may overheat and cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Plug Top Ignition Coils with new design, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is JT9.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning brake light switch may also prevent the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position. Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 2, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai’s customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign131. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 131. This recall is an expansion of 13V-113.
Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing. If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by mid-November 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles manufactured June 9, 2011, to March 11, 2015, and 2014-2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to March 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver’s shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal. A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the console trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Nissan Armada vehicles manufactured April 30, 2015, to June 5, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with driver or front passenger seat belt assemblies that may not properly latch or that may not unlatch when the release button is pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection” and number 209, ” Seat Belt Assemblies.” A seat belt that does not properly latch would not restrain a user, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash. A seat belt that does not properly unlatch when the release button is pressed may prevent the occupant from quickly exiting the vehicle in a emergency, such as after a crash, increasing their risk of injury. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the both front seat belt buckle assemblies, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by early October 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured March 29, 2010, to July 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind the vehicle. Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury. SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall began on September 22, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET’s number for the recall is SET15D.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor. Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall is expected to begin by November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
CANADA RECALLS:
Recreational Vehicles Only:
KEYSTONE: RESIDENCE: 2016 KEYSTONE: RETREAT: 2016 Recall Date: 2015/09/29 Notification Type: Safety Mfr System: Structure Manufacturer Recall Number: 15-238 Units Affected The number of vehicles or components affected by the recall.: 53 Category: Travel Trailer Recall Details Certain travel trailers may have been manufactured with insufficient welding at the rear mounting plate of the detachable coupler A frame. If the mounting plate were to separate from the trailer frame, vehicles handling could be affected, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction Dealers will inspect welds and repair if necessary.
VENGEANCE: 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 FOREST RIVER: CHEROKEE: 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 FOREST RIVER: CHEROKEE TOY HAULER: 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Recall Date: 2015/09/25 Notification Type: Safety Mfr System: Electrical Manufacturer Recall Number: Units Affected The number of vehicles or components affected by the recall.: 697 Category: Travel Trailer Recall Details Certain travel trailers may have been assembled with an incorrectly sized grounding wire. This could cause the wire to overheat and melt potentially increasing the risk of fire, causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction Dealers will install a bigger grounding wire.
Please note: This is only a list of recalls we feel may be of interest to the RVing community. There may be other recalls which may affect you — please make it a point to visit appropriate government sources for more information.
What is a recall?
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a car or item of motor vehicle equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that car or equipment at no cost to the consumer. That can be done by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund (for equipment) or, in rare cases, repurchasing the car.
What should I do if my vehicle is included in this recall?
If your vehicle is included in this recall, it is very important that you get it fixed as soon as possible given the potential danger to you and your passengers if it is not addressed. You should receive a separate letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, notifying you of the recall and explaining when the remedy will be available, whom to contact to repair your vehicle or equipment, and to remind you that the repair will be done at no charge to you. If you believe your vehicle is included in the recall, but you do not receive a letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, please call NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or contact your vehicle manufacturer or dealership.
Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter and for your commitment to helping save lives on America’s roadways.
