Ford is asking owners of certain 2013 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.6L engines and manufactured between October 2011 to July 2012, to not drive their vehicles until a fuel line in the engine compartment has been replaced. The fuel lines could split and leak, causing an engine compartment fire. Owners can contact their local Ford or Lincoln dealer to arrange to have their vehicle picked up for repairs and will provide a rental vehicle if needed. For more information about the problem, owners can contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Porsche has announced that they will be recalling almost 300 Panamera and Cayenne vehicles for a manufacturing error that could lead to a fire. According to Porsche, a casting defect of the turbocharger turbine wheel could cause it to fracture resulting in damage to the turbine shaft. If the shaft should fracture, oil could be drawn into the exhaust system resulting in smoke and the risk of a fire. Porsche will be notifying owners of the problem, this month, and will replace the defective turbine wheel, free of charge. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243. The vehicles involved in this recall include:

BMW has announced a recall for certain X5 and X6 crossover vehicles because of a machining error of the steering gear surface. The problem could lead to power steering leaks that could spray onto hot exhaust parts increasing the risk of an engine fire. BMW will begin notifying owners of the recall starting in July, and will inspect and replace the steering gear as necessary. The vehicles included in the recall includes:

Owners wanting more information about the defect can contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

Posted in BMW.

General Motors (GM) has announced two recalls for certain 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles, both of which could result in fire, possibly causing injury or death to the vehicle occupants.

  • The first defect involves fuel tank strap attachment welds which may have been omitted during manufacturing. In an accident the tank could come loose resulting in a fuel spill that could ignite in the presence of an ignition source. GM will inspect the vehicles for missing welds and will secure the tank bracket attachment with fasteners as necessary.
  • The second problem involves the engine shield belly pan. Spilled or dripping oil could accumulate in the shield, and the hot engine or exhaust system surfaces could cause it to ignite. Dealers will modify the shield to prevent the fluid build up and will apply a protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness to vehicles with manual transmissions.

Owners wanting more information about the problems can contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

A recent investigation into engine fires in some 2011 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles has been widened to include some 2012 models. The investigation was open last March after complaints of engine fires was reported in two 2011 Chevy Cruze vehicles, but additional reports of fires in some 2012 vehicles has lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to include the newer models. According to the investigation reports, the probe is focusing on electrical wiring and the transmission control module. If the probe leads to a recall, over 370,000 vehicles could be involved.

Chrysler has announced a recall for certain 2010 Jeep Wranglers after receiving fourteen complaints of fires starting in the catalytic converter area. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these vehicles were manufactured before July 2010 and have a skid plate to protect the automatic transmission during off road driving. Chrysler said that the skid plate can collect debris and the heat from the catalytic converter could lead to a fire. Chrysler will be notifying owners starting in May, and will replace the skid plate with a skid bar that doesn’t collect debris. The recall is the result of a Jeep Wrangler investigation started in April. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Honda will be recalling over 50,000 of its 2007-2008 Acura TL sport sedans because the power steering hose could leak. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this is not the first time Honda has recalled these vehicles. In 2008 almost 275,000 2004-2008 Acura TLs owners were asked to bring in their vehicles for the same problem. High under hood temperatures are being blamed on the premature deterioration despite a design change to reduce the fluid temperatures. If the power steering hose starts to leak, the driver could experience loss of power steering assist and a potential engine fire. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238.

Volkswagen has announced a recall involving certain 2012 Passat vehicles built between January 2011 through to June 2011. According to the recall report submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), certain vehicles may have been built with a diesel fuel filter element that does not seal correctly. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to an engine fire. Owner will be notified of the problem starting in May, and dealers will replace the element with a serviceable one. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.