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BMW and Rolls-Royce Recall

Rolls-Royce and its parent company, BMW, each issued recalls last month due to a defect that can cause an engine component to overheat, smolder, or even catch fire.  This defect impacts the electric auxiliary water pump in vehicles with 8 or 12-cylinder turbocharged engines.

The electronic auxiliary water pump conducts heat away from the vehicle’s turbocharger after the vehicle is shut off.  However, cracks in the pump housing for some of these parts could allow coolant to leak out and make contact with the pump’s circuit board.

This could cause failure of the water pump, as well as overheating in the circuit board and possible smoldering in the water pump.  That smoldering poses a fire risk.

Altogether, 2,846 vehicles are included in the BMW recall, while the Rolls-Royce recall involves only 69 vehicles.  Both companies expected to notify dealers and owners in April.

Rolls-Royce and BMW recalls were initiated last October and November for the same issue.  Those recalls included some of the same models in this most recent safety notice.

GM Recall

General Motors also announced a vehicle safety recall last month.  The automaker explains that during a routine analysis, some 2011 and 2012 vehicles had loose wiper arm nuts which could become inoperative with the buildup of snow or ice.

This recall affects 50,001 2011 and 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclaves, and GMC Acadia vehicles.  However, the recall only extends to vehicles registered in the following locations:

  • Alaska
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

If this snow or ice buildup does occur and causes the wipers to fail, drivers may experience reduced visibility and an increased risk of crash.  A safety recall was expected to begin two weeks ago, during which dealers will tighten the wiper arm nuts free of charge.

Ford Focus Recall

In early April, NHTSA announced that Ford had also initiated a recall for a windshield wiper defect.  This 140,310-vehicle recall involves Focuses manufactured from August 1, 2010 through October 18, 2011 and addresses a seal that may be missing in the wiring harness connector to the passenger side wiper motor.

This missing seal may then allow water and “other contaminants” to enter and accumulate inside that connector.  This may then cause the passenger side wiper to fail, reducing the visibility of the driver and increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall is expected to begin around May 21, during which time dealers will inspect vehicles and make the necessary repairs without charge to vehicleowners.

Can-Am Spyder Recalled

NHTSA announced the recall of 3,259 Can-Am Spyder RT Roadster motorcycles.  This recall addresses the risk that a pin securing the brake pedal connecting rod may disengage and come off.

If this pin does fall off, the vehicle may completely and unexpectedly lose all main brake function, increasing the risk of a potentially lethal crash.  Beginning last month, dealers started replacing these brake pedal connecting rod pins free of charge.

Chrysler Recalls

Chrysler announced two separate recall campaigns last month.  According to NHTSA, the U.S. automaker recalled 16,689 2012-model Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles over a risk that some may have been manufactured with fuel tank assemblies that have damaged roll-over valves.

These vehicles were manufactured from December 17, 2011 through January 2, 2012.  If a vehicle crash or roll-over does occur, fuel leakage could result and pose a fire threat.

In their voluntary recall announcement to NHTSA, Chrysler explained that they are not aware of any “accidents, injuries, fuel leaks or fires related to this condition.”  Owners of these recalled vehicles are expected to be notified in June, during which time dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge.

Chrysler’s other recall from April involves 289 model year 2012 Town and Country and Grand Caravan vehicles.  These vehicles, manufactured from November 15, 2011 to November 21, 2011, may have been equipped with right rear hub and bearing assemblies that were not completely machined.

This defect could lead to decreased durability and eventually wheel separation, which increases the risk of a crash.  Chrysler began notifying owners of this defect sometime last month and dealers will replace the right rear hub and bearing assembly without charge.