Its Recall Mondays: Dodge, MINI And Toyota Are In The Hot Seat

1. AUTOMAKER: Dodge

NO. OF AFFECTED CUSTOMERS: 284,153

SUMMARY:

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 6, 2010, to June 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.

CONSEQUENCE:

Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.

REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R35.

2. AUTOMAKER: Toyota

NO. OF AFFECTED CUSTOMERS: 108,324

SUMMARY:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

CONSEQUENCE:

The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in late July 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.


3. AUTOMAKER: BMW (MINI)

NO. Of AFFECTED CUSTOMERS: 30,456

SUMMARY:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles and 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop 2 Door vehicles. The affected vehicles do not meet the side impact performance requirements for the rear seat passengers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

CONSEQUENCE:

If the side impact performance requirements are not met, rear seat passengers may be at a higher risk of injury during a crash.

REMEDY:

MINI will notify owners, and dealers will install additional energy absorption material between the rear interior side panels and the exterior vehicle body, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525. Note: this recall supersedes 14V-815.