ITS RECALL MONDAYS: FORD, MERCEDES-BENZ AND VW ARE IN THE HOT SEAT

                                   

1. AUTOMAKER: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

NO. OF AFFECTED VEHICLES: 91,867

SUMMARY:

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Passat, Golf and Golf SportWagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the camshaft lobe that drives the brake vacuum pump may shear off, resulting in a loss of brake assist.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the camshaft lobe shears off there would be a loss of brake assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

The remedy for this recall campaign is still under development. Volkswagen will send owners an interim notification by December 22, 2015 and will send a second notification when a remedy plan has been finalized, currently expected to be in March 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23R1.

2. AUTOMAKER: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

SUMMARY:

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.

CONSEQUENCE:

The malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. Alternatively, the air bag control unit malfunction may cause the air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

REMEDY:

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

 

3. AUTOMAKER: FORD

 

NO. OF AFFECTED CUSTOMERS: 126,620

SUMMARY:

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured September 11, 2008, to July 1, 2010, and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 23, 2008, to July 1, 2010, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use, the affected vehicles may leak fuel from the fuel tank seam weld under the tank mounting reinforcement brackets.

CONSEQUENCE:

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

REMEDY:

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and either clean and treat the fuel tank with a corrosion preventative or replace the tank, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S31.