Its Shop Time Mondays: Ford, Kia And Ram Are Recalling Vehicles

1. Replacement Air Bag Inflator Incorrectly Installed

An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V306000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected 231,942

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-125. 

2. Blank LCD Display/FMVSS 101 & 138

A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V298000

Manufacturer Kia America, Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 108,936

Summary

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Remedy

Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

3. Unsecured Transmission May Cause Rollaway

A partially engaged park pawl can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V301000

Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Components POWER TRAIN

Potential Number of Units Affected 165,503

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped with a 62TE transmission. The park pawl may not fully engage the park gear due to debris inside the transmission.

Remedy

Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace, as necessary, the transmission or components within the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 16, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 44A.