Here’s a look at some of the latest recalls and product safety announcements.
Volkswagen recalls 136,000 autos for antilock brake fix
Volkswagen Group of America is recalling nearly 136,000 Audi and Volkswagen autos to fix potential problems with their antilock brake systems.
The recall covers 135,683 vehicles, including certain 2009-10 Volkswagen Jetta A5 sedans, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. In them, the control unit for the antilock brake system may fail when the system or the auto’s electronic stability control are activated.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and repairs will be made free of charge.
The automaker traced the problem to the use of an incorrect solder compound, which may cause cracks that prevent sufficient electrical power to flow.
Honda adds 772,000 vehicles to ongoing air bag recall
Honda Motor Co. says it is recalling 772,000 additional Honda and Acura vehicles in the U.S. for defective front passenger seat air bag inflators made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp.
The vehicles, announced in a recall late Tuesday by Honda in the U.S., are part of an expanded recall of 1.29 million vehicles, including those affected by earlier recalls. There are no recalls being announced in other regions yet, related to the U.S. recall, Tokyo-based Honda said Wednesday.
Takata is at the center of a massive recall of inflators that can explode in a crash, injuring people by sending metal shrapnel into the passenger compartments.
Among the models recalled are the 2005-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2006-2011 Honda Civic, 2007-2012 Honda Fit and 2010-2012 Honda Insight.
Ford adds 816,000 vehicles to Takata air bag recall
Ford is adding more than 816,000 vehicles in North America to the growing Takata air bag inflator recall.
The company says the latest callback covers the 2005-2009 and 2012 Mustang and the 2006-2009 and 2012 Ford Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr and Lincoln MKZ. Also included are the 2007-2009 Ford Ranger and Edge, the 2007-2009 Lincoln MKX, the 2006-2009 Mercury Milan and the 2005 and 2006 Ford GT.
All have front passenger air bag inflators made by Takata that can explode with too much force and spew metal shrapnel. At least 16 people have died worldwide from the problem and more than 180 have been hurt.
The recall is among the latest round of Takata recalls covering 5.7 million vehicles involving 17 automakers in the U.S. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide.
Toyota adds 543,000 vehicles to Takata air bag recalls
Toyota Motor Corp. says it is recalling another 543,000 vehicles in the U.S. for defective front passenger air bag inflators made by Japan’s Takata Corp.
Takata is at the center of a massive recall of inflators that can explode in a crash, spewing metal shrapnel inside the vehicles.
Toyota said Friday that the recall includes various models of sedans and SUVs made between 2006-2012. Among those recalled are the 2008-2009 Scion xB; 2009 and 2012 Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2007-2009 and 2012 Toyota Yaris, 2012 4Runner and Sienna and various versions of Lexus made between 2006-2012.
Takata uses the chemical ammonium nitrate to cause a small explosion designed to inflate the air bags in a crash. At least 16 people have been killed worldwide and about 180 have been injured.
Textron recalls 1,100 off-road utility vehicles to fix seat belts
Textron Inc is voluntarily recalling about 1,100 Bad Boy off-road utility vehicles to install seat belts to prevent occupants being injured or killed in an accident, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Wednesday.
A 14-year-old male passenger died in Toombs County, Georgia in 2014 and an adult male operator suffered a serious leg injury in separate incidents, the CPSC said.
The recalled utility vehicles were sold from November 2010 through June 2013 for between $13,200 and $14,200, the CPSC said.
Texas company recalls chicken product due to mislabeling
Federal officials say a Houston company is recalling more than 3,500 pounds of chicken breast product due to mislabeling and undeclared allergens.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the chicken — produced by Perfect Fit Meals — might contain milk and wheat, known allergens that aren’t declared on the product label.
Officials say there have been no confirmed reports of anyone getting sick from eating the chicken.
The ready-to-eat chicken breast items were made on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 and placed in 10.5 ounce packages labeled “From the Kitchen of Cooking Light Magazine: Lemon Pepper Chicken.” The package has a “use or freeze by” date of 1/21/17 and a lot code 2457744.2.
The chicken product was shipped to military commissaries and retail establishments nationwide.