Recalls Of The Day, November 20, 2012

Good day everyone!

Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued four recalls.  Issues include air bags that inadvertently deploy, faulty brake lights, cooling fan fires and hoods that could open while driving.  There is nothing like a hood opening to ruin your day while cruising a highway.

If your vehicle is affected, please be sure to have the issue repaired as soon as possible. We don't want you to be injured.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): VOLKSWAGEN / BEETLE 2012-2013 Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC Report Receipt Date: NOV 15, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V540000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 2,471

Summary: Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles, manufactured from February 2012, through August 2012, and equipped with leather sport seats. If the right front passenger seat gets wet, the occupant control module may not properly detect the presence of a child restraint installed in the seat.

Consequence: If the control module does not detect a child seat installed, the airbag will not turn off. If the airbag does not turn off, in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment, a child secured in the child seat may be at an increased risk for serious injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and replace the control modules, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Notes: Volkswagen's campaign recall number is 69i9/W6. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): BLUE BIRD / VISION 2013-2014 Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY Report Receipt Date: NOV 15, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V538000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH Potential Number of Units Affected: 452 Summary: Blue Bird is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Vision school buses manufactured from January 10, 2012, through November 01, 2012, and equipped with Ford 6.8L propane engines. The brake light switch mounting bracket may have caused the brake light switch to be incorrectly adjusted at installation and/or the brake light switch mounting bracket may deform when the driver allows the brake pedal to return forcibly. An incorrectly adjusted brake light switch or deformed brake light switch mounting bracket may cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously. Consequence: Improperly functioning brake lights could confuse following motorists and fail to warn them that the bus may be stopping, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a new, redesigned brake light switch mounting bracket along with a new brake light switch, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, December 5, 2012. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242. Notes: Blue Bird's recall campaign number is R12VR. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Equipment Brand Name / Part No. or Model No.: Production Dates: NISSENS / RADIATOR FAN Information not Available Manufacturer: Nissens North America, Inc. Report Receipt Date: NOV 14, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12E048000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: EQUIPMENT Potential Number of Units Affected: 50 Summary: Nissens is recalling certain aftermarket radiator fans, model numbers 85010 and 85077. These engine cooling radiator fans were sold as replacement fans for use on various Mercedes S, CL, CLS and E Class vehicles, for model years 2000 through 2011. A manufacturing deformity within the electrical control unit may cause the fan to overheat and short. Consequence: If the fan overheats and shorts, the fan or adjacent components may catch fire. Remedy: Nissens will notify their distributors and their retail customers and offer replacement original equipment cooling fans, free of charge, for both parts and labor. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissens at 1-800-457-6162. Notes: This recall affects aftermarket engine cooling radiator fans and is not being conducted my Mercedes-Benz. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): MERCEDES BENZ / CLS550 2012 Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. Report Receipt Date: NOV 06, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V533000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH Potential Number of Units Affected: 23 Summary: Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2012 CLS550 and CLS550 4Matic vehicles, manufactured December 01, 2011, through December 13, 2011. The bolts that hold the hood's secondary latch striker may have been insufficiently tightened. Consequence: The reduced torque of the striker bolts might lead to a loosening of the bolts. If two of the four bolts securing the striker became loose, the secondary hood latch function would become ineffective. If this problem combines with a failure of the primary hood lock or if the hood is not properly closed, the hood could open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will check and retighten the bolts as necessary. The recall campaign is expected to begin in December 2012. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372. Notes: Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.