Weekly Recalls: Ford/Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen

FORD/LINCOLN #1

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Prevention" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.

Notes

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.

FORD/LINCOLN #2

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S25.

TOYOTA

Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Due to a damaged electrical connector, the back-up camera may not activate when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply to Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the back-up camera system and replace the audio display unit, if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is K0N.

Notes

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.

MERCEDES-BENZ (Several)

Summary

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 C300, C300 4MATIC, and C43 AMG 4MATIC vehicles. The mounting bracket for the 12-volt battery may not be secured. This may allow the battery to shift, possibly disconnecting the terminals in the event of a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the battery mounting bracket, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 8, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Notes

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.

There are several Mercedes-Benz recalls that affect a smaller number of vehicles. If you have one of these models, put your VIN in at www.safercar.gov to get the details:

• Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018 SL65 AMG, 2019 SL63 AMG and 2018-2019 SL450 and SL550 vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been improperly sewn, allowing the seam to tear during deployment.
• Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLE350 4MATIC and GLE450 4MATIC vehicles. The connection between the fuel filler pipe and the fuel tank may have been improperly welded, allowing a fuel leak.
• Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling a 2019 S450 vehicle. The A, B, and C pillar covers may have been improperly installed, possibly affecting the deployment of the side curtain air bags and allowing the covers to detach in the event of a crash.
• Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 GLA250 and GLA250 4MATIC vehicles. The left anchor plate of the rear middle seat belt may be loose.
• Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLE350, GLE350 4MATIC, and GLE450 4MATIC vehicles. The air conditioner drain hoses may have been incorrectly installed, causing water to drain from the air conditioner into the passenger compartment.

VOLKSWAGEN

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

Notes

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.