TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 7, 2012. THE STEERING CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) PROGRAMMING FOR THE VARIABLE GEAR RATIO STEERING (VGRS) SYSTEM COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME OFF-CENTERED WHEN RESTARTING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED.
Safety Risk
IF THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER MAY NOT REALIZE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS OFF-CENTERED WHEN PULLING FROM A PARKED POSITION, THE VEHICLE COULD MANEUVER IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION, RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND LEXUS DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VGRS SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
On certain vehicles, the steering gear pitman arm may not have been manufactured correctly and could fail. Pitman arm failure would cause a loss of steering control, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering gear pitman arm.
On certain vehicles, the electro-hydraulic power steering pump could fail temporarily or permanently due to problems with the electronics that control the function of the pump, a failure of the pump cooling fan, or a loss of power to the pump. A vehicle experiencing a loss of steering power assist would revert to a manual steering mode which would require greater driver effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. Nevertheless, a loss of steering power assist could ultimately result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
The electro-hydraulic power steering pump, as well as the pump cooling fan, will be subject to special extended warranty coverage of 12 years or 200,000 km from first in-service date of the vehicle.
On certain trucks, the fastener which secures the steering drag link arm to the knuckle may not have received adequate tightening torque during vehicle assembly. This could allow the drag link arm to disconnect, which could result in a loss of steering capability. A loss of steering control could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the drag link arm fastener to specifications.
On certain vehicles, the Electric Power Steering assist (EPS) control unit may have been incorrectly manufactured and could fail. This would cause a loss of steering power assist which, in some instances, may result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the EPS control unit.
On certain vehicles equipped with a 1MZ-FE or 3MZ-FE V6 engine, the crankshaft pulley may fail. The outer ring may become misaligned, or it may not properly rotate, causing noise and/or illumination of the discharge warning light. In addition, the power steering belt may become detached from the crankshaft pulley, which could result in a sudden increase in steering effort. A loss of steering power assist could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the crankshaft pulley.
On certain vehicles, the power steering reservoir return hose may have been incorrectly routed (pinched or kinked) during vehicle assembly. This could increase pressure in the power steering system, which could cause the return hose to burst. Loss of power steering fluid could cause a loss of steering power assist, which may result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the reservoir return hose and, if necessary, replace and reposition the hose. If the reservoir return hose is routed incorrectly, the steering gear return hose and the power steering fluid reservoir will also be replaced.
On certain 2008-2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4, Ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2 and 4x4, and 2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 vehicles, the left outer tie rod ball stud could fracture. Additionally, other 2003-2008 Ram vehicles may have received the affected tie rod as a replacement part during service, and are therefore also involved in this campaign. Although this condition tends to occur when making a tight turn during low speed parking lot type maneuvers, tie rod failure could result in a loss of directional stability. A loss of steering control could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the left outer tie rod end and tighten the track bar bolt.
On certain vehicles, the control module for the Electric Power Steering (EPS) unit may not function properly and could switch off while driving. This would cause a loss of steering power assist, which may result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the Electric Power Steering unit.
On certain vehicles, the intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts may not have received adequate tightening torque during vehicle assembly. This could allow the joint to separate, resulting in a loss of steering capability. A loss of steering control could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the intermediate steering shaft bolts to specifications.
Certain vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet. A steering column with a miss-installed rivet may not perform as intended in the event of a crash, which may increase the risk of personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for steering column rivet presence and alignment, and repair as required.
On certain motorcycles, the handlebar clamps and risers may have been manufactured incorrectly, allowing the handlebar to move from its set position. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the handlebar clamps and risers.
On certain motorcycles, the handlebar clamps may crack, allow the handlebar to move from its set position. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the handlebar clamps with updated versions.
On certain vehicles, the nuts which secure the pinion shaft inside the steering gear box may not have received adequate tightening torque during the assembly process. If the steering wheel is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full-lock position, the nuts could loosen, allowing the pinion shaft to become unstable. This could cause a loss of steering power assist when making a left turn, which may result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both pinion shaft nuts with improved versions.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010. THE POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE OIL PIPE CONNECTION AT THE STEERING GEAR VALVE HOUSING.
Safety Risk
THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL PIPES ON THE POWER STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
On certain vehicles equipped with a V8 engine, a power steering line may develop a leak at the connection to the steering gear valve housing. Loss of power steering fluid could cause a loss of steering power assist, which may result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the power steering gear housing oil lines.
DUCATI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 MULTISTRADA 1200, AND MODEL YEAR 2011, DIAVEL MOTORCYCLES. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MAY FAIL TO DISENGAGE DURING THE MOTORCYCLE "KEY-ON" PROCESS. THIS HAS BEEN LINKED DIRECTLY TO A CERTAIN REVISION OF THE HANDS FREE DEVICE SOFTWARE. IT COULD RESULT IN A SITUATION WHERE THE MOTORCYCLE'S ENGINE MIGHT START WHILE THE STEERING LOCK IS STILL ENGAGED. A RIDER COULD START THE MOTORCYCLE AND ATTEMPT TO RIDE AWAY WHILE THE STEERING IS STILL LOCKED.
Safety Risk
THE RIDER COULD EXPERIENCE THE INABILITY TO STEER INCREASING THE RISK OF LOW SPEED TIP-OVER OR COLLISION, THUS INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO THE RIDER.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE SOFTWARE OF THE HANDS FREE CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DUCATI AT 1-800-231-6696.
On certain motorcycles, the electronic steering lock may fail to disengage, which could allow the rider to start the engine and attempt to ride the motorcycle with the steering still locked. The resulting inability to steer could increase the risk of low speed tip-over or a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will update the software in the Hands Free Control Unit.
On certain vehicles, the Power Assisted Steering (PAS) pipes may have been manufactured using a zinc-nickel plating that does not meet the corrosion protection requirements of Jaguar's engineering specification. Over time, the PAS pipes may corrode, which could allow power steering fluid leakage. Loss of PAS fluid could cause a loss of steering power assist, which may result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Also, power steering fluid leakage may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, which could result in a fire.
Certain Ram 4500 and 5500 vehicles may experience a weakening and fracture of the ball stud on the left outer tie rod assembly. A loss of steering control could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the left outer tie rod assembly.
