Month: November 2022

Ford is Recalling Certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport Vehicles

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V859000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Potential Number of Units Affected 521,778

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment.

Remedy

Dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 19, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 22S73. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 22V-191. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-191 will need to have the new remedy performed.

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.nhtsa.gov.

E-One is Recalling Certain 2019-2021 Cyclone 2 and 2020-2021 Typhoon N Emergency Vehicles

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V852000

Manufacturer E-One Incorporated

Components ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Potential Number of Units Affected 8

Summary

E-One Incorporated (E-One) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Cyclone 2 and 2020-2021 Typhoon N emergency vehicles. Exhaust heat may build up inside the vehicle body in certain situations such as heavy engine use, possibly causing nearby components to overheat.

Remedy

Dealers will add an opening to the body top and install a protective grate, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 5, 2022. Owners may contact E-One customer service at 1-352-237-1122.

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.nhtsa.gov.

Coach and Equipment is Recalling Certain 2016-2023 Phoenix Transit Buses

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V851000

Manufacturer Coach and Equipment Mfg. Corp.

Components FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

Potential Number of Units Affected 353

Summary

Coach and Equipment Mfg, Corp. (Coach and Equipment) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Phoenix transit buses equipped with Roush fuel return lines included in GEN 4 and GEN 5 LPG Conversion Systems that were installed on vehicles sold or registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The zinc-plating on the fuel return line may break away when contacted by road debris, causing two dissimilar metals on the fuel line to contact each other and corrode.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel return lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 19, 2022. Owners may contact Coach and Equipment customer service at 1-800-724-8464.

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.nhtsa.gov.

Chrysler is Recalling Certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 Vehicles

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V835000

Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Components POWER TRAIN

Potential Number of Units Affected 248,342

Summary

FCA US, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ram 2500 and 2020-2022 Ram 3500 vehicles. A build-up of pressure and heat inside the transmission may result in a transmission fluid leak from the dipstick tube.

Remedy

The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is ZA3.

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.nhtsa.gov.

Kia is Recalling Certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro Hybrid Electric Vehicles

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V836000

Manufacturer Kia America, Inc.

Components HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 27,030

Summary

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles previously recalled under recall 18V-666. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance, which can overheat the rear seats.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the PRA and replace either the PRA or the Main Relay, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 9, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC256. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 18V-666. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

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.nhtsa.gov.

BMW is Recalling Certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X7 xDrive40i Vehicles

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V820000

Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC

Components VISIBILITY

Potential Number of Units Affected 47

Summary

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle which could allow water to enter the vehicle and contact electrical components, possibly resulting in a short-circuit.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the windshield seal and as necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 23, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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.nhtsa.gov.

Hyundai is Recalling Certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport Vehicles

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V810000

Manufacturer Hyundai Motor America

Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Potential Number of Units Affected 44,396

Summary

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 237. This recall is an expansion of recall 22V-056.

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.nhtsa.gov.

Tiffin is Recalling Certain 2022-2023 Allegro Bay, Breeze, Phaeton, Red 360, 2023 Allegro and Red 340 Motorhomes

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V814000

Manufacturer Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 295

Summary

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Allegro Bay, Breeze, Phaeton, Red 360, 2023 Allegro and Red 340 motorhomes. The fitting on the non-leaching hose connected to the LPG regulator may leak at the swivel joint.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the LPG hose, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin’s number for this recall is TIF-127.

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.nhtsa.gov.

Laboratory Testing of Roofing Samples, Nov. 2022

Laboratory Testing of roofing samples

Steve Smith, P.E., Director of Research and Testing, Principal Engineer

Art is in the eye of the beholder. One person can look at a painting of an apple tree and clearly see the arc of human history portrayed from the deep roots to the solid trunk rising from the ground, to the fruits of technological advancement in the bright shiny apples hanging from the limbs. Another peers at the same painting and sees the sun and the earth working in harmony to produce life giving food for humanity. Someone else observes the magnificent artwork and sees a tree.

Although it may be entertaining to view artwork and try to determine the true meaning or purpose of the piece, you don’t want to hire a roof consultant only to receive an ambiguous report that relies on your own subjectivity to discern their conclusions. If you had only taken roofing samples and sent them to an accredited laboratory that specializes in providing the concrete answers you seek.

Haag Research & Testing is an accredited testing laboratory that specializes in analysis of roofing samples and can provide answers to the following questions.

  • Was the condition on the sample related to hailstone impact?
  • What size of hail can damage the sample?
  • Does the damage extend through the sample or is just the coating damaged?
  • What wind speed would it take to displace these roofing tiles?
  • Did hail-caused dents in the insulation reduce the R-value?
  • Does water leak through a particular feature in the sample?

Our laboratory performs various tests that Haag Engineers have relied on for decades either for developing information used in research papers or for giving specific information on active assignments. The Haag laboratory also performs tests for non-Haag consultants, adjusters, roofing contractors, public adjusters, and manufacturers. Brief descriptions of some of our more popular tests are provided below. You may also visit our website at HaagResearchTesting.com to learn more and to watch testing videos. 

Overview of test setup with Haag IBL-7 ice ball launcher.
impact testing

Frozen solid ice balls are propelled at samples to simulate the effects of hailstone impacts. We use a wide range of ice ball sizes from 1/2 inch to 4 inches in diameter, which allows us to examine the effects of very small hail up to massive hail that can damage most roofing types. Test panels are constructed to replicate as-installed conditions and are typically impacted by simulated hailstones at 90-degree angles to replicate worst case conditions. We can vary the speed and angle of impact as needed. Learn more. 


Desaturation Testing

Bituminous roofing products, including asphalt built-up roofing (ABUR), modified bitumen (mod-bit) roofing, and asphalt shingles are subjected to hot solvent that dissolved the asphalt, allowing the sample reinforcements to be examined for conditions related to impact-caused damage. Learn more. 


single-ply analysis

Single-ply roofing products, including polyvinyl-chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), and others are examined visually, tactilely, microscopically, and using back-lighting techniques to determine if there are fractures in the membranes associated with impact forces. Learn more. 

View of panel after Test 5.
Wind Simulation

Test panels are constructed in a manner to simulate the as-installed conditions of roofs covered with shingles, tiles, shakes, slates, or synthetic products. Panels are set at a predetermined angle and wind is blown onto the panels to determine the approximate wind speed it takes to lift, displace, or otherwise damage the product. Various configurations can be evaluated to provide a wide range of possible scenarios. Learn more.

r-Value

The thermal resistance of insulation is measured, and comparisons made between samples with and without hail-caused dents to determine if hail-caused dents resulted in a measurable loss of R-value. Learn more. 

Water Column

Samples containing suspected impact-caused conditions, including displaced surfacing, dents, cracks, etc. are subjected to 6 inches of water and then monitored over a 7-day period. Air pressure cycles are conducted following the 7-day period (with the water still in place) to determine if the roofing sample will leak. Learn more.

Author

Steve Smith, P.E., Director of Research & Testing, Principal Engineer

Steven R. Smith is a Forensic Engineer with Haag Engineering Co., and the Director of Research & Testing. Mr. Smith is an experienced forensic engineer who began his career with Haag more than 24 years ago. He spent seven years working as a Senior Lab Technician while earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. He has been involved with the lab throughout his career, and has been able to leverage his extensive and practical engineering field experience with research and testing projects.

Mr. Smiths areas of expertise include accident reconstruction, mechanical equipment evaluations, code and standards compliance, roofing system evaluations, and fires and explosions. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Arkansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and Pi Tau Sigma National Honor Society. Prior to joining Haag, Mr. Smith was a Petty Officer Second Class in the United States Navy. He trained at the Navy Nuclear Power Training Command Center in Orlando Florida and was stationed on the USS Arkansas (CGN-41), where he maintained reactor and steam plant chemistry, performed radiological controls, and operated mechanical equipment in the propulsion plant.

 

Any opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Haag Technical Services, Haag Engineering Co., Haag Education, or parent company, Haag Global, Inc.