This week's recalls: Audi, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Land Rover, Mazda and Ram

(Sinclair Broadcast Group) - In case you missed it: vehicle recalls that came across our desk during the past week. Materials for this recap are received via email from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) copied directly from the www.safercar.gov website.

2014-2014 Audi S7; 2016-2018 RS7
Units Affected: 3,543

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Audi S7 and 2016-2018 RS7 vehicles. The tire information label on these vehicles incorrectly lists the combined maximum weight as 1146 lbs/520 kg, when the correct combined maximum weight is actually 992 lbs/450 kg. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

If the operator were to load the vehicle based on information on the tire information label, they could overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire information label, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 8. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 44N9.

2017 Dodge Caravan, Jeep Wrangler

Units Affected: 39,456

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Caravan and Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The brake switches on these vehicles may malfunction, keeping the brake lights illuminated and/or allowing the vehicle to be shifted out of the PARK position without the brake pedal being pushed.

Having the brake lamps continuously illuminated or being able to shift the vehicle out of PARK when the brake pedal is not pressed (and the ignition is in the RUN mode) can increase the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switches, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 30. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U09.

2006 Ford Ranger

Units Affected: 33,310

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. Ford is requesting owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been repaired.

On Jan. 11, 2018, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA that it is recalling 2,700 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with driver-side air bag inflators. As of Feb. 9, Ford is expanding the recall to a total of 33,310 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles.

Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with sharp metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Ford will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall for the original population began on Jan. 16. Owners within the expanded population will be notified beginning in the week of Feb. 12. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S02.

2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible

Units Affected: 189

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque convertible vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may be incorrectly set and thus may not illuminate the warning on the instrument panel when a tire's pressure is 25 percent below the recommended cold inflation pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the TPMS setting to correct the illumination setting, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 23. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N164.

2006 Mazda B-Series
Units Affected: 2,205

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2006 B-Series vehicles. Mazda is requesting owners to NOT DRIVE these vehicles until they have been remedied. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

On Jan. 11, 2018, Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) notified NHTSA that it is recalling 160 model year 2006 B-Series vehicles built with driver-side air bags. As of Feb. 9, Mazda is expanding the recall to a total of 2,205 model year 2006 B-Series vehicles built with driver-side air bags.

Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with sharp metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Mazda will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall for the original population began on Jan. 16. Owners within the expanded population will be notified beginning in the week of Feb. 16. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's numbers for this recall are 2318A and 2218A.

2017-2018 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500

Units Affected: 180,462

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will update the Body Control Module software. Dealers will also test the BTSI operation, replacing the solenoid as necessary. The recall is expected to begin March 30. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U11.

Note for all recalls: 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.

Worried that you might have missed a recall on your car? Now you can look it up yourself online:https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/.

_______________________________________

To find your next new, used or certified vehicle, visit www.driveautonow.com today. Local car shopping made easy!