This week’s recalls: BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Lincoln, smart, Toyota

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.

2006 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series
Units Affected 2,158

BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2014 Ford F-150, E-350; 2014-2015 Ford Escape; 2015 Lincoln MKC
Units Affected 94,605

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.

The improperly manufactured bolts may fracture. If a seat, seatback, or seatbelt anchor attaching bolt fractures, the affected component may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 28, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S17.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra
Units Affected 690,685

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have a temporary loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist, especially during low-speed turning maneuvers.

If EPS assist is lost and then returns, the driver might lose temporary control of the steering wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-432-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17276.

2016 smart fortwo
Units Affected 5,061

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 smart fortwo vehicles. In these vehicles, the lock nut that secures the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever may loosen over time, resulting in increased parking brake lever travel before the parking brake engages.

As the parking brake lever travel increases, the holding force may decrease to a point where the vehicle is no longer safely secured in all parking situations, allowing the vehicle to unexpectedly move when parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake cable lock nut, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early September 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

2017 smart fortwo
Units Affected 110

Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 smart fortwo and smart fortwo Cabriolet vehicles. Casting imperfections may result in the failure of the left front axle steering knuckle.

Failure of the left front axle steering knuckle could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left front axle steering knuckle, replacing any from the affected batch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid
Units Affected 671

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The front drive shaft may separate.

A front driveshaft separation would result in a loss of propulsion while driving, and if the driver exits the vehicle without applying the parking brake, the vehicle may roll. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the serial number of the vehicle's drive shaft, replacing any that are affected, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 11, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0M.

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/.

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