A total of 127,224 vehicles were identified in 16 recalls in Canada over the month of November, covering 22 models from nine different brands.
The most affected was the Honda Odyssey, with 69,839 minivans affected from seven model years (2011-2017) concerning improperly latching outboard second row seats (the ones that tilt and slide forward to allow easy entry to the third row) that could slide and/or tilt forward in a collision, with naturally disastrous consequences for occupants in those seats.
The Nissan Micra was also affected by a large recall, with 39,295 from model years 2015-2017 recalled to address a problem with an overly sensitive side airbag sensor connector’s not communicating properly with the airbag control unit, and possibly resulting in an airbag deployment for as little as slamming a side door to harshly.
Combined, the two nameplates accounted for 86% of the monthly vehicle totalled, leaving the new Toyota C-HR a distant third in numbers recalled, with just 5,294 units needing to have their electronic parking brakes checked to ensure an incorrectly programmed skid-control ECU doesn’t allow the sub-compact crossover to roll away unattended on a steep grade.
The Jeep Compass was named in two separate recalls for a total of 3,969 units — 2,469 from 2017-2018 need to have their instrument panel light sensor checked to make sure gauges are legible in the daytime; and the 2018 model (1,500 units) is named in another recall to address loose mounting nuts in the passenger side airbag module that could fire out in a deployment.
Rounding out the top five, the 3,396 Ford Explorers spanning model years 2011-2012 were recalled in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to replace suspension toe links that could become clogged with mud and dirt to the point of breaking.
Other vehicles recalled over the month included the 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (2,294 units) and 2016-17 G-Class (1,009), and 2017 C-Class (16) and S-Class (3); 2018 BMW 2 Series, X2 and X3 (667), and X5 and X6 (15); 2012-15 Toyota Prius (363); 2017 Honda Civic (241) and 2016 Nissan Rogue (86).
And in the recall affecting the most models, 737 Fiat Chrysler models from 2014 were recalled to address a problem with the active headrests maybe not providing protection in a rear-ender. Affected models include the Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Charger and Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.