Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, NHTSA NEWS—ODI INVESTIGATIONS—NHTSA investigations relating to identification, correction of safety-related defects in motor vehicles, (Sep 4, 2025)

By WK Editorial Staff

Defect investigation updates from NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation.

Amaya-Astron Seating. An equipment query that investigated failures of seatbelt buckle casings has been closed by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). The query was prompted by a recall (18V209) issued by Van Hool N.V. for motorcoaches equipped with the subject casings, which were manufactured by Fasching Salzburg and installed by Amaya-Astron Seating into the seats it supplied to Van Hool. NHTSA opened the query to determine whether the casings at issue in recall 18V209 constituted a safety defect in motorcoaches manufactured by Volvo Bus Corporation, Motor Coach Industries (MCI), and Prevost Car (US) Inc. During the investigation, MCI reported that it had no vehicles with those casings, and Prevost and Volvo Bus reported that they did not observe a trend of casing failures as observed in the recall. Early warning reports, field reports, and warranty claims data also did not identify any failure trends. Moreover, Prevost had issued a recall (22V236) that included the vehicles subject to this investigation (albeit for a different defect), the remedy for which was the replacement of the entire seatbelt buckle, including its casing, with a different part (No. EQ19001 (Aug. 20, 2025)).

Ford Motor Company. ODI has opened a preliminary evaluation of approximately 35,950 2019 Ford Flex vehicles to assess complaints alleging that the B-pillar trim piece can detach while the vehicle is being driven, resulting in a potential road hazard. According to one complaint, the trim piece detached and struck a trailing vehicle on the roadway. The agency will evaluate the scope and severity of the issue and fully assess any potential safety-related problems (No. PE25007 (Aug. 7, 2025)).

Kia America, Inc. ODI has opened an audit query into an estimated 137,256 2021-2023 Kia Seltos and Soul vehicles to review the effectiveness of Kia’s remedy for a recall (25V099) addressing incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings, which may, over time, damage the engine and cause a loss of motive power or an increased risk of fire. The remedy included an inspection procedure to determine whether an engine replacement was necessary. ODI has identified 47 complaints alleging an ineffective recall remedy, inconsistent results in inspections, and the unavailability of recall remedies (No. AQ25001 (Aug. 6, 2025)).

Companies: Amaya-Astron Seating; Ford Motor Co.; Kia America, Inc.

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