Top recalls for the week of Dec. 11 include Ford vehicles, Polaris snowmobiles

Ford, Polaris, Chrysler, Kodiak and Wet & Forget recalls overview:

• Who: Ford, Polaris, Chrysler, American Snuff Company and Wet & Forget recalled products last week. 
• Why: The top recalls involve product safety and possible risk of harm.
• Where: The recalls are effective in the United States; the Polaris recall is also effective in Canada. 

Several popular companies, retailers and manufacturers announced recalls last week for products that may pose a risk of injury to consumers. Here are Top Class Actions’ top recalls for the week of Dec. 11.

Ford recalls Fiesta, Fusion, Lincoln MKS vehicles due to door defect

Ford Motor Co. recalled more than 45,000 vehicles due to a defect that could cause doors to open while the vehicles are in motion, heightening the potential for injuries or accidents. 

The recall encompasses 45,173 vehicles, including model year 2015 Ford Fiestas, 2016-2020 Ford Fusions and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles, as reported in a notice by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Ford attributes the issue to a fractured pawl spring tab in the latch design, which could result in a door-will-not-close situation, posing a potential hazard. Ford says closed doors on the affected vehicles may unlatch while the vehicle is in motion. 

The automaker urges vehicle owners to bring their recalled vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for an inspection of their door latch date codes, the recall notice states. If necessary, they will receive replacement side door latches free of charge. 

Polaris recalls snowmobiles due to primary drive clutch issues

Polaris issued two recalls for its model year 2022-2023 snowmobiles due to potential injury hazards associated with their primary drive clutches. 

The first recall pertains to approximately 2,900 Polaris model year 2022 Patriot 850 Matryx RMK, Indy and Switchback snowmobiles sold in the United States, with an additional 1,433 units sold in Canada. 

Polaris initiated the recall after receiving nine reports of the ring gear on the primary drive clutch failing, resulting in one reported injury to a rider’s foot. Polaris sold the snowmobiles at authorized dealers nationwide from June 2021-February 2022 for $14,000-$16,000.

The second recall involves roughly 2,200 Polaris model year 2023 Patriot 9R Matryx Pro RMK and Patriot 9R Matryx RMK Khaos snowmobiles sold in the United States and approximately 1,000 units sold in Canada. 

Polaris received 91 reports of clutch failure on the recalled 2023 snowmobiles, including nine instances of a clutch component separating from the unit. Consumers should immediately cease using the recalled snowmobiles and contact Polaris or an authorized dealer to schedule a free repair.

Steering column malfunction leads to Chrysler recall of Ram vehicles

Chrysler announced a recall affecting several of its vehicle models, including the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 3500 Classic and 3500 Chassis Cab and 2023-2024 Ram 2500, 4500/5500 Chassis Cab and Ram 3500 vehicles. 

The automaker initiated the recall due to a malfunction in the steering column module, leading to an unexpected activation of the high-beam lights when using the turn signal and vice versa. This malfunction poses a potential safety concern as it may cause confusion for other road users and reduce visibility, thereby elevating the risk of a collision.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s recall letter, there is also a possibility that the turn signal self-canceling feature may not function correctly. 

While Chrysler has not disclosed whether any injuries have been reported in connection with this recall, the company has not faced legal action related to the issue. Chrysler plans to send owner notification letters by Jan. 17, and authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicles, addressing the steering column control module issues and replacing them free of charge, if necessary. 

American Snuff Company recalls Kodiak tobacco due to potential metal contamination

American Snuff Company recalled Kodiak Premium WIntergreen Longcut Tobacco after an issue was found with manufacturing equipment at the company’s Clarksville, Tennessee, facility that resulted in metal shavings coming in contact with the tobacco.

The company asks consumers to not open or use the recalled cans and to contact American Snuff Company at (866) 843-0636 to return the product for a refund, report any adverse events or submit a complaint.

Wet & Forget recalls Xtreme Reach mildew, algae remover

Wet & Forget USA, a company specializing in household and industrial cleaners, issued a recall for approximately 2.7 million bottles of its “Xtreme Reach” Outdoor Rapid Application Moss, Mold, Mildew & Algae Stain Remover with Hose End Nozzle.

The company says the hose clip may dislodge, which could cause the cleaning solution to inadvertently spray on users, presenting a potential hazard of skin and eye irritation, among other risks. 

The affected product is the Wet & Forget “Xtreme Reach” Outdoor Mold & Mildew Stain Remover, sold in blue plastic bottles with UPC codes 879288000077 or 879288000084. 

Consumers should stop using the recalled stain remover immediately and contact the company to receive a free replacement nozzle. Wet & Forget has reported 3,188 instances of the nozzle insert dislodging, resulting in 157 cases of exposure to the cleaning solution and 28 reports of skin or eye irritation. 

Have you purchased any of the products listed in our top recalls recently? Let us know in the comments. And be sure to check out other top recalls.

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