Defective rear brake pads installed as stock equipment on new motorcycles sold by a number of major manufacturers are being recalled because of a safety issue. The brake pad's friction material could come to lose from their backing plates, resulting in a drop in rear brake efficiency and an increase in stopping distance, according to Brembo, which made the brake pads.

Ducati is the first company to announce a Brembo brake pad recall: affected are the 2018 Panigale V4, 959 Panigale, 1299 Panigale FE and Hypermotard. Other manufacturers are expected to issue recalls in the coming months.

But you don't have to wait. If you own a new bike, check the rear brake pad for the number 672. If you find it, take your bike to your dealer for a free replacement.

Faulty Cruise Control Prompts Fiat Chrysler to Issue Urgent Recall

Fiat Chrysler is recalling 4.8 million vehicles because of a potential defect in the cruise control that may make it impossible for drivers to turn it off and may even make their cars speed up. The company said drivers should not use cruise control until they visit their dealership for a free inspection and software fix if needed. Vehicles currently affected by the urgent recall include:

• Dodge Journey MY 2014-2018 SUV
• Dodge Durango MY 2014-2018 SUV
• Dodge Challenger MY 2015-2018 2-Door
• Dodge Charger MY 2014-2018 4-Door
• Ram 3500 MY 2014-2018 Pickup Truck
• Ram 3500 Cab Chassis MY 2014-2018 Pickup Truck
• Ram 3500 Less Than 10,000 Pound Cab Chassis MY 2016-2018 Pickup Truck
• Ram 2500 MY 2014-2018 Pickup Truck
• Ram 4500/5500 Cab Chassis MY 2014-2018 Pickup Truck
• Ram 1500 MY 2014-2019 Pickup Truck
• Jeep Wrangler MY 2018 SUV
• Jeep Grand Cherokee MY 2014-2018 SUV
• Jeep Cherokee MY 2014-2018 SUV
• Chrysler 300 MY 2014-2018 4-Door
• Chrysler Pacifica MY 2017-2018 Van
• Chrysler 200 MY 2015-2017 4-Door

To see if your vehicle is affected, go to www.safercars.gov and plug in your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Owners also can call the company at 866-220-6747.

Serious Auto Crash Can Be Caused By Defective Designs and Parts

Crashes that seem to be caused by drivers are sometimes actually due to a defective vehicle or a vehicle that has been defectively-designed–i.e., not designed to be crashworthy. Too often this is overlooked.

BMW has recalled 188,668 model X3 and X4 vehicles to improve the safety of their child seat restraint systems. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector child restraint system. Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. To fix the problem, BMW said it will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The affected vehicles are:

• All 2011 – 2017 X3 models
• All 2015-2017 X4 models

BMW said it will notify owners. The recall is expected to begin on July 12, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Under Hood Fires, Fault Door Latches Prompt Ford to Recall 441,000 Vehicles

Ford has recalled 230,000 cars after reports of 29 fires erupting under the hood as the result of overheating. Affected are:

• 2014 Escape SUV
• 2014-15 Fiesta ST
• 2013-14 Fusion sedan
• 2013-15 Transit Connect van

Ford said faulty coolant circulation could cause the engine to overheat, resulting in a crack in the cylinder head. This could cause a leak of pressurized oil that when in contact with a hot engine surface, increased the risk of fire. All affected vehicles have a 1.6-liter GTDI engine. No death or injuries were reported in relation to the 29 fires.

The company said owners will be mailed instructions on how to check and refill coolant and can continue to drive their cars. If the vehicle leaks coolant, overheats, or needs coolant topped off frequently, customers are urged to visit their local Ford dealership. Dealers will install a coolant level sensor along with supporting hardware and software at no charge, Ford said.

Ford is warning owners of certain 2006 Ford Ranger compact pickup trucks to stop driving them and contact dealers immediately for a free repair. The company also said it would tow vehicles to dealers, who would provide owners with a loaner. Ford said certain 2006 Ford Rangers made at its Minneapolis plant between Aug. 10 and Dec. 15, 2005, are at heightened risk for rupture of their Takata airbags. Two crashes resulting in two fatalities have already occurred.

The 2004-2006 Ford Ranger is already under recall for the replacement of Takata airbag inflators. However, because of the fatalities, Ford wants to repair the at-risk models as quickly as possible. To see if your 2006 Ford Ranger is one of those affected, go to www.safercars.gov, and enter your vehicle's VIN number. You may also contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673.