The companies failed to stay current on data used to process Caller ID info

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• FCC removes more than 1,200 voice service providers from the Robocall Mitigation Database

• Enforcement Bureau says companies failed to meet certification and mitigation requirements

• Chairman Carr vows continued action against illegal robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission has cut more than 1,200 voice service providers off from the U.S. phone network after finding they failed to comply with federal robocall rules.

The agencys Enforcement Bureau said the companies violated FCC requirements by failing to maintain accurate certifications in the Robocall Mitigation Database. Without those certifications, the providers were unable to show they were taking steps to protect consumers from illegal robocalls.

The FCC had previously warned the firms in December 2024 to cure their failings or risk removal. Earlier this month, regulators took an initial step by suspending 185 companies that failed to comply.

Robocalls are an all-too-common frustration and threat to Americans households, Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement. Providers that fail to do their duty when it comes to stopping these calls have no place in our networks. Were taking action and we will continue to do so.

CallerID authentication

The Robocall Mitigation Database is the FCCs central tool for tracking whether providers have implemented caller ID authentication through the STIR/SHAKEN framework and developed mitigation plans to curb illegal traffic. Carriers that dont meet those standards can be blocked entirely from carrying calls on U.S. networks.

The FCC said the removed companies will only be permitted to refile in the database if expressly approved by the Enforcement and Wireline Competition Bureaus.

Todays move builds on Operation Robocall Roundup, a joint initiative by 51 state attorneys general that earlier this month sent warning letters to 37 providers, including seven that had already been suspended by the FCC.

Other recalls come from Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler Ram & Jeep, VW and more

Auto Safety Recall Derby Week of 8/25/25

Highlight of the Week

Mitsubishi Liftgate Gas Spring Corrosion

• Units Affected: 91,697 (largest recall this week)

• Models: Outlander (201420), Outlander PHEV (201822)

• Risk: Corroded liftgate gas springs may rupture or cause the liftgate to fall unexpectedly.

• Remedy: Both gas springs will be replaced free of charge. Notices begin October 6, 2025.

Mercedes-Benz

Loss of Steering Control from Loose Bolt
NHTSA ID Number: 25V533000
Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Component(s): Steering
Units Affected: 3,749

Summary:
Improperly tightened steering coupling bolt could loosen from the steering rack, causing loss of steering control.

Remedy:
Dealers will tighten bolts free of charge. Notifications begin October 17, 2025. Contact MBUSA at 1-800-367-6372.

Models Affected (28): AMG EQE 53, AMG GLC 63 S E, AMG GLC43, EQE 350/500, GLC 300, GLC 350E, etc.

Chrysler Ram

Incorrect Brake System Warning Light
NHTSA ID Number: 25V530000
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Component(s): Electrical System
Units Affected: 2,885

Summary:
Brake system warning light may display incorrectly, violating FMVSS 101.

Remedy:
Instrument panel cluster will be replaced free of charge. Notifications begin September 25, 2025. Contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 (Recall No. 79C).

Models Affected (4): Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500 (2026).

Chrysler Jeep

TPMS Warning Light Failure
NHTSA ID Number: 25V527000
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Component(s): Tires
Units Affected: 78,989

Summary:
Pinched antenna cable may cause TPMS light not to illuminate, violating FMVSS 138.

Remedy:
Dealers will inspect and replace the cable free of charge. Notifications begin September 2, 2025. Contact FCA at 1-800-853-1403 (Recall No. 56C).

Models Affected (2): Jeep Wrangler (202425).

Volkswagen

Loose Tie Rod Bolt Steering Risk
NHTSA ID Number: 25V526000
Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Component(s): Steering
Units Affected: 15

Summary:
Loose tie rod bolt on rear axle could cause loss of vehicle control.

Remedy:
Dealers will replace the bolt free of charge. Notifications begin October 10, 2025. Contact Volkswagen at 800-893-5298 (Recall No. 42E7).

Models Affected (1): Volkswagen Tiguan (2025).

Mitsubishi

Liftgate Gas Spring Corrosion
NHTSA ID Number: 25V507000
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Component(s): Structure
Units Affected: 91,697

Summary:
Corroded gas spring cylinders may rupture or cause the liftgate to fall unexpectedly.

Remedy:
Both gas springs will be replaced free of charge. Notifications begin October 6, 2025. Contact MMNA at 1-888-648-7820 (Recall No. SR-25-002).

Models Affected (12): Outlander (201420), Outlander PHEV (201822).

That wraps up this weeks Recall Roundup. To see if your car has been recalled, have your VIN number ready and go to the official National Highway Traffic Safety Agency site.

High mortgage rates, escalating prices may be contributing factors

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Roughly 58,000 U.S. home-purchase agreements were canceled in July - 15.3% of all contracts signed that month, the highest July rate since 2017.

• Cancellations are driven by high costs, economic uncertainty, and greater buyer leverage in a market with more options.

• Texas and Florida metros saw the highest fallout rates, while New York and Pennsylvania had some of the lowest.

Last week, the National Association of Realtors reported that home sales rose a surprising 2% in July. But another real estate industry report tells a different story. In July, an estimated 58,000 home-purchase agreements fell through, according to a new analysis from real estate brokerage Redfin.

That represents 15.3% of all homes that went under contract last month, up from 14.5% a year earlier and the highest July cancellation rate since Redfin began tracking the data in 2017.

The analysis, based on MLS pending-sales data, underscores how affordability pressures and shifting buyer psychology continue to weigh on the housing market.

Why deals are going south

High mortgage rates, elevated home prices, and general economic uncertainty are leaving many buyers hesitant to commit. With more inventory available compared to past years, buyers also wield greater leverage in negotiationsand some are walking away during inspection periods if better homes surface or if costly repairs are revealed.

Cold feet, high standards, and inspection issues are the most common reasons deals collapse, said Bonnie Phillips, a Redfin Premier agent in Cleveland.

She also said cancellations are especially common among buyers using FHA and VA loans. In one case, Phillips said a first-time buyer pulled out a week before closing, not due to the property itself, but after neighbors convinced her renting would be easier than owning.

Regional hotspots

Texas and Florida led the nation in failed deals. San Antonio posted the highest cancellation rate among large metros, with 22.7% of contracts terminated in July. Fort Lauderdale (21.3%), Jacksonville (19.9%), Atlanta (19.7%), and Tampa (19.5%) rounded out the top five.

The trend is partly tied to robust homebuilding in Texas and Florida, which gives buyers confidence they can find alternatives. In Florida, some buyers are also backing out amid concerns over rising insurance costs, steep homeowners association fees, and worsening natural disaster risks.

By contrast, Nassau County, N.Y., had the lowest cancellation rate at just 5.1%, followed by Montgomery County, Pa. (8.2%), Milwaukee (8.3%), New York City (9.5%), and Seattle (10.2%).

Virginia Beach, Va., recorded the sharpest year-over-year increase, with cancellations jumping from 12.5% to 16.1%, a 3.6 percentage point rise. Newark, N.J., Baltimore, San Antonio, and Houston also saw significant upticks. Virginia Beach and Baltimore have among the nations highest shares of VA loan holders, making their markets more vulnerable to loan-related fallout.

The company may split into two entities, one selling coffee and the other soft drinks

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) will acquire JDE Peets for 15.7 billion in cash, creating a new global coffee giant.

• The company will later split into two independent, publicly traded firms: one focused on coffee and one on beverages.

• Consumers can expect more innovation and brand expansion, with Global Coffee Co. positioned as the worlds #1 pure-play coffee company.

In 2018, soft drink maker Dr Pepper pivoted into the world of coffee when it merged with Keurig, maker of the single-serve coffee maker. Keurig Dr Pepper is now moving deeper into the coffee world by acquiring JDE Peets in an all-cash transaction.

This move sets the stage for KDP to later split into two separate, U.S.-listed public companies:

• Global Coffee Co., a coffee-focused powerhouse with brands like Keurig, Jacobs, LOR and Peets.

• Beverage Co., a growth-oriented challenger in the North American refreshment beverage market, anchored by iconic names like Dr Pepper, Canada Dry and 7UP.

Once the acquisition closes and the spin-off is complete, Global Coffee Co. will become the worlds largest pure-play coffee company, boasting approximately $16 billion in annual net sales. The company will operate across more than 100 countries, holding the first or second market position in 40 of them.

With a portfolio spanning every coffee format, from pods to instant to specialty caf brands, company executives say Global Coffee Co. will be positioned to lead innovation in a $400 billion global coffee category. The combined business expects to unlock $400 million in cost synergies over three years and deliver earnings growth starting in year one.

The complementary combination of Keurig and JDE Peets creates a global coffee champion, said Tim Cofer, CEO of KDP. By building two focused companies, we are poised to deliver strong growth and shareholder value.

Meanwhile, Beverage Co. will emerge as a standalone player in the $300 billion North American beverage market, with more than $11 billion in annual net sales. Its portfolio includes Dr Pepper, Canada Dry, 7UP, and fast-growing energy and functional drinks.

What it means for consumers

For coffee lovers, this deal could mean faster rollout of new brewing systems, broader availability of international brands, and more choice across price points and formats. For soft drink fans, the separation gives Dr Pepper and its sister brands renewed focus in competing with Coke and Pepsi.

Industry analysts expect both new companies to invest heavily in innovation, whether its next-generation coffee machines or new ready-to-drink beverages.

More than half say their patients have expressed erroneous beliefs about health

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• 61% of physicians say patients have been influenced by medical misinformation or disinformation in the past year.

• Nearly 9 in 10 doctors report misinformation is on the rise, with half citing a significant increase.

• Rural physicians report higher rates of patients affected than their suburban or urban peers.

How many times have you heard You cant believe everything you see on the internet? Despite that warning, a lot of people apparently accept online medical information as gospel, and doctors are increasingly concerned.

A significant percentage of Americans, especially those in Generation Z, get health information from TikTok. Recent data show that about 56% of Gen Z use TikTok for health and wellness advice, with approximately one-third (34%) citing TikTok as their main source of health information.

For the broader U.S. adult population, surveys indicate that most TikTok users especially those aged 18-29 report encountering health information on the platform, with exposure rates as high as 91% among younger adults for certain health topics

A new survey from The Physicians Foundation reveals that American doctors are increasingly concerned that health misinformation and disinformation are undermining patient trust, straining the physician-patient relationship, and threatening the quality of medical care.

The study defines misinformation as false or inaccurate information shared without intent to deceive, while disinformation refers to false or misleading content deliberately spread to mislead. Physicians say both forms are prevalent in healthcare, where they can shape how patients view treatments, vaccines, and overall medical guidance.

The scope of the problem

More than six in 10 physicians (61%) reported that their patients were influenced by misinformation or disinformation at least a moderate amount in the past year. Rural doctors appear to feel the brunt of the problem: 38% said they encountered a great deal of misinformation among their patients, compared to 21% of suburban and 25% of urban physicians.

Physicians also agree the problem is worsening. Nearly nine in 10 (86%) said health misinformation has increased compared to five years ago, with half describing the rise as significant.

Impact on patient care

Doctors say misinformation doesnt just frustrate conversations, it affects care. More than half (57%) reported that false or misleading health claims have significantly impaired their ability to deliver quality treatment. The study shows how easily patient trust can be undermined, complicating medical decision-making.

Despite these challenges, many physicians believe they are capable of tackling misinformation during visits. About half (50%) expressed high confidence in identifying and correcting it, while 47% felt somewhat confident. Only 10% said they lacked the necessary tools or support to engage with skeptical patients.

While many doctors feel equipped to address falsehoods in clinical settings, they remain doubtful about patients ability to find trustworthy information on their own. Forty percent said they are not at all confident that patients know how to access reliable, evidence-based resources online.

Rural physicians were the most concerned, with 54% expressing no confidence, compared to 37% of suburban doctors and 41% of urban doctors.