Maserati will be contacting the owners of certain 2014-2016 Ghibli and Quattroporte vehicles about a problem affecting the suspension system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles were manufactured with an incorrectly torqued rear tie rod to hub carrier assembly attaching bold. If the bolt loosens, the driver will start to hear a noise from the rear of the vehicle. Over time the attaching bolt could fail and the tie rod could separate completely from the hub carrier assembly. Continue reading

Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2012-2016 Fiat 500 and 2013-2016 Fiat 500E vehicles to return to their dealerships to repair two separate problems that could result in loss of motive power.

2012-2016 Fiat 500: These vehicles are equipped with a C514 manual transmission which could experience a cracked or damaged clutch diaphragm spring. If the spring fails the driver will not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power. Continue reading

The owners of certain 2011-2016 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles will be returning to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the safety of the airbag system. According to the defect report, vehicles subject to dusty environments could ingest dust into the airbag clock spring assembly. The circuit could become compromised and result in non-deployment of the airbags and an illuminating airbag warning lamp. Continue reading

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2009-2016 Dodge Journey owners about a problem affect the power steering assist. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the power steering return hose could rupture at engine start up after exposure to cold temperatures. Loss of power steering assist will require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and an increased risk of an accident. Continue reading

General Motors (GM) will be contacting a small number of 2016 Chevrolet Malibu owners because their vehicles may fail to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for Electronic Stability Control. According to the defect report, the memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) could fail and cause loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ECS). The vehicle could become difficult to control in situations where these brake systems would normally be engaged and the driver information center (DIC) will display a message indicating to service stability control, traction control, or both. This condition does not affect the primary braking system; the service brakes will continue to operate normally. Continue reading

Certain 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles may fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for electronic stability control (ESC). Due to the inappropriate handling of a brake fluid storage tank at Subaru’s manufacturing plant, the brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture that could cause a gelatinous material to form in the brake system. The valve filter in the dynamics control system could become clogged making the ESC ineffective in preventing
loss of vehicle control. Continue reading

Chrysler (FCA) will be asking the owners of certain 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee‘s to return to their dealership for a problem that could leave their vehicle stopped and unable to move. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the affected Grand Cherokee’s may have been built with a brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) solenoid wire harness that was incorrectly crimped. If electrical connection is lost to the solenoid, the transmission shifter may unexpectedly become locked in “park” or “neutral”. Continue reading