The owners of certain 2016 Jeep Cherokees will be contacted by Chrysler regarding a problem affecting the powertrain system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the vehicles were assembled with halfshafts incorrectly manufactured with low surface and high core hardness. These halfshafts could fracture without warning and lead to loss of motive power in front wheel drive vehicles, road debris, as well as damage to nearby components. Continue reading

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

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced that they will be expanding and accelerating the recall of Takata air bag inflators. The decision comes after the NHTSA and an independent expert reviewed the findings of three independent investigations into the ruptures and concluded that a combination of time, environmental moisture and fluctuating high temperatures contributed to the degradation of the ammonium nitrate propellant in the inflators. The degradation caused the propellant to burn too quickly, rupturing the inflator module and sending shrapnel through the air bag and into the vehicle occupants. Continue reading

General Motors has decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2016-2017 Cadillac, Chevy and GMC trucks and SUVs, and will be asking owners to return to their dealership for repairs. According to the defect report, the welds on the front upper control arm near the bushings may be poor quality and could fail. The upper control arm could deform or separate from the bushing completely, making steering and directional control very difficult. Continue reading

General Motors have announced a safety defect relating to seat belts exists in certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. According to reports, in certain vehicles and seating positions, the seat-belt tensioner could move into a position forward of the seat back bolster. This allows the occupant to sit on top of it in a sliding motion while entering the vehicle. This action can bend the cable at a severe angle over the seat-side shield, and over time may cause the cable to fatigue. During an accident, the fatigued tensioner cable could separate, increasing the risk of injury to the driver. Continue reading

The owners of certain 2016 Nissan Maxima and Murano vehicles will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem affecting the braking system. According to the defect report, some vehicles were manufactured with an ABC actuator with a damaged o-ring. During ABS and VDC operation, the brake fluid pressure may not be properly controlled and could result in lengthened distance needed to stop the vehicle. Continue reading

Tesla will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Model X crossover SUVs about a safety problem affecting the third row seating. According to the defect report, variations in recliner manufacturing could lead to insufficient tooth engagement and failure to meet the required holding torque specification. In a severe collision the seat could exhibit excessive forward movement, increasing the chance of injury to occupants. Continue reading