Mercedes Benz will be recalling approximately five hundred 2012 E350 and 2012 E550 Coupes for a problem with the right side window curtain airbag. According to Mercedes, improper stitching of the airbag may cause it to not deploy as intended. Continue reading
Tag Archives: automobile problems
Ford Fiesta Side Airbag Deployment Problem
Ford will be contacting owners of certain 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles because their cars may fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for occupant crash protection. According to Ford, an incorrect software installation may prevent the side impact airbags from deploying when there is no occupant in the front passenger seat. Ford will reprogram the vehicle’s software to make it consistent with the description on the owner’s manual. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Suspension Problem For Nissan Altima
Nissan will be alerting owners of certain 2012-2013 Altima vehicles about a manufacturing problem that could lead to loss of control of their vehicles. According to Nissan, certain vehicles may have been manufactured with a transverse link bolt and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to the proper specification. The bolt could loosen and fall off, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Nissan customer services at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA Warns Of Dangerous Lemon Airbags
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is warning car owners to get their vehicle inspected for potential lemon airbags. This includes any airbags bought online, used vehicles where the owner is unsure if the airbags have been replaced, and any owner who has had their airbags replaced by an independent repair shop not connected to a new car dealership. It is estimated that only 1% of U.S. vehicles may be affected by the problem, but that equals to tens of thousands units. Continue reading
Chevy Volt Software Glitch Stalls Engines
General Motors (GM) has announced a customer satisfaction campaign affecting approximately four thousand 2013 Chevrolet Volt electric cars. A software glitch in the delayed charging function could cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stall. Drivers will still have steering and brakes, but in order to restart the engine, they must stop the vehicle, turn it off, and wait five minutes before restarting.
According to GM spokeswoman, Michelle Malcho, the glitch only affects the small number of owners that have used the delayed charging option. All drivers are recommended to switch to immediate instead of delayed time charging until the problem can be fixed. GM has already sent letters by Federal Express explaining to customers that the repair requires the vehicle’s control system software to be re-flashed. The repair is expected to take less than an hour.
Hyundai Investigated For Shattering Sunroofs
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigating into certain 2012 Hyundai Veloster after receiving 11 complaints from drivers who say their panoramic sunroof shattered unexpectedly. Of those complaints, seven happened while the vehicle was being driven at highway speeds.
While there have been no reported accidents related to the problem, shattering glass could cause injury to occupants and could distract the driver. Hyundai and NHTSA are working together to determine if a recall will be required.
Honda Accord Sub Frame Rusting
The Center for Auto Safety is urging Honda to issue a recall on certain 1999-2002 Honda Accords after an exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation exposed a potential safety issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there have been 11 complaints since 2009 of sub frame rust that have left owners with vehicles that are unsafe to drive. The complaints allege that water from the air conditioning drain hose dips down onto the passenger side sub frame rusting it so badly that the frame can separate from the vehicle. The above video shows that while the passenger side disintegrated from rust, the driver side is often rust free.
A spokesperson for Honda confirmed that the company has also received similar complaints, but said they do not believe the defect warrants a safety bulletin or recall. In 2003 Honda changed the location of the drain hose, but said that the design change is unrelated to the problem. If the investigation should lead to a recall, approximately 1.5 million vehicles could be affected.
Honda Headlight Problem Expanded
A recall of certain Honda vehicles has been expanded to cover over one million automobiles, including certain 2002-2003 Honda Civic and 2004-2005 Honda Pilots. In April of this year, Honda announced that they had found a problem in certain 2002-2004 CRV and 2003 Pilots, where tension on the headlight wiring harness could cause excessive wear on the terminals of the high/low beam headlight switch increasing the electrical resistance of the terminals. The terminal ends could melt leaving the driver without headlights. Honda said that they will inspect and replace the harness and lighting switch as necessary. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
