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
Tag Archives: automobile safety defect
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Unexpectedly Sifts Into “Park” or “Neutral”
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
Subaru Legacy and Outback May Experience Loss Of Steering
Subaru will be repairing approximately fifty thousand 2016-2017 Legacy and 2015-2017 Outback vehicles for a manufacturing error affecting the steering. According to the defect report, the incorrect setting of a tool used in production of the steering column could result in an improper machining condition. As a result, the steering column shaft may not engage leaving the steering wheel to freely rotate and loss of steering ability. Continue reading
2016 Mercedes Benz SLK300 Ignition Switch Defect
Mercedes Benz will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 SLK300 roadster vehicles equipped with nine-speed automatic transmissions, about an electrical problem that could affect the transmission and parking brake. According to the defect report, the backup power supply for the ignition switch may have not been properly connected. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power from the main battery, the transmission will not shift into “Park” and the electric parking brake cannot be applied. Without the backup power supply, the only way to keep the vehicle from moving is to press the brake pedal. Drivers attempting to exit the vehicle in this situation should take precaution as the vehicle could roll. Continue reading
Chevy, Infiniti & Nissan Inaccurate Airbag Classification
Certain 2013-2017 Chevrolet, Infiniti and Nissan owners will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem affecting the airbag deployment system. The front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy or could deploy incorrectly during a crash. Continue reading
Chrysler Power Train Software Problem
Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles about a power train software problem. The affected models are equipped with 8 speed transmissions and a monostable gear selector. According to the defect report, the software used to warn drivers exiting the vehicle, that their vehicle is not in “Park”, may not adequately warn the driver. Drivers thinking that their vehicle’s transmission is in the “Park” position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged. Continue reading
Mazda Cars Could Experience A Loss Of Steering
A small number of Mazda car owners will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem affecting the steering system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, during installation of the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle, the lower mounting nuts and bolts may have been insufficiently tightened. The bolts could loosen resulting in an increasing rattle noise over time. If the problem is not repaired, the front strut assembly and steering knuckle could completely separate. Drivers could experience a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading
Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Seat Belt Problem
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
