BMW will be contacting a small number of M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe owners about a manufacturing problem affecting the powertrain of their vehicles. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the driveshaft slip-joint between the transmission and the rear axle may not have been filled with grease and could fail over time. The problem could result in loud clunking noises and sudden loss of power. Continue reading
Tag Archives: loss of engine power
2013-2014 Genesis Coupe Powertrain Safety Defect
Hyundai will be contacting the owners of certain 2013-2014 Genesis Coupes about a safety defect affecting their vehicles power train. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the differential and suspension rear cross member may have not been properly aligned during assembly. The bolts that secure the differential could loosen and the drive shaft may disconnect from the differential. Loss of propulsion could increase the chance of an accident. Continue reading
Volkswagen Camshaft Defect
Volkswagen will be asking owners of certain 2015-2016 vehicles to return to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the engine and brake system. According to reports, the lobe of the sintered cam which drives the high pressure fuel injection pump and the vacuum pump, could shear off from the camshaft. If this happens, vacuum supply will be shut off to the the brake booster, the vehicle will go into limp home mode, and the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will illuminate. Continue reading
2014-2015 Chevy & GM Trucks Added To Ignition Defect List
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles may have an ignition lock actuator manufactured out of specifications. The problem, combined with warm ambient temperatures, could make turning the ignition key difficult and/or the ignition key could get stuck in the start position. If the vehicle is driven with the key stuck in the start position a significant jarring event or cooling of the ambient temperature could result in the ignition snapping back into the accessory position, shutting off the engine, power steering, power brakes, and airbags. Continue reading
2013-2015 Fiat 500 Unexpectedly Shifts To Neutral
In April 2015, Fiat’s Vehicle Safety And Regulatory Compliance deportment began an investigation into certain 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles after receiving warranty reports of loss of driving power. A review of the problem found that rapid operation of the cruise control speed adjustment switch or accelerator pedal application, while in cruise control, may set a diagnostic trouble code in the Elective Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU). This code will will force the vehicle into safe mode and automatically shift the vehicle into neutral. Once the fault code is set, a key cycle is required to allow the vehicle to shift out of neutral. Continue reading
2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV Loss Of Drive Power
After three field reports and eight warranty claims, Toyota has decided to ask owners of certain 2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV’s to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the hybrid propulsion system. Due to a software issue, the drive inverter electronic control unit may not be able to determine the rotational position of the motor. This will cause a speed sensor error code which will trigger a “Check EV System” warning message on the instrument panel, turn on the malfunction indicator lamp, and cause the electric motor to shift into “neutral”. This complete loss of drive power may increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading
