General Motors have notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about a safety problem affecting certain 2016 Buick Regal cars. Effective immediately, GM has put a stop delivery on new and used vehicle inventory and will be sending owners notices to return to their dealers for repairs. According to the defect report, the power-steering assist system could fail, increasing the risk to an accident. Continue reading
Tag Archives: loss of power steering
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
Volkswagen Routan Repeated Repair Attempts
Certain 2009-2010 Volkswagen Routan owners will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem with their vehicle ignition switch system. These vehicles may experience inadvertent ignition key displacement from the “run” to the “accessory” position while driving. If this happens, the engine will turn off, depowering various key safety systems including; airbags, power steering, and power braking. The loss of these systems may increase the chance of injury during an accident. Continue reading
GM Ignitions Switches Stuck In The “Start” Position
Owners of certain GMC, Chevrolet, and Cadillac trucks and SUV’s will be contacted by GM concerning a defect that could result in unexpected loss of engine, steering, and brake power. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the ignition lock actuator outer diameter may exceed specifications. If the vehicles interior ambient temperature is sufficiently high, the key may bind making it difficult to turn and potentially becoming stuck in the “start” position. Cooling interior temperatures or a significant jarring event may result in the ignition lock cylinder moving out of the “Start” position and into the “Accessory” position, shutting off the engine. Continue reading
Jaguar F-Type, XF & XJ Safety Defects
A number of safety concerns affecting certain 2015 Jaguar F-Type, XF, and XJ cars will have approximately 272 owners returning to their dealership for repairs.
A questionable assembly process could result in the Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) belt, Power Assisted Steering (PAS) pump pulley, positive cable at the alternator, and associated parts to loosen and detach. If the battery positive cable loosens, an electrical short may result, increasing the risk of a fire. If the FEAD belt looses or detaches, the vehicle may lose power assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading
2012 Ford Focus Steering Problems
The Safety Institute is a non-profit organization who’s main goal is injury prevention and product safety as a basis for a healthy and productive society and as a vital component to reducing health care costs. The group is currently involved in a variety of issues regarding product safety, including reports that monitor vehicle defect trends and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) recall and enforcement activities. Their quarterly compiled early warning list shows the top 15 vehicle trends that they say automakers and government should be paying attention to. Continue reading
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Power Steering Problem
According to reports filed on the NHTSA website, certain 2007-2013 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles equipped with 6 speed automatic transmission may have been manufactured with insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic trans-axle. Contact between the two components could cause the steering pressure tube to rust and develop a hole in which power steering fluid could leak. Loss of power steering fluid could result in loss of steering assist, making the vehicle harder to control and increasing the risk of an accident. Continue reading
Mitsubishi Evolution And Ralliart Power Steering Leaks
Insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the cross member brace in some 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Lancer Ralliart cars will have owners returning to their nearest dealership for repairs. Contact between the two parts could cause the power steering pressure tube to rust and develop leaks, resulting in increased steering effort and the possibility of a fire. Continue reading
