According to reports filed with the NHTSA, certain Nissan and Infiniti vehicles could experience reduced braking performance and/or steering control due to a manufacturing error. During the assembly process of the front wheel hub, the hub bolts, torque member bolts, and/or stopper bolts may have been under torqued or missing. Over time the brake caliper could separate from the wheel assembly causing reduced braking and steering control. Warning signs that there is a problem include unfamiliar noises and/or vibrations. Continue reading

A safety defect in the steering system of certain 2014 Ford C-Max and Focus vehicles will have customers returning their cars for repairs. According to reports on the NHTSA website, on August 12, 2014, Ford was notified by their steering gear supplier that some gears were produced with less than the intended number of ball bearings. Steering gears with this condition could experience deformation and degradation of the ball bearings which could result in loss of steering control. Continue reading

Volkswagen will be asking owners of some 2015 Golf and 2015 GTI cars to return their vehicle to their nearest dealer to repair a problem that could affect steering.

Due to insufficient torque of the stabilizer link fasteners, the fasteners could loosen over time. In rare cased, the stabilizer link could detach completely and interfere with the vehicle’s steering. Drivers may hear considerable noise coming from the front of the vehicle and increased steering effort will be required. The unexpected increased handling effort could increase the chance of an accident. Continue reading

Certain 2015 Hyundai Sonata vehicles are being recalled by the automobile manufacturer because of a poor connection within the vehicle’s wiring harness. During manufacturing, the pin socket in one of the vehicles main wiring harness could have been slightly deformed affecting the Chassis’ Controller Area Network circuit continuity. The circuit could become intermittent or open, causing the illumination of the instrument cluster’s indicator lamp, inability to remove the vehicle’s shifter from the park postilion, or a reduction in steering assist. The problem will require the driver to use greater steering effort and could increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading

Hyundai/Kia will be contacting owners of certain 2014 Kia Soul subcompacts about a safety problem affecting the vehicles steering system.

According to reports filed with the NHTSA, an improper application of thread locking adhesive during the manufacturing process could result in the pinion gear separating from the steering gear assembly. If this happens, drivers could experience loss of steering and an increased chance of an accident. Continue reading

Certain 2008-2011 Mazda Tribute vehicles built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant between October 2006 to September 2010 could be affected by a problem that could lead to loss of power steering assist. Mazda will be sending notices sometime in July, but are encouraging drivers experiencing issue with their steering to return their vehicle to a manufacturer approved dealer to have repairs done as soon as possible. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, approximately 33,000 vehicles in the United States and its territories are potentially affected. Continue reading

Owners of certain 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedans will be asked to make arrangements to have their vehicles towed to the nearest Infiniti retailer so that repairs can be done to the steering system. The affected vehicles are equipped with Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) that previously received a software update to address power steering assist calibration issues. Continue reading