Mercedes Benz (MBUSA) will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 SLK300 cars about a problem affecting the rear wheel suspension. Excessive etching of the locknut between the tie rod and wheel carrier could result in loosening of the screw connection. Although the connection will not completely separate, the reduced tension force may lead to a change of alignment and independent steering of the rear axle. Continue reading
Tag Archives: manufacturing error
2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder Illuminating Brake Lights
The owners of certain 2013–2014 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles will be receiving notices about an electrical problem affecting the braking system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the stop lamp switch may have been installed incorrectly and could make intermittent contact causing the relay to stick in the ON position. The problem may cause the stop lamps to remain illuminated and the brake-shift interlock to become inoperative. This could increase the risk of a crash, or risk of a roll away if the vehicle is inadvertently shifted out of the Park position. Continue reading
2016 Kia Optima Airbag Will Not Deploy
A small number of 2016 Kia Optima owners will be returning to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the airbag system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the secondary chemical enhancer required for deployment of the second stage frontal airbag was not loaded during manufacturing. As a result, the airbag will not deploy. Continue reading
2015 Subaru Legacy & Outback Brake Fluid Contamination
Certain 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles may fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for electronic stability control (ESC). Due to the inappropriate handling of a brake fluid storage tank at Subaru’s manufacturing plant, the brake fluid used in these vehicles may contain excess moisture that could cause a gelatinous material to form in the brake system. The valve filter in the dynamics control system could become clogged making the ESC ineffective in preventing
loss of vehicle control. Continue reading
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
2014-2015 Ford Explorer Rear Suspension Welds Could Break
Ford is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2014. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the rear suspension toe links may have insufficient welds. If the rear suspension toe link welds fracture, it could cause a loss of steering control, a difficult steering condition, or rear suspension noise. 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
