2018 Toyota C-HR EPB Malfunction Warning

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Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2018 Toyota C-HR subcompact crossover SUVs regarding a problem affecting the electric parking brake (EPB). According to the defect report, an oxide film on the EPB motor could increase the circuit resistance and be incorrectly identified as an open circuit. The problem could result in the illumination of the EPB malfunction light and the inability to release the parking brake. In certain cases it may prevent the parking brake from being applied.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Toyota dealers to have the skid control ECU software updated. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0W and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-717.

2017 Ford F-150 Transmission Shift Lever Inaccurate Indication

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Ford will be asking the owners of certain 2017 F-150 trucks equipped with ten speed transmissions to return to their dealers for a problem affecting the shift lever. According to the defect report, the pin attaching the transmission shift linkage to the transmission could come out. If this happens, the transmission will be stuck in the gear it was in when the pin came out.

Drivers may experience loose or low effort feel of the shift lever and inaccurate gear indication. When exiting the vehicle, if the transmission is not in Park, the key can be removed, but a warning chime will sound and a message will be displayed in the instrument cluster indicating that the transmission is not in “Park”. If the transmission is not in the “Park” or the “Neutral” position, the driver will not be able to restart the vehicle.

Dealers will replace the roll pin with an updated part. Owners wanting more information about the recall are asked to contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 17S36 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-671.

2017 Mercedes Metris ABS Warning & Brake Noises

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Daimler has determined that certain 2017 Mercedes Benz Metris vans may have been manufactured with front axle bearing retaining rings that were not seated correctly. The retaining rings could extend from the steering knuckles allowing the wheel bearing to move out of position. The problem could result in an ABS sensing error warning on the instrument panel, unfamiliar brake noises, unpredictable drive-ability and the loss of a wheel.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the front axle wheel bearing retaining rings inspected and correctly positioned as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the defect can contact Daimler customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

2016 Toyota Prius Engine Shutdown

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A small number of 2016 Toyota Prius owners will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the hybrid propulsion system. Some vehicles were manufactured with an inverter assembly which contains a capacitor that may not have been properly attached to the inverter housing. Over time the terminal of the capacitor may become damaged by normal vehicle vibrations which could eventually result in a hybrid system shut down.

All known owners of the subject vehicles that have not received the repair will be notified directly via telephone to return to their dealerships to have the inverter replaced. Owners wanting more information about the defect may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0U and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-658.

Illuminated Airbag Warning Lamp – Chrysler, Dodge & Jeep

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2012-2013 Chrysler 200, 2012-2013 Dodge Avenger and 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles for a problem affecting the occupant restraint controller (ORC). According to the defect report, electrical stress in the ORC could lead to an internal failure which will result in the inability to deploy active headrests during certain rear end crashes. If this happens, it may increase the risk of injury to front seat occupants.

Chrysler will ask owners to return to their dealers to have the ORC inspected and replaced as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the defect can contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA’s number for this recall is T56 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-640.

2015-2017 Maserati Quattroporte Stalling

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Maserati will be contacting the owners of certain 2015-2017 Quattroporte GTS vehicles equipped with a V8 3.8 liter engine due to an electrical problem affecting the fuel system. According to the defect report, a resistor in the low pressure fuel pump could fail as a result of cyle time and temperature fatigue. If the resistor fails, the low pressure pump will stop working, eventually stalling the vehicle. (The vehicles involved in these incidents average a mileage of around 19,500 when the failure occurred.)

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the fuel pump resistor cable assembly. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Maserati customer service at 1-201-510-2369. Maserati’s number for this recall is 359 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-610.

Audi A4, A5 & Q5 Susceptible To Auxiliary Heater Fires

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Volkswagen will be contacting the owners of certain 2013-2016 Audi A4, A5 & Q5 vehicles regarding a problem affecting the electrical connector to the auxiliary heater. According to the defect report, the connector is susceptible to contact corrosion which may cause the auxiliary heater to fail and/or cause the wires to overheat and melt. The problem could result in an electrical fire.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the auxiliary heater replaced, as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-622.

2017 Kia Sorento Engine Crankshaft Failure

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Kia will be asking the owners of certain 2017 Kia Sorento vehicles, equipped with 3.3L engines, to return to their dealerships to repair an improperly heat treated crankshaft. According to the defect report, an improperly heat treated crankshaft will produce a cyclic knocking noise from the engine that may result in the illumination of the engine warning lamp. If these warnings are ignored and the vehicle continues to be driven, the crankshaft could fail, the engine vehicle could stall and, under certain conditions, a fire may occur.

Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine sub assembly as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC153 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-586 .