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.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2014 Chevy Silverado and 2014 GMC Sierra trucks regarding a problem affecting their vehicles safety. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles could experience a temporary loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist during low speed turns. If power steering assist is lost, the driver may experience problems with the radio, stablilitrack, driver information center, chimes, door locks, air conditioning or cruise control.

Owners will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the EPS module software updated. For more information about the recall, owners can contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-432-8782. GM’s number for this recall is 17276. and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-414.

Daimler has determined that certain Mercedes-Benz GL/GLE/GLS (166 Platform) and GLE Coupe (292 Platform) vehicles may have a problem affecting the front passengger occupant classification system (OCS). According to the defect report, a light occupant remaining stationary on the edge of the seat for a long time could be incorrectly classified as a child seat. The passenger side frontal airbag may be deactivated, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. Drivers will be alerted with an “Airbag Off” warning message illuminated in the center console, even though an occupant is seated in the front passenger seat. Continue reading

Honda will be asking owners of certain 2016 Honda Civic two and four door cars equipped with 1.5L or 2.0L engines, to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the parking brake. According to the defect report, the stability assist electronic control unit software could prevent the electric parking brake from engaging immediately after turning the ignition off. The vehicle could unexpectedly roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. If the parking brake cannot be applied, the brake warning indicator will blink on the instrument panel for 15 seconds to alert the driver.

Dealers will update the vehicle’s software to allow the braking software to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is KC6 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-725.

Certain 2016 Hyundai Tucson vehicles equipped with a 7-speed EcoShift dual clutch transmissions could experience unexpected loss of engine power. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, during higher ambient temperatures and specific operating conditions, the transmission clutch could experience a delay in engagement. If the driver presses the accelerator pedal steadily for approximately 1.5 to 2 seconds, the vehicle will begin to accelerate normally, however, if the accelerator pedal is repeatedly cycled, the vehicle will not move. Continue reading

General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2014-2017 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, about a problem affecting the airbag deployment system. The recall was initiated after a report was filed in GM’s “Seak Up for Safety” system, relating to a fatal crash involving a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado truck. According to the recall report, the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) in certain vehicles may have a software defect which could prevent the deployment of frontal airbags and pretensioners.

The vehicles involved in this recall include:
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Nissan will be contacting the owners of certain 2012-2013 Infiniti M35 hybrid vehicles about a software update affecting the propulsion system. These vehicles are equipped with a power train that warns the driver in the event of a cooling system malfunction. If the warning lamp is ignored and the vehicle continues to be operated, the power train control module logic will shut off the engine to prevent damage. If the engine unexpectedly stops while driving, the brake and steering systems remain operational, however, there is an increased risk of an accident. Continue reading

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain Chrysler, Jeep and RAM vehicles, about a problem affecting their 9-speed automatic transmissions. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, some vehicles may have been built with a trans-axle wire harness with insufficient wire terminal crimps. These crimps could result in a high resistance which will cause the on board diagnostic system to set a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) and shift the vehicle into neutral. Continue reading