General Motors has decided that certain 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS vehicles equipped with power operated roof panel systems may fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. They will be contacting owners to return to their dealerships for repairs. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the overhead roof console accessory switch trim plate may have switches that are not fully recessed in the panel. The switches could inadvertently be pressed resulting in an unexpected sunroof closure. Although the roof panel does have an auto reverse feature to prevent injury from unintended closure, it may not protect against all injuries. Continue reading
Tag Archives: safety defect
2015 Nissan Rogue, Sentra, and Versa Door Latch Problem
Nissan will be sending notices to certain 2015 Rogue, Sentra, and Versa Note owners, regarding a problem with left hand door latch mechanisms. According to the defect report, some door latch mounting plates may have been manufactured out of specification. Binding of the ratchet mechanism which captures the door striker as the door closes could result in the door not fully latching and opening while driving. Occupants not wearing seat belts could fall out and/or the distraction could increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading
2015 Ferrari Airbag Safety Defect
A safety defect affecting certain 2015 Ferrari sports cars will have owners returning to their dealership for repairs.
According to reports on the NHTSA website, a combination of insufficient gluing of the leather skin of the driver’s air bag module cover to the plastic base and an improper orientation of the air bag cushion could result in the airbag deploying in a rotated orientation. This safety defect could increase the risk of occupant injuries or death in the event of front or rear collision. Continue reading
Mercedes Benz Incorrectly Installed Fuses
Mercedes Benz will be asking a small number of 2014 CLA250 and CL45 AMG coupe owners to return to their dealership for a manufacturing error affecting the electrical system.
Due to a deviation of the production process at the supplier, one or more fuses may have been improperly seated in the fuse holder and could become dislodged over time due to vibrations. In the event of a loss of electrical contact the passenger seat occupancy recognition, the passenger side airbag indicator lamp, the instrument cluster, and the windshield wipers could unexpectedly stop working. Continue reading
2014-2015 Audi SQ5 Steering Motor Sensor Fault
Volkswagen will be asking the owners of certain 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 vehicles to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the steering motor sensor. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the affected cars have an electric power steering assist system that could experience a steering motor sensor fault as the result of cold ambient temperatures. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, drivers will be alerted with a power steering warning light and extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds. The problem could increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Continue reading
Chevy Spark & Sonic Loss Of Warning Chimes
General Motors have announced that certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles may fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 114 S5.1.3, “Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention” and to FMVSS 208 S7.3, “Occupant Crash Protection.”
The radio software in these vehicles may cause the radio to lock up. The radio display will go blank and stops playing all audio functions, including vehicle chimes related to warnings for key left in ignition and driver safety belt not in use. In addition to the vehicle chime malfunction, the radio may not turn off, causing battery drain and a potential no start condition. Continue reading
2013-2015 Fiat 500 Unexpectedly Shifts To Neutral
In April 2015, Fiat’s Vehicle Safety And Regulatory Compliance deportment began an investigation into certain 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles after receiving warranty reports of loss of driving power. A review of the problem found that rapid operation of the cruise control speed adjustment switch or accelerator pedal application, while in cruise control, may set a diagnostic trouble code in the Elective Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU). This code will will force the vehicle into safe mode and automatically shift the vehicle into neutral. Once the fault code is set, a key cycle is required to allow the vehicle to shift out of neutral. Continue reading
2015 Chevy Colorado & GMC Canyon Brake Defect
General Motors (GM) have decided that a defect related to vehicle safety exists in certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon trucks. The problem could result in longer brake pedal travel and stopping distances, increasing the risk of an accident. Continue reading
