Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2009-2016 Dodge Journey owners about a problem affect the power steering assist. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the power steering return hose could rupture at engine start up after exposure to cold temperatures. Loss of power steering assist will require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and an increased risk of an accident. Continue reading
2016 Chevy Malibu Loss Of ABS And ESC
General Motors (GM) will be contacting a small number of 2016 Chevrolet Malibu owners because their vehicles may fail to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for Electronic Stability Control. According to the defect report, the memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) could fail and cause loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ECS). The vehicle could become difficult to control in situations where these brake systems would normally be engaged and the driver information center (DIC) will display a message indicating to service stability control, traction control, or both. This condition does not affect the primary braking system; the service brakes will continue to operate normally. Continue reading
2014 Jeep Cherokee Buyback For Repeated Repair Attempts
The owner of a 2014 Jeep Cherokee, bought in April 2014, started experiencing problems almost immediately following his purchase. When he contacted the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates for advice, he had already given his FCA dealer eight (8) repair opportunities. The vehicles problems included a defective TCM, defective PCM, defective OCR module, check engine light remains on, loss of power, no acceleration and a transmission that hesitates and lunges. 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
Chevy Sonic, Spark & Trax BYOM Software Update
General Motors has announced that certain 2013-2016 Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, and Trax vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media (BYOM) radio may not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for theft and roll away prevention. According to the defect report, under certain situations, the radio software could fail to provide an audible warning to the driver that the keys have been left in the ignition. Without audible indicators the risk of theft is increased. 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
