Tesla will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Model X crossover SUVs about a safety problem affecting the third row seating. According to the defect report, variations in recliner manufacturing could lead to insufficient tooth engagement and failure to meet the required holding torque specification. In a severe collision the seat could exhibit excessive forward movement, increasing the chance of injury to occupants. Continue reading
2011 Hyundai Sonata Loss Of Power Steering
Hyundai will be sending notices to certain 2011 Sonata owners instructing them to return to their dealership to fix a problem affecting the Electronic Power Steering (EPS). According to the defect report, a change in the manufacturing process of the protective coating on the circuit board in the EPS control unit could result in damage to the circuit board over time. If this happens, drivers may notice an illumination EPS warning lamp accompanied by a loss of steering assist and increased steering effort. Continue reading
2016 Nissan Frontier Starter Motor Electrical Short
Nissan will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Nissan Frontier V6 vehicles about a problem affecting the starter motor wire harness. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the harness may have been installed incorrectly, allowing the harness terminal to contact the heat shield. The resulting electrical short could increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Continue reading
Rupturing Takata Airbag Claims Another Victim
A 17-year-old driver of a 2002 Honda Civic was killed last month after her Takata air bag ruptured during a rear-end crash. This is the 10th known U.S. death in addition to over 100 people that have been injured when their Takata airbags exploded with too much force. Continue reading
Dodge Durango & Jeep Grand Cherokee Reduced Braking Performance
Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2015-2016 Dodge Durango and 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to return to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the braking system. According to the defect report, the left front brake caliper may have been cast from an incorrect material. Under hard braking conditions, the incorrect material could crack and result in increased stopping distances. Drivers may notice brake fluid leakage, illumination of a low brake fluid light and reduced braking performance. Continue reading
2015-2016 Subaru WRX and Forester Engine Stalls
Subaru will be asking the owners of certain 2015-2016 WRX and Forester vehicles to return to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the turbocharger air intake duct. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the manufacturer used the wrong material for a portion of the duct. The difference in material could result in cracking in that area and an engine stall. The problem could result in rough engine idling, reduced engine power, and the “Check Engine Light” may illuminate. Continue reading
2015-2016 Ram 1500 Loss Of Power Steering
The owners of certain 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks could experience an unexpected loss of power steering assist. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, contamination to the top side of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit boards may result in a short of the control circuit components. Drivers could experience an illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), difficult steering at slow speeds, and an intermittent or permanent loss of power steering assist without warning. Continue reading
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Airbag Safety Problem
General Motors has decided that certain 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles have side airbag modules that do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for side impact protection and will be asking owners to return to their dealerships for repairs. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the welds that mount the front and rear side impact airbag inflators to the seat frame could fracture and separate during deployment, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. Continue reading
