With the beginning of 2016, California enacted new laws affecting the day-to-day operations of California residents. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) are reminding everyone that several of these laws will directly affect transportation. SB 491 (Earbuds & Headsets) is one notable law that makes it illegal to wear a headset covering, earplugs in, or earphones covering, resting on, or inserted in, both ears, while operating a motor vehicle or a bicycle. (This law does not apply to persons operating authorized emergency vehicles, construction equipment and refuse or waste equipment while wearing a headset or safety earplugs.) Continue reading
Repeated Repair Attempts For Dodge Durango & Jeep Grand Cherokee
Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Cherokee SUV’s to return to their dealerships for an electrical defect affecting their vehicle for a second time. The wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor could experience a high restive short after having been fixed in a prior recall. This problem is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall. Continue reading
BMW Steering Gearbox Defect
BMW will be asking the owners of certain 2016 BMW X1 and 2016 Mini Cooper vehicles to return to their dealership to repair a problem affecting the steering system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, certain steering gearboxes were assembled with incorrect parts. Over time, the gearbox could malfunction causing loss of vehicle handling and control. Continue reading
2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Low Pressure Fuel Line Leak
Ferrari will be contacting a small number of 2016 488 GTB owners about a problem affecting the low pressure fuel line in their vehicles. According to the defect report, an improper coating treatment could cause in the low pressure fuel line connection to leak during the engine start phase. Leaking fuel into the engine compartment could result in smoke and/or an engine fire. Continue reading
California Rejects VW Recall Plan For Faked Emissions
California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulators have rejected Volkswagen’s recall proposal for repairs to its emissions cheating diesel vehicles saying it lacks sufficient detail and does not adequately address the overall impacts on vehicle performance, emissions and safety. According to CARB, the recall plan
- needs to identify which vehicles are affected.
- must include a sufficient method of obtaining the car owners’ names and address.
- does not include adequate information on how the fix would affect future emissions results.
The rejection concerns VW’s 2.0L diesel engines with a proposal for the 3.0L engines due in February. In a statement, VW said it will continue to work with both state and federal regulators and the rejection of its recall plan does not mean a recall will not be issued.
2015 Ford Mustang Loss Of Rear Brakes
Ford will be asking a small number of 2015 Ford Mustang owners to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the braking system. During installation of the Roush Extreme Duty Half Shafts, the caliper guide pin bolts may have not been torqued to the proper specification. The loose caliper guide pin bolt could result in unusual noises from the rear wheels and partial loss of the rear braking system. Continue reading
2015 Jeep Compass & Patriot Steering Fluid Leak
Chrysler will be contacting approximately sixty thousand 2015 Jeep Compass and Patriot owners about a manufacturing problem affecting the steering system. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles may have been built with a power steering retention clamp that was incorrectly placed. If the hose detaches, a large volume of power steering fluid could be lost, resulting in reduced braking and a potential vehicle fire. Continue reading
2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra ESC Sensor Malfunction
Hyundai will be notifying owners of certain 2011-2012 Elantras, about a problem affecting the electronic stability control (ESC) system. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the vehicles are equipped with an ESC system that utilized input signals from various sourced throughout the vehicle. One of these sensors could send a signal that results in (1) inadvertent ECS system intervention, (2) illumination of the ESC indicator lamp in the instrument cluster, and (3) a diagnostic code for the yaw sensor stored in the ESC control module. The problem could result in inappropriately applied brakes and loss of vehicle control. Continue reading
