Tag Archives: automobile safety defect

Loss of Engine Power In GM Vehicles

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General Motors have decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2017-2018 GMC and Chevy front wheel drive vehicles. According to the defect report, the drive shaft supplier’s quality check for metal hardening may have not been calibrated properly, limiting the likelihood of crack detection. If cracks exist, the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly could fracture and separate.

If the drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle could roll-away. The models affected include:

  • 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2017-2018 GMC Acadia
  • 2018 GMC Terrain

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 17329 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-516.

2017 Jeep Renegade Inaccurate Warning Indicator Lamps

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Jeep Renegades regarding a problem affecting the instrument panel warning lights on their vehicle. According to the defect report, an integrated circuit chip and software combination could result in one or more illuminated malfunction indicators when no malfunction exists. (The issue is more likely to occur when the fuel indicator is reading “Low”. ) If the malfunction indicator lamps illuminate at incorrect times, drivers may not be aware when a true malfunction occurs.

Dealers will correct the problem by updating the Instrument Panel Control software. Owners wanting more information about the issue can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T50 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-485.

2011-2014 Chrysler Alternator Failure

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Chrysler will be asking certain 2011-2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep owners to return to their dealerships to repair a problems affecting the electrical system. According to the defect report, vehicles equipped with electrohydraulic power steering could experience diode thermal fatigue in the alternator. The problem could result in a rapid failure of the alternator with little or no warning. Depending on the failure mode and timing, system voltage drops could disable systems such as the Antilock Brake System, Electronic Stability Control, Engine Control Module, Central Body Controller or result in a loss of vehicle power. Diodes failing through thermal fatigue may also develop a resistive short that could result in a fire.

The vehicles affected by this recall include:

Dealers will inspect the alternator part number and replacing it as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T36 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-435.

2011-2015 Dodge Journey Airbag Warning

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2011-2015 Dodge Journey SUVs regarding an electrical problem affecting the airbag system. According to the defect report, some vehicles may experience a trapped steering wheel wire harness between the steering wheel back cover tab and the edge of the horn plate. The wire insulation could become damaged, creating a short and an inadvertent airbag deployment. Drivers may be alerted of a problem through an illuminated airbag warning light; unintended wiper operation; inoperable steering wheel switch; inoperable speed control switch; or an inoperable multi-function switch.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the steering wheel wiring inspected and replaced as necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. For more information about the recall, owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T47 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-432.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Loss Of ABS During Hard Breaking

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Pacifica vans, modified by Vantage Mobility for wheelchair accessibility. According to safety reports, the affected vehicles have rear brake lines that may have been crossed during the modification. This could cause the ABS system to incorrectly read the rear wheel speeds and incorrectly apply ABS. Drivers could experience loss of ABS during hard braking.

Vantage Mobility will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear brake line attachments. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082. Vantage Mobility’s number for this recall is Pac-20170525 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-342.

2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Airbag Electrical Problem

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The owners of certain 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravans will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding an electrical problem affecting the airbag system. Some vehicles may experience a trapped steering wheel wire harness between the steering wheel back cover and the horn plate. Over time the wire insulation could wear through and short, resulting in inadvertent deployment of the driver airbag. Warnings that there may be a problem include: Illuminated airbag warning light, unintended wiper operation, inoperable steering wheel switch, inoperable speed control switch, and/or an inoperable multi-function switch.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers who will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel and replace it as necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. For more information about the problem, owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T33 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-376.

2015-2017 Audi A7 Airbag Deployment Problem

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Volkswagen will be contacting the owners of certain 2015-2017 Audi A7‘s because these vehicles may fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) for airbag deployment. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, a production error may have resulted in incorrect folding of the head curtain airbags. This could increase the risk of injury to passengers in the event of an accident.

Audi dealers will correct the problem by replacing the affected head curtain air bags. The recall is expected to begin June 29, 2017. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for the recall is 69R2 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-293.

RAM 1500 Rear Differential Retaining Pin Damage

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Chrysler will be contacting a small number of 2016-2017 RAM 1500 owners regarding a problem affecting their vehicles power train. According to the defect report, the differential retaining screw pin could become loose and contact the bearing cap. If the pin comes out of position, the differential pinion spider gears, the loose screw or the pin itself could make contact with components inside the differential and cause it to break and/or lock up.

Dealers will inspect and replace the differential pin retaining screw in all affected vehicles. If the inspection finds the retaining screw loose or damaged, the entire rear axle assembly will be replaced. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T20 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-198.