The owners of certain 2011-2014 Dodge Charger sedans will be contacted by Chrysler about a problem that could lead to unexpected airbag deployment. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module calibration may be overly sensitive and could activate the side curtain and seat air bags while driving on rough roads or with a door slam. Continue reading
Category Archives: Lemon Alert
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
Nissan Cube, Juke, & Versa Unexpected Engine Shutdown
Due to a manufacturing issue, Nissan will be asking owners of certain 2013-2014 Cube, 2013-2014 Juke, and 2014 Versa vehicles to return to their dealerships for repairs. According to the defect report, the casting of the ignition immobilizer antenna housing may not meet design specifications and could shrink when exposed to hot temperatures. Under rare circumstances, the start/stop button could become stuck in a halfway depressed position and electrical components within the button could contact repeatedly, initiating an emergency engine shut off procedure. Continue reading
Acura MDX A/C Clutch Bolt Failure
A manufacturing error affecting certain 2014-2015 Acura MDX and MDX AWD vehicles will have approximately 106,439 owners returning to their dealership for repairs.
According to reports, during manufacturing of the A/C compressor clutch drive bolts, certain lots failed to receive the proper dielectric topcoat. As a result, the bolts are more susceptible to corrosion and could break during operation. In addition, some bolt lots did not receive sufficient curing of the e-coat which could result in low torque values and low hardness. The bolts could loosen and fall off during operation. 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
2016 Volvo XC90 Seat Belt Wiring Defect
Volvo have announced a safety defect affecting the airbags in a small number of 2016 Volvo XC90 luxury crossover SUV’s. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the electrical wiring for the front seat Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) may have been assembled incorrectly, increasing the risk of damage to the wiring insulation. If this happens, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light will illuminate and the vehicle diagnostic system will alert the driver with a “SRS Airbag Service Urgent, Drive to workshop” warning. Continue reading
2012 Subaru Impreza Passenger Airbag Could Deactivate
An electrical problem affecting certain 2012 Subaru Impreza four door cars will have 32,400 owners returning to their dealership for repairs. The affected vehicles are equipped with a capacitance type Occupant Detection Systems (ODS) in the front passenger seat.
According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, if the passenger is using a device plugged into the accessory power outlet and/or touches a grounded metal part of the vehicle, while the ODS is on, the occupant control unit (OCU) may falsely register an abnormally high rise in the occupant’s capacitance. This could result in deactivation of the ODS. If this happens, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be stored in the vehicle’s memory, (B1650, B1760 and/or B1761), the airbag warning light will illuminate, and the passenger air bag indicator will illuminate “OFF”. Continue reading
