Tag Archives: automobile safety defect

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.

Ford & Lincoln Vehicles Affected By Airbag Problem

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Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 32,000 2016-2017 Ford Edge, 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles to replace Takata driver frontal airbag modules. According to the recall report, the affected vehicles have airbags that may not completely fill or the airbag cushion could detach during deployment. This problem is not related to Takata’s recall for airbags that can experience propellant degradation resulting in a potential rupture, but the results can be just as dangerous.

Owners will be asked to return to their dealer to have the driver frontal air bag module replaced. Because parts are not currently available safety recall will be sent out in March 2017 and a second notice will be sent when parts are available. For more information about the problem owners are asked to contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 17C02 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-123.

Excessive Noise & Vibration – Chrysler 300 & Dodge Charger

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2014-2017 Chrysler 300s and 2014-2017 Dodge Chargers regarding a problem affecting their vehicles power train system. According to the defect report, some vehicles equipped with all wheel drive (AWD) may experience loosening of the front prop-shaft bolts. The prop-shaft could completely disconnect while driving, causing damage to the power train and under body components. Drivers may notice excessive noise and vibration in the vehicle prior to a failure.

Owners will be asked to return to their nearest dealership to have all eight front driveshaft bolts replaced. Fore more information about the problem, owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T03 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-097.

2016-2017 Toyota Tundra Damaged Bumper Brackets

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On January 24 2017, Toyota filed a defect report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about a problem affecting certain 2016-2017 Tundra vehicles. The affected trucks are equipped with resin rear step bumpers and reinforcement brackets that could crack if impacted at the corner of the bumper. If a person steps on the corner of the bumper that is damaged, a portion of it may break away, increasing the risk of injury.

Dealers will replace the resin rear bumper reinforcement brackets with steel ones and replace the rear bumper tread. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0C and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-051.