Tag Archives: automobile safety defect

Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Seat Belt Safety

Posted on by

Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles regarding a problem that could cause the front seat belt anchor cable to fail. According to the defect report, the strength of the cable can be degraded due to internal pretensioner temperatures created during deployment. If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury during a crash.

Owners will be notified of the safety issue beginning on January 20, 2017, and a second notice will be mailed when parts become available. For more information about the problem, owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 16S42 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-875.

2011-2016 Toyota Sienna Sliding Door May Unexpectedly Open

Posted on by

A safety defect will have certain 2011-2016 Toyota Sienna owners returning to their dealership for repairs. The subject vehicles are equipped with power sliding doors which rely on certain inputs to open or close the door. There is a possibility that, under certain conditions which impede the opening of the door, such as when the door becomes frozen with ice, the sliding door motor could stall when the door is operated. If the motor stalls, high current in the door motor circuit could be generated, operating the fuse for the door motor. If the fuse is operated with the sliding door latch mechanism in an unlatched position, the door could open while driving.

Owners will be mailed an interim notice for this defect because a remedy is still under development. 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 G04 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-858.

2017 Jeep Wrangler Cracked Control Valve

Posted on by

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles regarding a problem affecting the fuel system. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with a fuel tank that has a cracked or broken control valve. The problem could result in a fuel leak during a rollover event, debris in the fuel tank and/or the potential of over fueling the vehicle. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Jeep dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace fuel tank and sending unit 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 S90 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-849.

Volvo Seat Belt Safety Defect

Posted on by

Volvo will be contacting the owners of certain 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles regarding a problem affecting the front passenger seat belt. According to the defect report, the seat belt buckle was not punched correctly and could separate from the bracket. If the seat belt separates, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash,

Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud and place it as necessary. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo’s number for this recall is R89708 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-798.

2017 Subaru Legacy & Outback Safety Restraint Defect

Posted on by

A small number of 2017 Subaru Legacy and 2017 Subaru Outback owners will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the safety restraint system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the knee guard bracket may have been misaligned with the steering beam at the time of welding. If the bracket has not been properly attached, the knee guard may not restrain the occupant under certain conditions.

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding, replacing the beam as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru’s number for this recall is WTL-72 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-716.

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Tow Bracket May Loosen

Posted on by

Chrysler will be contacting a small number of 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners about a problem affecting the equipment on their vehicles. In the affected Grand Cherokee’s, the rear tow hook bracket or tow eye bracket may not have been tightened sufficiently. If the tow bracket is loose it could separate from the vehicle, possibly becoming a road hazard or could result in a loss of control of the tow vehicle. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect both tow hook bracket bolts and tighten them ass 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 S73 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-686.

2012-2013 Audi A6 and A7 Fuel Smell

Posted on by

Volkswagen has determined that certain 2012-2013 Audi A6 and A7 vehicles may have a defect affecting the fuel line system. According to the technical investigation, the hold function of the under hood fuel pump could fail and cause the under hood fuel hose to become porous and leak. A fuel leak may result in a noticeable fuel smell and a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Audi will notify owners and dealers will replace the under hood fuel pump and fuel hose. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 24BZ and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-646.

2017 Porsche Macan Oversteers Under Certain Driving Conditions

Posted on by

Porsche will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Macan sports cars about a problem that could lead to a loss of vehicle control. There is a possibility that the front anti-roll bar was fitted with defective connecting links that may allow the bushings to move out of the connecting link eyes. This can cause a rattling noise and could lead to the anti-roll bar to stop functioning during extreme driving maneuvers.

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front anti-rollbar links and replace them as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche’s number for this recall is AG06 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-680.