Tag Archives: automobile safety defect

2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze May Not Meet Crash Protection Standards

Posted on by

General Motors has decided that certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles may fail to conform to the Federal Safety Standards for crash protection. According to the defect report, a bracket used in the driver and front passenger seat back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat back frame. During a crash, the front seat head restraints could separate, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the front passenger seats inspected and replaced as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 17035 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-057.

2015-2016 Nissan Altima Rear Doors Could Unexpectedly Open

Posted on by

Nissan will be asking owners of certain 2015-2016 Altima vehicles to return to their dealerships to correct a problem affecting the rear door locks. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, Nissan was notified of an incident involving a rear door that unexpectedly opening while the vehicle was in motion. Further investigation found that during the rear door trim panel installation process, the latch lock cable may have been routed incorrectly. Under certain conditions, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and open when the window is lowered.

Nissan will notify owners and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 17V-040.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Airbag Defect

Posted on by

General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles regarding a problem affecting their vehicles airbag safety. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the right-hand rear side airbag may have weak welds on the inflator manifold. In the event of a right-side impact, this defect can cause inflator components to separate and propel debris or hot gas into the interior compartment. It is also possible that the airbag may inflate partially or not at all.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the rear side airbag module replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 16146 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-870.

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.