Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Ford Explorer and 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and block heaters, about a problem that could result in an engine fire. According to the defect report, the design of the block heater area, coupled with the engine installation angle and the length of the block heater element, could result in overheating. Drivers may notice engine coolant leaks, an illuminated check engine light, poor vehicle heater performance and /or heat damage to the electrical connector on the engine block heater. Continue reading
Category Archives: California Lemon Law
Does Your Vehicle Have A Safety Defect?
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was established in 1966 to give the Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) authority to issue and enforce vehicle safety standards. These standards set minimum performance requirements for those parts of the vehicle that affect its safe operation (brakes, tires, lighting) or that protect drivers and passengers from death or serious injury (air bags, safety belts, child restraints, energy absorbing steering columns, motorcycle helmets). Federal Standards are applicable to all vehicles and vehicle-related equipment manufactured or imported for sale in the United States and certified for use on public roads and highways. Continue reading
2015-2016 Jeep Renegade Rear Suspension May Shift
A small number of 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade owners will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem affecting the suspension in their vehicles. According to the defect report, certain Daystar aftermarket replacement rear control arm brackets, included in 2015-2016 Jeep Renegade 1.5″ spacer kit (part KJ09168BK), may have improper or incomplete welds on the top flange on the rear control arm bracket. The problem could result in the rear axle shifting while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. The problem will be accompanied by noise and a sagging rear suspension at the wheel well. Continue reading
2015 Chrysler 200 Improper Airbag Deployment
Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2015 Chrysler 200 cars to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the airbag deployment system. The affected vehicles have had the Occupant Classification Module (OCM) or the Seat Cushion Foam (SCF) of the front passenger seat replaced during service work. If both pieces were not replaced together, the occupant detection and classification system may not be properly calibrated and the passenger air bag could improperly deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Continue reading
2013- 2014 Ford F-150 Investigated For Brake Fluid Leaks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) have opened an investigation (PE16-003) into brake fluid leaks in certain 2013- 2014 Ford F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L engines. There have been approximately 35 driver reports of reduced braking due to brake fluid leaks from the master cylinder into the brake booster. The complaints allege symptoms of brake pedal going to the floor with complete loss of brake effectiveness, an illuminated brake warning lamp, and/or low or empty master cylinder reservoir fluid level with no visible leakage. Continue reading
2016 Honda Civic Engine Could Seize Due To Manufacturing Error
Honda will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Honda Civic vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines to notifying them of a manufacturing error that could result in a seized engine. According to the defect report, the piston assembly may have been built with a missing or misset piston pin circlip. Vibrations from the engine may cause the pis to become displaced and interfere with the engine cylinder wall. If the engine seizes it will cause loss of motive power and potential engine block damage. Continue reading
Mazda CX-5 Fuel Line Could Rupture
The owners of certain 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles may be driving vehicles which fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, “Fuel System Integrity”. According to reports, these vehicles were manufactured with a fuel filler pipe that could, under certain impact crashes, rupture and spill fuel exceeding the limits allowed by the FMVSS. The problem could increase the risk of a vehicle fire and injury to occupants. Continue reading
Takata Airbag Recall Affects Another 5 Million U.S. Vehicles
The NHTSA announced last week that an additional five million vehicles will be added to the Takata airbag recall, bringing the total number of vehicles affected in the United States to almost 19 million. The new list will affect automakers not previously included in the recall, including Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. The NHTSA have prioritized the replacement of the defective air bag inflators to ensure they are replaced quickly and addressing the highest risks first. Continue reading
