An investigation into gear shifters problems, suspected to be linked to the death of Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin, has been closed by the NHTSA following a recall issued by Chrysler. The vehicles affected are equipped with an 8 speed transmission and a monostable gear selector and include:

According to the defect report, drivers may not be adequately alerted when they exit the vehicle and the transmission is not in the “Park” position. Drivers could be struck and injured if they get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged. Continue reading

Hyundai will be asking the owners of certain 2016 Hyundai Tucson vehicles to return to their dealerships to repair a problem that could cause a dangerous driving situation. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the secondary hood latch may not adequately secure the hood. If the primary hood latch has been inadvertently released while the vehicle is being driven, the hood could unexpectedly open. Continue reading

The owners of certain 2016 Jeep Cherokees will be contacted by Chrysler regarding a problem affecting the powertrain system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the vehicles were assembled with halfshafts incorrectly manufactured with low surface and high core hardness. These halfshafts could fracture without warning and lead to loss of motive power in front wheel drive vehicles, road debris, as well as damage to nearby components. Continue reading

The owners of certain 20132014 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles will be receiving notices about an electrical problem affecting the braking system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the stop lamp switch may have been installed incorrectly and could make intermittent contact causing the relay to stick in the ON position. The problem may cause the stop lamps to remain illuminated and the brake-shift interlock to become inoperative. This could increase the risk of a crash, or risk of a roll away if the vehicle is inadvertently shifted out of the Park position. Continue reading

Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2012-2016 Fiat 500 and 2013-2016 Fiat 500E vehicles to return to their dealerships to repair two separate problems that could result in loss of motive power.

2012-2016 Fiat 500: These vehicles are equipped with a C514 manual transmission which could experience a cracked or damaged clutch diaphragm spring. If the spring fails the driver will not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power. Continue reading

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2009-2016 Dodge Journey owners about a problem affect the power steering assist. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the power steering return hose could rupture at engine start up after exposure to cold temperatures. Loss of power steering assist will require extra steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and an increased risk of an accident. Continue reading

Chrysler (FCA) will be asking the owners of certain 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee‘s to return to their dealership for a problem that could leave their vehicle stopped and unable to move. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the affected Grand Cherokee’s may have been built with a brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) solenoid wire harness that was incorrectly crimped. If electrical connection is lost to the solenoid, the transmission shifter may unexpectedly become locked in “park” or “neutral”. Continue reading

Subaru will be repairing approximately fifty thousand 2016-2017 Legacy and 2015-2017 Outback vehicles for a manufacturing error affecting the steering. According to the defect report, the incorrect setting of a tool used in production of the steering column could result in an improper machining condition. As a result, the steering column shaft may not engage leaving the steering wheel to freely rotate and loss of steering ability. Continue reading