Mercedes Benz will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 SLK300 roadster vehicles equipped with nine-speed automatic transmissions, about an electrical problem that could affect the transmission and parking brake. According to the defect report, the backup power supply for the ignition switch may have not been properly connected. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power from the main battery, the transmission will not shift into “Park” and the electric parking brake cannot be applied. Without the backup power supply, the only way to keep the vehicle from moving is to press the brake pedal. Drivers attempting to exit the vehicle in this situation should take precaution as the vehicle could roll. Continue reading
Tag Archives: automobile safety defect
Chevy, Infiniti & Nissan Inaccurate Airbag Classification
Certain 2013-2017 Chevrolet, Infiniti and Nissan owners will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem affecting the airbag deployment system. The front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy or could deploy incorrectly during a crash. Continue reading
Chrysler Power Train Software Problem
Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles about a power train software problem. The affected models are equipped with 8 speed transmissions and a monostable gear selector. According to the defect report, the software used to warn drivers exiting the vehicle, that their vehicle is not in “Park”, may not adequately warn the driver. Drivers thinking that their vehicle’s transmission is in the “Park” position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged. Continue reading
Mazda Cars Could Experience A Loss Of Steering
A small number of Mazda car owners will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem affecting the steering system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, during installation of the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle, the lower mounting nuts and bolts may have been insufficiently tightened. The bolts could loosen resulting in an increasing rattle noise over time. If the problem is not repaired, the front strut assembly and steering knuckle could completely separate. Drivers could experience a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading
Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Seat Belt Problem
General Motors have announced a safety defect relating to seat belts exists in certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. According to reports, in certain vehicles and seating positions, the seat-belt tensioner could move into a position forward of the seat back bolster. This allows the occupant to sit on top of it in a sliding motion while entering the vehicle. This action can bend the cable at a severe angle over the seat-side shield, and over time may cause the cable to fatigue. During an accident, the fatigued tensioner cable could separate, increasing the risk of injury to the driver. Continue reading
2016 Toyota Sienna Seat Belts Could Separate
Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Toyota Sienna vehicles about a problem that could leave occupants unsecured during a collision. The subject vehicles may have been equipped with an incorrect front seat belt height adjuster. In the event of a collision with significant loads, there is a possibility that the stresses could cause the adjuster to separate, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. Continue reading
2016 Tesla Model X Rear Seat Safety Defect
Tesla will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Model X crossover SUVs about a safety problem affecting the third row seating. According to the defect report, variations in recliner manufacturing could lead to insufficient tooth engagement and failure to meet the required holding torque specification. In a severe collision the seat could exhibit excessive forward movement, increasing the chance of injury to occupants. Continue reading
2011 Hyundai Sonata Loss Of Power Steering
Hyundai will be sending notices to certain 2011 Sonata owners instructing them to return to their dealership to fix a problem affecting the Electronic Power Steering (EPS). According to the defect report, a change in the manufacturing process of the protective coating on the circuit board in the EPS control unit could result in damage to the circuit board over time. If this happens, drivers may notice an illumination EPS warning lamp accompanied by a loss of steering assist and increased steering effort. Continue reading
