Tag Archives: manufacturing error

2017 Kia Sorento Engine Crankshaft Failure

Posted on by

Kia will be asking the owners of certain 2017 Kia Sorento vehicles, equipped with 3.3L engines, to return to their dealerships to repair an improperly heat treated crankshaft. According to the defect report, an improperly heat treated crankshaft will produce a cyclic knocking noise from the engine that may result in the illumination of the engine warning lamp. If these warnings are ignored and the vehicle continues to be driven, the crankshaft could fail, the engine vehicle could stall and, under certain conditions, a fire may occur.

Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine sub assembly as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC153 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-586 .

2017 Hyundai Ioniq “Check Electric Vehicle System” Warning

Posted on by

Hyundai will be contacting a small number of 2017 Hyundai Ioniq owners regarding a defect affecting the Electronic Power Control Unit (EPCU) in their car. According to the defect report, the housing for the EPCU may contain small voids that could allow coolant to enter and contact the control unit’s circuit board. If this happens, the board could short and stall the vehicle.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealership to have the EPCU inspected and replaced as necessary. For more information about the problem, owners may contact Hyundai Customer Service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 166 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-532.

Mercedes-Benz ECO Start/Stop Mode Shut Down

Posted on by

Mercedes Benz has determined that certain 2016-2017 GLE43 & GLE43 Coupe vehicles may have engine control unit (ECU) software that is incompatible with the transmission control unit programming.

Rapid and consecutive downshifts during braking could result in the engine speed to drop below the required threshold and shut down. An engine shutdown could also result following a slight tap of the accelerator pedal after a combination of an ECO start and a simultaneous high engine load. The instrument cluster warning lamps will be activated upon engine shut down with and ignition “ON”, indicating to the driver that the vehicle is not in ECO start/stop mode and needs to be restarted manually.

Dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the engine and transmission control unit software. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 17V-506.

Loss of Engine Power In GM Vehicles

Posted on by

General Motors have decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2017-2018 GMC and Chevy front wheel drive vehicles. According to the defect report, the drive shaft supplier’s quality check for metal hardening may have not been calibrated properly, limiting the likelihood of crack detection. If cracks exist, the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly could fracture and separate.

If the drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle could roll-away. The models affected include:

  • 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2017-2018 GMC Acadia
  • 2018 GMC Terrain

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 17329 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-516.

2016 Toyota Avalon & Camry Hybrids – Front End Vibration

Posted on by

Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Avalon & Camry hybrids regarding a problem affecting their vehicles power-train. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the drive shaft may have been assembled incorrectly and the tripod joint snap ring could become dislocated. If this happens, drivers may experience front end vibrations, an inoperative parking brake and a loss of propulsion while driving.

Dealers will inspect the serial number of the vehicle’s drive shaft, replacing any that are affected. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0M and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-462.

2017 Lexus ES350 Steering Wanders

Posted on by

The owners of certain 2017 Lexus ES350 sedans will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the steering system. According to the defect report, a lock nut which secures the right hand side tie rod assembly to the steering gear assembly may have not been properly tightened during the assembly process. If the nut loosens drivers could experience nose from the steering or the vehicle may drift while driving. If the problem is not repaired, the tie rod could separate completely, resulting in loss of steering control.

Dealers will inspect the lock nut and if it is found loose, replace the lock nut, steering gear assembly, and tie rod assembly. Owners wanting more information about the problem may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is HLC and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-415.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Loss Of ABS During Hard Breaking

Posted on by

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Pacifica vans, modified by Vantage Mobility for wheelchair accessibility. According to safety reports, the affected vehicles have rear brake lines that may have been crossed during the modification. This could cause the ABS system to incorrectly read the rear wheel speeds and incorrectly apply ABS. Drivers could experience loss of ABS during hard braking.

Vantage Mobility will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear brake line attachments. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082. Vantage Mobility’s number for this recall is Pac-20170525 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-342.

2016-2017 Toyota Tachoma Engine Stalls And Misfires

Posted on by

The owners of certain 2016-2017 Toyota Tachoma trucks, equipped with a six-cylinder engines, will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the crank position sensor. According to the defect report, some crankshaft rotors may have been produced with an anti-corrosion coating containing a greater concentration of silica which increased the coating thickness. This may cause potential interference with the crank position sensor and could generate a static charge, causing the crank position sensor to malfunction. In this condition, the vehicle may display a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), misfire, or in some instances, stall.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Toyota dealers to have th position sensor replaced with an improved design. 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 H0H and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-356.