Tag Archives: manufacturing error

2015-2017 Audi A7 Airbag Deployment Problem

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Volkswagen will be contacting the owners of certain 2015-2017 Audi A7‘s because these vehicles may fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) for airbag deployment. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, a production error may have resulted in incorrect folding of the head curtain airbags. This could increase the risk of injury to passengers in the event of an accident.

Audi dealers will correct the problem by replacing the affected head curtain air bags. The recall is expected to begin June 29, 2017. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for the recall is 69R2 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-293.

2017 Buick Lacrosse Suspension Toe Link Assemblies

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General Motors have announced that certain 2017 Buick Lacrosse vehicles may have a problem relating to motor vehicle safety. According to the defect report, the rear suspension toe links may have been installed incorrectly and could allow the outboard attachment bolt to loosen and fall out. If a rear-suspension toe-link becomes disconnected the driver may lose the ability to control the vehicle, especially at higher speeds.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealer to have the left and right rear suspension toe-link assemblies inspected and correctly installation as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Buick’s customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM’s number for this recall is 17168 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-267.

2016 Tesla Model S & Model X Parking Brake Warnings

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Tesla will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Model S and Model X sports cars about a manufacturing problem affecting the braking system. According to the defect report, the Brembo electric parking brake calipers on some Tesla vehicles may have been improperly manufactured and could fracture. If this gear fractures, the electric motor will be unable to move the brake pad and the parking brake caliber will not release. When attempting to release the parking brake, an alert will appear that reads “Parking Brake Did Not Release – Contact Tesla Service.” When applying the brake, an alert will appear that reads “Parking Brake Needs Service – Car May Be Free Rolling.”

Those receiving notices can return to their Tesla service center to have the electric parking brake calipers replaced. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-17-33-002 and the NHTSA campaign number is 170-260.

2017 Volvo Seat Side Airbag Problem

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A small number of 2017 Volvo owners will be returning to their dealerships for a problem affecting the driver and front passenger seat side airbags. According to the defect report, the generant mix ratio in some of the initiators may be out of specification. The problem could result in non-deployment of the airbags during a crash.

The vehicles affected include:

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat side air bags as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo’s number for this recall is R89712 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-127. (Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-918.)

2017 Buick LaCrosse Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Warning

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General Motors has decided that a defect affecting vehicle safety exists in certain 2017 Buick LaCrosse vehicles.

According to the defect report, the terminal cables carrying ground and/or power to the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) connectors could have seals that were poorly crimped. The poor crimps make it difficult to fully seat those cables and could allow water to enter and corrode the connector. Drivers could experience an EPS warning light on the instrument panel, a chime will sounds to alert the driver and the vehicle will become difficult to steer.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have their vehicles inspected and the problem corrected. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM’s number for this recall is 17085 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-116.

Excessive Noise & Vibration – Chrysler 300 & Dodge Charger

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2014-2017 Chrysler 300s and 2014-2017 Dodge Chargers regarding a problem affecting their vehicles power train system. According to the defect report, some vehicles equipped with all wheel drive (AWD) may experience loosening of the front prop-shaft bolts. The prop-shaft could completely disconnect while driving, causing damage to the power train and under body components. Drivers may notice excessive noise and vibration in the vehicle prior to a failure.

Owners will be asked to return to their nearest dealership to have all eight front driveshaft bolts replaced. Fore more information about the problem, owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T03 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-097.

2016 Mercedes Benz GL & GLE Improper Wheel Tracking

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Daimler will be contacting the owners of certain Mercedes Benz GL and GLE vehicles, regarding a problem affecting their vehicles suspension system. According to the defect report, it is possible that an improper torque connection could exist between the upper control arm and the axle stub. The problem could result in improper wheel tracking and an increased risk of a crash.

The vehicles affected by this problem includes:

  • 2016 Mercedes Benz GL450
  • 2016 Mercedes Benz GLE350
  • 2016 Mercedes Benz GL3450

Dealers will inspect the tightness of the bolt between the upper control arm and axle stub, replacing the upper control arm as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

2015-2016 Nissan Altima Rear Doors Could Unexpectedly Open

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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.