Mercedes Benz (MBUSA) will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 SLK300 cars about a problem affecting the rear wheel suspension. Excessive etching of the locknut between the tie rod and wheel carrier could result in loosening of the screw connection. Although the connection will not completely separate, the reduced tension force may lead to a change of alignment and independent steering of the rear axle. Continue reading

Maserati will be notifying the owners of certain 2014 Ghibli and Quattroporte vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, about a safety problem affecting the powertrain system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the vehicles were manufactured with a gear shift lever which could mislead drivers into believing their transmission is in “Park”. The problem could result in the vehicle unexpectedly rolling away. Continue reading

The occupant classification system (OCS) of certain 2016 Toyota Avalon and 2016 Toyota Camry vehicles may have not been properly calibrated and could fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for occupant crash protection. The problem could result in non-deployment of the front passenger airbag and knee airbag, leaving front seat passengers unprotected during an accident. Continue reading

The owners of certain 2011-2013 Hyundai Equus and 2012 Hyundai Genesis vehicles will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem that could result in reduce drivers visibility. According to the defect report, the subject vehicles are equipped with a windshield wiper motor in which the cover seal could degrade over time and allow corrosion to develop on the wiper circuit board. If the corrosion progresses, the windshield wiper motor could function intermittently and eventually stop. Continue reading

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

General Motors have notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about a safety problem affecting certain 2016 Buick Regal cars. Effective immediately, GM has put a stop delivery on new and used vehicle inventory and will be sending owners notices to return to their dealers for repairs. According to the defect report, the power-steering assist system could fail, increasing the risk to an accident. Continue reading

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

Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Cherokee SUV’s to return to their dealerships for an electrical defect affecting their vehicle for a second time. The wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor could experience a high restive short after having been fixed in a prior recall. This problem is also addressing certain vehicles that have not been remedied under that prior recall. Continue reading