Chrysler will be notifying the owners of certain 2015 Chrysler 200 vehicles about an electrical problem affecting their cars. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the Power Distribution Center (PDC) electrical connector may have been manufactured with spread terminals that could have an intermittent connection between the connector and the PDC. An intermittent loss of power to electrical components could cause a vehicle to stall or go into neutral without warning. Continue reading
Tag Archives: electrical problem
Mercedes Benz Incorrectly Installed Fuses
Mercedes Benz will be asking a small number of 2014 CLA250 and CL45 AMG coupe owners to return to their dealership for a manufacturing error affecting the electrical system.
Due to a deviation of the production process at the supplier, one or more fuses may have been improperly seated in the fuse holder and could become dislodged over time due to vibrations. In the event of a loss of electrical contact the passenger seat occupancy recognition, the passenger side airbag indicator lamp, the instrument cluster, and the windshield wipers could unexpectedly stop working. Continue reading
Nissan Cube, Juke, & Versa Unexpected Engine Shutdown
Due to a manufacturing issue, Nissan will be asking owners of certain 2013-2014 Cube, 2013-2014 Juke, and 2014 Versa vehicles to return to their dealerships for repairs. According to the defect report, the casting of the ignition immobilizer antenna housing may not meet design specifications and could shrink when exposed to hot temperatures. Under rare circumstances, the start/stop button could become stuck in a halfway depressed position and electrical components within the button could contact repeatedly, initiating an emergency engine shut off procedure. Continue reading
2012 Subaru Impreza Passenger Airbag Could Deactivate
An electrical problem affecting certain 2012 Subaru Impreza four door cars will have 32,400 owners returning to their dealership for repairs. The affected vehicles are equipped with a capacitance type Occupant Detection Systems (ODS) in the front passenger seat.
According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, if the passenger is using a device plugged into the accessory power outlet and/or touches a grounded metal part of the vehicle, while the ODS is on, the occupant control unit (OCU) may falsely register an abnormally high rise in the occupant’s capacitance. This could result in deactivation of the ODS. If this happens, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be stored in the vehicle’s memory, (B1650, B1760 and/or B1761), the airbag warning light will illuminate, and the passenger air bag indicator will illuminate “OFF”. Continue reading
Mitsubishi Lancer & Outlander Safety Defects
Mitsubishi has launched two separate safety campaigns affecting certain Lancer and Outlander vehicles manufactured between 2009-2011.
Safety Campaign 15V-232 (SR-15-002): An inappropriate manufacturing process of certain electrical parts within the ETACS ECU may result in a high electrical resistance and unstable voltage within the system. Loss of headlights, windshield wipers, and tail lights could result, reducing drivers visibility, and increasing the risk of an accident. Drivers will be warned of an ETACS malfunction through an illuminating engine and/or brake warning lamp. Continue reading
2015 Volkswagen Jetta Insufficient Exterior Lighting
Certain 2015 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles with low line electrical architecture and halogen headlights may not conform to FMVSS 108 (Lamps, Reflective Devices, And Associated Equipment). According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the software within the control module is programmed to turn off the low beam headlights when the high beams are activated. This noncompliance could cause insufficient lighting, reducing the driver’s vision and increasing the chance of an accident. Continue reading
2015 Dodge Challenger Loss Of Dashboard Lights
Approximately twelve thousand 2015 Dodge Challenger owners will be contacted by Chrysler to return to their dealership for an instrument cluster software update. Due to an undersized microprocessor circuit trace, the current software in these vehicles could cause the instrument panel to reset and fail to perform a “bulb check” at start-up. The result would be an inoperative instrument cluster at start up that may last several minutes, the Vehicle Theft Alarm will remain illuminated, and the gauges may oscillate at zero. If the cluster becomes inoperative while driving, it could increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading
Hyundai Equus & Genesis Brake Light Problem
Hyundai will be asking the owners of certain 2011 Equus and 2009–2011 Genesis cars to return their vehicles to a manufacturer approved repair facility for a safety problem affecting the braking system. According to reports filed with the NHTSA website, diode failure within the stop lamp circuit could result in the lights becoming inoperative. If the stop lamps are not working, a following vehicle may not recognize that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the chance of a rear end crash. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Hyundai customer service at 1-714-865-3920. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 125 and the NHTSA Campaign number is 14V713.
