Daimler AG has determined that certain 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE450 Coupe 292 platform vehicles have an issue with the engine control unit (ECU). According to the defect report, the engine control software might cause the engine to unexpectedly shut down while braking. The driver may interpret the shut down as a planned ECO start/stop, but the engine will not restart automatically and will require the driver to restart the vehicle manually. Depending on the traffic situation, an unintentional engine shut-down could increase the risk of a crash.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the ECU software updated. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-440.

Certain 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4Matic vehicles could experience a loss of power steering assist. According to the defect report, an incorrect torque sensor control calculation may cause a software issue that could lead to temporary deactivation of the power steering assist. The problem will result in increased steering effort, a warning message in the instrument cluster, and an audible warning chime. Continue reading

General Motors has announced that certain 2013-2016 Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, and Trax vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media (BYOM) radio may not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for theft and roll away prevention. According to the defect report, under certain situations, the radio software could fail to provide an audible warning to the driver that the keys have been left in the ignition. Without audible indicators the risk of theft is increased. Continue reading

The owners of certain 2015-2016 Volkswagen e-Golf electric vehicles will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem that could lead to sudden unexpected shutdown. Under certain conditions, oversensitive diagnostics in the battery management system may classify a brief internal electrical current surge as a critical battery condition. This could cause an emergency shutdown which will deactivates the vehicle’s electrical drive motor. Continue reading

Nissan will be contacting the owners of certain 2013-2015 Nissan Leaf vehicles about a problem that could result in extended braking distances. According to the defect report, the relay inside the electronic brake booster could freeze in cold temperatures. If this occurs, the vehicle will illuminate the brake warning lamp and the system will set to “assist mode”. More pedal effort and increased braking distances could increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Dodge Dart vehicles about a software problem affecting vehicles with 2.0L engines and a manual transmission. Also included, are certain 2015 Dodge Dart vehicles similarly equipped and brought in for dealer service between September 15, 2015 and January 12, 2016.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles may be missing the second layer redundant torque security software in the powertrain control module. Without a backup layer of software, the control module may fail to prevent an un-commanded torque event which could increase the risk of an accident. (During an un-commanded torque event, the operator of the vehicle will still be able to override the problem through either the clutch and/or the service brakes.) Continue reading

General Motors has decided that certain 2016 Chevrolet and GMC vehicles have a radio that may not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for theft protection, roll away prevention and/or occupant crash protection. The radio software feature that checks for an open driver’s door and requests a chime may end before the radio completes its “start-up” routine. Both the key reminder chime and seat belt reminder chime will not play if that occurs. An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury during an accident and a key left in the ignition increases the chance of theft. Continue reading

Some 2016 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine, hydraulic brake boost compensation and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) could experience a loss of ECS due to a software glitch. The affected vehicles have an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) control module that may not reset the ESC to active status if the key is turned off and back on within 10 seconds. If the vehicle operator does not notice that the “ESC Off” indicator is illuminating on in the cluster the vehicle may be driven without ESC engaged. Continue reading