If you are the owner of a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, you are probably aware of the repeated problems experienced by many drivers. With over four hundred complaints and eight recalls, this model year Grand Cherokee has gained a reputation as a lemon vehicle. Airbag, electrical, electronic stability control (ECS), vehicle speed control, and brake problems have been blamed for unsafe driving conditions and accidents on several occasions. Continue reading

According to a recent investigation report, the NHTSA have opened a probe into the 2013 recall of certain 2011-2012 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Ambulance package vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engines. In October 2013 these vehicle were recalled due to an exhaust sensor problem that led drivers to experience loss of power followed by an engine stall. To date, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has experienced 30 more complaints affecting vehicles both within and outside the scope of the subject recall. Continue reading

The possibility of a leaking brake line will have some Subaru owners returning to their dealers for repairs. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, due to incomplete repair instructions of Subaru recall bulletin WQK-47 or NHTSA campaign number 14V-311, an inadequate amount of anti-corrosion material may have been applied to the four way joint connector area of the brake line system. Depending on the driving conditions, salt water could splash through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Continue reading

Ford will be asking owners of certain 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car, and 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis to return their vehicles to their dealership to inspect a previous repair. According to the defect report, vehicles repaired under the previous safety recall 13V-385, may have been improperly serviced. As a result, the upper arm intermediate shaft could separate resulting in loss of steering control and an increased chance of an accident. Continue reading

Using publicly available data from the NHTSA, manufacturer early warning reports, and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), The Safety Institute release a list of vehicles which they feel show early signs of potential problems. According to The Safety Institute’s most recent quarterly vehicle safety watch list, released in October 2014, the Toyota Sienna shows repeated problems affecting the power train and suspension. Continue reading

If you are the owner of a 2013 Dodge Dart and you think it could be a lemon, you are not alone. According to information on the NHTSA website, there are over 150 complaints against this vehicle. The top problems include the power train, engines, brakes, and an assortment of electrical issues. Owners say they have returned to their dealership several times for repairs, but the defects are still not fixed. Continue reading

The owner of a 2010 Jaguar KF contacted us in October 2010 about problems she was having with her new car. She purchased the vehicle in December 2009 and had already given a Jaguar dealer at least six (6) opportunities to correct defects. These flaws included electrical system problems, a defective computer system, no start condition, defective instrument cluster, defective lighting system, defective water pump, and the SES light remains on. Continue reading

According to reports filed with the NHTSA, certain 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUV’s could experience an increased chance of vanity lamp overheating after receiving a service repair which requires gaining access above the headliner.

On March 2011, Chrysler opened an investigation as the result of customer complaints of thermal damage in the sun visor area. It was determined that during installation of a previous repair, the sun visor screws could be driven through one of the unsecured vanity lamp wiring circuits creating a resistive short to ground. If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire. Continue reading