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

Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2012-2015 RAM trucks to return to their dealerships for repairs to the airbag system, under two separate safety defects.

  • The first recall affects certain 2012-2014 RAM 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) option. In the affected vehicles, the steering wheel wiring harness may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring. The problem could result in an electrical short that could cause the driver’s frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Chrysler’s number for this recall is R36 and the NHTSA Campaign number is 15V-459.
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The owners of certain 2011-2014 Dodge Charger sedans will be contacted by Chrysler about a problem that could lead to unexpected airbag deployment. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module calibration may be overly sensitive and could activate the side curtain and seat air bags while driving on rough roads or with a door slam. Continue reading

Volkswagen will be asking the owners of certain 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 vehicles to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the steering motor sensor. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the affected cars have an electric power steering assist system that could experience a steering motor sensor fault as the result of cold ambient temperatures. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, drivers will be alerted with a power steering warning light and extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds. The problem could increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Continue reading

General Motors have announced that certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles may fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 114 S5.1.3, “Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention” and to FMVSS 208 S7.3, “Occupant Crash Protection.”

The radio software in these vehicles may cause the radio to lock up. The radio display will go blank and stops playing all audio functions, including vehicle chimes related to warnings for key left in ignition and driver safety belt not in use. In addition to the vehicle chime malfunction, the radio may not turn off, causing battery drain and a potential no start condition. Continue reading