NHTSA Opens Investigations into Detroit Automaker Safety Issues

NHTSA Opens Investigations into Detroit Automaker Safety Issues

The Countrywide Freeway Transportation Protection Administration opened five independent basic safety investigations into automobiles produced by Basic Motors, Ford, and Stellantis masking vehicles from model 12 months 2014 to the current. 

NHTSA Opens Investigations into Detroit Automaker Safety Issues
Late product Pacifica minivans have produced 40 problems alleging incidents of stall/reduction of motive electric power, NHTSA reports.

The investigations, which ended up declared Aug. 22, array from rear-see camera failure to perhaps catastrophic activities these as stalling or parking brake actuation though driving. 

Jeep Cherokee parking brake actuation

After acquiring 80 issues of unexpected parking brake actuation though driving, NHTSA opened an investigation. It appears that h2o can leak into the electronic parking brake mechanism of 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokee. The h2o will cause the brake to actuate, probably while the vehicle is in movement, forcing a end. 

The very same design calendar year Cherokees experienced beforehand been recalled for a leak issue in the power liftgate, which could most likely capture fireplace. The parking brake module is situated in the identical region and could be influenced by the same leak. 

2021 Ford Bronco - on beach
NHTSA is gathering more information and facts about a achievable valvetrain problem on Broncos with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost.

Stellantis issued a Complex Company Bulletin in 2016 to swap the parking brake module and inspect the electrical connector for corrosion if a purchaser complains of parking brake challenges.

Chrysler Pacifica transmission stall

Late model Pacifica minivans have created 40 complaints alleging incidents of stall/reduction of motive electricity, perhaps because of to transmission malfunction. Most experiences anxious incidents with the Pacifica plug-in hybrid that occurred at speeds greater than 25 mph and resulted in a disabled car or truck. 

Notably, the reduction of electrical power was usually accompanied by a dashboard display concept indicating a charging fault. The malfunction was correlated with a precise inside transmission fault. The gasoline-fueled Pacifica is also incorporated in the investigation. 

2020 GMC Acadia AT4
Some GMC Acadia proprietors have complained about rear-view digital camera process failures.

Ford Bronco valvetrain failure

NHTSA has opened a Defect Petition to assemble far more facts on no matter if to open up an investigation into a likely valvetrain problem with 2021 Ford Bronco models geared up with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine. 

20-six customers have reported that the Bronco loses energy at freeway speeds and are not able to restart. The root difficulty is catastrophic engine failure owing to the valve “keepers” failing to keep the valve in spot. The valve keeper failure makes it possible for the valve spring to detach from the valve, then the valve is drawn into the combustion chamber destroying both valve and piston. The ensuing destruction can lead to an engine seizure.

Cadillac and GMC rear-see camera failure

2014 Jeep Patriot - sunburst
Stellantis, then FCA, recalled scores of 2016 Dodge Journeys as very well as Jeep Compasses and Patriots for a sensor situation — that however exists.

In the previous two many years, 11 proprietors of 2020 and 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles have claimed rear-view camera procedure failures. The issues report that the display screen for the RVC goes black, in some cases with a red triangle and a circle with a line as a result of it. NHTSA has opened a Preliminary Evaluation to evaluate the problem. Obviously, spontaneous failure of the rear-watch digicam can guide to lower-pace collisions. 

Jeep and Dodge SUV stalling

In 2016, Stellantis recalled numerous 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot vehicles made between Might 9, 2016 to July 15, 2016 for defective crankshaft or cam placement sensors. The afflicted sensors have been discovered to have intermittent complications, perhaps producing the engine to stall when driving. 

Due to the fact that recall, an supplemental 127 grievances have been acquired, stating related failures on cars not provided in the original recall. NHTSA has opened a Recall Query to evaluate the challenge on design yr 2016 Jeep Compass and Patriot and 2016 Dodge Journey cars. 

What occurs following? 

With each individual of these investigations, NHTSA will perform with the automakers and people to assess the validity and scope of the dilemma and issue a remember, if essential. Further more information will be launched by NHTSA or the automakers as the incidents are extra plainly comprehended. 

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