This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Idling for a long time, or driving at very low speeds for a long time (stop-and-go in a severe traffic jam) also having most of the vehicle's electrical equipment turned will cause the battery to go dead because the alternator does not adequately charge. This may be a safety problem because driving in the mountains during severe traffic may cause the battery to discharge and the engine to stall; not allowing the ability to move to safe position.
The safety problem is the lack of warning system to note failure of the alternator. The first indication of failure is shutdown of the electrical system followed by sudden engine shutdown. This leave little time to move to a safe position. This one occurred on a mountain pass.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Elk Grove, CA, USA