2018 Vehicle Investigations

Full archive of all vehicle investigations news from 2018. Other years: 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012

Ford F-150 B-Pillar Fire Investigation Closed After Recall Seat belt pretensioners created sparks that caused carpet, insulation and other materials to burn.

Dec 25, 2018 — A Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab fire investigation has been closed after the automaker agreed to recall about two million trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into 1.4 million trucks after complaints about fires that occurred at the B pillars where the seat belt pretensioners are located. Owners reported the fires didn't start until after the trucks were involved in collisions, with 17 of those ...
Ram 2500 Steering Linkage Problems Investigated 200,000 model year 2015-2016 Ram 2500 four-wheel-drive trucks may have drag link troubles.

Dec 20, 2018 — Ram 2500 steering linkage problems are under federal investigation after reports that drivers completely lost the ability to steer the trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says 2015-2016 Ram 2500 four-wheel-drive trucks may have trouble with the drag links. According to NHTSA, the drag link is a steering linkage that connects the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft. Two Ram 2500 ...
Feds Deny Petition to Investigate Michelin XZU-3 Tires Defect petition claims Michelin XZU-3 305/85/R22.5 tires are at risk of losing air rapidly.

Dec 18, 2018 — Michelin XZU-3 305/85/R22.5 tires won't be investigated by federal safety regulators after they concluded a 2012 recall of the tires was adequate. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition from an employee of Intercity Transit who claimed the Michelin XZU-3 305/85/R22.5 Load Range J transit bus tires lose air rapidly. The petitioner claims tire failures occur on steer and drive wheel positions of both new and retread ...
Feds Close BMW X5 xDrive35d Idler Pulley Bolt Investigation Safety regulators say BMW's repair procedures should prevent loss of power steering.

Dec 12, 2018 — A BMW X5 xDrive35d investigation has been closed after federal safety investigators found BMW's plans to fix the vehicles should be enough to correct any safety risks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the investigation in April after BMW X5 xDrive35d drivers reported idler pulley bolt problems. BMW had recalled about 30,000 xDrive35d vehicles in 2012 because customers lost power steering when the idler pulley bolts ...
Land Rover Range Rover Evoques Under Investigation About 30,000 Range Rover Evoques looked at for vacuum pump and power brake failures.

Dec 7, 2018 — Land Rover Range Rover Evoque vacuum pump and power brake problems are under federal investigation after drivers complained about losing brake power assist. The 30,000 model year 2012-2014 vehicles are equipped with 2-liter gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) engines that use single-vane engine-powered rotary vacuum pumps as the only source of vacuum to the brake boosters. The vacuum pumps, attached to the rear of the engines and driven by the ...
2013 Nissan Altima Rear Lower Control Arm Failures Investigated About 374,000 model year 2013 Nissan Altimas may have rear suspension corrosion problems.

Dec 7, 2018 — Model year 2013 Nissan Altima rear lower control arm failures are under federal investigation after four owners complained rust and corrosion caused separations at the connection points to the frames. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says all four lower control arm failures in 2013 Altimas occurred in states where salt is used in the winter. Altima drivers complain about losing the rear suspensions that affect rear wheel alignments ...
GM Hard Brake Pedals and Vacuum Pumps Investigated Feds investigate 2.7 million vehicles after nine crashes and 111 complaints of hard brake pedals.

Nov 23, 2018 — A General Motors brake vacuum pump investigation has been opened into more than 2.7 million vehicles after the government received 111 complaints about hard brake pedals in Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC models. 2014-2016 Cadillac Escalade 2014-2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV 2014 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2014-2016 Chevrolet Suburban 2014-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe 2014-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police ...
2018 Jeep Wrangler Frame Welds Should Be Investigated: Petition Petitioner says 2018 Wranglers have weld defects all over the frames in possibly 220,000 Jeeps.

Nov 21, 2018 — The government has been petitioned to investigate 2018 Jeep Wrangler frame welds after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received two complaints about the welds. According to the petition, 2018 Jeeps have weld defects all over the frames, especially on JL Wranglers. NHTSA says the petitioner provides a laundry list of problems with the frame welds, including problems with weld penetration, areas where the welds dripped or splashed, ...
Toyota Highlander Steering Column Recall May Be Needed Feds upgrade Toyota Highlander steering column investigation after steering wheels fell off.

Nov 21, 2018 — A Toyota Highlander steering column recall may be forthcoming as a federal investigation is upgraded based on complaints about steering wheels falling off while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the original investigation in May to determine if a recall is required for steering column separations in more than 700,000 model year 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs. Drivers complained about steering ...
Mazda6 Subframe Rust Investigation Closed After Recall 2009-2010 Mazda6 subframe rust caused separated steering and suspension components.

Nov 12, 2018 — Mazda Mazda6 subframe rust is no longer the focus of a federal investigation after the automaker agreed to recall 2009-2010 model year cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the Mazda6 subframe rust investigation in May 2018 after owners complained about losing the ability to steer the cars. In addition to large amounts of rust, Mazda6 drivers said the mounting bolts failed to hold the steering racks and corrosion caused the ...
Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Investigation Closed Safety regulators say they can find no evidence of brake hose defects in 2015 police SUVs.

Nov 9, 2018 — A Ford Explorer Police Interceptor brake hose investigation has been closed by the government after investigators determined more than 20,000 model year 2015 SUVs are safe to drive. It took the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more than three years to finally make its decision after the Sacramento Police Department reported their Explorers experienced brake hose problems during driver training. The original investigation was opened in ...
General Motors Windshield Wiper Recall Investigated Owners complain their GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox windshield wipers stopped working.

Nov 6, 2018 — A General Motors windshield wiper recall is under federal investigation after complaints poured in from GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox drivers about wipers that stopped working. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs weren't included in a 2016 recall , but based on complaints it's possible about 1.7 million SUVs should have been added to the recall. The automaker had recalled ...
Mercedes Under Investigation For Alleged Recall Failures Federal government claims Mercedes-Benz has continually ignored federal rules concerning recalls.

Oct 26, 2018 — Mercedes-Benz is under federal investigation concerning how the automaker recalls vehicles, in this case more than 1.4 million of them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) alleges Mercedes failed to meet federal recall standards and left safety regulators with too many unanswered questions. NHTSA sent Mercedes a list of problems about recalls issued in 2017 alleging the automaker failed to notify car owners about safety recalls within ...
Ford F-250 and F-350 Tailgates Opening Without Warning Investigation opened after Super Duty truck owners say electric tailgates open without commands.

Oct 16, 2018 — Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty uncommanded tailgate openings in model year 2017 trucks are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The F-250 and F-350 trucks are equipped with electronic tailgates that can be opened with the key fobs, but five owners filed complaints saying the tailgates opened without warning and uncommanded. Here's a sampling of the five tailgate complaints received by NHTSA. "While driving ...
NTSB Looks At How First Responders Handle Electric Car Fires Tesla Model S fire in Hollywood investigated by feds to learn about electric car fire challenges.

Sep 5, 2018 — A Tesla Model S fire investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still in its preliminary stage as federal safety investigators try to determine how the fire started. As with similar investigations of Tesla and other companies, the NTSB is using the data to learn how to best handle incidents involving all-electric vehicles and how fire departments and other personnel tackle electric vehicle fires. Car fires aren't rare, but ...
Hyundai and Kia Fires Occuring Without Collisions Government wants to learn why hundreds of Hyundai and Kia drivers have reported burning cars.

Aug 28, 2018 — Hyundai and Kia fires are getting more federal attention as the government says it will look at complaints and data following a petition to investigate potential non-collision fires in 2.2 million vehicles. 2011-2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2013-2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2011-2014 Kia Optima 2011-2014 Kia Optima Hybrid 2011-2014 Kia Sorento The National Highway Traffic Safety ...
smart fortwo Car Fire Investigation Ends Feds close smart fortwo car fire investigation based on recall issued by Mercedes-Benz.

Aug 27, 2018 — Mercedes-Benz smart car fires that occurred without collisions are no longer under a federal microscope as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it has closed its investigation into engine fires in the minicars . Nearly 43,000 model year 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and coupe minicars went under investigation in 2016 after owners reported their cars burning to the frames without collisions. The government upgraded the ...
Toyota 4Runner Frame Rust Being Looked at by Feds Government petitioned to investigate excessive rust and corrosion on frames in Toyota 4Runner SUVs.

Aug 21, 2018 — Toyota 4Runner frame rust problems will be looked at by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after a 4Runner owner complained the steering and suspension system separated due to corrosion of the frame. NHTSA says it will either grant or deny the petition to investigate once it checks complaints and field reports about rusted frames in more than 520,000 model year 2002-2006 Toyota 4Runners. The petitioner alleges he was on a two-lane ...
1.4 Million Ford F-150 Trucks Investigated for B-Pillar Fires Government looks at seat belt pretensioners causing fires in the B pillars during F-150 crashes.

Aug 7, 2018 — More than 1.4 million Ford F-150 SuperCrew trucks are under federal investigation after reports of seat belt pretensioners causing fires in B pillars during crash events. In a crash, seat belt pretensioners help to secure an occupant in their seat quicker than the blink of an eye. They pull the occupant into a seated position in an effort to ensure the occupant makes proper contact with the airbag. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ...
2013 Ford Escape Stalling Problems Investigated Feds investigate 40 complaints of 2013 Ford Escape engines that stalled while driving.

Jul 20, 2018 — Complaints about 2013 Ford Escape stalling problems have caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open an investigation into 127,000 of the SUVs. The Escapes are equipped with 1.6-liter gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) engines that may be overheating and causing issues with restarting after the engines have stalled. NHTSA has received at least 40 complaints about 2013 Ford Escapes suddenly stalling without ...
Investigation: 2018 VW Tiguan Seat Belts Are Breaking Feds upgrade seat belt webbing investigation to determine why the belts are separating.

Jul 10, 2018 — The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan driver's side seat belt may not be made as safe as it should be, especially if the SUV hits something while traveling at least 35 mph. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), safety inspectors have seen enough evidence to upgrade a January 2018 investigation into the seat belts. NHTSA opened the original investigation after crash tests caused the webbing of two seat belts to completely rip apart. ...
Range Rover Door Latches Cause Upgraded Investigation Feds say 2015 recall of Land Rover Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports may not have worked.

Jul 7, 2018 — Reports of Land Rover Range Rover doors latch problems have caused a recall in 2015 , an investigation in 2017 and now an upgraded investigation into the 2015 recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says more than 65,300 model year 2013-2016 Range Rover and 2014-2016 Range Rover Sport SUVs have doors that may open while driving because of latch problems. In addition to doors opening inadvertently, customers complain about doors ...
Hyundai and Kia Theta II Engine Fires Under Investigation Feds say ongoing investigation will now include reports of fires that occurred without collisions.

Jul 2, 2018 — Hyundai and Kia Theta II engine fires are getting the attention of federal investigators, especially fires that occurred without collisions of any kind. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says it will expand a current investigation to include more than 400 complaints of engine fires that occurred with and without collisions. In May 2017, NHTSA opened an investigation into recalls of 1.7 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with ...
Fort Lauderdale Tesla Crash: 116 MPH in a 30 MPH Zone NTSB says Tesla Model S battery fire kept reigniting after high-speed Fort Lauderdale crash.

Jun 27, 2018 — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report about a 2014 Tesla Model S crash in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The car was traveling at a speed of 116 mph on a road with a 30 mph speed limit just three seconds before the crash. Based on reports from people who witnessed the crash, the Model S traveled into the left lane to pass a vehicle and lost control while moving to the right lane. The car hit and climbed onto a curb, ...
NHTSA Denies Petition to Investigate Ford and Mercury SUVs Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner power steering problems won't be investigated.

Jun 20, 2018 — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finally responded to a Ford power steering defect petition that was filed more than three years. The petition was filed in April 2015 following a May 2014 recall of 915,000 model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs to fix power steering problems. At the time of the recall, NHTSA said five crashes and six injuries had been reported. As a remedy to the problem, Ford told its dealers ...
Hyundai and Kia Engine Fires Should Be Investigated Kia Sorento, Optima, Hyundai Santa Fe and Sonata non-collision fires cause for concern.

Jun 12, 2018 — Hyundai and Kia engine fires should be investigated, according to a petition filed with the government by the Center for Auto Safety (CAS). According to the safety organization, more than two million 2011-2014 Kia Sorento, Kia Optima, Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Sonata vehicles may be at risk from engine fires caused by melted wires. In addition, complaints filed by owners say all the fires popped up even though no collisions occurred. The petition was filed ...
Tesla Model X Battery Fire Reignited 5 Days After Crash NTSB says Model X data shows the SUV veered left and sped up seconds before crash.

Jun 7, 2018 — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report about a Tesla crash that occurred on March 23, 2018, when 38-year-old Wei Huang was driving his 2017 Model X on Highway 101 in Mountain View, California. According to officials, the SUV was traveling with Autopilot engaged, specifically Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and lane-keeping technology called Autosteer. According to Tesla, the cruise control feature should allow a set ...
Isuzu Rodeo, Axiom and Honda Passport Gas Tanks Detaching Isuzu customer petitions government to investigate alleged corrosion problems in the SUVs.

May 30, 2018 — About 47,000 model year 2001-2004 Honda and Isuzu SUVs may fall under a federal investigation following a petition to investigate gas tanks that detached from the vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says it received a petition to open an investigation from a consumer who reported the 2004 Isuzu Rodeo fuel tank shield failed due to corrosion. The failure allegedly caused the front of the fuel tank to drop 5 to 6 inches from the ...
Mazda6 Subframe Corrosion Investigated By Feds NHTSA says complaints are coming in about 2009-2010 Mazda6 subframes failing while driving.

May 25, 2018 — Mazda6 subframe failures will be investigated by the government after 2009-2010 Mazda owners continue to complain about corrosion problems that affect the subframes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received 20 complaints about subframe failures that caused drivers trouble when trying to keep the cars under control. Two of those corroded subframe complaints came from 2009 Mazda6 drivers. "Purchased this car in 2014 used. I ...
NTSB Investigates Tesla Model S Post-Crash Fire Investigators want to know how first responders handled crash and fire that killed two Florida teens

May 10, 2018 — A Tesla Model S crash in Florida that killed two teens will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to gather information about the battery fire that occurred after the crash. Safety investigators will also look at the response by the fire department and how the towing company handled the crash. Killed in the crash were the driver, Barrett Riley, and front seat passenger Edgar Monserratt Martinez, both 18-year-old seniors at Pine ...
Toyota Highlander Steering Wheels Are Falling Off Feds investigate why telescoping steering wheels detach in Highlanders and Highlander Hybrids.

May 9, 2018 — Toyota Highlander telescoping steering wheels are detaching from the steering columns, causing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open a federal investigation into 732,500 SUVs. The government says it has received three complaints about the steering wheels in 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs. All three incidents occurred as drivers were using the telescoping/tilt mechanisms. "I attempted to adjust telescopic ...
2009 Nissan Murano ABS Problems Blamed For 14 Crashes Feds upgrade Nissan Murano investigation into anti-lock braking systems that cause soft brake pedals

Apr 24, 2018 — Nissan Murano ABS (anti-lock braking system) problems may be to blame for at least 14 crashes and three injuries after model year 2009 Murano drivers experienced soft brake pedals and increased stopping distances. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says in addition to the crash and injury reports, at least 480 complaints have been filed alleging issues with the ABS hydraulic control units (HCUs). NHTSA opened a preliminary ...
Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Soft Brake Pedals Investigated Feds investigate braking problems in 1 million Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ vehicles.

Apr 22, 2018 — A Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan soft brake pedal investigation has been upgraded and expanded to include more model years and an extra model, the Lincoln MKZ. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says more than 1 million model year 2006-2012 Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ and 2006-2011 Mercury Milan vehicles are now included in the investigation. NHTSA opened the original investigation in December 2016 based on soft brake pedal complaints in ...
VW Clock Spring Recall May Have Failed Feds investigate 1.2 million VW vehicles after owners continue to complain about clock springs.

Apr 22, 2018 — A Volkswagen clock spring recall may have failed to do its job as owners continue to complain even after the vehicles were allegedly repaired. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expanded an investigation into the 2015 clock spring recall of 420,000 VW vehicles that could experience driver-side airbag failures. The expanded investigation includes more than 1.2 million of the following VW models: 2010-2014 Volkswagen ...
BMW X5 xDrive35d Idler Pulley Bolt Recall Investigated Safety regulators want to know why BMW drivers keep complaining about losing power steering.

Apr 21, 2018 — Model year 2009-2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d idler pulley bolt problems that were allegedly repaired years ago have caused federal investigators to open an investigation after owners continued to complain about steering problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says 30,000 of the SUVs were recalled in 2012 to fix issues with the diesel engine idler pulley bolts that could loosen over time. Stress could cause the pulley bolt heads to bend and ...
Investigation: 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris Gas Leaks Government investigates why gas odors and leaks are occurring in 2016 Mercedes Metris vans.

Mar 18, 2018 — Federal safety regulators have opened a formal investigation into gas leaks and odors in 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris vans. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received nine complaints about gas leaks and odors, with eight of those complaints indicating the problem occurs in cold temperatures. Van owners say the problems are most prominent when warming up the engines after cold starts or after the vans are shut off and parked. One of ...
Hyundai and Kia Airbag Failures Kill 4, Injure 6 Feds open investigation into deadly airbag failures in Hyundai Sonata and Kia Forte cars.

Mar 17, 2018 — Airbag failures in 2011 Hyundai Sonatas and 2012-2013 Kia Fortes have killed four people and injured six, causing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open a federal investigation into the airbag failures. The government says about 425,000 Hyundai and Kia cars are affected by the investigation. NHTSA says four crashes involved 2011 Hyundai Sonatas and two crashes occurred with 2012-2013 Kia Forte cars, with one Forte crash occurring ...
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Recall Makes Petition Moot Feds say there is no need to investigate stalling engines after 2017 Chrysler Pacifica recall.

Mar 8, 2018 — A 2017 Chrysler Pacifica recall makes a petition to investigate stalling problems unnecessary, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Federal safety regulators say the January 2018 recall of 154,000 minivans will hopefully be good enough to prevent additional complaints about engine stall in the Fiat Chrysler (FCA US) vehicles. The Center for Auto Safety petitioned NHTSA to open an investigation into 2017 Chrysler Pacifica ...
Continental Fuel Pump Flange Investigation Closed Regulators say recalls of Audi, Porsche and VW vehicles took care of fuel pump flange problems.

Feb 16, 2018 — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed an investigation into fuel pump flanges made by Continental Automotive Systems after finding recalls conducted by Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen took care of the problems. NHTSA opened the fuel pump flange investigation in July 2017 after Continental informed the government about fuel pump flanges that could leak fuel or vapors due to small cracks in the flanges. Continental identified Audi, ...
NTSB Investigates Alleged Tesla Model S Autopilot Crash Driver says his Tesla Model S was on 'Autopilot' when it crashed into a California firetruck.

Jan 25, 2018 — An alleged Tesla Model S Autopilot crash in California will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) after the driver said Autopilot was engaged when the Model S crashed into a firetruck. According to the Culver City Fire Department, the car was traveling about 65 mph when the crash occurred, damaging the car and firetruck but leaving the Model S driver and firefighters unscathed. The firetruck was on the freeway due to a motorcycle ...
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Under Federal Investigation Government says seat belt problems were discovered during crash tests conducted on 2018 Tiguans.

Jan 13, 2018 — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into possible problems with 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs. During a crash test conducted on the Tiguan, NHTSA discovered problems with the seat belt webbing that looped through the seat belt latch tongue. Tests were conducted with a 50th percentile male dummy in the driver-side seat and a 5th percentile female in the passenger-side seat as the Tiguan hit a rigid barrier at 35 ...
Goodyear G159 Tire Blowouts Under Investigation Goodyear G159 tires used on motorhomes may be too dangerous for highway driving.

Jan 2, 2018 — Goodyear G159 tires blowing out on motorhomes are the focus of a federal investigation involving about 40,000 tires made between 1996 and 2003. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says it learned of the possible dangers because of a court order that forced Goodyear to release documents to NHTSA, documents that showed injuries and deaths that were caused by G159 tires. The government says it was unaware of the problem because Goodyear ...