2020 Vehicle Investigations

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Honda Accord Power Steering Problems Cause Petition Owner says 2013 Honda Accord steering problems cause the cars to suddenly change direction.

Nov 28, 2020 — Honda Accord power steering problems have caused the owner of a 2013 Accord to file a federal petition to investigate why drivers say their cars suddenly turn left or right without warning. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received the petition at the end of October when the 2013 Honda Accord owner referenced steering complaints made by drivers. "The contact stated while her husband was driving at 35 mph, when the steering wheel ...
Tesla Front Suspension Failures Investigated Tesla Model S and Model X front suspension fore link failures appear to occur at low speeds.

Nov 27, 2020 — Tesla front suspension failures in Model S and Model X vehicles are under a federal investigation after 43 complaints were filed alleging failures of the front suspension fore links. Included in the suspension investigation are 2015-2017 Model S and 2016-2017 Model X vehicles, with 32 of the failures occurring during low-speed parking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says a typical low-speed failure occurs while backing out of a ...
Tesla Touchscreen Failures: 7,777 Warranty Claims Government upgrades and expands touchscreen investigation for Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles.

Nov 16, 2020 — Tesla touchscreen failures have caused the government to upgrade and expand an investigation into media control unit (MCU) failures that cause the screens to go black, leaving drivers without important features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation in June following complaints about touchscreen failures that resulted in backup camera failures, as well as failures of multiple features drivers need. In addition to ...
Jaguar XF Fuel Leak Recall Closes Investigation Safety regulators found dozens of complaints about fuel smells, leaks and warning lights.

Nov 15, 2020 — A Jaguar XF fuel leak investigation is closed after safety regulators determined a February recall should be good enough to prevent leaking fuel. Jaguar has spent the past eight years answering customer concerns about fuel leaks in XF cars equipped with 5-liter and 4.2-liter engines. The automaker first recalled 2010-2012 Jaguar XF cars equipped with 5.0L engines in November 2012. Jaguar said pressurized fuel could leak around the fuel supply line connections ...
Cadillac SRX Rear Toe Link Adjusters Investigated Owners claim their SRX SUVs went out of control, with two drivers claiming they crashed.

Nov 10, 2020 — A Cadillac SRX rear toe link investigation has been launched by the government after two SRX owners said their SUVs crashed following uncontrolled swaying. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says about 344,000 model year 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX SUVs are included in the investigation. At least nine SRX owners allege the rear toe link adjusters separated, and most of those vehicles were allegedly repaired during a 2014 SRX rear toe link ...
Land Rover LR4, Range Rover Sport Fuel Leaks Investigated Safety regulators say cracked fuel tank flanges may be causing fuel odors and leaks.

Nov 9, 2020 — Land Rover LR4 and Range Rover Sport fuel leaks are under a federal investigation after owners complained about cracked fuel tank flanges and pressurized fuel leaks while the vehicles were running. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 36,000 model year 2010-2011 Land Rover LR4 and Range Rover Sport SUVs may be affected. NHTSA says it knows of six customer complaints, five field reports and 200 warranty claims about ...
Range Rover Sport Detached Spoiler Recall Closes Investigation Safety regulators say Land Rover rear spoiler recall will likely prevent spoilers from flying off.

Nov 3, 2020 — A Land Rover Range Rover Sport rear spoiler recall was good enough to convince federal regulators to end their investigation into rear spoilers that detached while the SUVs were in motion. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) learned about actions initiated in Japan after rear spoilers detached in 2010-2011 Range Rover Sport vehicles, although no crashes, injuries or deaths had been reported. Land Rover decided there wasn't an " ...
Germany: Porsche 911 and Panamera Emissions Investigated German officials say Porsche contacted them about possible issues with gas-powered cars.

Oct 23, 2020 — Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is investigating Porsche over possible emissions issues on gasoline-powered Porsche 911 and Porsche Panamera cars built prior to 2017. Porsche says it contacted German regulators after internal investigators found possible problems with the emissions systems in gasoline-powered vehicles. The gasoline engines installed in the suspect vehicles were developed between 2008 and 2013. According to Porsche, internal ...
Feds Deny Petition to Investigate Mercedes E350 Cars Safety regulators say they found no evidence of defects that caused rusted brake lines.

Oct 18, 2020 — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has denied a petition to investigate Mercedes-Benz E350 brake lines after finding no evidence of safety defects. The 2013 Mercedes E350 (W212 platform) was first sold in 2009 as a 2010 model. Mercedes-Benz sold about 245,000 model year 2010-2015 E-Class sedans and wagons with the same brake line designs as the 2013 Mercedes E350. Federal safety regulators received the petition in April from the ...
Chevy Bolt Battery Compartment Fires Investigated Chevrolet Bolt EV owners report fires occurred while the cars were parked and unattended.

Oct 13, 2020 — Chevy Bolt battery compartment fires have caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open a federal investigation into 2017-2020 Bolt EV cars. Three Chevrolet Bolt fires have occurred under the rear seats while the cars were parked and unattended. The owner of a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV said they exited the car in their driveway and plugged it into the charger, but within two hours the Bolt was on fire with smoke billowing out of the ...
Mercedes Sprinter Rear Wheel Speed Sensors Investigated Mercedes Sprinter owners say their vans illuminate multiple warning lights and enter limp mode.

Sep 27, 2020 — Mercedes Sprinter rear wheel speed sensor failures are under a federal investigation following 44 complaints from owners of 2011-2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), moisture in the rear wheel speed sensors can cause the axle sensors to fail, causing Mercedes Sprinter owners to complain their vans suffer multiple problems due to sensor failures. Those symptoms include, " large fluctuations ...
Range Rover Evoque Vacuum Pump Investigation Upgraded Government investigates Land Rover Range Rover Evoques after more than 200 warranty claims.

Sep 5, 2020 — A Land Rover Range Rover Evoque brake vacuum pump investigation has been upgraded as federal safety regulators learned about more than 200 warranty claims related to brake problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation in 2018 after model year 2012-2014 Evoque drivers complained about losing the brakes. Customers reported the Range Rover Evoque brake vacuum pumps failed and caused losses of brake power ...
GM Seat Belt Pretensioner Recall Investigated Feds upgrade seat belt pretensioner investigation to 2.8 million GM vehicles.

Sep 5, 2020 — A GM seat belt pretensioner recall is under an upgraded investigation by the government after vehicle owners continued to complain about flexible steel cables that separated. About 2.8 million model year 2009-2016 General Motors vehicles are included in the upgraded investigation even though the 2014 seat belt pretensioner recall included only 1.4 million of these model year 2009-2014 vehicles. 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook 2009-2014 Buick ...
Jaguar Land Rover Rollaways Blamed on Drivers Investigation is closed after Jaguar XF and Land Rover Evoque rollaways cause 14 crashes, 3 injuries

Aug 22, 2020 — Jaguar Land Rover rollaway incidents are blamed on drivers who allege a total of 15 incidents, 14 that allegedly caused crashes and three that resulted in injuries. It only took nearly four years, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says its investigation is closed into 39,000 model year 2012-2014 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and Jaguar XF vehicles. NHTSA opened the investigation in December 2016 following seven complaints about ...
Chrysler Town and Country Fires Investigated Chrysler owners say fires occurred at the charge hubs of 2014 Town & Country minivans.

Aug 11, 2020 — Chrysler Town & Country fires are under investigation after three minivan owners complained about electrical fires at the charge hubs. The 2014 Town & Country minivan charge hubs are mounted in the trim panels on the driver's side of the minivans between the second- and third-row seats. The charge hubs are power and communication ports for the entertainment systems and personal devices in about 150,000 model year 2014 Chrysler Town & Country minivans. The ...
Ford F-150 Master Cylinder Recall Closes Investigation Safety regulators believe Ford may have finally fixed F-150 brake failures caused by fluid leaks.

Jul 13, 2020 — A Ford F-150 master cylinder recall has caused federal safety regulators to close an investigation into 2015-2016 trucks that was opened four years ago. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the 2016 investigation after regulators referenced an earlier 2013-2014 F-150 recall issued following nine crashes caused by brake problems. Ford said the problem was caused by brake fluid that leaked from the master cylinders into the brake ...
Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR Fuel Leaks Investigated Feds look at 614,000 Cobalt cars and HHR SUVs after 208 fuel leak complaints were filed.

Jul 7, 2020 — Chevy Cobalt and Chevrolet HHR fuel leaks are under investigation by the government after more than 200 complaints were filed about the 2008-2010 Cobalt cars and 2008-2009 Chevrolet HHR SUVs. "I am going to get my car fixed by a private mechanic. I refuse to feed the Corporate Chevy monster for obvious reasons. I am going to rid myself of this POS ASAP. I have had other issues with it. I will never, EVER buy a Chevy again. Neither will my children. Pray that ...
VW 'Service Action' 24FD Convinces Feds to Deny Defect Petition Defect petition says 2019 Volkswagen GTI, Golf GTI and Jetta GLI vehicles stall.

Jul 3, 2020 — Volkswagen Service Action 24FD helped to convince the government that a VW manual transmission defect petition should be denied as federal regulators decided alleged stalling problems don't warrant a formal federal investigation. The consumer who filed the defect petition alleges 2019 Volkswagen GTI, Golf GTI and Jetta GLI vehicles have transmission problems that cause the vehicles to stall while driving. The stalling incidents mentioned in the petition ...
Tesla Model S MCU Failures Investigated Government looks at 63,000 Model S cars after owners report their touchscreens failed.

Jun 27, 2020 — Tesla Model S media control unit (MCU) failures are under a federal investigation after reports of touchscreen failures in 2012-2015 Model S cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received complaints about touchscreen failures over the past 13 months at service intervals ranging from 3.9 to 6.3 years. The owner of a 2015 Tesla Model S was left wondering if the car would be better with buttons, switches and knobs. "My 17-inch ...
Investigation: Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain Steering Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain steering gear complaints say steering wheels stick straight-ahead.

Jun 26, 2020 — Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain steering problems will be investigated four years after a consumer filed a petition which requested the government look into steering wheels that seemingly lock in straight-ahead positions. The Chevrolet owner who filed the 2016 defect petition said the steering gear had been replaced in 2015 based on GM bulletin "14232 – Special Coverage Adjustment – Power Steering Stick-Slip." But in October 2016, the Chevrolet Equinox ...
Kia Sorento Headlight Recall May Be Forthcoming Government investigates headlight failures in 2011, 2012 and 2013 Kia Sorento SUVs.

Jun 25, 2020 — A Kia Sorento headlight recall may be forthcoming based on the results of a federal investigation into reports of sudden headlight failures in 2011-2013 Sorentos. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received 74 complaints about headlight failures and how owners report making multiple dealership visits just for the headlights to fail again. Kia Sorento owners complain about losing the headlights while making turns or traveling on ...
Nissan LEAF 'Passenger Airbag Off' Investigation Closed Government says a recall of Nissan LEAF cars isn't needed, as owners claim repair costs are too high

Jun 7, 2020 — Nissan LEAF " passenger airbag off " warnings caused federal safety regulators to open an investigation in 2019, but the investigation is now closed after the government didn't find enough evidence to indicate additional action is necessary. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition to investigate airbag occupancy sensor failures in LEAF cars. The petition led to a formal investigation into 2011-2012 cars with occupant ...
Toyota Prius Steering Column Problems: No Investigation Regulators take 7 years to deny a petition to investigate alleged Prius steering problems.

Apr 11, 2020 — Alleged Toyota Prius steering column problems won't be investigated by federal safety regulators, but it took seven years for that decision to be reached by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). All the way back in January 2013, NHTSA received a petition from the owner of a 2005 Toyota Prius requesting a defect investigation concerning the upper couplers of the steering intermediate shafts on 2004-2009 Toyota Prius cars. The petition was ...
Jeremy Banner Trusted Tesla's Autopilot Too Much: NTSB Tesla says Autopilot isn't designed to detect tractor-trailers crossing highways.

Mar 22, 2020 — A Tesla Model 3 crash that killed driver Jeremy Banner was caused by a combination of factors, including Banner's overreliance on Tesla's Autopilot system. The March 2019 crash occurred when Banner, 50, was driving his 2018 Model 3 on Highway 441 in Delray Beach, Florida. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Mr. Banner was killed when his Tesla slammed into a tractor-trailer trying to cross the southbound lanes of Highway 441 to turn ...
Isuzu Fuel Tank Rust Won't Be Investigated Government says Isuzu fuel tanks do corrode and partially detach, but no defect trends exist.

Mar 13, 2020 — Isuzu fuel tanks that allegedly detach due to corrosion and rust won't be investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after the agency denied a consumer petition to open an investigation. NHTSA received the petition in April 2018 requesting the agency investigate rust-related fuel tank detachments in Isuzu Rodeo SUVs. The petitioner says his 2004 Isuzu Rodeo suffered from a partial fuel tank detachment in 2017 because of ...
Fatal Tesla Model X Crash: Driver Was Playing Video Game Tesla crash that killed Walter Huang caused by Autopilot failures and no federal oversight.

Feb 25, 2020 — A deadly Tesla Model X crash in 2018 around the area of US-101 and State Route 85 in California was caused by the driver, Tesla's Autopilot system, inaction by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and inaction by officials in California. The Model X crash killed 38-year-old Walter Huang who was playing a video game on his phone when the SUV slammed head-on into a damaged crash attenuator installed to decrease crash forces. In a report from the ...
Subaru Forester Passenger Airbag Recall Closes Investigation Safety regulators found 1,440 complaints and 11,672 warranty claims related to airbag problems.

Feb 1, 2020 — A Subaru Forester passenger airbag investigation is closed following at least 1,440 complaints and 11,672 warranty claims about airbags that malfunctioned in 2015-2018 Forester SUVs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the Subaru investigation to investigate 51 complaints related to front passenger seat occupant detection systems. Forester SUVs use capacitive-type detection systems to classify occupants as full-size, small ...
Tesla Unintended Acceleration Petition Is False, Automaker Says Tesla responds to unintended acceleration petition and claims vehicles aren't defective.

Jan 20, 2020 — A Tesla unintended acceleration petition filed by a Tesla short-seller is allegedly false and based on incidents that Tesla's data shows weren't caused by the vehicles. The Tesla unintended acceleration petition was filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requesting a recall of about 500,000 vehicles. However, NHTSA's responsibility is to evaluate the petition to determine if a formal investigation should be opened by the ...
Tesla Unintended Acceleration Complaints Lead To Petition Petitioner says Tesla Model X, Model 3 and Model S vehicles suddenly accelerate out of nowhere.

Jan 17, 2020 — Alleged Tesla unintended acceleration incidents have occurred to 123 Tesla vehicles, allegedly causing 110 crashes and 52 injuries. According to a petition filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 500,000 Tesla vehicles may be at risk of sudden unintended acceleration events. The petitioner says NHTSA should oversee a recall of 2012-2019 Tesla Model S, 2016-2019 Tesla Model X and 2018-2019 Tesla Model 3 vehicles. However, ...
Takata Non-Azide Airbag Inflators Investigated by Government Takata airbags equipped with NADIs may explode upon deployment, or fail to inflate properly.

Jan 11, 2020 — Takata non-azide driver inflators (NADIs) are under a federal investigation after reports the airbags could explode or could fail to deploy properly. The inflators don't contain ammonium nitrate, the chemical affected by moisture and known for causing airbag explosions that have killed and injured vehicle occupants . But the NADIs can still be affected by moisture due to defective foil seals at the openings of the inflator housings. While Takata inflators ...
Fatal Tesla Model 3 Crash Into a Firetruck Investigated Feds seek to determine if a Tesla Model 3 crash in Indiana involved Autopilot.

Jan 9, 2020 — A fatal Tesla Model 3 crash into a firetruck will be investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine if Autopilot was engaged at the time of the crash. The Model 3 driver, Derrick N. Monet, 25, suffered serious injuries while his wife, Jenna N. Monet, 23, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The couple, from Prescott Valley, Arizona, was driving from Arizona to Maryland when the car crashed into a parked firetruck on ...
Ram 4500 and 5500 Trucks Under Federal Investigation Ambulance drivers complain about busted driveshafts, broken transfer cases and engine fires.

Jan 7, 2020 — Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks are under a federal investigation after complaints from ambulance companies which said the trucks broke down while transporting patients. About 49,000 model year 2015-2017 Dodge Ram 4500 and Ram 5500 four-wheel-drive trucks are the focus of the probe following incidents that did major damage to the vehicles. A complaint was filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about an ambulance that was driving on the ...
Barrett Riley and Edgar Martinez Fatal Tesla Crash Caused By Speed Model S was traveling 116 mph in a 30 mph zone when the car crashed and caught fire.

Jan 7, 2020 — According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Tesla Model S driver Barrett Riley and his front seat passenger Edgar Monserratt Martinez were killed because Riley lost control of the car as a result of excessive speed. In a final report from safety investigators, the probable cause of the crash and fire was a reported speed of 116 mph on a 30 mph curve with an advised speed limit of 25 mph. And contributing to the fatal injuries was the ...
Jeep Wrangler Right-Hand-Drive Investigation Closed Government closes investigation into right-hand-drive Wranglers for seat belt buckle failures.

Jan 6, 2020 — A Jeep Wrangler right-hand-drive investigation has been closed by the government after complaints the driver's side seat belt buckles separated from the seat frames. The 2015-2016 Jeep Wrangler right-hand-drive SUVs are typically used by mail carriers and can sometimes suffer a lot of abuse in rural areas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the investigation in August 2019 by requesting information from Fiat Chrysler (FCA US). ...
Mitsubishi i-MiEV Brake Vacuum Pump Investigation Closed Safety regulators close investigation following 3 recalls due to i-MiEV vacuum pump failures.

Jan 6, 2020 — Mitsubishi i-MiEV brake vacuum pump problems have allegedly been fixed after the automaker issued three recalls since 2013. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into brake vacuum pump recalls ordered in 2013 and 2014 but closed its investigation after a third recall was announced in December 2019. The investigation included 2010-2017 i-MiEV cars after three customers complained about brake vacuum pump failures in ...
Ford Truck Tailgate Recall Satisfies Federal Investigators Ford truck electric tailgate recall will allegedly prevent tailgates from unintentionally opening.

Jan 5, 2020 — A Ford truck tailgate recall has satisfied federal safety regulators who opened an investigation in October 2018 following complaints about electric tailgates that suddenly opened. The investigation opened by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) included electric tailgate problems in 2017-2019 Ford F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty trucks. Ford truck owners complained about tailgates that opened without them knowing it while the trucks ...
Cadillac XLR Retractable Roof Investigation Closes No recall necessary for Cadillac XLR cars after roof panels detach from the vehicles.

Jan 5, 2020 — A Cadillac XLR retractable roof investigation is closed without the issuance of a recall after parts of a roof flew off the car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the roof investigation in February 2019 based on a media inquiry. The government was asked about a Cadillac XLR roof skin that separated from the car. NHTSA didn't have an answer, so the investigation was opened to determine if 7,700 XLR cars had problems with the ...
Tesla Crash in Gardena, California, Investigated By Feds Federal investigators head to Gardena following Tesla Model S crash that killed two.

Jan 1, 2020 — A fatal Tesla crash in Gardena, California, will be investigated by a special investigation team from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The December 29 crash killed two people, but no information has been released concerning the use of Autopilot in the 2016 Tesla Model S. According to preliminary reports, the Model S was traveling at a high rate of speed when it exited Gardena (91) Freeway and ran a red light. The Tesla was traveling ...