2022 Vehicle Investigations

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Honda Ridgeline Backup Camera Recall Closes Investigation Honda found the Ridgeline backup camera wire harness broke from using the tailgate.

Dec 26, 2022 — A Honda Ridgeline backup camera recall has closed down a federal investigation that was opened after owners of 2017-2018 Ridgeline trucks complained the backup cameras failed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received 107 complaints that alleged the rearview camera images failed when the Ridgeline trucks were shifted into REVERSE. The complaints caused NHTSA to open the investigation because backup camera failures violate federal safety ...
Cruise Self-Driving Cars Under Federal Investigation Government receives reports about autonomous cars that suddenly braked for no apparent reason.

Dec 25, 2022 — Cruise self-driving vehicles are under federal investigation following incidents where the Cruise cars suddenly slammed on the brakes or stopped moving on the roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the investigation after receiving reports of possible problems with the automated driving systems. NHTSA has received three reports the Cruise automated systems caused hard braking maneuvers in response to other vehicles that were quickly ...
Hertz Investigated For Allegedly Renting Unrepaired Recalled Vehicles Hertz is required to repair recalled vehicles before renting those vehicles.

Dec 24, 2022 — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating if the Hertz Corporation repaired recalled vehicles before those autos were rented to consumers. NHTSA didn't release many details about the investigation, but the government says it has evidence Hertz failed to repair vehicles that were recalled. The U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires a rental company to have repairs performed on vehicles that have been recalled or ...
Honda CR-V and Honda HR-V Rear Differentials Investigated Government investigates Honda vehicles that lose motive power while in motion.

Dec 12, 2022 — Honda CR-V and Honda HR-V vehicles may have rear differential problems that can cause the vehicles to lose motive power while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into about 1.7 million model year 2018-2022 Honda CR-V and HR-V SUVs. NHTSA says it has received several early warning reporting (EWR) reports about Honda CR-V and HR-V SUVs that stopped moving forward while driving at highway speeds. Honda CR-V ...
Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 Brake Failures Investigated Safety regulators receive 134 reports about Ram brake failures that occurred at various speeds.

Dec 12, 2022 — Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 brake failures are under federal investigation after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received 134 reports about the 2017-2018 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks. NHTSA didn't release much information about the brake failure investigation but did estimate about 390,000 Ram trucks are affected. Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 owners allege brake failures continue to occur at any driving speed, and the brakes may lose function intermittently ...
GM Windshield Wiper Recall Closes Federal Investigation NHTSA says Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain wiper recall and customer program should fix things.

Dec 11, 2022 — A GM windshield wiper failure investigation has been closed following a recall of Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation of a 2016 windshield wiper recall of 367,000 model year 2013 Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs. General Motors owners were complaining about windshield wiper failures on 2010-2016 vehicles, but the recall included only model year 2013 SUVs. The original recall ...
Jeep Compass 'Coolant Temperature Too High' Warnings Investigated Jeep Compass owners complain of high coolant temperature warnings and how SUVs lose power.

Dec 6, 2022 — Jeep Compass high coolant temperature problems have caused a federal investigation into why 2019-2020 Jeep Compass SUVs lose power as drivers see "high coolant temperature" or "coolant temperature too high" warning messages. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 15 complaints from Jeep Compass owners regarding the high coolant temperature warnings. NHTSA says in most incidents, the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too ...
Hyundai Palisade Windshield Wiper Recall Investigated Safety regulators want to learn if a Hyundai Palisade windshield wiper recall should be expanded.

Dec 6, 2022 — A Hyundai Palisade windshield wiper recall is under investigation by U.S. safety regulators after complaints about Palisade windshield wiper failures in SUVs that were not included in the recall. The Hyundai Palisade windshield wiper recall was announced in August for 123,000 model year 2020-2021 Palisade SUVs equipped with wipers that could fail if snow or ice was on the bottom of the windshields. Some customers said the wipers worked part of the time while ...
Cadillac and GMC Rearview Camera Cable Recall Closes Investigation Safety regulators say a GM backup camera cable recall should fix rearview camera failures.

Nov 25, 2022 — A Cadillac and GMC backup camera failure recall has convinced the government to close an investigation into backup camera failures in 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, 2020-2021 Cadillac XT6 and 2020-2021 GMC Acadia vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the General Motors backup camera failure investigation in July after receiving complaints about camera image screens that were black. Owners complained about black screens that showed red ...
No Evidence of Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky Blower Motor Fires Safety regulators deny to investigate alleged fires in 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.

Nov 1, 2022 — There won't be a formal investigation into alleged fires in 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2006-2010 Saturn Sky cars. In December 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received a petition to investigate fires caused by overheated blower motor connectors. The petitioner asked NHTSA to open a formal investigation after 13 incidents were reported about blower motors smoking or melting. Two of the thirteen cited incidents reported smoke and ...
Goodyear G159 Tire Failure Investigation Closed Goodyear G150 tire failure recall convinces regulators to end their federal investigation.

Oct 9, 2022 — A Goodyear G159 tire failure investigation is over after federal safety regulators announced a Goodyear tire recall should have taken care of the problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the investigation into about 40,000 Goodyear G159 tires installed on Class-A motorhomes. The 1996-2003 Goodyear G159 tires (275/70R22.5) allegedly failed while driving which caused injuries and deaths. However, NHTSA had trouble knowing the facts ...
VW Atlas Fuel Injector Issues: Investigation Closed Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport investigation focused on fuel injector leaks.

Oct 8, 2022 — VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport fuel injector issues caused a federal investigation that has now been closed after safety regulators found no evidence of fires, crashes, injuries or fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a formal investigation in March 2021 after complaints about 2018-2020 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs. Atlas owners complained about fuel leaking from the fuel injectors in the 3.6-liter engine ...
Mercedes C300 Wrist Pin Problems May Be Investigated Owner of 2015 Mercedes C300 petitions feds to investigate piston problems and M274 engines.

Oct 5, 2022 — A Mercedes C300 wrist pin problem caused the owner of a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 to petition federal safety regulators to investigate claims of damaged M274 engines. The petitioner alleges the Mercedes M274 engines fail due to piston damage from wrist pins that are the wrong size. According to the owner who filed the April 2022 petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to open a safety defect investigation, his 2015 Mercedes C300 lost ...
Hyundai Oil Leak Problems Need Investigated, Alleges Petition Government petitioned to investigate oil leaks, and drain pan and drain plug problems.

Sep 17, 2022 — A Hyundai oil leak petition has been filed with the U.S. government seeking an investigation into alleged oil drain pan and drain plug problems in millions of Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it will look into complaints which allege oil leak problems cause engines to lock up while driving. An official defect investigation has not been opened, but the petitioner alleges NHTSA should grant the petition and open ...
Hyundai and Kia Exploding Seat Belt Pretensioners Investigated Government says it wants to know if several recalls will truly repair the pretensioners.

Aug 16, 2022 — Hyundai and Kia exploding seat belt pretensioner recalls are now under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The exploding seat belt pretensioner investigation involves an estimated 275,000 Hyundai and Kia vehicles. Seat belt pretensioners are supposed to help hold occupants against the seat belts and seats in crashes. What should be a tiny pyrotechnic explosion quickly deploys the pretensioner, but Hyundai and Kia issued ...
Ford Brake Hose Recall May Not Have Included Enough Models Government investigates 1.7 million Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles over brake hose failures.

Aug 12, 2022 — A Ford brake hose recall issued in 2020 may not have included all the models (Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ) affected by the brake jounce hose failures. The August 2020 Ford brake hose recall involved about 490,000 model year 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX SUVs in the U.S. Ford said the brake hose could rupture and leak brake fluid, leaving a driver with a soft brake pedal and decreased braking. The brake hose problem goes back to at least 2018 ...
Chrysler Minivan Sliding Door Problems Being Addressed Government says Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country sliding door probe closed.

Aug 3, 2022 — Chrysler minivan sliding door problems that caused a federal investigation has allegedly been addressed by the automaker as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration closes the investigation. The federal investigation was opened into 233,000 model year 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and 2016 Chrysler Town and Country minivans because the left and right sliding door lock actuator assemblies could fail. This caused one or both doors to get stuck closed, and ...
Chrysler Camshaft and Crankshaft Sensor Recall Investigated Recall of 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot SUVs may not have been enough.

Aug 2, 2022 — A Chrysler crankshaft and camshaft sensor recall from 2016 is under investigation following 127 complaints about the same sensor failures from owners of Fiat Chrysler vehicles not included in the recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes the 2016 crankshaft and camshaft sensor recall involved 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot vehicles. But those specific 43,000 vehicles were manufactured only between May 9, 2016, to July ...
2021 Ford Bronco Engine Failures Investigated Owners of 2021 Ford Broncos allege the 2.7L EcoBoost engines have defective valves.

Aug 1, 2022 — Ford Bronco engine failures are under investigation after three petitions were filed which requested an investigation into valve problems in 2021 Ford Broncos equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Bronco drivers report their vehicles suddenly stalled because the engines failed due to defective EcoBoost engine valves. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received three petitions seeking an investigation into 2021 Ford Bronco engine failures that ...
Cadillac and GMC Backup Camera Failures Investigated Government says Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6 and GMC Acadia vehicles may have cable issues.

Jul 31, 2022 — Cadillac and GMC rearview camera problems have caused the government to open an investigation into camera failures in 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, 2020-2021 Cadillac XT6 and 2020-2021 GMC Acadia vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received reports from drivers alleging failures of the backup cameras. Vehicle owners complain the screens turn black, and sometimes the screen will have a red triangle and a circle with a line through ...
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Stalling Problems Investigated Government looks into reports that transmission malfunctions cause the minivans to stop moving.

Jul 28, 2022 — Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid stalling problems are the focus of a federal investigation into complaints alleging stalling events and owner complaints which said all motive power disappeared. The 2019-2021 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) may be stalling due to transmission malfunctions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 40 stalling complaints about 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids, and about 21,300 minivans are involved in ...
Jeep Cherokee Water Leak Recall May Be Necessary Government investigates Jeep Cherokee water leaks that cause activation of the parking brakes.

Jul 27, 2022 — A Jeep Cherokee water leak recall may be on the horizon as the government opens a federal investigation into water leaks that allegedly suddenly activate the electronic parking brakes. This will cause the 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokees to come to a stop while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 1.3 million model year 2014-2020 Jeep Cherokees are under investigation following 80 complaints about the parking brakes ...
Investigation Into GM Sticky Steering Wheels Closed Government says no defect trend exists for Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain steering gears.

Jun 11, 2022 — GM stuck steering wheels are no longer the focus of a federal investigation that was opened after a customer complained about increased steering effort when driving straight for a period of time. The customer alleges 2010-2012 Chevrolet Equinox and 2010-2012 GMC Terrain SUVs suffer from what feels like stuck steering wheels due to problems with the steering gears. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the GM investigation in June 2020 ...
Tesla Autopilot Investigation Upgraded For 830,000 Vehicles About 200 Tesla crashes looked at by regulators to learn about possible Autopilot problems.

Jun 10, 2022 — A Tesla Autopilot investigation has been upgraded after safety regulators allegedly found enough evidence to show there may be problems with 2014-2022 Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration originally opened the investigation to determine why Tesla vehicles with Autopilot engaged were slamming into obvious emergency vehicles. Several crashes happened even though the emergency vehicles, such as ...
Honda Pilot Idle-Stop Issues Cause 220 Complaints Government opens investigation into Honda Pilot auto idle-stop features that don't seem to work.

Jun 9, 2022 — Honda Pilot idle-stop problems have caused the government to open a federal investigation after receiving more than 220 complaints about engines that failed to restart once the idle-stop systems activated. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 195,000 model year 2016-2020 Honda Pilots equipped with 3.5L engines and 9-speed automatic transmissions are included in the investigation. Safety regulators say Honda Pilot owners ...
Audi Turbocharger Investigation Upgraded Following Turbo Recall Audi turbocharger problems caused by oil strainers that get clogged with debris.

Jun 1, 2022 — An Audi turbo recall may not have been good enough for federal regulators as a turbocharger investigation opened in 2021 has now been upgraded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In March 2021, NHTSA opened the Audi turbo investigation following dozens of reports of stalled engines in these models. 2013-2016 Audi A8 2013-2016 Audi S6 2013-2016 Audi S7 2013-2016 Audi S8 2013-2016 Audi RS7 About 60 complaints were filed ...
Ford Bronco Engine Problems Allegedly Caused by Valves Three customers petition government to investigate 2021 Ford Bronco engine failures caused by valves

Jun 1, 2022 — Ford Bronco engine problems have caused three consumers to file petitions seeking an investigation into 2021 Ford Bronco 2.7L EcoBoost engine failures possibly caused by the valves. More than two dozen 2021 Ford Bronco owners have filed complaints about their vehicles suddenly losing power while driving. Bronco drivers also say the SUVs cannot be restarted because the 2.7L EcoBoost engines catastrophically failed. "After 625 miles the low engine oil ...
Investigation Closed Into Mercedes Sprinter Rollaway Incidents Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans were rolling away even after drivers shifted into PARK.

Jun 1, 2022 — Mercedes-Benz Sprinter rollaway incidents that caused a federal investigation and a Sprinter recall will no longer be investigated by federal regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the rollaway investigation in August 2021 after 11 model year 2019 Sprinters rolled away after the vans were shifted into PARK. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter drivers say they used the Auto-P function when shifting into PARK. According to Mercedes, ...
Tesla Newport Beach Crash Kills 3 A Tesla Newport Beach crash is under a federal investigation to determine if Autopilot was engaged.

May 18, 2022 — A Tesla Newport Beach crash that killed three Model S occupants is under investigation by a special team from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA wants to know if Autopilot or any automated driving system was engaged when the California crash occurred at 12:45 a.m. on May 12. According to the Newport Beach Police Department, the 2022 Tesla Model S slammed into a curb and then crashed into construction equipment on Pacific Coast ...
Kia Carnival Power Sliding Door Problems Investigated Government says owners complain the Carnival sliding doors don't automatically reverse when closing.

Apr 15, 2022 — Kia Carnival power sliding door complaints have caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to open a federal investigation after owners complained about injuries caused by the sliding doors. One 2022 Kia Carnival owner told NHTSA the power sliding door sensor malfunctioned when the minivan had about 1,000 miles on it, causing an injury to the daughter when the sliding door suddenly closed as she was exiting the Carnival. According to the ...
GM Brake Vacuum Pump Recall Closes Investigation GM brake vacuum pump problems cause hard brake pedals and long stopping distances.

Apr 15, 2022 — A GM brake vacuum pump recall convinced U.S. safety regulators to close their investigation into hard brake pedals and long stopping distances in Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the investigation in November 2018 following complaints about brake vacuum pumps that failed and caused problems with hard brake pedals and extended stopping distances that allegedly caused crashes and injuries. More than ...
Chrysler Town & Country Fire Investigation Closed Safety regulators can't determine cause of fires at the charge hubs of the minivans.

Apr 11, 2022 — Three Chrysler Town & Country fires caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to open an investigation in August 2020, an investigation which has now been closed based on a lack of evidence. NHTSA opened the investigation based on alleged fires that occurred at the charge hubs in 2014 Chrysler Town and Country minivans. Safety regulators expanded the investigation to include more Town & Country model years as well as Dodge Grand Caravans ...
Feds Investigate Audi Stalling Problems Related to Turbocharger Failures Government upgrades investigation into clogged oil strainers in Audi turbochargers.

Apr 10, 2022 — Audi stalling problems caused by turbocharger failures have convinced the government to upgrade an investigation that was opened in March 2021. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the investigation after receiving 58 complaints about Audi engine stalling problems in 2013-2016 Audi A8, S6, S7, S8 and RS7 vehicles. The Audi models are equipped with 4-liter twin-turbo engines, and owners complained the vehicles stalled because the ...
LG Battery Problems Investigated By Feds Safety regulators want to learn more about LG Chem batteries that seem to catch fire.

Apr 6, 2022 — LG Chem manufactures many batteries used by automakers for hybrid and electric vehicles that had to be recalled due to battery problems. Some recalls were issued to prevent stalled vehicles and other recalls were necessary because vehicles were catching fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation, or what it calls an "equipment query," into LG battery problems that caused several vehicle recalls. According to NHTSA, ...
Land Rover Recall Closes Fuel Leak Investigation Government says Land Rover LR4 and Range Rover Sport vehicles will get new fuel outlet flanges.

Mar 28, 2022 — A Land Rover fuel leak recall convinced federal safety regulators to close an investigation into about 36,000 Land Rover LR4 and Range Rover Sport vehicles. The 2010-2011 Land Rover LR4 and Range Rover Sport investigation was opened by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after owners complained about leaking fuel. The federal investigation, opened in November 2020 , focused on six customer complaints and 200 warranty claims related to the ...
Toyota 4Runner Rusted Frame Defect Petition Denied Safety regulators conclude an investigation isn't necessary for rusted 4Runner suspensions.

Mar 26, 2022 — A Toyota 4Runner rusted frame investigation won't be initiated after a 4Runner owner petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate alleged premature frame corrosion on more than 520,000 model year 2002-2006 Toyota 4Runners. The petition to investigate was submitted in August 2018 by 2005 Toyota 4Runner owner Gary Weinreich a few months before he filed a class action lawsuit against Toyota alleging front suspension failures in ...
Honda Accord, CR-V Automatic Emergency Braking Problems Honda Accord and Honda CR-V Collision Mitigation Braking Systems suddenly activate.

Feb 24, 2022 — Honda automatic emergency braking problems in Accord and CR-V vehicles are the focus of a federal investigation following 107 Honda Accord automatic emergency braking complaints and 171 Honda CR-V automatic emergency braking complaints. The complaints, as well as additional early warning reports, were filed about 2017-2019 Honda CR-V and 2018-2019 Honda Accord vehicles equipped with Honda's Collision Mitigation Braking Systems. More than 1.7 million Honda ...
Tesla 'Phantom Braking' Problems Investigated In nine months 354 Tesla phantom braking complaints have been filed with federal regulators.

Feb 17, 2022 — Tesla "phantom braking" problems have caused at least 350 drivers to complain their 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles suddenly apply their brakes for no apparent reason while driving at highway speeds. The Tesla "phantom braking" problems and complaints finally got the attention of federal safety regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the investigation will try to determine what is triggering the brakes. The Tesla ...
Chevy Bolt Battery Fire Investigation Closed Recalls to replace the Chevrolet Bolt batteries convinces feds to close probe.

Feb 13, 2022 — A Chevy Bolt battery fire investigation has been closed based on recalls announced by General Motors that will replace all the battery modules in 2017-2022 Bolts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the federal investigation in October 2020 based on fires that occurred in 2017-2020 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles. Bolt owners complained the fires started under the seats while the cars were parked and unattended. NHTSA also said the ...
Ford Door Latch Recalls Close Down Federal Investigation Multiple Ford door latch recalls finally convince safety regulators the vehicles are safe.

Feb 13, 2022 — A Ford door latch recall, followed by several more recalls, has convinced the government to close a federal investigation that was opened in December 2019. Ford door latch problems have haunted the automaker since at least 2014, primarily in Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. Ford owners complained the doors failed to latch or they suddenly opened while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened its first ...
Honda Ridgeline Backup Camera Recall May Be Necessary 2017-2018 Honda Ridgeline rearview camera failures investigated by federal government.

Feb 12, 2022 — A Honda Ridgeline backup camera recall may be on the horizon, but it will be based on the results of a federal investigation into backup camera failures in 2017-2018 Ridgeline trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened the backup camera investigation after receiving at least 42 complaints about the problem. Honda Ridgeline owners complain the rearview cameras fail because of damage to the tailgate wire harnesses. Apparently the ...
Kia Sorento Headlight Recall Not Necessary: Feds Safety regulators find 1,300 complaints about low-beam Kia Sorento headlight problems.

Jan 29, 2022 — A Kia Sorento headlight recall won't be necessary after hundreds of owners complained about losing the low-beam headlights in 2011-2013 Sorentos. Federal safety regulators opened an investigation in June 2020 and discovered more than 1,300 customer complaints about Kia Sorento headlight problems. The complaints indicated the low-beam headlights dimmed or failed due to faulty or overheated headlight connector terminals. Some Sorento owners said the ...