Chrysler facing problems with electrical systems in “millions” of vehicles.

The CBS Evening News (8/27, story 9, 2:20, Dubois, 5.08M) reported that Chrysler is “confronting safety concerns about an electrical component causing lots of problems for owners” called a “totally integrated power module.” It is “found in millions of Chrysler’s vehicles.” CBS’ Jeff Pegues says that problems with the component, “can lead to air bag non-deployment, vehicle shutdowns, unintended accelerations and fires,” according to the Center for Automotive Safety. 

NHTSA unveils VIN-lookup tool for searching recalls.

In ongoing coverage of NHTSA’s new online search tool for drivers to look up automotive recalls by VIN, the Peninsula (WA) Daily News (8/24, 41K) reports that NHTSA’s “program comes as manufacturers are recalling millions more vehicles than at any other time in U.S. history, about 46 million vehicles so far this year,” or about “1 of every 5 cars in the U.S.” Plus, consumers can check their recalls on NHTSA’s smartphone app Safercar. As acting NHTSA Administrator David Friedman said, recalled vehicles “can sometimes be sold or rented to someone who is completely unaware of that recall...In many cases that can put an owner’s life at risk, and risk the safety of others on America’s roads.”

        WITI-TV Milwaukee (8/23, 98K) reported from its website with similar coverage, noting NHTSA’s phrase “recall fatigue.” 

VW Recalls Tiguan For Fuel System Problem, Routan For Ignition Problem

The Volkswagen of America Inc. unit of Volkswagen AG (OTCMKTS:VLKAY) is recalling 189,490 2009-14 Tiguan sport-utility vehicles because of a problem with the fuel system and 18,526 2009 Routans because of a problem with the ignition switch, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Tiguan recall centers on a stalling issue, the result of bubbles forming in the fuel systems of vehicles when winter fuel blends are used during periods of warmer temperatures. This decreases fuel-pump performance and pressure and thus increases the incidence of stalling. Solving the problem involves the installation of revised electronic control module software, Reuters reported. VW said 151,389 Tiguans were sold in the U.S. and 38,101 in Canada.

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Hyundai recalls 883k Sonatas over detaching shift cable

There are plenty of things that can go wrong in a car, some more vital than others. Automakers try their best to make sure they don't, but things slip through, like the shift cables on the Hyundai Sonata.

Hyundai and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have found that, on 883,000 units of the MY2011-2014 Sonata manufactured between December 11, 2009, and May 29, 2014, the shift cable in the transmission is prone to detach from the shift lever. As a result, the gear indicated and the gear engaged might not match, which could set the vehicle in motion unexpectedly. Worse than that, the Park position might not engage altogether, and without the hand brake pulled, that could lead the car to roll away without warning.

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