There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters.
We try to boil down it to the most important bits and pieces -- the recalls, service bulletins, and lawsuits that can help you solve you car problems. Interested in getting these quick story bits as an email? Signup over at CarComplaints.com.
Unfortunately, the door latches aren't quite as grabby.
"Fiat Chrysler is recalling 1,762 model year 2013-14 Dodge Viper SRT cars because the doors can fly open while driving."
The problem is caused by the sealant that's applied to the switches on the Viper's door latches. Full details about the recall are available on our site.
keep reading article "Faulty Latch Allows Doors SRT Viper Doors to Fly Open"But all that power isn't going to do you any good when all your fuel leaks out of a bad hose seal. Anytime there's a fuel leak there's also a chance for a fire so the cars are being recalled.…
keep reading article "Fuel Leaking Out Bad Hose Seals in SRT Models"Dodge is recalling over 1,000 model year 2015 Dodge Dart Aero cars because of problems with the tire pressure monitoring systems.
The system is doing a really bad job at telling you when your tire pressure is low, which is unfortunate when you consider that is its only job. Luckily, Dodge is issuing a recall to fix it.
Owners of the 2015 Dodge Dart Aero can call 800-853-1403 and refer to recall number P76.
keep reading article "Tire Pressure Monitoring System Recall for the Dart Aero"The automaker says the instrument cluster software on the Challenger could cause the instrument cluster to go into a “reset” condition and fail to perform a “bulb check” on safety warning lights during vehicle start-up.
Dodge dealers will need to install a "software enhancement." If your car's gauges are spiked for more than 4 hours, please see your mechanic.
keep reading article "Challenger Instrument Cluster Can Go Into 'Reset', Needs a Recall"ust a few days after switching its name, FCA US is issuing a massive recall for 3.3 million older vehicles with Takata airbag inflators.** The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been not-so-subtly suggesting automakers ditch regional recalls and expand nationwide. It looks like FCA US has listened.
FCA US says it's aware of one injury related to exploding Takata airbag inflators, but that incident occurred in Florida. The automaker said there have been no other reports of accidents or injuries. In addition, FCA US says over 1,000 laboratory tests have been conducted on airbag inflators but no problems were discovered.
The recalled vehicles include the 2004-2007 Dodge Ram 1500 / 2500 / 3500 / 3500 Chassis Cab, Durango, Charger, Magnum, and Dakota.
keep reading article "Regional Recall Issued for Takata Airbag Inflators"The recall is currently limited to areas of high humidity, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Chrysler says the vehicles have passenger frontal airbag inflators that are different from other metal Takata inflators used by other automakers. Chrysler says it has received no reports of accidents or injuries and even after laboratory tests on 600 inflators, none of the inflators were defective.
Recall notices should be sent out around January 15th of next year.
keep reading article "Regional Recall Issued for Takata Airbag Inflators"A petition filed last month to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims the van suffers from a gas tank defect.
To be fair, I tend to stall after a big turkey dinner as well, but car's aren't supposed to do the same thing. Yes, it's a double standard, Grand Caravan -- but them's the breaks.…
keep reading article "Why Does the Grand Caravan Stall After Filling Up the Gas Tank?"There are numerous reports of the rear differential locking up or the driveshaft separating due to loose pinion nuts, causing the truck to spin out of control. About half of the complaints happened at speeds over 50mph, leaving owners with both a mechanic and a dry cleaner bill (if you catch my drift).
Read more about the issue and the terrifying tales of owners.…
keep reading article "Is Dodge Indifferent About Their Differentials?"It's a simple safety feature that 110,000 Dodge Ram trucks might be missing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation, but owners who reported the problem years ago are wondering what took so long -- especially after a child sadly died when a truck's engine was started unexpectedly.
A faulty clutch interlock switch is possibly to blame for allowing the engine to crank when it shouldn't, but we won't know for sure until the investigation moves forward.…
keep reading article "Investigation Into Faulty Clutch Interlock System in Ram Trucks"A wiring harness can overheat and burn out the low-beam headlights in the 2011-12 model years. That leaves you with two options: drive home in the dark or face the wrath of every oncoming driver by using your high-beams.
Chrysler first learned of this problem in 2011 when some Charger police cars started having low-beam failures, leading to a recall. An investigation of the entire fleet was opened in November 2013 when additional complaints -- from non-Police vehicles -- started pouring in.…
keep reading article "Halogen Headlight Failure Prompts Charger Recall"The best way to find out what's wrong with a vehicle is from the people who drive them. Not only do owner complaints help us rank vehicles by reliability, but they're often used to spark class-action lawsuits and warranty extensions. Plus, they're a great way to vent.