INVESTIGATION Subject : Steering shaft failure

Date Investigation Opened: NOV 04, 2014
Date Investigation Closed: Open
NHTSA Action Number: PE14034
Component(s): STEERING
All Products Associated with this Investigation
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
INFINITI EX35 2008

Details
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.

SUMMARY:
The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) has received two complaints (VOQs) alleging steering wheel shaft separations in model year 2008 Infiniti EX35 vehicles. The first complaint (VOQ 10350255) reported a failure that occurred at 19,087 miles of service. The driver alleged experiencing play in the steering while driving 40 miles per hour. After slowing to a stop, the driver reported a complete loss of steering with the steering wheel rotating 360 degrees without turning the wheels. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and repaired, but the owner was not able to provide copies of repair records. The second complaint (VOQ 10605536) reported a failure that occurred at 75,312 miles. The driver reported that the steering became loose while driving home and completely separated after stopping in his driveway. A service invoice provided by the owner indicates that the dealer replaced the steering column and shaft assembly after finding a failed steering shaft bearing. A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope and frequency of the alleged defect.

The VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10350255 and 10605536.

INVESTIGATION Subject : Electric Power Steering Failure

Date Investigation Opened: NOV 04, 2014
Date Investigation Closed: Open
NHTSA Action Number: PE14033
Component(s): STEERING
All Products Associated with this Investigation
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
HONDA ACCORD 2013-2014

Details
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

SUMMARY:
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 24 unique VIN complaints (VOQs) alleging loss of power steering and/or sudden increase in steering effort in model year (MY) 2013 Honda Accord vehicles. Four complaints allege that the failures resulted in crashes, which all occurred at speeds less than 30 mph. ODI has also identified related information in Early Warning Reporting field report data submitted by Honda. Just over half (13) of the VOQs indicated observing a power steering warning message as the failure occurred. Some VOQs reported that the condition was corrected by turning the vehicle off and restarting. However, several indicate the condition returned again after restart. A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect.

The VOQs associated with this resume are, including duplicates which are shown in parentheses next to original complaint: 10648623, 10644762, 10643217, 10640012, 10639543, 10630852, 10629629, 10627926, 10627922, 10626999, 10622418, 10608752, 10605909, 10595068, 10588425, 10583855, 10563724, 10553641 (10553779), 10547436, 10545177 (10566479), 10542360, 10537336, 10519960, 10515618 (10515696)

The safety crisis surrounding Takata's exploding airbags continues to expand. In the latest revelation, Honda confirms another death linked to the faulty parts, and the company is expanding its recall of the components. However, none of the newly added vehicles are in the United States.

With the confirmation of this report, there are now five deaths linked to the faulty airbags. According to The New York Times, a pregnant woman in Malaysia was killed on July 27 in a 2003 Honda City when she crashed into another vehicle, and the inflator ruptured. This was the first announced case outside of the US.

The faulty part in the woman's car was reportedly made at a now-closed Takata factory in Georgia, according to the NYT, and it's the first known example from that location. In response, Honda recalled about 170,000 vehicles in Europe and Asia to replace the potentially bad inflators. The latest campaign brings the total number of recalled vehicles worldwide to around 14.3 million units.

In addition to the tragedy, Takata is facing several investigations in the US. A federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York subpoenaed the company's documents connected to the recall, according to The New York Times. The Senate Commerce Committee is holding its own hearing into the problem on November 20 with representatives from many of the affected automakers expected to testify.

Leaders at Honda and Takata both are under intense scrutiny at the moment. The chairman of the parts supplier has been criticized for remaining out of sight during the catastrophe, while former bosses at the automaker have met with the current CEO over the company's recent recalls.

RECALL Subject : TPMS may not Locate Sensors

Report Receipt Date: OCT 03, 2014
NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V618000
Component(s):
Potential Number of Units Affected: 28,037
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
LAND ROVER LR4 2013-2014
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 2014
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT 2014

Details
Manufacturer: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC

SUMMARY:
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2014 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport and 2013-2014 LR4 vehicles manufactured September 16, 2013, to June 30, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may fail to learn the locations of the individual sensors while the vehicle is being driven. As a result, the low tire pressure warning light will illuminate, despite the the tire pressures being within specification. Should one of the tires subsequently lose air pressure, the driver would not be notified of the change in air pressure.

CONSEQUENCE:
If the TPMS light illuminates because the sensors cannot be located, it could mask an actual low tire pressure condition, possibly resulting in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:
Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837, Option 9. Land Rover's number for this recall is P050.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FORD ISSUES SAFETY COMPLIANCE RECALL FOR CERTAIN 2014-2015 FUSIONS IN NORTH AMERICA

Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 65,000 Fusion vehicles in North America for a programming issue in the instrument cluster. This issue allows the key to be removed 30 minutes after the ignition is turned off, even if the transmission is not in Park. This is a compliance issue with FMVSS 114, a regulation involving theft protection and rollaway prevention.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2014-2015 Fusion vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Sept. 4, 2013 to Oct. 31, 2014; certain 2014-2015 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, July 27, 2013 to Oct. 31, 2014; certain 2015 Fusion Energi vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, July 14, 2014 to Oct. 31, 2014; and certain 2015 Fusion Hybrid vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 24, 2014 to Oct. 31, 2014.

Ford is aware of 56,479 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, 6,048 in Canada and 2,342 in Mexico. (These totals are as of Nov. 11, 2014.)

Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster at no cost to the customer.

Automotive News
November 24, 2014 - 4:00 pm ET -- UPDATED: 11/24/14 9:15 pm ET - adds background
WASHINGTON -- American Honda failed to tell U.S. safety regulators about more than 1,700 claims of deaths or injuries linked to possible safety defects in its vehicles since 2003, when the U.S. law requiring the reports took effect, the automaker said today.

The 1,729 incidents involve a wide variety of possible safety defects, including eight incidents linked to defective Takata airbag inflators.

The reporting errors were caused by a series of data entry and computer programming errors, plus an “overly narrow interpretation” of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act, Honda said.

The TREAD Act, the 2000 legislation that overhauled auto recall procedures after the Ford-Firestone tire crisis, requires automakers to submit quarterly reports to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration listing all known incidents of deaths or injuries that may be linked to safety defects in its vehicles.

Honda's violation is one of the biggest in history and could lead to a fine of $35 million.

NHTSA is reviewing Honda’s report as part of an investigation into the company’s failure to report airbag related deaths and injuries in a timely manner, said Kevin Vincent, the agency’s chief counsel. There’s no timetable for an agency decision, he said in a statement.

“We received Honda’s response to our Special Order and will immediately begin reviewing the documents as part of our ongoing investigation,” Vincent said.

Honda said eight of the 1,729 cases involved Takata airbag inflator ruptures and that NHTSA knew of those incidents.

“I think absolutely they are going to get a $35 million fine,” Joan Claybrook, a former NHTSA administrator who now advocates for consumer safety, told Bloomberg. “It’s quite shocking Honda would behave this way. They’ve put their company reputation at risk.”

Automakers face fines of $7,000 per violation per day for not abiding by the TREAD Act, which requires the companies to tell regulators about customer injuries, lawsuits, warranty claims and complaints. If Honda’s admitted lapses -- spanning from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2014 -- average at least three days each, the automaker would actually exceed the law’s $35 million maximum civil penalty.

“It is certainly possible that Honda’s cooperation and proactive efforts, and agreement to institute certain changes, will mitigate the magnitude of this fine,” said Neil Steinkamp, a managing director at Stout Risius Ross who studies warranty and recall issues. “More importantly, this is likely to serve as a significant warning to other automakers.”

Ferrari fine

The largest fine NHTSA has levied for lack of compliance with its “early-warning reporting” system was a $3.5 million penalty last month against Ferrari S.p.A. for failing to file information on alleged defects and three deaths.

Honda's findings come from a third-party audit into its death and injury reporting practices that the company commissioned in September when it learned of possible shortcomings in how it reports such claims to regulators.

Honda disclosed the audit last month after it was accused by the Center for Auto Safety, a watchdog group, of failing to report at least two incidents of death or injury linked to ruptures of Takata airbag inflators.

“The audit identifies difficult facts about where we did not meet our obligations. At Honda we acknowledge this problem as our management responsibility,” Rick Schostek, executive vice president of Honda North America, said in a conference call with reporters.

Honda gave the audit findings to NHTSA today as part of its response to a special order from the agency into Honda’s compliance with death and injury reporting rules of the TREAD Act.

Among the more than 1,700 unreported incidents were eight involving ruptured Takata airbag inflators, including seven reported injuries and one death linked to the part.

However, NHTSA knew about the eight ruptures from its own records or from notices provided by Honda, Schostek said. He said that NHTSA has not had a chance to review Honda’s findings, as they were provided to the agency today.

Suspect inflators

The suspect Takata inflators, which may explode in a crash and spray occupants with shrapnellike shards of metal, have been linked to five deaths globally and dozens of injuries and prompted more than 8 million vehicles to be recalled since 2013, the majority of them Honda vehicles.

The defect is the focus of an ongoing NHTSA probe that is separate from the response Honda provided the agency today. NHTSA also issued special orders directing Honda and Takata to provide documents about the defect as part of that probe. Those responses are due later this month.

Honda says it has started to fix its death and injury reporting shortcomings. It has already fixed computer coding problems that led to the reporting failures, and will now include both written and oral claims of death and injuries in its quarterly reports to regulators, also known as Early Warning Reports, among other changes.

The company says it will also make organizational and staff changes in the departments that handle Early Warning Reports.

Honda's violation is one of the biggest in history and could lead to a fine of $35 million.

RECALL Subject : Tire Pressure Monitoring System/FMVSS 138
Report Receipt Date: OCT 27, 2014
NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V675000
Component(s): TIRES
Potential Number of Units Affected: 99,711
Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations

SUMMARY:
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured October 25, 2012, to October 10, 2014. If the pressures of four of the tires on an affected vehicle gradually drop at the same time, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may not warn the driver of the drop in pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

CONSEQUENCE:
A vehicle that is driven with under inflated tires may experience a sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

General Motors is recalling 273,182 Buick LaCrosse sedans and Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Saab and Isuzu midsize SUVs in the U.S. for possible intermittent or permanent loss of low beam headlamps. Affected models are: 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse sedans; 2006-2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer and 2006 TrailBlazer EXT; 2006-2007 GMC Envoy and 2006 Envoy XL; 2006-2007 Buick Rainier; 2006-2008 Saab 9-7X and 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender midsize SUVs. If the headlamp driver modules is not operating correctly, the low-beam headlamps and daytime running lamps could intermittently or permanently fail to illuminate. This condition does not affect the high-beam headlamps, marker lamps, turn signals, or fog lamps. GM has not been able to confirm whether the HDMs in these vehicles caused any vehicle accidents. The total population, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico and exports from North America is 316,357. The NHTSA was sent the Part 573 information for this recall on November 25. It has not yet posted to the NHTSA website.

Statement: Air-Bag Inflators

December 3, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group is voluntarily replacing front passenger-side air-bag inflators in an estimated 149,150 older-model pickup trucks in seven U.S. states and five territories to address concerns about improper air-bag deployment.

The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents involving these inflators in the affected vehicles. Nor has Chrysler Group observed failures in laboratory testing of its air-bag modules.

However, these inflators have been linked to two failures in vehicles produced by other auto makers. In these incidents, which occurred in Puerto Rico and southern Florida, air-bag deployment was accompanied by component ruptures.

The pickups are among nine vehicle lines subject to an earlier regional field action to replace inflators in certain cars and trucks purchased or registered in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands – areas where persistent, high absolute humidity and high temperatures may adversely affect component performance.

Chrysler continues to study this issue with great urgency. At this time, data analysis indicates the front passenger-side inflators in the affected pickups represent the only additional risk outside the above-mentioned areas. The inflators are of a type that is not used in any of the other vehicles affected by Chrysler Group's regional field action.

This new action undertaken by the Company covers model-year 2003 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups sold or ever registered in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands.

Chrysler Group plans to notify affected customers beginning Jan. 19, 2015. Letters will advise when they may schedule service, which will be provided at no charge.

Customers who have questions in the interim may call 1-800-853-1403.


FORD EXPANDS REGIONAL TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL

At the request of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford is expanding its regional recall on Takata passenger-side airbag inflators. This recall includes approximately 38,500 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, an additional 13,000 vehicles approximately. This brings the total number of Ford vehicles being recalled for all issues related to Takata airbag inflators to approximately 98,000.

This expanded recall includes certain 2004-2005 Ford Rangers and 2005-2006 Ford GTs originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It adds certain zip codes with high absolute humidity conditions in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa, per NHTSA's request.

Affected vehicles include certain 2004-2005 Ford Ranger vehicles built at Edison Assembly Plant, Aug. 12, 2003 to March 1, 2004; certain 2004-2005 Ford Ranger vehicles built at Twin Cities Assembly Plant, May 21, 2003 to May 4, 2005; and certain 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles built at Wixom Assembly Plant, Feb. 11, 2005 to Jan. 30, 2006.

Dealers will replace the airbag inflator at no cost to the customer.


MAZDA STATEMENT ON TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL

Dec 4, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC (December 4, 2014) – Mazda today announced the following steps in the Takata recall:

Mazda has decided to expand the area of the high-temperature, high-humidity region recall to include the Gulf Coast states.

The following states and territories comprise the High Absolute Humidity Region - Florida; Puerto Rico; Hawaii; Saipan; Guam; American Samoa; US Virgin Islands; Georgia; Alabama; Louisiana; Mississippi; Texas.

As of December 4th, the estimated vehicles in all Mazda-Takata campaigns is 86,773. (Pending Polk Data confirmation).

We have discussed with Takata to move forward the supply timing for replacement airbags. For our customers, we continue to encourage customers to respond to our recall by making phone calls and re-sending notification letters.

With safety as our first priority, we are cooperating with Takata to work toward finding a solution to this problem as early as possible.

Toyota has proposed an independent, industry-wide joint testing initiative and Mazda has agreed to join the initiative.

This situation is fluid, and updates will be provided regularly.

# # #

Ford Issues Safety Recall for Certain 2015 Mustang Vehicles in North America for Fuel Pressure Sensor Issue

Dec 4, 2014 | DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 730 2015 Ford Mustang vehicles in North America (actual 728) for a potential fuel line leak. A fuel pressure sensor, which is part of the fuel supply tube assembly, may have been installed incorrectly, potentially resulting in a pressurized fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2015 Ford Mustangs equipped with 2.3-liter engines built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Sept. 25, 2014 to Oct. 9, 2014. Ford is aware of 712 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories and 16 in Canada. These totals are as of Dec. 3, 2014.

Dealers will replace the fuel supply tube assembly at no cost to the customer.

***

Ford Issues Safety Recall for Certain 2014 Transit Connect Cargo Van Vehicles in North America for Issue with the Plastic Panel on the Sliding Doors

Dec 4, 2014 | DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 20,000 2014 Transit Connect cargo van vehicles in North America (actual 19,825) for an issue with adhesion of an exterior plastic panel to the sliding doors. This issue may result in noise, a water leak, a loose panel, or separation of the plastic panel from the vehicle while driving, potentially increasing the risk of an accident or injury. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2014 Transit Connect cargo van two-panel vehicles built at Valencia Assembly Plant, Aug. 9, 2013 to Sept. 20, 2014 and certain 2014 Transit Connect cargo van one-panel vehicles built at Valencia Assembly Plant, Aug. 9, 2013 to Sept. 20, 2014.

All of the 19,825 vehicles are located in the United States and federalized territories. These totals are as of Dec. 3, 2014.

Dealers will remove and reinstall the sliding door plastic panels using proper materials and procedures. This will be done at no cost to the customer.

RECALL Subject : Inoperative Stop Lamps
Report Receipt Date: NOV 07, 2014
NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V713000
Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 42,925
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America

SUMMARY:
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Hyundai Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, to November 21, 2010, and 2011 Hyundai Equus vehicles manufactured July 31, 2010, to November 21, 2010. Due to a circuit failure, the stop lamps in the affected vehicles may not illuminate.

CONSEQUENCE:
A following vehicle may not recognize that the vehicle is slowing or coming to a stop if the stop lamps on the vehicle do not illuminate as expected. There is an increased risk of a rear-end crash as a result.

REMEDY:
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the stop lamp switch circuit, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-714-865-3920. Hyundai's number for this recall is 125.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Report Receipt Date: NOV 28, 2014
NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V683000
Component(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 133,592

Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
SUMMARY:
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70, and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fuel pressure sensor may loosen with vehicle usage and cause a fuel leak.
CONSEQUENCE:
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
REMEDY:
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pressure sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. This is an expansion of recall 12V-069

Statement by American Honda Regarding National Safety Improvement Campaign: Driver's Front Airbag Inflator Supplied by Takata

Dec 8, 2014 - TORRANCE, Calif.

Honda will voluntarily expand a regional Safety Improvement Campaign initiated in June 2014 (NHTSA No. 14V-351) into a national Safety Improvement Campaign affecting certain 2001 through 2011 Honda and Acura vehicles in the United States to replace the driver frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. Honda is expanding this Safety Improvement Campaign to address concerns raised by its customers whose vehicles were not included in the regional campaign. With this expansion, a total of approximately 5.4 million vehicles (including vehicles previously included in the regional action) will be covered by 14V-351. Vehicles already repaired pursuant to 14V-351 will not require further repair.

As part of an ongoing industry investigation, Honda has been working in cooperation with Takata, the supplier of the airbag inflators, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remove and test frontal airbag inflators installed in certain Honda and Acura vehicles in 11 U.S. states and territories (Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands). Honda has been participating in that investigation because of an apparent correlation between the long term exposure to high absolute humidity, which is common in most of those states and territories, and the possibility that a frontal airbag inflator produced by Takata could produce excessive internal pressure upon deployment and then rupture. If a driver frontal airbag inflator ruptures, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material possibly causing serious injury or fatality to vehicle occupants.

To date, Takata's testing of driver frontal airbag inflators removed from vehicles subject to 14V-351 has not yet resulted in any abnormal deployments. Honda is aware of a May 2014 rupture of a driver frontal airbag inflator in a vehicle in California that was not covered by any of the driver frontal airbag recalls initiated between 2008 and 2011. Neither Honda nor Takata has made a determination that a safety defect exists in the driver frontal airbag inflators that are installed in vehicles included in the expanded 14V-351. Honda hopes that the expansion of this action nationwide will both address customer concerns and further assist in the ongoing industry investigation of abnormal airbag deployments in the vehicles from all affected manufacturers.

Honda is announcing this action to encourage owners to take their vehicles to an authorized Honda or Acura dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda or Acura. Mailed notification to customers in the original regional Safety Improvement Campaign began in September, and additional mailed notification letters will be sent to registered owners over time, prioritized by geographic area in the order of highest perceived risk.The most-updated available consumer information about this action is obtainable at www.recalls.honda.com and www.recalls.acura.com or by calling (800) 999-1009 for Honda owners or (800) 382-2238 for Acura owners, and selecting option 4.

Summary of Affected Models (Certain specific vehicles only):

2001-2007 Honda Accord with 4-cylinder engines
2001-2002 Honda Accord with V6 engines
2001-2005 Honda Civic
2002-2006 Honda CR-V
2003-2011 Honda Element
2002-2004 Honda Odyssey
2003-2007 Honda Pilot
2006 Honda Ridgeline
2003-2006 Acura MDX
2002-2003 Acura TL
2002 Acura CL

A bad indicator that could convince customers that affected cars are in park, even when they aren't, has pushed Acura to issue a stop-sale for the V6-equipped TLX sedan. The company has already alerted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the potential safety defect.

According to Consumer Reports, the defect is being blamed on unnamed transmission components in the nine-speed-automatic transmissions, which were damaged during assembly. A representative from Acura confirmed to CR that a more complete statement would be coming once the case can be reviewed by NHTSA.

At this point, this case isn't a full recall, although it seems quite likely that's the direction it will take. Stay tuned for more.