A Recall and Two Investigations Initiated This Week

Oct. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall of 2012 Mercedes Benz E-Class and investigations into Ford Taurus and Jeep Patriot. The Mercedes is being recalled for a faulty side curtain air bag problem. Meanwhile, Ford Tauruses and Mercury LeSables — basically the same cars from a manufacturing standpoint — are being investigated for complaints of the engine running when the accelerator is not pressed. Conversely, Jeep Patriot drivers complain of the engine shutting down at highway speed.

Mercedes Benz drivers will have to take their car into the dealership to fix an issue with the side curtain airbags. Only 499 cars should be affected in total. The Mercedes Benz E350 and E550 models manufactured between April 2 and June 29, 2012 have bad stitching that cause the airbags to deploy incorrectly. There have been no injuries caused in relation to this issue, but the crash safety is greatly decreased if left unchecked. Contact your dealership to set up an appointment to fix the issue.

At least one crash causing injury has resulted from the 2011-2012 Jeep Patriot shutting down after reaching high speeds. The NHTSA has received a dozen complaints about the vehicle engine failing while travelling over 65 miles per hour. In eight of those cases, the drivers were unable to restart their stalled vehicles again. About 112,000 Patriots will be examined and, if the investigation turns up enough evidence, there will be a recall.

A preliminary investigation is underway for the engine problems plaguing Ford Taurus and Mercury Lesable 2000-2003 models. It appears that a crucial attachment in the cruise control system is prone to break and allow the speed control cable to remain stuck in position. This means that even though the driver isn’t pressing the gas pedal, the car continues to run. There have been about 50 complaints of this problem in vehicles with the four-cylinder, three-liter V6 engines. Potentially, 310,000 cars may be affected.

If you have been experiencing problems with any of these models of cars, speak with your dealer or contact the NHTSA to file a complaint. This is important if you were in an accident that caused injury due to a defect in the vehicle’s manufacturing.