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NHTSA closes investigation on 4.7M FCA power modules, no recall

FCA US hasn't had the best time with recalls as of late. Not only did the company recently agree to greater safety oversight and paid $105 million to the government, that came just days after hacking fears prompted a 1.4-million model recall campaign. However, a recent decision to close an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration means that the automaker doesn't have to worry about another major recall possibly affecting 4.7 million vehicles, according to the agency's report (as a PDF). Last September, the Center for Auto Safety petitioned NHTSA to investigate an alleged problem with the totally integrated power module (TIPM) on these FCA US models. The group claimed that a fault with the component could cause a variety of maladies, including stalls, not starting, catching fire, unintended acceleration, and airbag non-deployment. At the time, it also submitted 70 cases where this had reportedly happened. According to NHTSA, "no valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components." The agency did find signs of an issue with the fuel pump relay in some Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos, but FCA US issued recalls for the problem in September 2014 and February 2015. Without anything else to go on, the Feds don't think it's worth investigating this topic any more.

Consumer Reports no longer recommends Honda Civic

Consumer Reports annual Car Reliability Survey is out, and yes, there are some big surprises. First and foremost? The venerable publication no longer recommends the Honda Civic. In fact, aside from the walking-dead CR-Z and limited-release Clarity fuel-cell car, the Civic is the only Honda to miss out on CR's prestigious nod. At the opposite end there's a surprise as well – Toyota and Lexus remain the most reliable brands on the market, but Buick cracked the top three. That's up from seventh last year, and the first time for an American brand to stand on the Consumer Reports podium. Mazda's entire lineup earned Recommended checks as well. Consumer Reports dinged the Civic for its "infuriating" touch-screen radio, lack of driver lumbar adjustability, the limited selection of cars on dealer lots fitted with Honda's popular Sensing system, and the company's decision to offer LaneWatch instead of a full-tilt blind-spot monitoring system. Its score? A lowly 58. The Civic isn't the only surprise drop from CR's Recommended ranks. The Audi A3, Ford F-150, Subaru WRX/STI, and Volkswagen Jetta, GTI, and Passat all lost the Consumer Reports' checkmark. On the flipside, a number of popular vehicles graduated to the Recommended ranks, including the BMW X5, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, and Cruze, Hyundai Santa Fe, Porsche Macan, and Tesla Model S. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the hilariously recall-prone Ford Escape getting a Recommended check – considering the popularity of Ford's small crossover, this is likely a coup for the brand, as it puts the Escape on a level playing field with the Recommended Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. While Ford is probably happy to see CR promote the Escape, the list wasn't as kind for every brand. For example, of the entire Fiat Chrysler Automobiles catalog, the ancient Chrysler 300 was the only car to score a check – there wasn't a single Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, or Ram on the list. That hurts. FCA isn't alone at the low end, either. GMC, Jaguar Land Rover, Mini, and Mitsubishi don't have a vehicle on CR's list between them, while brands like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Nissan, Lincoln, Infiniti, and Cadillac only have a few models each. You can check out Consumer Reports entire reliability roundup, even without a subscription, here.

Three Ram recalls affect more than a million pickups

Millions of Ram pickups across many of its model lines in the US are in need of recall repairs due to three campaigns by the truck maker. The largest of this trio covers 1.06 million examples in the US of the 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, and chassis cab versions of the 3500, 4500, and 5500 because of potential inadvertent driver-side airbag deployment. In addition to those affected here, there are 235,925 in Canada, 26,543 in Mexico, and 23,635 elsewhere. There are also two related injures from this problem, but no reports of accidents, according to the company. While the recall was mysteriously ignored in the media at the time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced details of this campaign in late July. The next largest among the three covers 188,000 examples of the 2014 and 2015 Ram 1500 Quad Cab in the US because their side-curtain airbags don't fully overlap the C-pillars when deployed, which is in violation of federal rules. Conceivably, rear passengers not wearing their seatbelt could be more likely to be ejected in a crash. Ram's repair for the issue is still being developed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but the company advises all occupants to be buckled in. The final campaign affects 156,498 the company's heavy-duty trucks in the US, including the 2013 Ram 3500 and 2014 Ram 2500, 3500, and 3500 Chassis Cab. In addition, there are 20,603 in Canada and 3,241 elsewhere. Of the 13,236 in Mexico, a few units of the 2014 Ram 1500 exclusive to that market are also covered. The company found that the welds for some steering parts might have "insufficient fusion." If the part breaks, then vehicles are still controllable but with diminished response. There are no reported injuries but one minor accident. The fix involves installing a reinforcement bracket. Related Video: Statement: Steering-wheel Wiring Harness September 10, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to inspect and service, as required, wiring harnesses in an estimated 1.06 million U.S.-market trucks. Investigation by FCA US discovered certain trucks may have steering-wheel wiring harnesses that wear because of contact with a spring. Such wear may cause a short-circuit that may lead to inadvertent driver-side air-bag deployment. The Company is aware of two related injuries, but no accidents.