DETROIT (AP) - The U.S. 2.3 million vehicles from Ford, Volkswagen and Nissan. Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ: NHTSA has expanded a 2016 investigation to include just over 1 million vehicles. The probe now covers the 2006-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ as well as the 2006-2011 Mercury Milan. Investigators are looking into a total of 735 complaints to NHTSA and Ford that the brake pedal can travel farther toward the floor than expected, potentially increasing stopping distance. The agency now has reports of 30 crashes resulting in three injuries. Tests at NHTSA's Ohio laboratory found stuck valves and corrosion in the brake hydraulic control unit. Ford told the agency that newer versions have a different coating and aren't corroding. Eight Volkswagen models: The government is expanding an investigation into the 2015 recall of 416,000 Volkswagens to address driver air bags that failed to inflate. The probe now affects 1.2 million CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles from the 2010-2014 model years.
The agency and VW have received a total of 852 complaints that models outside the scope of the recall have the same problem, or the recall repair didn't work. In addition, VW has received almost 3,000 warranty claims. The recall was done to address failure of air bag wiring in the steering wheel. Nissan Murano: NHTSA is upgrading an investigation into brake problems with over 108,000 Nissan Murano SUVs from the 2009 model year. It's now an engineering analysis, which is a step closer to a recall. Last year the agency began investigating a problem similar to the Ford one in which the brake pedal traveled closer to the floor than expected. The agency says 484 consumers have complained to NHTSA or the company, including 14 who reported crashes with three injuries. NHTSA says it will test hydraulic brake control units at its lab. It says similar control units and brake fluid are used in other Nissan vehicles. Nissan maintains that the brake system remains intact and that full braking is available even if the pedals travel a longer distance, the agency said. Nissan wouldn't say what other models could be affected. It has notified affected Murano owners that dealers will flush brake fluid and test anti-lock brake actuators and replace them if needed, at no cost to owners.
On higher trims, the Jetta also has VW鈥檚 first BeatsAudio premium audio, a 400-watt system tuned to the car with seven speakers, including a subwoofer in the trunk. To my taste, it sounded just OK, not great. It seemed too bass-heavy and less crisp than the Fender-branded premium audio in other VWs, such as the 2019 Tiguan. Oddly stingy in the otherwise tech-savvy new Jetta is the sparse availability of USB ports and other power outlets. There鈥檚 just one USB port and a 12-volt outlet until you get to the SEL, which adds one more USB in the console bin. That鈥檚 also the only port available for the rear seat. The seventh-generation 2019 Jetta improves overall on a predecessor that ranked among the more fun-to-drive compact sedans. Much of that improvement owes to better bones, with the Jetta now on VW鈥檚 excellent MQB modular platform, which underpins several newer models, from the agile Golf hatchback to the big Atlas SUV. The Jetta鈥檚 no Golf GTI, though, due in part to a cheaper torsion-beam rear suspension.
The redesigned Jetta鈥檚 ride is softer, which might displease fans of the firmer 2018 but will likely please a lot of compact sedan shoppers. Still, it can rival the handling of the regular Civic sedan, and both of those can dance around the 2019 Toyota Corolla. Cornering is stable, with some lean but good body control and predictable nose-heavy understeer. The steering could use more feel, though; it鈥檚 soft on center, but it firms up nicely as you pick up speed. All 2019 Jettas use a revised 147-horsepower, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder whose punchiness belies its size and numbers; the 2018鈥檚 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter options have been dropped. The 1.4-liter remains, but it now benefits from the well-spaced ratios of a new eight-speed automatic transmission that replaced the 2018鈥檚 six-speed. The new transmission shifts positively, with no missteps, and willingly downshifts without excessive nudging from the accelerator. It offers a satisfyingly crisp manual mode, as well. A six-speed manual gearbox is available only on the base S model, where it鈥檚 standard. The clutch is smooth and linear, but the shifter throws are long and stiff, so it鈥檚 not a performance choice.
