Toyota has issued a recall for newer Tundra pickups over possible problems with airbag deployment.

During testing for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration vehicle assessments, the company uncovered an assembly error that can cause the interior trim over the center pillar to interfere with side-curtain airbag deployment, according to The Detroit News.

The issue is said to be limited to 2014-model-year Tundra CrewMax and Double Cab pickups, affecting approximately 130,000 vehicles.

The company has not received any reports of injuries caused by the problem, which prevents the airbag from achieving its “intended inflated shape,” however the recall is being issued as a precaution.

Technicians will inspect the trim piece, known as a garnish, to determine if it has been installed correctly. Any misassembled parts will be properly replaced with a new component.

Growing pains are typical of just about every new vehicle program, but the all-new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray could be suffering from a rather serious ailment.

Car and Driver currently has a 2014 C7 in its long-term test garage, and while the rag has given the sports car high marks for its good looks and excellent driving dynamics, it has given them one major fit – a blown engine.

According to Car and Driver, the engine in their long-term Stingray went kaput after just 6,000 miles. General Motors is still investigating the matter, but has initially concluded that the engine failure was the result of a faulty oil filter that let loose metal debris into the engine. The metal flakes worked their way through the system, ultimately damaging a connecting-rod bearing and the entire bottom end of the LT1 engine.

Moreover, Car and Driver suggests that the engine fault that brought down their C7 is more of a widespread issue rather than an isolated incident.

“We’ve heard of a few similar accounts throughout the Stingray community and GM says it’s aware of the issue and is analyzing its manufacturing process for a root cause.”

We’ve reached out to GM for comment on the matter but so far haven’t heard back. We’ll be sure to update this space when new information becomes available.

Kia has finally announced pricing details for its Soul EV, which will command $34,495 (including $795 freight) in the US market.

The MSRP is nearly $4,000 higher than the Nissan Leaf, however the Soul EV promises an extra nine miles of range — running out of power at 93 miles, according to EPA estimates.

Kia’s electrified hatchback is powered by a single 81.4-kilowatt electric motor, producing 109 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Drivers can expect to get up to 60 mph from a standstill in less than 12 seconds, with a top speed around 90 mph.

The Korean automaker has been busy installing a fast-charger network in California, allowing drivers to charge a depleted battery up to 80 percent in 33 minutes. The system is not as fast as a Tesla Supercharger, but drivers can still add an extra 64-80 miles of range in just a half hour.

The Soul EV is scheduled to arrive in showrooms this fall.

Mercedes-Benz has issued two minor recalls for several hundred S-Class and GLK models, each citing non-compliance with Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards regulations.

Some S-Class sedans were built with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that does not meet FMVSS guidelines regarding warning-light illumination in certain scenarios. If all four sensors are missing or malfunctioning, the system will provide an initial alert but will not repeat the warning after the ignition has been cycled.

“Driving unknowingly with incorrectly inflated tires may result in sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash,” the company warns.

The S-Class recall affects just 158 vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 model years, including certain S550, S63, S600, S65 AMG, S550 and S400 units.

The GLK recall, which only affects 218 vehicles from the 2013 model year, focuses on excessive voltage to the parking lamps. The additional power can cause a higher illumination level that “may cause glare to oncoming vehicles” and increase the risk of a crash.

The company is set to begin repairs later this month for both issues.

China has reportedly levied a $40.5 million fine against Audi and a smaller $5.2 million penalty aimed at Chrysler, punishing both companies over alleged monopolistic business practices.

Both automakers are accused of maintaining minimum pricing strategies, forcing dealers to command inflated prices for their vehicles, parts and service. Dealerships were also targeted in the crackdown, with total fines reaching over $5 million.

Critics have labeled the crackdown as disproportionately targeting foreign companies, though Chinese regulators argue that more than 90 percent of enforcement actions involving the same anti-monopoly laws have affected domestic companies.

“All types of market players are treated equally in anti-monopoly enforcement,” said the National Development and Reform Commission, as quoted by The Detroit News.

Other automakers and parts suppliers are expected to be targeted for their policies in China, where buyers typically pay seemingly exorbitant prices for imported vehicles.