Safety
Ford F-150 Recalled Over Faulty Door Handles
Apparently, the door handles incorporate a fragile embossment that may fracture under normal use. This, says the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration can cause the handles to not latch properly, potentially causing the doors to fly open during an accident.
Nissan Pathfinder, Infiniti QX4 Under Investigation for Corrosion Issues
Traditionally, unibody cars or trucks suffering from serious structural corrosion are usually scrapped, the damage is simply too expensive and costly to repair; as a result NHTSA will probably have to look at other options instead of a TSB or recall.
Volkswagen Passat Under Further Investigation by NHTSA for Fire Risk, Recall Likely
After opening an initial inquiry, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a more thorough investigation of nearly half a million Volkswagen Passat models for a potential fire risk. The investigation surrounds 490,000 Passat models dating from 2001 to 2007 and deals with ignition coils on the 2.0T 4-cylinder engines. The initial inquiry into…
NHTSA Investigating 2010 Ford Fusion For Defective Wheel Studs
NHTSA is beggining an investigation into the 2010 Ford Fusion, after recieving complaints of cracking wheel studs on the popular family sedan. Over 280,000 vehicles may be affected by the problem. Wheel studs hold the wheel in place on the vehicle, and a failure could be catastrophic. Interestingly, NHTSA claimed that “Three complaint vehicles belong…
Ford Windstar Recalled Again; 425,000 Models Affected for Rusting Front Subframe
Ford has announced a recall for 425,000 of its 1999 to 2003 Windstar minivan models as a result of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The issue surrounds a rust problem with the front subframe, that could fracture, which Ford says could result in a steering issue (although considering the structural…
Toyota Recalls 1.7 Million Vehicles Globally Including 245,000 Lexus Models in the U.S.
Toyota has just announced a recall of 1.7 million vehicles globally, with roughly 245,000 Lexus models in the U.S. Affected vehicles include the 2006 through 2007 Lexus GS300/350, the 2006 through early 2009 Lexus IS250, and 2006 to 2008 Lexus IS350 vehicles. The issue with the vehicles involves a fuel pressure sensor that may not…
Saab 9-3 Recalled Over Fuel Pump Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the cars affected were originally fitted with fuel pumps that did not meet the correct specifications.
NHTSA Says 2010 Was A Banner Year For Recalls
With 20.3 million vehicles recalled last year, 2010 was a record year for voluntary recalls, according to data released by the National Highway Traffic Saftey Association. While nearly 31 million vehicles were recalled in 2004 (the peak year on record), 2009 only saw 16.6 million cars recalled. In addition, 3 out of 5 vehicles recalled…
Honda To Recall Accord And CR-V Over Wiring Issues
Honda is recalling 2,277 Accord and CR-V models due to a wiring defect that may have occurred during the vehicle’s assembly. An electrical coupling that was possibly damaged during the engine installation process could lead to the vehicle stalling. While no incidents have been reported, Honda is keen to fix the defect, which only affects 2010 model…
Whistleblower Ordered to Pay Toyota $2.6 Million in Damages
The damages awarded to Toyota include $2.5 million for unauthorized disclosures of confidential information as well as $100,000 in punitive damages. Taylor also issued Biller instructions to return the confidential documents he obtained while employed by Toyota.
Toyota Hangs On To Sales Crown Despite Rough Year
From recalls to unintended acceleration to lawsuits, 2010 was not a good year for Toyota. The seemingly infallible automaker had its reputation for quality and reliability shattered forever – but that didn’t stop the brand from coming out as the sales leader in a few categories. Yet again, the Camry was America’s best selling passenger…
OnStar Now Available in Non-GM Cars Through Best Buy Retail Partnership
As a part of a larger plan to grow OnStar, General Motors has announced it will begin offering the service on non GM products. Originally designed as a value-added safety feature, OnStar has grown to include numerous convenience features as well, including Turn-by-Turn Navigation and even the ability to open a vehicle when you’ve locked…
Chrysler Recalls 120,000 Dodge Journey, Ram 1500 Models
Chrysler has just announced two separate recalls affecting the Dodge Journey and Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. A total of 65,180 Dodge Journey models are affected dating from the 2009 model year. The issue involves wires in a wiring harness that could break over time, causing the side airbags to not deploy in a crash. No…
Ford Edge And Lincoln MKX Face Recall Due To Fire Hazard
Ford is recalling both the Edge crossover and the Lincoln MKX luxury crossover due to an electrical short that could lead to a fire. The vehicles were built during a 6 day window, and also includes certain Ford F-Series trucks. Dealers will inspect a component known as the body control module, and replace it if…
Honda Recalls Accord, Pilot Over Potential Suspension Failures
The problem is being blamed on faulty calibrations on machinery used to torque the bolts at the factory. In total 10, 823 Accords and Pilots are affected by the recall and notified owners are urged to contact their local Honda dealer
2010 Comes Up Short of All-Time Recall Record – Surprisingly
Toyota’s highly publicized woes, including hearings before congress fueled much of recall ‘mania’ in 2010, while a number of other automakers, including Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda and Nissan, also issued a number of bulletins, yet, despite a total of 136 separate recall programs, spread across 17.2 million vehicles, 2010 still wasn’t a record year.
GM Recalls 2005-07 Cadillac CTS; Plus 2011 Cadillac, GMC and Chevy Trucks
General Motors has announced two separate recalls for a total of five vehicles totaling 100,000 units in all. The majority of recalled vehicles are 2005-07 Cadillac CTS models where the passenger airbag could fail to inflate in a crash due to a possible broken connection with the sensor in the passenger seat. In total 95,927…
Toyota to Pay $32.4 Million Fine to Feds Over Recall Timing
Toyota has agreed to pay a $32.4 million fine in order to settle an investigation into the timeliness of the recalls it issued. The fine is the maximum allowable by law, bringing the total value of fines Toyota has paid to government agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to $48.8 million for…
Clear the Snow Before You Go: New Jersey Law Imposes Fines on Lazy Motorists
Take that lazy drivers! As anyone who lives in the snow belt will tell you, motorists who drive around with snow all over their car are more than an annoyance, they’re a hazard. Understanding the danger that snow or ice blowing off a car or truck can cause, the state of New Jersey recently passed…
2011 Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain, Cadillac SRX Recalled for Seat Belt Failure Risk
If you own a 2011 Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain or Cadillac SRX this is not a recall you want to miss. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been busy recalling everything from Bentley logos to Suzuki gloveboxes, this latest recall regards seat belts that could fail. In total, 97,800 of the three…
Honda Fit Recalled Over Headlight Defect
143,8003 Honda Fit hatchbacks from the model years 2007 and 2008 are being recalled in North America due to a defect that could cause the low beam headlights to stop working. Plating on the vehicle’s headlight connector has been identified as the culprit, with the automaker stating that it “can become warn after repeated use…
Ford Windstar Axle Recall Expanded as Mass. Man Killed in Accident
An investigation and eventually a recall on snapping rear axles on Ford’s Windstar minivan wasn’t enough to save the life of Sean Bowman of Massachussetts. A 28 year-old father of two and Coast Guard veteran, Bowman’s family received an official recall notice in the mail from Ford a week after the he had died in…
Chrysler Recalling 370,000 Minivans Regarding Airbag Defect
If you own a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Caravan, you may want to keep an eye on your mail come February. That’s when Chrysler will begin notifying some 367,000 minivan owners about a recall that involves unwanted airbag deployment. A water leak caused by an improperly applied HVAC hose grommet can cause…
Volkswagen Recalling 380,000 Cars Due To Fire Risk
Volkswagen is recalling 380,000 Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Golf, Rabbit and New Beetle models made between 2007 and 2009 due to a possible fire risk. In a statement released by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the government body stated that “The Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Golf and Rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab…
