Safety
Ram Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks Recalled for Faulty Brake Lights
Residual pressure in the steering system, caused by inadequate ventilation from the power steering cap,results in a slower return travel of the brake pedal, causing the brake lights to stay on longer, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 Toyota Sienna Recalled for Brake Issues, But Not What You Think
Toyota has just announced a recall for it’s new ‘Swagger Wagon’ Sienna minivan for an issue related to the braking system. Unrelated to any past brake recalls the recall involves the parking brake bracket that could become damaged by repeated use of the foot-actuated parking brake pedal. Toyota warns that damage to the bracket could…
Mazda5 Fuel Pump Concerns Spark Recall
Mazda‘s diminutive minivan, the Mazda5, is the latest car to fall victim to the recall machine, this time a faulty fuel pump being the culprit. Water that remains in the fuel pump may corrode the electrical connectors for the electrical harness. Should the part fail, the engine may stall and be unable to restart, which…
2011 Kia Sorento Recalled For Brake Defects
Kia is recalling 7,697 Sorentos due to a problem with the rear brake calipers, according to a release from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Kia claims that no crashes have resulted from the problem, but is going ahead with the recall anyways. “Some of the rear brake calipers may not have been properly machined,”…
Volvo Recalls S40, V50, S60 and XC60 for Power Seat Defect
A recall has been announced for four late model Volvo vehicles due to an issue with the power seats that could post a safety risk. In total 7,420 vehicles could be affected by the recall, with the list including the S40, V50, S60 and XC60 crossover from model years 2009 to 2011. The issue surrounds…
Tata Nano A Sales Disaster In India
Despite being hailed as the vehicle that would motorize a billion-strong economic powerhouse, the Tata Nano has turned out to be a spectacular flop, with November sales totalling just 509 units, from a peak of 9,000 units in July. For comparison, Mercedes-Benz cars, far beyond the reach of a majority of India’s population, regularly sells…
Back-Up Cameras Could be Mandatory by 2014
Back-up cameras could become mandatory safety equipment by 2014 if proposed new legislation is put into law. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has brought forward the issue, stating that by its estimates the use of such rear view cameras would help significantly reduce the 292 fatalities and 18,000 injuries caused each year by…
Volvo Recalls 6,000 Cars Due To Fuel Cutoff Issues
NHTSA has announced that just over 6,000 2011 Volvos will be recalled due to an issue that could see a fuel cutoff engaged due to the engine computer’s parameter being too sensitive. Drivers could have the fuel cutoff engaged at an inappropriate time, causing the engine to stall. The defect is present in the 2011 S60,…
Land Rover Recalls LR2 Models for Airbag Fault
As a result the driver’s air bag may not deploy properly or deploy at all in the event of an accident.
2007 Kia Optima Under Investigation for Transmission Issues, Recall Possible
Along with the 2006 Honda CR-V, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced an investigation into the 2007 Kia Optima. Both NHTSA probes have been sparked by just three complaints, with the Kia Optima being investigated for transmission shifting issues. A total of 41,000 Optimas are involved, with complaints that the automatic transmission…
British Drivers Face Winter Tire Shortage, Rising Insurance Premiums Upon Install
Motorists in the UK are being hit with a one-two punch, after a shortage of winter tires left drivers scrambling to find appropriate tires for the chilly conditions. Strong demand for winter tires due to last winter’s heavy snowfall has led to a shortage of snow tires. Even with a 400 percent increase in deliveries…
NHTSA Investigating 2006 Honda CR-V For Fire Risk
NHTSA is looking into reports of possible fires in 2006 Honda CR-V’s, caused by a faulty driver’s side master power window switch. Approximately 150,000 cars may be affected by the problem. NHTSA opened the investigation after fires were reported in three cars. Honda previously recalled 141,000 Fits from the 2007-2008 model year due to a…
2011 Jaguar XJ Being Recalled For Wiper Malfunction
Jaguar is set to recall 6,475 XJ sedans due to a problem with the windshield wipers. The malfunction may occur due to the windshield wipers losing synchronization and possibly hitting each other while activated. Dealers will begin sending notifications out on December 13th, and owners can contact Jaguar at 800-452-4827 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hot line at…
2010-2011 Nissan Sentra Being Recalled Due To Engine Failure
Nissan is set to recall nearly 14,000 2010 and 2011 Sentras due to an engine malfunction that could cause the motor to cut out while the vehicle is running. NHTSA summarized the problem as “The bolt/washer surface on the positive battery terminal cable end may allow for a gap to occur in the contact area…
Recalled Ford Windstars Mount-Up On Dealer Lots as Owners Get the Shaft
The Windstar is proving to be a small nightmare for the folks at Ford and for anyone who happens to own one. First NHTSA was investigating the minivan for possible rear axle failure, then an official recall was issued. Then Ford announced it would go so far as to buy back the cars, while offering…
Nissan To Recall 605,000 Vehicles For Steering, Battery Issues
Nissan is set to recall 605,000 vehicles over defects with the steering system and vehicle batteries. The recall will comprise of 303,000 Frontiers, 283,000 Xterras and 18,500 Sentras from the year 2000 to the year 2010. The affected vehicles reside in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, with 85 percent of the cars…
New Recalls Issued by Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Ford
Ah, another day, another spate of recalls. A total of 90,000 vehicles from three different automakers are under separate recalls for everything from loose mirrors to defrosters. (At least it’s not as ridiculous as rusting Bentley ornaments). Suzuki is recalling a total of 70,000 SX4 models from 2007 to 2010 due to side mirror covers…
Nissan Recalls 2 Million Cars and Trucks Over Stalling Issue
Nissan has announced a recall of 2.14 million vehicles worldwide relating to an issue with the ignition system that could cause the cars and trucks to stall. Included in the recall are models sold outside the U.S., like the March, Micra and Note, while here at home vehicles affected include the Titan pickup, the Versa…
Future BMW Technology Could Include Remote Autopark Feature
BMW has outlined a long list of new (and not so new) technologies that may be incorporated into future products. Included in the lineup is a new Autopark feature that would allow the car to park itself after the driver has left the vehicle. While automakers like Lexus and Ford have systems that allow the…
Ford To Recall, Buy Back Windstar Minivans With Defective Axles
Ford‘s Windstar minivan is undergoing a massive recall, with over 460,000 1998-2003 Windstars being recalled over a fault rear axle that may corrode and ultimately fail. Ford has informed dealers that rather than fix the problem, they may buy back the vehicles instead. “At our discretion, the remedy we offer may involve repurchasing a customer’s…
8.4 Million Recalled Fords Remain Unfixed on Our Roads
A total of 8.4 million recalled Ford models remain on our roads unfixed according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is urging owners to get their vehicles repaired. The alarmingly high number is 60 percent of the vehicles affected by a 14 million car recall of Ford products dating from 1999 to 2009…
Chrysler Recalls 26,000 Vehicles Over Fire Risk
Chrysler is recalling 26,397 vehicles over fault power steering hoses that could leak and cause a fire. Vehicles affected include the 2010 Chrysler 300, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey and Dodge Challenger. NHTSA released a statement regarding the recall stating “Some of these vehicles may experience a separation at the crimped end of the…
Toyota To Repair “Shredding” Belts On 2010 Corolla, Matrix
Toyota is recalling 10,750 Corolla and Matrix models due to fault accessory belts, which drive the air conditioner, alternator and water pump. The defect is only present in models with the 1.8L four-cylinder which were assembled in North America between February and March of 2010. The belt is at risk of deteriorating, which could lead…
GM Recalls 400,000 Chevy Impala Models for Improperly Installed Seat Belts
General Motors has just issued a recall for almost 400,000 Chevrolet Impala models for seat belts that may have been installed improperly. The recall affects 392,409 vehicles from 2009 and 2010, which may have incorrectly installed seatbelt anchor bolts. As a result, in an accident the seatbelt anchor could come detached, thereby failing to hold…
