Category Archives: customer satisfaction

More Ford Motor Recalls for Rollaways ~740,000 Affected

Posted on 30 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Vehicle rollaways continue to plague Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) vehicles according to the latest safety defect recall filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 740,00 vehicles have a software problem whereby the transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, severely damaging the park system. Affected vehicles were built from 8 January 2020, to 8 October 2021. All are equipped with the so-called with park-by-wire system and 10R80 automatic transmissions.

“In the event of transmission park system damage, the ability of the transmission park feature to hold the vehicle if the parking brake is not applied may be affected. Unintended movement in Park increases the risk of a crash or injury,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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Sudden EV Power Loss – Toyota BZ, Lexus RZ, Subaru Solterra Recalled

Posted on 29 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (NYSE: TM, 7203T) is recalling ~21,000 model-year 2026 Toyota BZ, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra battery electric vehicles. The Denso-supplied electronic control unit (Battery ECU) that controls the high-voltage battery may experience a fault, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

 “Toyota observed certain diagnostic data during development testing of a new Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) model. After investigation, Toyota found that the memory in the battery ECU can fail an operation check because a part of the memory address location utilized by the battery control IC overlaps with a part utilized by the monitoring IC. The monitoring IC could repeatedly overwrite data at the same memory address used by the battery control IC when the memory operational check cycle matches the monitoring IC’s write operation cycle,” Toyota said in the mandatory  safety defect recall filling made published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Connectivity Snags Haunt Improvements in New-Vehicle Quality

Posted on 25 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“As more technology is introduced into vehicles, keeping the experience simple matters more than ever,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at JD Power. “The biggest gains in quality come from features that are easy to use—simple controls, less-intrusive driver assistance and software that works the way customers expect. When technology becomes too complicated, the likelihood of customers experiencing a problem rises considerably.” Continue reading →

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Trumped! – 2026 Vehicles Sales Forecasts All Down

Posted on 24 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“The top theme over the last year or so has really been affordability, and this isn’t only related to the auto industry but really about everything facing consumers. And the issue is ALL about purchasing power or more clearly – the erosion of purchasing power for many Americans over the last several years. We’ve all seen new highs in the stock market that have happened many times this year, and those equity gains and asset appreciation really help high income households. Those consumers are driving a lot of consumption across the economy, but the wealth effect gains are concentrated at the very top of the pyramid. The vast majority of the US population sees little gain from the wealth effect and their number one source of income are the paychecks they take home every week. That’s why inflation matters,” said Jeremy Robb, Chief Economist Cox Automotive. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Expand – Six More Covering ~172,000 Vehicles

Posted on 22 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is conducting six more recalls according to data released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration taken from the mandatory safety defect recall filings with the division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (NHTSA recalls 26V373 or 26V-373 sequentially through to 26V378.) Ford is operating under a NHTSA consent decree. [The Ford NHTSA consent order is a binding agreement issued on 14 November 2024, resolving allegations that the automaker failed to comply with federal recall requirements regarding defective rearview cameras. It includes a $165 million civil penalty, marking the second-largest in the agency’s 54-year history – AutoCrat.]*

The latest safety defects are headlamps, power windows, gear selector indication, transmission failures, and the lane center assist system transmission downshifting unexpectedly into first gear. Approximately 172,000 vehicles are affected. Several of the recalls are the result of improperly repaired previous Ford Motor safety defect recalls. Continue reading →

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Ford Bronco, Maverick Recalls for Front Suspension Failures

Posted on 16 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE Ford) is recalling 2021-2026 model-year Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 model-year Maverick light trucks. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle. Owners should not drive the trucks until the recall has been performed.

“An incorrect assembly or repair that results in partial engagement of the ball stud to the knuckle may result in lower control arm ball joint separation from the knuckle which may result in loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of crash,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall d filling made public by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) yesterday. Continue reading →

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Fires Park Outside! – Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid EVs

Posted on 15 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge,” Chrysler said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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UAW Local 2093 Members Ratify New American Axle Contract

Posted on 15 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“Not only did they take care of the legacy people that were here and made the tough decisions back in 2008 to keep the place open, they took care of the people working there today,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “They also took care of all the future generations that will come to work here in Three Rivers, Michigan, at American Axle.”

Over the ten-day strike, UAW Local 2093 members attracted the interest and support of local community and political allies from across the state, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, State Senator Sean McCann, Three Rivers Mayor Angel Johnston, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, candidate for Michigan Attorney General Eli Savit, among others. Continue reading →

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Data Center Tax Abatements Threaten State Budgets and You

Posted on 12 June 2026 by Ken Zino

A new analysis released today from Good Jobs First finds that state and local governments are losing tax revenue to data center subsidies at an unprecedented rate, with costs rising sharply in states that disclose the value of their tax breaks and many others still failing to report the losses at all. Transparency also remains a large issue: 14 states with data center tax exemptions still do not publish comprehensive annual revenue-loss figures, making it difficult for lawmakers and taxpayers to understand the true cost of the incentives.* [In short, taxpayer’s pockets are being picked by wealthy firms and special interests. While local programs such as school or library budgets are potentially hurt. Homeowner property taxes could rise drastically the over the shortfalls. – AutoCrat] Continue reading →

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Affordability – Used Vehicle Prices Hit Three Year High!

Posted on 12 June 2026 by Ken Zino

The Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto Live Market View data released today show used-vehicle inventory increased in May as the retail sales pace braked.* Average listing prices rose for the third consecutive month, reaching $26,918, the highest since mid-2023 and … Continue reading →

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Why Wars Are Costing Motorists So Much

Posted on 12 June 2026 by Ken Zino

From our friends across the pond comes a timely warning today about wars and government fuel economy policies. [AutoInformed is thinking here about the relaxation of fuel economy standards by the Trump mis-administration, as well as its foreign wars and … Continue reading →

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Striking UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement at American Axle

Posted on 11 June 2026 by Ken Zino

After walking out on strike at midnight on June 1, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle/Dauch Corporation have reached a tentative agreement with the company, the UAW said last night. The as yet unratified contract gets the workers’ “topline demand” of $30 per hour by 2030, a more than 36% increase to the top wage rate over four years. The UAW claimed there are other “historic gains in a record contract” at the Tier 1 parts supplier to GM.

“Tonight, after 10 days on strike, I am proud to announce that UAW Local 2093 has reached a tentative agreement at American Axle,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “And tonight, after 18 years of sacrifice, these workers are finally winning back a big chunk of what was taken from them.” Continue reading →

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Large Honda and Acura Recall Started for Suspension Failures

Posted on 11 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Dealers will inspect the rear sub-frame and install a rear sub-frame reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear sub frame components, free of charge as required by U.S. law. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 7 July 2026. Continue reading →

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Harley‑Davidson On-Shoring Motorcycle Production

Posted on 10 June 2026 by Ken Zino

Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) said this week that it is bringing production of the Revolution® Max platform for North America back to the United States as part of the Company’s so-called Back to the Bricks strategy. [The venerable company has been clobbered by Trump Administration economic policies – AutoCrat.]. The move returns machining, powertrain assembly, painting, and final vehicle assembly work back to Harley-Davidson facilities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with union jobs. The motorcycles are Pan America, Sportster® S, and Nightster models. The production transition is expected to be completed ahead of the start of Model Year 2028 production in 2027. Harley-Davidson expects to manufacture more than 100,000 motorcycles out of the Company’s York, Pennsylvania facility in 2027. Continue reading →

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Beware! Catalytic Converters are Pursued by Thieves

Posted on 10 June 2026 by Ken Zino

“There are a wide range of vehicles impacted, and most of these are pickup trucks and SUVs, which tend to sit higher off the ground, making it easier for thieves to get in and out,” said Patrick Olsen, Editor-in-Chief at CARFAX. “Experts also tell us that while thieves can make anywhere from $25-$300 for a standard catalytic converter, converters from hybrid vehicles can sell for up to $1400 because they have even more of those precious metals inside.” Continue reading →

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