Category Archives: customer satisfaction

Volvo Cars Joins Tesla Supercharger Network in North America

Posted on 30 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Volvo Cars* (VOLCAR B:STO) said this week that drivers of its fully electric vehicles including the new EX90 flagship SUV will have access to more than 17,800 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S. and Canada.**

“As part of our journey to electrification, we want to make life with an electric car, including our new flagship EX90, as seamless as possible,” said Mike Cottone, President, Volvo Car USA and Canada. Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls Accords, Civics, CR-V Hybrids for Fuel Leaks

Posted on 28 October 2024 by Ken Zino

American Honda Motor is recalling ~721,000 vehicles because the high-pressure fuel pump may crack and leak fuel creating a fire hazard. Affect are 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, 2023-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, and 2025 Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid vehicles. Warnings may include a fuel odor while the vehicle is driven or idling.

“Due to improper production of the high-pressure fuel pump, cracks can form at the solenoid core component of the fuel pump. As a result, a fuel leak can occur in lower mileage vehicles when the high-pressure fuel pump is in operation,” Honda said in the required NHTSA filing. As of 7 October 2024, Honda has had 145 warranty claims, and no reports of injuries or deaths related to this safety defect from February 2023 through September 2024. Continue reading →

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More Ford Recalls – 2024 Rangers and 2024-2025 Broncos

Posted on 28 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) ) is recalling 2024 Ranger, and 2024-2025 Bronco vehicles. The front upper-control-arm ball joint nut may not have been installed or tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly, … Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Mach-E Models for Power Brake and other Failures

Posted on 28 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2021 Mach-E vehicles because An Over-The-Air (OTA) update to the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) may result in a loss of power brake assist, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and driver assistance features. The instrument cluster will display several ABS-related warning lamps and text messages at vehicle startup, according to the required filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. Continue reading →

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Tesla Bringing Scab Workers into Sweden to Break Strike

Posted on 24 October 2024 by Ken Zino

One year after the Swedish union IF Metall called for a strike against Tesla, car manufacturer still refuses to negotiate a collective agreement. Moreover, Tesla has taken a rare measure in Europe of importing scabs, flying in staff from other Tesla plants in Europe to replace the striking workers in Sweden.*

“It has been a year of strike at Tesla and Elon Musk’s total disrespect for the Swedish model, which has successfully governed the country’s labor market for nearly 100 years, stands in stark contrast to other multinational companies in the country. It is unacceptable and the striking workers have the full support of the 50 million members of IndustriALL behind them,” said IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie today. Continue reading →

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Pirelli Recalls Triumph Motorcycle Tires for Tread Separation

Posted on 18 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Pirelli Tire  is recalling Scorpion Trail II, Metzeler Tourance Next, and Next II tires sold as replacements and for the Metzeler Tourance Next 150/70R18 M/C 70V tire, also installed as original equipment on certain Triumph motorcycles., according to a safety defect filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Partial detachment of the tread layer and/or a sudden loss of air pressure may cause loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash,” Pirelli said in the required recall filing. Pirelli also said is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this safety defect in the U.S. Continue reading →

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NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network Launches

Posted on 15 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan announced today an “enhancement “to the MyNISSAN app that claims to simplify EV ownership by consolidating vehicle management and public charging into one app. Users store a default payment method in the MyNISSAN app, then once at a compatible charging station, simply tap an on-screen button to start a charging session within the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. This new app will be available to MyNISSAN app users by November 2024.

“Owning and charging a Nissan EV will become simpler and more seamless with the launch of the NISSAN ENERGY Charge Network. The new network allows Nissan Ariya and future Nissan EV drivers to use their MyNISSAN app to find charging stations, see real-time charger availability and pay for charging – all in one streamlined experience,” Nissan said in a release. Continue reading →

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GM Recalls Blazer, Equinox Models for Sudden Door Openings

Posted on 14 October 2024 by Ken Zino

General Motors is recalling Mexican-built 2025 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, and Equinox vehicles because the door strikers were not properly heat-treated, which can cause them to break, according to the required filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. This is an extension of a previous recall. Continue reading →

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Sticky Steering Recall for 1.7 Million Honda and Acuras

Posted on 9 October 2024 by Ken Zino

American Honda Motor Co is recalling ~1.7 million 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed today.

“Due to an improperly produced steering gearbox worm wheel, the wheel can swell during use, reducing the grease film thickness between the worm wheel and worm gear. In addition, the worm gear spring preload was set improperly high, increasing the sliding force between the components. As a result of the reduced grease film thickness and increased sliding force, friction between the worm wheel and worm gear increases,” Honda said in the required NHTSA filing. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Issues Park Outside Consumer Alert for Jeep Fires

Posted on 2 October 2024 by Ken Zino

Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles until their vehicle has been remedied. In addition, owners should not charge unrepaired vehicles, because the risk of fire is higher in a charged battery and the risk of fire is reduced when the battery is depleted. Continue reading →

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Plug-in Hybrid Jeeps Recalled for Battery Fire Risks

Posted on 1 October 2024 by Ken Zino

“A routine company review of customer data led to an internal investigation that discovered 13 fires. All vehicles were parked and turned off. The company estimates 5% of affected vehicles may have the defect,” FCA said. “Vehicle risk is reduced when the battery charge level is depleted. Accordingly, owners are advised to refrain from recharging. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is also advising owners of these vehicles to park away from structures or other vehicles until the remedy is obtained.” Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz USA Software Recall for Sudden Stalling

Posted on 30 September 2024 by Ken Zino

“In the event of an independent hardware failure in the Camtronic system, the amount of injected fuel might be erroneously increased by the lambda control system during cylinder deactivation. As a result, exhaust temperatures may increase and might damage surrounding components (e.g. engine wiring harness, catalytic converter). A loss of propulsion without warning and an increased risk of fire cannot be ruled out.” Continue reading →

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Mazda Recalls 2016 – 2023 Miata Sports Cars for Bad Airbags

Posted on 30 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Mazda North American Operations is recalling 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata sports cars built in Japan. A software error in the Robert Bosch  supplied air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. Mazda has been aware of the problem for more than a year.

In the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today, Mazda said as of 11 September 2024, it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this safety defect. Also, as of this date, no field reports have been received by the United States or Territory markets. Continue reading →

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Loyalty Keeps Vehicle Buyers Out of Market Amidst Shortages

Posted on 30 September 2024 by Ken Zino

Perennial brand loyalty leaders including Toyota, Honda and Lexus have each been able to grow their respective shares of loyal customers amid stagnation experienced by other brands, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty StudySM.

“Amid ongoing inventory shortages, the most loyal customers actually stayed out of the market if they were unable to get their desired vehicle,” said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power. “Now that inventory levels are recovering, customers are coming back. In particular, Toyota and Honda are benefiting from increased availability of hybrid vehicles, with Honda owners swapping out their gas-powered vehicles for hybrids at nearly triple the rate of the industry average. Lexus is also benefitting from strengthened residual values, which are helping drive loyalty for the brand despite premium brands as a whole experiencing a plateau this year.” Continue reading →

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IPR Center Warns Consumers of Chinese Counterfeit Airbags

Posted on 27 September 2024 by Ken Zino

CBP officers at U.S. ports of entry are looking at imports – particularly those from China – for shipments suspected of containing counterfeit automotive parts. During fiscal year 2023, CBP and HSI seized ~20,000 shipments containing goods that violated Intellectual Property Rights, equating to nearly 23 million counterfeit items. The total estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the seized goods would have amounted to over $2.75 billion had they been genuine parts. Out of those shipments, ~100,000 items were counterfeit automotive goods, with a MSRP of over $10 million. Continue reading →

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