Category Archives: customer satisfaction

J.D. Power – Three Year Old Vehicle Problems Up

Posted on 14 February 2025 by Ken Zino

The results of this year’s study are consistent with the results of the J.D. Power 2022 Initial Quality StudySM which tracked problems early in the ownership period of 2022 model-year vehicles. That year, initial vehicle quality notably declined from 2021, and problems also reached a record high. Three years later, the issues continue to be problematic for owners, according to findings of the 2025 VDS. (read Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Vehicle Quality Flaws at 36-Year Record High) Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls 2024-2025 Tacoma Models for Bad Brakes

Posted on 11 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor North America is recalling more than 106,000 model 2024-2025 Tacoma 4-wheel-drive vehicles built in Mexico and California. The clearance between the rear brake hose and wheel may allow mud and dirt to build up, which can damage the brake hose and lead to a brake fluid leak. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Expeditions, Super Dutys and Lincoln Corsairs

Posted on 10 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 72,000 model 2021 Expedition, 2021-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.

In the required safety defect recall notification  made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning, Ford said it doesn’t have fix for the safety defect. The remedy is currently under development. Continue reading →

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Subaru Forester Recall for Bad Alloy Wheels

Posted on 3 February 2025 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America (Subaru Corp. NASDAQ: FUJHF) is recalling more than 20,000 2025 Forester vehicles equipped with 18″ aluminum alloy wheels, according to the required recall documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability,” Subaru said in the required safety defect recall filing. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls a Previous Bad Airbag Recall

Posted on 3 February 2025 by Ken Zino

“An electrical connection inside the steering column’s spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver’s air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection,” Toyota said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading →

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Acura MDX Vehicles recalled for Bad Rear-view Cameras

Posted on 3 February 2025 by Ken Zino

American Honda Motor Company is recalling more than 9000 2025 Acura MDX vehicles for bad back-up cameras, according to  a safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning.

“The touchscreen in the center console may go blank, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, Rear Visibility,” Honda said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. Continue reading →

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State Privacy Laws Failing to Protect Your Data

Posted on 31 January 2025 by Ken Zino

The more data companies collect about us, the more our data is at risk. When companies hold your data, the greater the odds it will be exposed in a breach or a hack and end up in the hands of identity thieves, scammers, or shadowy companies known as data brokers that buy and sell a huge amount of data about Americans “Many of these ‘privacy laws’ protect privacy in name only,” said Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director of EPIC. “In effect, they allow companies to continue hoarding our personal data and using it for whatever purposes they want. Big Tech should not be allowed to write the rules.” Continue reading →

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Software Recall for Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, TLX

Posted on 29 January 2025 by Ken Zino

American Honda Motor (7267.T) is recalling ~295,000 model year 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.

In the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda said: “Due to improper programming of the fuel injection electronic control unit settings, sudden changes in the throttle opening could cause the MIL [Malfunction Indicator Light] to illuminate and/or the engine to lose drive power, hesitate and/or stall.” Continue reading →

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Ford Bronco Recalls – Shocks and Batteries

Posted on 27 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling 149,449 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir. Ford is also recalling a previous recall on 272,817 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail. If the battery suddenly degrades during a drive it can lead to a vehicle that is unable to restart after an auto stop/start event or experience a stall while coming to a stop at low speed. Either of these conditions may be accompanied by a loss of 12-volt accessories, including hazard lights. Continue reading →

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Used Vehicle Mileage Fees – Nissan Expands Flexible Leases

Posted on 22 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor Acceptance Company (NMAC) and INFINITI Financial Services (IFS) said today the SignatureFLEX lease program will expand to include drivers with legacy leases maturing on 1 Feb 2025 or after.

“SignatureFLEX is an innovative lease program that puts customers first by offering them the flexibility to manage mileage needs while avoiding lease-end overage penalties,” said Jim DeTrude, vice president, NMAC Sales & Marketing. “By including legacy leases in the program, we’re enabling a more customized lease experience to better fit their lifestyles while reducing unexpected costs.” Continue reading →

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Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency Executive Order

Posted on 21 January 2025 by Ken Zino

“This Executive Order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President’s DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America,” President Trump said yesterday “it is hereby ordered (read AutoInformed.com on: New DOGE Scorecard Announced to Track Trump) Continue reading →

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New DOGE Scorecard Announced to Track Trump

Posted on 20 January 2025 by Ken Zino

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®) said today that it is introducing a new “Efficiency Gap” metric that provides insights into federal government performance through citizen experience data.

“The timing is particularly relevant as the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) prepares to tackle federal cost-cutting initiatives. The ACSI Efficiency Gap metric reveals significant variations across federal departments, with some performing up to 13% above the federal average while others lag by as much as 9% below – insights that could prove valuable for targeted reform efforts,” ACSI® said. Continue reading →

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New Tesla Recall for Bad Computers

Posted on 13 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Tesla, Inc. is recalling ~240,000 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and 2023-2025 Model Y vehicles because a computer circuit board may short circuit, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“On a small percentage of affected vehicles, upon vehicle power up, a reverse current may cause a shorting failure on the car computer board, resulting in the loss of rearview camera functionality,” Tesla said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. Continue reading →

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EV Market Stays as Customer Satisfaction Leader

Posted on 7 January 2025 by Ken Zino

The 2024 Car Buyer Journey (CBJ) Study by Cox Automotive* published today shows record highs in new-car buyer satisfaction, driven by advancements in digital tools helping seamlessly integrate online and in-dealership activities. This seamless integration – an omnichannel buying experience  in industry jargon – saves time, reduces repetition and ultimately improves satisfaction with the overall car-buying journey. The 2024 CBJ also highlights the growing satisfaction among electric vehicle (EV) buyers, who are once again leading the way in satisfaction during the car-buying process. Continue reading →

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Tesla Recall for Bad Airbags and Windshields

Posted on 6 January 2025 by Ken Zino

Tesla is recalling some 2024-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles for failure to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, “Occupant Crash Protection” and 212, “Windshield Mounting.” The driver’s air bag could tear during deployment, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

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