Category Archives: customer satisfaction

Volvo Cars – 2.5 Million Software Upgrades Are Now Free

Posted on 3 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“This update is one of the largest over-the-air updates in automotive history, leveraging years of investment in Volvo Cars’ tech stack to improve life with their cars for millions of people,” says Anders Bell, chief engineering and technology officer at Chinese-owned Volvo Cars. “Our new user experience delivers significant updates and improvement in areas most used by drivers, and directly addresses the needs and desires of our customers.” Continue reading →

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Ford Transit Brake Failure Recall

Posted on 2 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“Certain vehicles may have been built without the cotter pin that secures the brake booster pushrod to the brake pedal, which can cause the brake booster pushrod to separate from the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 105 Hydraulic and electric brake systems, section S5.6 Brake system integrity,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today. Continue reading →

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Rear-Wheel Lockup Recall on 2020-22 GM Diesel Pickups

Posted on 23 February 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) is recalling ~1100 model-year 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups with diesel engines that may have been repaired incorrectly with the wrong software under NHTSA recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.

“Dealers were presented with an option in GM’s Global Warranty Management (GWM) system to mark a vehicle as having been remedied without first verifying the most recent software version was available. That option has been removed,” GM said in the required safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Transmission Failures – Toyota Recalls 2025-26 Lexus LX600s

Posted on 23 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (NYSE: TM, 7203T) is recalling ~4400 model year 2025-2026 Lexus LX600 vehicles for software problems that can cause transmission damage, sudden loss of power and fires.

“The subject vehicles are equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission that contains linear solenoids to control the shifting of gears. If a solenoid failure occurs under certain driving conditions, communication may not occur between the Transmission Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and the Engine ECU about the failure, resulting in the transmission over-revving in certain gears. This could result in damage to the transmission and a loss of motive power while driving at higher speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash,” Toyota said in the required safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading →

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Nissan Rogue Recall for Engine Failures and Fires

Posted on 23 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America (7201T and NSANY ADR) is recalling ~324,00 model year 2023-2025 Rogue vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5-liter variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines.

“Increased temperatures can break down the engine oil, which may cause the engine bearings to seize and become damaged, leading to engine failure,” Nissan said in the required safety defect recall filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. “If the engine fails while driving, it can result in a loss of motive power (LOMP), and an inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash. In certain rare cases, a bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire, “Nissan said. Continue reading →

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EV Owner Satisfaction at New High Amid Sales Slump

Posted on 18 February 2026 by Ken Zino

The JD Power 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study,SM released today, notes that overall satisfaction among current battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners is at its highest level since the study’s inception in 2021. “Notably, nearly all owners of new BEVs (96%) say they would consider purchasing or leasing another BEV for their next vehicle,” J.D. Power said in a release. Continue reading →

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Park Outside – More Jaguar I-PACE Battery Fire Recalls

Posted on 16 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, charge outside, and limit their charge to a maximum of 90% until the recall repair is complete. As an interim repair, the battery software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update to limit the state of charge to 90%. The final remedy is currently under development,” Jaguar said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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J.D. Power – Vehicle Dependability Problems at New Highs

Posted on 12 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“As owners hold onto their vehicles longer, the long-term ownership experience matters more than ever,” said Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. “Software updates and new technologies should enhance the ownership experience over time, yet many vehicle owners cite ongoing mobile phone integration problems and little to no benefit after an update is performed.” Continue reading →

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Huge Recalls for Jeep and RAM Spring and Brake Failures

Posted on 9 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling ~537,000 various Jeep and RAM vehicles for bad coil springs, bad trailer lights and trailer brakes may failures, according to mandatory safety defect recall documents made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. [NHTSA Recall ID Numbers 26V051 or 26V-051 and 26V059 or 26V-059 – Autocrat] The largest recall covers Exterior Lighting and the Electrical System on 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, 2025-2026 Prius Hybrids

Posted on 9 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (NYSE: TM, 7203T) is recalling ~ 141,300 model year 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly. This recall – NHTSA Recall ID Number 26V049 or 26V-049 – expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 24V274. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed. Continue reading →

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UAW Southern Advance – Tentative VW Chattanooga Contract

Posted on 5 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“For years, Chattanooga workers were told to settle for less while Volkswagen made record profits. So, the workers stood together and won their union—and now they’ve secured a life-changing first agreement,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This deal proves what happens when autoworkers stand up and demand their fair share. People said Southern autoworkers could never form a union or win a union contract. Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga said, ‘Watch this.’” Continue reading →

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Fires – Volkswagen Group of America Recalls 2023-2025 ID.4s

Posted on 2 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 2023-2025 model year ID.4 vehicles because the high-voltage battery may overheat and cause a fire. Two companies are involved in the safety defect recall of ~44,000 vehicles. Volkswagen supplied the software (BMCe Software); SK Battery America supplied the battery cell modules. [Owners should park outside. – AutoCrat]

“Defective high-voltage battery cell modules may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. A joint analysis with the supplier has not led to a clear root cause determination despite extensive cell module and vehicle data analysis. Nevertheless, current analysis results show that certain deviations at the supplier of the battery modules may result in self-discharge,” Volkswagen said in the required safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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More Ford Recalls – 2026 Explorer, 2025 F-59 and F-53 Vehicles

Posted on 2 February 2026 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released this morning (2 February 2026) two more Ford Motor {NYSE: F) safety defect recalls with descriptions from Ford required under as required by 49 CFR § 573. Ford is operating under a … Continue reading →

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Pew – Confidence in Trump Dips, Fewer Support His Policies

Posted on 31 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Americans’ views of President Donald Trump, already more negative than positive, have continued to slip one year into his second term, according to the latest poling data from the estimable Pew Research Center.

A new Pew survey of 8512 U.S. adults, conducted Jan. 20-26, also finds that – across six key qualities and abilities needed to serve as president – more Americans express little or no confidence in Trump than say they are extremely or very confident in him. Continue reading →

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GM to Layoff 500 Employees at Oshawa Assembly

Posted on 29 January 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE:GM) conformed today that Oshawa Assembly will return to two shifts of production beginning 2 February. However approximately 500 employees will be placed on layoff.

“Preparations continue at Oshawa Assembly to build the next generation of gas-powered full-size pickups, supported by a $280 million investment that reinforces Oshawa’s future in GM’s key full-size truck program,” GM said in a release. Continue reading →

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