Category Archives: customer satisfaction

Mercedes-Benz USA Recalls Rear Seatbelts on 2021-22 Models

The rear seatbelt automatic locking retractors may “deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.” These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” Continue reading

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NHTSA – Urgent Fire Recall Again on 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolts

GM has issued a new recall affecting the 50,932 Model Year 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt vehicles covered under the original recall announced in November 2020 and revised in May 2021. NHTSA is aware of one fire with the interim remedy and two fires with the final remedy. Due to the risk of fire, vehicle owners should continue to park these vehicles outside, away from structures, and not charge them overnight. Continue reading

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Recalls – Roof Rail Air Bag Shrapnel on 410,019 GM Pickups

A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash from what is in effect shrapnel. Continue reading

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Ongoing COVID Related Problems Just Discovered. Michigan Experiencing Increase in Legionnaires’ Disease?

As many buildings are currently reopening after extended COVID-19 closures or periods of limited use, this may also create an environment for potential amplification and transmission of Legionella bacteria. Between 1 July 1 and 14 July 107 cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported in 25 counties. Continue reading

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Silverado, Sierra Pickups Recalled Again for Block Heater Fires

The customer may notice smoke or a burning smell and/or poor block-heater performance, tripped circuit breakers or blown vehicle fuses, damage to the block heater, the heater cable, or engine components as well as block-heater coolant pooling under the vehicle. Dealers will disable the block heater. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge as required by law. Continue reading

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Electrify America, Volvo to Give XC40 Drivers Fast Charging

The incentive will apply to first owners of all 2022 XC40 and C40 Recharge vehicles. Additional models and “benefits” will be announced by the Chinese-owned Volvo. Once drivers have used all of their complimentary charging, they will automatically be eligible for Electrify America’s Pass+, said to allow drivers to charge at discounted rates, with membership fees covered by Volvo for an entire year.   Continue reading

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Three More Ford Recalls – 885,569 F-Series, Explorers, Aviators

The largest recall and the one with associated injury claims covers 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles that may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint. Ford is issuing this safety recall for approximately 774,696 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles that may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint that may cause a fractured rear suspension toe link. Affected vehicles may experience a clunk noise, unusual handling, or a misaligned rear wheel. Fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading

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California – Most Car Washes with $1.6 Billion Total Sales

The mostly small businesses had 163,178 workers – up from 153,970 in 2015 – who earned a meager average annual salary of $21,911 -up from $18,703 in 2015. California, the state with the largest population and a mania around car culture and the automobile ranked first in the number of car washes and car wash employees in 2019 (2,025 and 24,851, respectively). Continue reading

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EU Parliament Confirms Deal on Climate Neutrality by 2050

This transforms the European Green Deal’s political commitment to EU climate neutrality by 2050 into a binding obligation. It gives European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for this transition. After 2050, the EU will aim for negative emissions. Parliament has played a significant role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019. Continue reading

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Ram HD Cab Chassis Vehicles with Cummins Diesels Recalled

The Cummins engine calibration software may not warn about low oil volume. This safety defect can result in engine compartment fires caused by oil leaks started by connecting rod failures. Continue reading

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Park It! Wheels Falling Off Ford 2021 Super Duty Pickups

Owner notifications begin this week. Customers will be instructed not to drive their vehicle until it can be verified that the front-wheel hub extender nuts are tightened to specification – by contacting their dealer to have the service completed at their location or towed to a dealership. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S26. Continue reading

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GM to Up Deliveries by Dropping Stop-Start on Pickups, SUVs

The bad news is GM’s gas mileage increasing stop-start system is being dropped on some models of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV SUVs. Stop-start will also be dropped for the moment on certain light-duty Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. The semiconductor or microchip shortage is expected to last through 2021, and possibly until sometime in 2022. Continue reading

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Toyota Via KINTO to Sell Cars That ‘Evolve in Tune With People’

In a vast advancement – in press release theory so far, that is – from evolving auto industry efforts to personalize vehicles, they started this endeavor by offering today, through KINTO*1, the new GR Yaris Morizo Selection, a car that can be updated with the latest software tailored to each customer. Continue reading

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Wheels Falling Off Ram Trucks. More Than 446,000 Recalled

In an unusual statement FCA said: “routine customer data analysis led to an FCA US investigation that discovered certain service and owner’s manuals contain incorrect lug-nut torque instructions. Accordingly, the corresponding vehicles may have had their lug nuts over-torqued, a condition that could conceivably compromise studs and lead to wheel separation.” Continue reading

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Ford Recalls 2013-21 Transit Connect Vans for Rollaways

A damaged or missing bushing could prevent the shifter from moving the transmission to the intended gear position.  This could allow the driver to move the gear shift lever to park, turn the vehicle off, and exit the vehicle with no instrument panel warning message or warning chime indicating the vehicle is not secured in park. This latest safety defect covers 192,080 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories and 12,629 in Canada. Continue reading

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