Category Archives: quality

Japanese Top Consumer Reports 2026 Automotive Report

Posted on 4 December 2025 by Ken Zino

“We’re releasing new overall score rankings,” said Jake Fisher, CR’s Senior Director of Automotive Testing. “That’s really who makes the best cars along with new car reliability, used car reliability, which is really looking 5 to 10 year old models that are on out in the road, owner satisfaction, our road test scores, repair costs. … We have all the information for each one of the models on our website. That’s all live right now…. We are very excited that this year. We actually have the most amount of vehicles that we’ve had for a very long time. We’ve made some changes to make the survey easier to complete. … We’ve actually gone from 300,000 vehicles in the survey to 380,000 vehicles in the survey. That’s total.” Continue reading →

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Hyundai Santa Fe Recall for Bad Rear-View Cameras

Posted on 1 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America is recalling more than 143,000 model-year 2024-2025 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The rear-view camera may not have been installed properly, which can damage the wiring harness and cause the rear-view camera image not to display.

“The camera’s main wire harness was improperly assembled by the supplier, causing increased tension and wear in the cable’s shield line, and resulting in poor terminal contact when connected to the camera,” HMA said in the mandatory recall notification made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. [Seoyon E-Hwa Alabama is the supplier – AutoCrat] Continue reading →

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More Ford Recalls – Escape, Corsair Battery Failures, Fires

Posted on 24 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling more than 205,000 model-year 2020-2024 Ford Escape and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure or fires. [This is a recall of a previous ineffective recall -AutoCrat]

“The vehicle’s high voltage battery cells may experience internal short circuiting. This population of vehicles was previously recalled under 24V954 /24S79 to address this risk. The 24V954 remedy updated the vehicle’s Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) software, adding an enhanced capability to detect cell anomalies indicative of conditions that may lead to short circuiting. In the event of anomaly detection, the software provides customer notification, and battery charging is stopped to reduce the risk of shorting. Based on new information, the recall remedy for 24V954/24S79 may not detect these conditions in all cases,” Ford said in the required filing made public by the e National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today. Continue reading →

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Software Safety – Honda Recalls ~256,000 Accord Hybrids

Posted on 18 November 2025 by Ken Zino

American Honda said today that it is voluntarily recalling ~256,000 model-year 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles in the U.S. that may have incorrect software programming.

“Due to improper software programming by a supplier [Astemo Indiana, Inc. – AutoCrat] the Integrated Control Module (ICM) may reset while the vehicle is in operation, which can cause loss of power while driving, increasing the risk of a crash or injury,” Honda said. Continue reading →

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Takata Recall Haunts BMW X5 SUVs

Posted on 10 November 2025 by Ken Zino

BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling more than 5000 model year 2000-2001 X5 SUVs that may be equipped with a sport steering wheel containing a Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflator (TK Global LLC). The inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

“Certain vehicles may contain a sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata driver’s front air bag module that contains a PSDI-4 inflator that could have been installed as a replacement / spare part. The originally equipped did not contain an inflator with ammonium nitrate,” BMW said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning (NHTSA). Continue reading →

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Rear Camera INOP – Toyota Recalls More than 1M Vehicles

Posted on 10 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling ~ 1,024,407  model year 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, Rear Visibility.

“This issue only affects the vehicles listed above which are equipped with the Parking Assist ECU containing specific software logic from a specific supplier,” Toyota said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. [Denso Corporation is the Tier One supplier of the ECU – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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Battery Fire Recalls – ~320,065 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4Xe Models

Posted on 10 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling more than 320,000 2020-2025 model year Jeep Wrangler 4Xe and model year 2022-2026 Grand Cherokee 4Xe plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving. Samsung SDI America supplied the defective batteries.

In the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffics Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chrysler said “In rare circumstances, a battery pack may contain cells with separator damage. Separator damage, combined with other complex interactions within the cells, may lead to a vehicle fire.” Continue reading →

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Possible Fires – Hyundai Recalls 2024-2025 Santa Fe SUVs

Posted on 15 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America is recalling ~135,386 model year 2024-2025 Santa Fe SUVs. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause contact with the cooling fan assembly, potentially causing an electrical short, which can increase the risk of an electrical fire. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama made the vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety administration discovered the potential safety problems when conducted a New Car Assessment Program (“NCAP”) front barrier crash test on a 2024 model year Sante Fe during November of 2024. Continue reading →

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Toyota Tacoma Recall for Bad Driveshafts

Posted on 6 October 2025 by Ken Zino

“The subject vehicles are equipped with front driveshaft assemblies that include a constant-velocity joint (CV joint), which uses a ball cage in a bearing sub-assembly. A specific supplier [GKN Driveline Mexico – AutoCrat] used incorrect material during a specific production period that did not meet the specification for the ball cage. Under normal driving conditions, the ball cage could deform or break,” 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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Nissan Leaf Recall for Fires While Charging

Posted on 6 October 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling 19,077 model year 2021-2022 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging via the so-called CHAdeMO connector. There is no prior warning to the customer that a battery fire can happen.

“While the vehicle is Level 3 quick charging, the increased electrical resistance could result in rapid heating of the battery. If quick charging continues, a battery fire may occur increasing the risk of injury. Owners are advised not to use Level 3 quick charging until the remedy is completed,” Nissan said in required safety recall defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Approved Auto Repair – AAA celebrates 50th Anniversary

Posted on 30 September 2025 by Ken Zino

AAA said today that it is proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program. Since its inception in 1975, the AAR program has connected drivers with auto repair services that uphold the highest standards of quality and affordability.

“Fifty years ago, we recognized a huge gap in the automotive repair marketplace, where consumer frustration was all too common,” said Margaret Pittelkow, Vice President of AAA Automotive Services. “Today, our AAR program stands as a testament to AAA’s commitment to supporting drivers in their journey, providing them peace of mind and a hassle-free repair experience.” Continue reading →

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Fires – Ford Recalls Expeditions and Navigators

Posted on 29 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~4632 model year 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. An electrical short may develop in the battery junction box’s printed circuit board that is capable of an electrical current load sufficient to overheat the printed circuit board A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.

“Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed,” Ford said in the required safety defect recall documents made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading →

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Steering Loss – Ford Recalls F-Series Trucks

Posted on 29 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~116,000 model-year 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control. HL Mando made the part in Korea. During the first half of 2025 Ford Motor booked a $1.3 billion loss from repairs of vehicles under warranty, cancellation of plans to build an electric sport utility vehicle and other one-time costs. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its handing of recalls.

“The steering column upper shaft hard slider does not satisfy anti-pull apart load specifications,” Ford said in the required safety defect recall documents made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Taurus Door Trim Recall – More than 100K Fords

Posted on 22 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~101,944 model year 2016-2019 Taurus cars. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving. Ford doesn’t say how it will fix the problem. The root cause of the recall remained a part of the assembly process until the end of Taurus production at the Chicago Assembly plant on 1 March 2019. During the first half of 2025, Ford Motor booked a $1.3 billion loss from repairs of vehicles under warranty, cancellation of plans to build an electric sport utility vehicle and other one-time costs. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its handing of recalls.

“Applique detachment may result from incomplete adhesion of the part to door sheet-metal during installation at the vehicle assembly plant on vehicles built after a process change that stopped the use of hand rollers that aided operators in ensuring complete adhesion of the part,” Ford said on the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. [If the process isn’t broken, why change it? – AutoCrat] Continue reading →

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Door Recall – Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer

Posted on 22 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling ~163,735 model year 2022-2025 Jeep Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUVs. The so-called DLO [door Day Light Opening. Supplied by Cooper-Standard – AutoCrat] trim on the driver and passenger doors may not have been installed properly, which can allow it to detach. A DLO trim which detaches from the vehicle may create a road hazard to operators and occupants of other vehicles and can cause such vehicles to crash without prior warning. Customers may notice that the DLO trim has started to separate from the vehicle.

“The DLO trim may not have been properly secured at the vehicle assembly plant and may detach from the vehicle,” FCA said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA). Continue reading →

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