Category Archives: quality

Bad Breaks, err Brakes – 640,000+ Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs Recalled for Brake Failures. Again.

Affected vehicles – and the failure rate is a, gulp, non-skid-mark producing 41%, yes 415 – may have had incorrect dealer installation of a brake booster shield as part of recall P14 (NHTSA 14V-154). Continue reading

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Deal in Ontario, Québec Class Actions against Ford. Quality, Customer Satisfaction, Repair Steps Taken in U.S., Mexico

If the Settlement is approved by the Ontario and Québec Courts, and if an owner submits a valid claim form and the required supporting documentation, Ford will reimburse certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred for repairs to address exhaust odor. Continue reading

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Mega Recall from Chrysler for Fires

On June 16, 2016, through active field report monitoring, it was discovered that two Ram vehicles with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines experienced fires which appeared to originate around the water pump. Continue reading

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Annual CAR MBS Conference Under Way in Changing Industry

It’s summer in northern Michigan, a time when people flock there for fun, relaxations such a swimming, sailing and fine dining amid verdant rolling hills. There is, however, a significant number of people who come each year at the beginning … Continue reading

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Volkswagen America Launches Best SUV Warranty

Barring a competitive response, the six-year/72,000-mile coverage includes the powertrain coverage for engines, transmissions and the optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. Major competitors to Atlas, namely Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder, have a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. Continue reading

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Silly, but Serious Safety Recalls from Mercedes and Kia

Recalls continue to bedevil automakers as airbag and software issues at Mercedes-Benz and a bad brake vacuum hose at Kia show. These are the result of quality control and development issues in what are admittedly complex automobiles. Continue reading

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Tesla True Believers Note Quality Problems, Still Love Brand

Quality troubles accompanying Tesla Model S and Model X have little influence on the gushing affection Tesla True Believers have for these cars and the brand. Continue reading

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FCA Dedicates World Class Manufacturing Academy

FCA employees and community members can take classes to earn an Associate’s degree through Ivy Tech, then work toward a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue. Continue reading

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SEC Charges GM with GAAP Violations on Ignition Switches

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged General buy celecoxib 200 mg Motors (NYSE: GM) with GAAP  violations and GM  has agreed to pay a $1 million penalty over deadly ignition swiches. This deal settles charges that deficient internal accounting … Continue reading

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2016 Reliability Study – Ford F150 Not Recommended

Fiat-Chrysler continue to be a depressing example of Detroit’s lack of quality or care for its customers. The Fiat 500L, the most defect-prone new car for the past two years, is now only the seventh-most troublesome. No Fiat or Ram vehicle managed even an average reliability rating. Continue reading

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Kia Recalls Sedona Minivans for Suspension Failures

In a move approved by NHTSA – but much decreed by critics – it’s a regional recall. Continue reading

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Only Two Detroit Vehicles Make Consumer Reports Top Picks

The Chevrolet Impala ($39,110) repeated as the Top Pick in the Large Car category, and joins the Ford F-150 ($51,630-$57,565) as the only Detroit Three winners this year. Continue reading

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432k Focus, C-MAX, Escape Recalls for Bad Ignition Switch

In these defective vehicles, among the best sellers at Ford, it is possible for the engine to continue running after turning the ignition key to the “off” position and removing the key. Continue reading

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More Chrysler Group Recalls on Dodge and Jeep SUVs

A week after Chrysler Group’s dismal finish on the initial quality survey from Consumer Reports and the firing of its head of quality control, the company is recalling its best-selling Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee models for defective airbags and malfunctioning electronic stability controls. More 250,000 are involved in the latest, supplier- caused quality problems. Continue reading

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Infotainment Systems Continue to be Troublesome. Duh

While so-called infotainment systems and their associated in-car electronics are a growing reliability “plague” for many brands, there are still plenty of bad cars out there with problematic traditional systems. Mechanical parts remain troublesome at many makers, according to the … Continue reading

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