Category Archives: quality

2016 Reliability Study – Ford F150 Not Recommended

Posted on 24 October 2016 by Ken Zino

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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Chinese-Made Junk – HAUS Mosquito Zapper, Toys R Us Pacifier

Posted on 8 September 2016 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said today that Chinese made HAUS Mosquito Zapper LED Light Bulbs pose and electrical shock hazard. The firm has received two reports of the bulb separating from the connector. No injuries or property damage have been reported. In addition, Toys ‘R’ Us is recalling Chinese-made Pacifier Clips due to choking hazard because the clip’s spring mechanism can break and release small parts. Continue reading →

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Polaris – Stop-Ride/Stop-Sale for Fires on Off-Road Vehicles

Posted on 26 July 2016 by Ken Zino

Polaris Industries (NYSE: PII) is issuing a stop-ride/stop-sale advisory, pending a formal recall for 2016 RZR Turbo off-road vehicles. Continue reading →

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Kia Recalls Sedona Minivans for Suspension Failures

Posted on 20 June 2016 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 23 February 2016 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 3 July 2015 by Ken Zino

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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Chrysler Expands Takata Recall Nationally

Posted on 31 December 2014 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group is expanding its current regional recall of Takata PSDI-4 driver airbag inflators to all 50 U.S. States and Federalized Territories at the request of NHTSA. Continue reading →

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More Chrysler Group Recalls on Dodge and Jeep SUVs

Posted on 3 November 2014 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 28 October 2014 by Ken Zino

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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Say It Ain’t So! GM Recalls 500,000 Cadillac, Chevy, Saabs

Posted on 3 October 2014 by Ken Zino

GM CEO Mary Barra’s claim that GM recalls are behind it was mocked today by two more recalls covering half a million vehicles including 2015 Cadillac SRX models. Continue reading →

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Huge Toyota Tacoma Pickup Corrosion Recall

Posted on 30 September 2014 by Ken Zino

Toyota claimed it is not aware of any fires, crashes, injuries or fatalities associated with its latest safety defect that it has told NHTSA about in its required legal filing. However, NHTSA has several hair-raising complaints from Tacoma owners about incidents. Continue reading →

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Automakers Flub Launch of High Tech Vehicles, IQS Shows

Posted on 18 June 2014 by Ken Zino

The latest IQS or quality data revealed today at the Automotive Press Association meeting in Detroit shows that the number of problems experienced by new-vehicle owners has increased from the previous year, as automakers continue to have severe problems with complicated technologies now being deployed in new vehicles. Continue reading →

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Engine, Transmission Problems lead drop in Vehicle Dependability for The First Time in 15 Years

Posted on 7 March 2014 by Ken Zino

A large part of the quality decline appears to come from automakers rushing balky four-cylinder engines and more fuel-efficient, but rough transmissions into production in response to buyer’s demand resulting from high fuel prices in the U.S. Continue reading →

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Infotainment Defects Grow in Latest Auto Reliability Data

Posted on 28 October 2013 by Ken Zino

The 2013 Annual Auto Reliability rankings revealed today before the Automotive Press Association in Detroit shows that General Motors and the Chrysler Group have barely average reliability, while Ford Motor continues to do poorly. Continue reading →

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BMW Recalls 5-Series Cars for Defective Rear Lights

Posted on 20 September 2013 by Ken Zino

BMW said that it does not believe a safety defect exists but is recalling the cars anyway. While likely such language is lawyer dictated, the Bavarians have a precarious relationship with U.S. safety regulators. Previously BMW was fined by NHTSA for covering up safety defects. Continue reading →

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