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Category Archives: quality
Sulfur Fumes Cause Mercedes ABS and ESP Safety Recall?
The electrical contact of a resistor might be impaired due to sulfur fumes originating from the axle oil. Due to a development “deviation” at the supplier Tollo Linear of Sweden, a batch of electrical resistors don’t meet the requirements for chemical resistance. Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz Recalls ‘Confused, Lost’ Emergency Call System
It’s the latest software glitch that can threaten customers lives because of bad computer code. A wrong vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury or worse. Continue reading
Ford Recalls 311,907 Explorer SUVs for Dangerous Seat Frames
It took 31 reports of hand injuries before Ford acted on replacing the dangerous part. This is the seventh safety defect recall – thus far – on the 2017 model Explorer. Continue reading
Posted in quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Ken Zino, nhtsa
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Ford Motor Recalls a Software Recall on 58,000 Focus Models
Affected vehicles did not receive the intended 18S32 calibration software that will detect a malfunctioning canister purge valve. When the canister purge valve is stuck open in these vehicles, an excessive vacuum can develop in the fuel vapor management system, potentially deforming the fuel tank. Continue reading
BMW Stops Sales and Leasing of Mini, 5-Series, X1 and Rolls-Royce models for Bad Seat Belts. No Accidents, Injuries Known
Dealers have been told to stop sales and leasing of the recalled models, new or used. Continue reading
Ford Recalls Ranger, Fusion for Shifter Cable Safety Defects
In both cases, the shift indicator will read falsely, and the driver may be able to remove the key when the unsafe vehicle is not in “Park.” Ford claims that it is aware of three reports alleging property damage and one report alleging an injury potentially related to this safety defect. Continue reading
Posted in quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, ford recalls, fusion recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa, Ranger recalls
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J.D. Power – Most Owners Love Their Three-Year-Old Wheels
“Vehicle dependability continues to improve, but I wouldn’t say that everything is rosy,” noted Dave Sargent, Vice President of Global Automotive at J.D. Power. “Vehicles are more reliable than ever, but automakers are wrestling with problems such as voice recognition, transmission shifts and battery failures. Continue reading
Posted in engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, chrysler, connected vehicles, General Motors Company, J.D. Power 2019 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Ken Zino, lexus, new vehicle reviews, Toyota Motor Corporation
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Non-Representative Government? Religions of the 116th Congress
By a wide margin, the largest difference between the U.S. public and Congress is in the share who are unaffiliated with a religious group. In the general public, 23% say they are atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.” In Congress, just one person – Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who was recently elected to the Senate after three terms in the House – says she is religiously unaffiliated, making the share of “nones” in Congress 0.2%. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, fools 'n frauds, news analysis, people, quality
Tagged 116th Congress, auto industry commentary, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Congressional Religious affiliations, connected vehicles, CQ Roll Call, Ken Zino, new vehicle reviews, pew research center
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Nissan Mired in Japanese Corporate Governance Scandals
The latest development also casts doubt about the origination and integrity of a Nissan internal investigation into former Chairman Carlos Ghosn who is due to be released today after a month in Japanese jail for allegedly under reporting deferred income. Ghosn says he will vigorously defend his actions. Continue reading
Posted in fuel economy or emissions, news analysis, people, quality, recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, connected vehicles, infrastructure, Japanese Ministry of Land, Ken Zino, new vehicle reviews, nissan, Nissan Emissions scandal, Transport and Tourism
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Carma Project, Toyota Try to Up Takata Recall Awareness
Carma Project claims – not without self-interest – that “will further help address the recall of deadly Takata airbags, which is labeled ‘the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history’ by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). About 87% of all Toyota vehicles sold during the past 15 years are still on the road today. Continue reading
Optional GM Extended Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty
The standard factory bumper-to-bumper limited warranty on Chevrolet and GMC products is three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. On Buicks and Cadillacs, it is four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Continue reading
Schuler and Porsche Start Joint Venture for Car Body Parts
The purpose of the joint venture between Schuler and Porsche is to build a Smart Press Shop. The intention is for the new, highly flexible press shop to produce complex body parts using pioneering technologies; the focus will be on aluminum outer skin panels, as well as the production of smaller batch sizes. Continue reading
Ford Issues Two Safety Defect Recalls for Fires
Ford admits that it is aware of “some fire reports.” Continue reading

Airbag Shrapnel at Nissan Prompts Recall of 216,678
The rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. The so-called PSDI-5D inflator – no surprise here – was made by now bankrupt Takata at Monclova, Mexico. How long Nissan new about the deadly defect is unknown. In the required NHTSA filing, it said the Chronology will be supplied later. Continue reading →