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Category Archives: quality
Nissan Recalls Popular 2013 Models for Bad Passenger Airbags
Nissan is recalling numerous 2013 model Altima, Leaf, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles because the passenger side airbag is defective. Sensors within the so-called passenger Occupant Detection System may have been manufactured out of specification for several months. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag on some of Nissan’s most popular vehicles. Continue reading
U.S. Vehicle Dependability at All-Time High as New Models Lead
Overall vehicle dependability continues to improve for three-year old models to an all-time high, and for the first time dependability of all-new or substantially redesigned models is greater than carryover models from automakers. This is good new for used car buyers since well maintained off-lease vehicles will likely be durable. This assertion also confounds the conventional wisdom that says avoid buying all new models when they first go on sale. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, quality
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, dependability, j.d power, Ken Zino, vds
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Toyota Recalls More than 1 Million Corolla and Lexus IS Cars
Bad airbags and windshield wipers are forcing the recalls of 752,000 Corolla and Corolla Matrix models and 270,000 Lexus IS cars by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S. The two separate safety recalls are the result of a defective airbag control module … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Ken Zino, lexus recalls, nhtsa, toyota recalls
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Another Ford Fire Recall on New Escape and Now Fusion Models
Ford Motor Company is recalling 2013 Ford Escape SE and SEL models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine and 2013 Ford Fusion SE and SEL models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine because of engine fires. Almost 90,000 of Ford’s latest models – both redesigned for 2013 – are affected. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, escape recalls, ford fire recall, fusion recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa
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Ford, University of Michigan Hunt Smelly Microbes in Auto Interiors
Ford Motor Company and University of Michigan Researchers are studying microbes in automobiles that spread over interior surfaces causing discoloration and odors. Ford wants to know where microorganisms grow to develop antimicrobial additives for its coatings on interior surfaces. Continue reading
Chinese Auto Industry Initial Quality at All Time High
Chinese automakers made large improvements in initial quality during 2012, narrowing the gap between domestic and international brands. As a result, the auto industry in the world’s largest auto market set a record low in overall average problems per vehicle. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, manufacturing, quality
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Chinese quality, iqs, j.d power, Ken Zino
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Japanese Top CR Reliability Survey Again. Ford, Lincoln Plummet
Toyota Motor Corporation’s three brands – Scion, Toyota, and Lexus took the highest places in the latest reliability survey released today at the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. The Toyota brands were followed by four other Japanese makes: Mazda, Subaru, Honda, and Acura, respectively. All of the models produced by the top seven Japanese brands had average or better reliability according to Consumer Reports, based on a survey of 800,000 owners who reported on 1.2 million vehicles up to ten years old. Of the 90 Japanese models reflected in the Consumer Reports brand comparison, 86 were average or better, with 35 earning the highest rating. Continue reading
CODA Recalls 2012 EVs for Defective Airbags
CODA Automotive is recalling 78 of its 2012 model year EVs because a manufacturing error incorrectly installed the side curtain airbags. Because of the defect, the airbag may not deploy properly in its four-door sedan, which only recently went on sale. In a statement the small, privately-held California company said it knows of no injuries. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electric vehicles, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, coda, coda recalls, Ken Zino, nhtsa
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Consumer Reports Auto Tester David Champion Joins Nissan
Nissan today announced the hiring of former Consumer Reports Auto Test Center Senior Director, David Champion, for a newly created position of executive adviser, competitive assessment and quality. The Japanese automaker is launching five new vehicles in 15 months, and its quality reputation is decidedly uneven. Consumer Reports rates 13 of 25 Nissan and Infiniti models this year as recommended buys. The J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability report has both Nissan and Infiniti well below industry average. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, people, quality
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, consumer reports, j.d power, Ken Zino, nissan
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Mercedes-Benz Recalls ML Class Floor Mats for Pedal Interference
Unlike the infamous floor mat recalls on Toyota and Lexus models starting in 2010, which had associated deaths, Mercedes-Benz uses an electronic brake-override that is standard equipment across the line. Drivers can bring any Mercedes to a stop by depressing the brake pedal, even if the gas pedal is fully depressed or jammed at the floor. When both the brake pedal and gas pedal are depressed at the same time, vehicle electronics override the gas pedal signal and bring the engine to idle as long as the driver keeps the brake pedal depressed. Continue reading
Toyota Recalls 780,000 RAV4 and Lexus HS 250h Models
Toyota Motor Sales is recalling 2006 to early 2011 model year RAV4 and 2010 model year Lexus HS 250h vehicles sold in the U.S. because the rear suspension can fail, leading to loss of control. In a statement notable for its lack of detail about accidents, injuries and fatalities, TMS said that about 760,000 Toyota RAV4 and 18,000 Lexus HS 250h models are involved in this latest quality problem Continue reading
Posted in auto news, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Ken Zino, lexus, recalls, toyota
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More than 640,000 Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute SUVs Recalled for Unintended Acceleration after NHTSA Opens Defect Probe
Ford and Mazda are recalling Escape and Tribute SUVs from the 2001 up to the 2008 model year because a cruise control cable can stick and cause unintended acceleration. Since repair parts are not available, dealers will disconnect the cruise control as an interim measure for the safety defect.
The recall was forced when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration two weeks ago opened an unintended acceleration investigation on 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute SUVs after receiving 99 reports of unintended acceleration from owners. At least one fatality and nine injures are alleged in multiple accidents. Sixty-eight stuck throttle reports are from Ford Escape owners; thirty-one reports are from owners of Mazda Tributes. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, ford recalls, Ken Zino, mazda recalls, nhtsa, recalls, unintended acceleration
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Toyota Adds 150,000 Lexus Models to Deadly Floor Mat Recall. NHTSA Says Filing Lacks Required Info. Another Cover-up?
In Toyota’s carefully worded latest filing with NHTSA, Toyota U.S. said, “the accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver’s floor mat.” NHTSA in acknowledging this terse and incomplete notification said that it lacked much of the required information under U.S. safety regulations. The Toyota report is missing the required chronology of events that were the basis for its decision to conduct an expanded safety recall, including a summary of all warranty claims, field or service reports, and other information, with their dates of receipt. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, litigation, news analysis, quality, recalls, results, safety
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Massive Recall on Chevrolet Cruze for Fires Caused by Leaks
Chevrolet is recalling more than 410,000 Cruze models because oil and fuel leaks can cause fires. Model year 2011 and 2012 Cruze compact sedans are affected by the safety defect. In required filings with NHTSA, GM said that it would modify the engine shield under the vehicle. This change will help prevent any liquids from being trapped in the engine compartment, where a fire could start and spread. The GM safety action was prompted by customer complaints to NHTSA about smoke or fires in the engine compartment. It appears that careless oil changes are responsible for the oil leaks Continue reading
Posted in auto news, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, cruze fire recall, Ken Zino, nhtsa, recalls
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