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Category Archives: quality
Ford Issues Two Safety Recalls on ~550,000 Vehicles
The potentially deadly defect could allow the driver to move the shift lever to “Park” and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in “Park,” with no warning message or audible chime. Continue reading
Posted in quality, recalls
Tagged autoinformed, autoinformed.com, Automotive News and Commentary, Ken Zino, Transportation Blog
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Ford Recalls Autoliv Air Bags on 2018 Escapes
Owners are given no warning about the shrapnel that results, increasing the risk of injury. This of course is like the ongoing Takata airbag shrapnel recall. Continue reading
Posted in quality, recalls
Tagged autoinformed.com, Autoliv air bag shrapnel, Ken Zino, nhtsa
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Consumer Reports: Infotainment, Transmissions Hurt Reliability. Detroit Three Quality Dismal
“These new technologies can add features and improve fuel efficiency, but are more prone to have issues. Often our data suggests it’s prudent for consumers to wait for the technology to mature” said Jake Fisher of CR. Continue reading
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
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
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
Posted in quality, recalls, safety
Tagged Ken Zino, nhtsa, Ram 3500 engine compartment fires, safety recalls
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Mazda Recalls Takata Airbag Inflators with New Supplier As Replacement
The remedy parts for replacement are an airbag inflator that is manufactured by different part – unnamed – supplier and is free from phased stabilized ammonium nitrate that Takata uses. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged autoinformed, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, Ken Zino commenting as AutoCrat, Mazda Takata airbag recall, nhtsa, NHTSA 15V382 or 15V-382 Takata airbag recall, takata, takata airbag recall
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Posted in customer satisfaction, quality
Tagged 2016 Auto Reliability, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, consumer reports, Ken Zino
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Death of the Diesel Continues: CARB Probe Prompts Recall of 500,000 Cummins Trucks
The recall number includes about 232,000 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles with Cummins engines that had the same SCR defect. Recalls for those vehicles were approved in July 2016 and July 2017, respectively, and are already underway. Continue reading →