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Category Archives: quality
Quality Drops Drastically as Automakers Introduce New Models
After a four year run of improving quality, the trend has reversed itself as the initial quality of 2011 new vehicle launches has declined considerably in the latest study. Overall initial quality improved to an average of 107 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2011 from 109 PP100 in 2010. However, launch models – vehicles that are all-new or have had major redesigns – saw ratings drop by 10% to an average of 122 PP100 in 2011 from 111 PP100 in 2010. Continue reading
Vehicle Satisfaction Declines in Germany after Subsidies
Two years after a massive taxpayer subsidized scrappage program boosted the German new car market, customer vehicle satisfaction with their purchases declined from previous levels. Industry wide satisfaction in vehicle quality and reliability, vehicle appeal, and service declined as well. Continue reading
Toyota Recall Study Finds Adversarial Relationship with NHTSA
The Quality Report, since it was paid for by Toyota, has already come under attack for bias from organizations linked to product liability lawyers. Nonetheless, the Report describes Toyota’s attitude toward federal safety regulators as “adversarial.” Unintended acceleration or stuck gas pedal problems are implicated in thousands of incidents and more than 90 alleged deaths. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, fools 'n frauds, litigation, news analysis, quality, safety, transportation
Tagged auto informed, auto news, auto safety, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Ken Zino, nhtsa, north american quality advisory panel, toyota quality, toyota safety, unintended acceleration
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Volvo Recalls XC90 Crossover for ZF Power Steering Defect
Volvo is recalling 2010-2011 model XC90 vehicles manufactured from 29 January 2010, through 16 August 2010. The power steering fluid may leak from the oil pipe connection at the steering gear valve housing from the ZF produced part. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto informed, auto news, auto recalls, auto safety, autoinformed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Ken Zino, nhtsa, recall, volvo recall, xc90 recall, zf
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Kia Recalls Spectra and Sorento Models for Safety Defects
In the first recall, almost 60,000 Spectra cars from model years 2004-2007 are being recalled because of corrosion, which can lead to the fuel tank to fall and contact the road.
The second recall was promoted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into the sudden loss of power on 2011 Sorento 2wd vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4-liter engines, when the intermediate driveshaft failed. Continue reading
Nissan Recalls Pathfinder, Infiniti QX4 for Rust, Steering Failure
Nissan Pathfinders from model years 1996-2004, and Infiniti QX4 SUVs from 1997-2003 are affected by regional recalls for vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the following 20 states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Critics of regional recalls for safety defects maintain that they do not address the entire population of defective vehicles. Automakers like them since it cuts the expense by limiting the inspection to fewer vehicles. Continue reading
Toyota Recalls Rav4 and Highlander SUVs for Bad Airbags
Toyota has been aware of the problem since October of 2007, and changed the software in new vehicles in 2008, and yet did not recall the defective vehicles. Previous such coverups resulted in record fines imposed on Toyota by NHTSA in 2010 for failure to act promptly on a safety defect. Continue reading
Vehicle Dependability at Record, but Electronic Problems Grow
Overall vehicle dependability has slightly improved from 2010, but automakers are having difficulty overcoming problems with newer technologies and features, according to the J.D. Power and Associates. The study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners … Continue reading
Toyota Recalls 650,000 2004-2007 Prius Hybrids
Toyota Motor Corporation has just released a statement that says the pump can cause coolant to overheat, resulting in reduced power output of the hybrid powertrain.
The heating of the components could trigger the check engine light. If the temperature of the hybrid components becomes too high, the vehicle will enter a “fail-safe mode” to prevent hybrid component damage. In English this means a Prius could suddenly suffer a drastic loss of power, which the driver cannot override.
Toyota is claiming that this is a “customer support campaign” and is not a recall.
“Toyota has determined it is not a safety issue and the company has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition,” the beleaguered automaker said.
Call it a “limited service campaign” or a recall, owners of 2004-2007 Prius Hybrid models will be notified by first class mail beginning in early December 2010. Toyota dealers will replace the water pump with a newly designed one at no charge to the vehicle owner as long as the owner arranges for service before Nov. 30, 2013. Continue reading
Kia Recalling Alabama Built Sorento SUVs for Bad Brakes
Kia is recalling all 2011 Sorento models built at a Kia plant in Alabama because defective rear brake calipers can leak and diminish braking performance. Drivers of the affected 2011 Sorento models should see a brake warning light come on and feel a soft pedal if the Sorento’s brakes are leaking. Continue reading
