Category Archives: recalls

NHTSA Prompts Recall of Dodge Ram Pickups for Axle Lockups

The Office of Defects Investigation at NHTSA opened an investigation this past July into complaints alleging rear differential failures resulting in rear wheel lock-up on Dodge pickup trucks,. Chrysler has now decided to recall 44,300 Dodge Dakota and Ram 1500 models. Continue reading

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Honda Adds to Previous Recalls of CR-V Crossovers for Fires

Honda is recalling 500,000 CR-V models globally because an electric window switch can melt and cause an interior fire. This is in addition to a Honda recall in March for the same problem on other CR-V and Pilot models. At least five fires have been reported. In the U.S., the latest quality gaff covers model year 2002-2006 CR-V passenger vehicles manufactured from February 2002, through July 2006, potentially have the defective driver-side power window switch that may fail or melt.

Honda is experiencing something similar to Toyota’s well-publicized quality meltdown, but so far it hasn’t hurt new vehicle sales at either.
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Honda Expands Acura TL Fire Recall to add 573,000 Accord Cars

Honda is expanding an Acura recall for defective power steering hoses that can cause fires to a combined total of more than 625,000 vehicles, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing revealed today. This is an additional recall since the initial Acura one last May. Affected are 2007-2008 Acura TL and now – far more numerous – 2003-2007 Accord V6-powered cars. Honda in Japan eventually decided to recall the Accords after a fire was reported by a U.S. dealer in early June. However, parts are not yet available for Accord owners. They will have to wait until early 2013 because replacement parts for Accord V6 vehicles are different from the parts for the recalled Acura TL models. The supplier was not identified. Continue reading

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NHTSA Prompts GM Recall of Chevrolet, Saturn and Pontiac Cars

An engineering analysis started more than a year ago by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has now forced the recall of more than 426,000 General Motors passenger cars sold under the Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn brands. Continue reading

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Ford Stops Sales of Edge Because of Fuel Leak Recall

Ford Motor Company is stopping the sale of 2012 Edge models because a fuel line can leak and potentially cause a fire in the Canadian-built vehicle. Since replacement parts are not available, owner letters should be mailed the week of 24 September 2012, the Dearborn-based automaker said in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls 2013 Escape for Engine Fires, the Third Recall So Far

This is the third major recall on the best-selling Ford crossover SUV, which received a redesign for the 2013 model year, its first major revision since its 2001 model year debut. Ford did not publicize the recall, which became public because of a required legal filing with the Department of Transportation. Continue reading

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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

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Fisker Recalls 2012 Model Karma Cars because of Fires

Fisker Automotive is recalling 1,377 Finnish-built Karma passenger cars because of a defect in a low temperature cooling fan may result in a short circuit. The short can ignite the fan housing, shroud and surrounding components, causing a vehicle fire. At least one Karma fire has been reported and one cooling fan has burnt, according to Fisker in the required defect filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading

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NHTSA Investigation Prompts GM Recalls of SUVs for Fires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has prompted recalls of more than 249,000 GM SUVs because of fires in the driver’s door caused by a defective electric window motor. Affected are 2006-2007 model year Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender and Saab 9-7x models, all from the GMT360 platform. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received a total of 83 complaints, 66 alleging the door module had melted or burned, and the remaining 17 stating that the window switches acted erratically or were inoperative. Twenty-eight of the reports received have led to driver door fires, some of which allege the vehicle was keyed off and unattended. Continue reading

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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

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Ford Stops Sale on Transit Connect Due to Defective Wipers

Ford Motor has told U.S. dealers to stop deliveries of Transit Connect models because the Turkish built vehicle has defective windshield wipers that are now subject to a safety recall. More than 16,000 of the delivery vans from the 2011 and 1012 model years are affected. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Recalls Impala Police Cars for Suspension Failures

When General Motors changed suppliers in the 2008 model year for front lower control arms, the critical suspension piece from Iroquois Industries did not meet specifications and is now the cause of a recall on all Chevrolet Impala police cars built during the last four years. Continue reading

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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

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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

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Ford Recalls 2013 Escapes for Fires; Honda Recalls CRVs

This is the second recall on the new Escape, an earlier one was conducted to repair carpeting that interfered with accelerator and brake pedal movement, and it raises concerns about Ford’s ability to launch new models without quality concerns. Honda recalled more vehicles in 2011 than any other automaker operating in the U.S. Continue reading

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