Category Archives: recalls

Unintended Acceleration on 730,000 Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute SUVs under NHTSA Scrutiny in New Preliminary Investigation

The Center for Auto Safety had petitioned NHTSA last week to open defect investigations on the V6 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute models equipped with cruise control. NHTSA opened its own investigation instead, in a move that was required given the seriousness of the allegations that were about to become public.

In a defensive bureaucratic move, NHTSA also denied a CAS request for potentially embarrassing public hearings about the safety agency’s, as well as Ford Motor’s and Mazda’s lack of corrective action thus far. To make matters more complicated and potentially more image damaging for all involved, it is possible that an earlier safety recall resulted in more unintended acceleration accidents on the models involved. Continue reading

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NHTSA Prompted Latest Lexus Recall after Web Complaints

The latest Lexus floor mat recall is the result of ongoing complaints filed by owners on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website. It took another NHTSA inquiry to Toyota back in May to prompt Toyota to action. With virtually instant feedback available at the world’s largest auto safety agency, automakers are increasingly under pressure to fix defects and institute recalls within five business days. NHTSA confirmed this summary in a statement that said in part, “NHTSA requested that Toyota conduct an immediate recall of model year 2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450 H vehicles for a serious safety issue involving potential pedal entrapment by the floor mat.” So NHTSA asked Toyota once again to conduct a recall. NHTSA is also requesting additional documentation from Toyota and is considering opening another investigation into whether Toyota met its obligation to notify the agency and conduct a recall in a timely manner.
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Volvo Fined $1.5 Million for Not Reporting Safety Defects

Volvo – once known for its safety reputation – now has the dubious distinction of joining Toyota Motor and BMW Group in paying penalties for not reporting defects or violations of U.S. regulations. Volvo will pay the fines into the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury; they will not go toward enforcement of U.S. Safety regulations. Continue reading

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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

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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

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Honda Recalls 50,000 2012 Civic Models for Bad Driveshafts

American Honda will recall approximately 50,000 model-year 2012 Civic vehicles in the United States to inspect and, if necessary, replace the left driveshaft in its latest quality gaff. The driver’s side driveshaft may not have been properly assembled, potentially allowing it to separate from the outer CV joint (constant velocity) while in operation, Honda said in a statement today. The compact Civic is one of the best selling cars in the U.S. Continue reading

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Kia Recalls Rio for Defective Airbag Sensor

Kia Motors is recalling more than 72,000 Rio subcompact cars because the passenger side occupant sensor can fail with the possibility that a child could be hurt if the airbag deploys. Model year 2006-2008 cars are affected by the safety defect although no injuries have been reported. Continue reading

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Chrysler Expands Corrosion Recall to 347,000 Liberty Models

Chrysler is expanding its Jeep corrosion recall on Jeep Liberty SUVs because a rear suspension control arm can corrode and fracture in salt-belt states and Canada. The corrosion recall started in March now includes model year 2006 and 2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles, adding 137,176 vehicles to a recall that now includes all 2004-2007 Liberty vehicles. Owners don’t appear concerned. Thus far, only 921 Jeeps have been repaired. Continue reading

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Fisker Expands Karma Battery Recall for Potential Fires

In an example of ongoing bad Karma, Fisker has told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it is expanding its recall of the $102,000 Karma EV because the A123 supplied battery pack can leak coolant and start fires. Continue reading

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GM, Toyota Computer Problems Cause Latest Safety Recalls

The ongoing computerization of vehicle systems has caused safety recalls at GM and Toyota. In the latest round of software malfunctions, brand new 2013 model Chevrolet Malibu cars can blow up the roof rail airbag for no reason or prevent the air bags from going off in a severe accident. Toyota’s Lexus luxury division is recalling its 2013 model GS performance sedans because a sensor can cause the steering wheel to be wildly out of place to where the front wheels are actually pointed. Continue reading

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NHTSA Jeep Fire Probe Prompts Wrangler Recall

A preliminary national Highway Traffic Safety Administration evaluation of Jeep Wrangler fires opened in March has resulted in the recall of 70,000 2010 Wrangler trucks that were sold with automatic transmissions. The skid plate directly under the catalytic converter traps debris, which the hot converter then ignites. Continue reading

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Press Vehicle Engine Seizure Spurs Ferrari Recalls of California and Italia

Ferrari customers will have the choice of letting the dealer install a new crankshaft and bearings; sending their engines back to Ferrari North America, or have Ferrari supply a replacement engine. Continue reading

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Acura Recalls TL Sedans for a Bad Power Steering Hose

Acura will recall 52,615 model-year 2007-2008 TL sedans in the United States to replace the power steering hose. The power steering hose form an unidentified supplier may deteriorate and develop a fluid leak. Leaking power steering fluid could lead to loss of power steering assistance or, if it leaks onto a catalytic converter, it can result in smoke, or in the worst case, a fire. Continue reading

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Ford Expands Windstar Corrosion Recalls, Adds Axle failures

Ford Motor is once again expanding a corrosion recall on 1998-2003 Windstar minivans because a supplier failed to properly e-coat the suspension components, which makes the vehicles susceptible to sudden failures of the steering, front sub-frame and/or rear axle. In a massive recall announced in January of 2011, more than 425,000 Ford Windstar minivans were recalled because the steering fails because of rusting problems. NHTSA opened an engineering investigation in July of 2010 into the ongoing Windstar rust problem. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls Electronic PRNDL for False Position Indication

Ford Motor is recalling Expedition, F-150 Mustang and Lincoln Navigator models because the electronically controlled gearshift indicator does not show the vehicle is in reverse increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading

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