Category Archives: recalls

NHTSA Keeps Chevrolet Volt Battery Fire Probe Open

GM said this morning that it was “optimistic” that no recall would be required, a politically sensitive issue since the federal government, which NHTSA is part of, still holds a large 27% stake in GM. For GM’s part, a safety recall is arguably more damaging to the reputation of the Volt than the proposed customer service action. Last year Chevrolet sold 7,671 Volt models , which cost more than $40,000 without taxpayer subsidies to its mostly rich buyers, another political controversy in itself. Continue reading

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Michigan Made Chevrolet Sonic Recall for Missing Brake Pad

How a car without brake pads could leave the Orion Township assembly plant, or pass a pre-delivery inspection was not addressed in the terse NHTSA filing. The embarrassing safety defect comes just before the public unveiling of the 2013 Sonic RS performance model – 138-horsepower from a turbocharged engine – at the North American International Auto Show in January. Continue reading

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Nissan Recall Active for Oil Leaks. Infiniti Recall too

This is the fourth major Nissan recall since the end of November. Earlier recalls involved sudden stalling on Sentra models; Juke turbocharger boost sensors; and defective Rogue electric power steering control computers. Continue reading

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Ford Employees to Beta Test Latest My Ford Touch Patch

Ford Motor Company will beta test new software designed to ease myriad consumer complaints about the My Ford Touch infotainment system, which caused Ford and Lincoln vehicles to sink to below average in Consumer Reports quality ratings.

Ford’s overall reliability rank among 28 major car makes slipped from the 10th to the 20th spot this year—the biggest drop for any major nameplate in Consumer Reports 2011 Annual Auto Survey. The badly needed software upgrade is coming for 2013 models – and to owners of existing My Ford Touch equipped vehicles. Continue reading

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Ford Recall Active for Wheels Falling off Fusion, Mercury Milan

NHTSA started the Ford wheel safety defect investigation in January of this year based on complaints from Ford owners, and upgraded it to an engineering analysis in July. It appears that NHTSA forced the Ford recall after a meeting early in November as complaints continued. Two root causes for the latest Ford recall for a safety defect were listed in the required NHTSA documentation: Hayes supplied steel wheels could be defective; and so could Mexican-built Brembo disc brakes. Continue reading

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Nissan Rogue Recall Active for Electric Power Steering

The latest safety defect caused by automotive electronics involves a Nissan Rogue recall for more than 7,000 of the popular crossover SUVs because of a defective circuit board for the power steering. A sudden loss of steering assist is possible, … Continue reading

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Honda Recall for Goldwing Motorcycle Fires Active

This safety defect follows the admission by Honda last week that Honda is once again expanding a recall covering the driver’s side airbag installed on its most popular cars, crossovers and minivans built in 2001 and 2002. This ongoing global safety defect has resulted in recalls in North America, Japan, Australia and other regions. Continue reading

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Honda Airbag Recall Grows. More than 300,000 Vehicles Added

Initially, Honda only recalled 4200 vehicles three years ago and ignored the rest of the world. However, this Honda problem was ongoing as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was fining Toyota for safety defect cover-ups – ones that ultimately resulted in millions of dollars in fines and a shredded Toyota corporate and vehicle quality reputation. During the past year or so, Honda has issued more than 22 public statements about various safety defects and recalls in the U.S. Continue reading

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Nissan Recalls Power Windows on 370Z and Infiniti G37

A computer programming error is responsible for a Nissan recall of 2011 and 2012 model 370Z sports cars and Infiniti G37 coupes. The computer program for the window controller of automatic electric windows in incorrectly calibrated so that the window may not “auto reverse” its travel if something is caught in the upward motion. Continue reading

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NHTSA Upgrades Probe of Saturn Automatic Transmissions

When NHTSA began the safety defect probe last May only 2007 model year Saturn Aura sedans were implicated. Now the investigation has been expanded to 2008 models as well, covering more than 88,000 Saturn models. In a regulatory filing this week NHTSA said that at least seven accidents have been reported. Continue reading

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Toyota Recall Active on 420,000 Lexus and Toyota V6 Models

Toyota Motor Sales today announced that it will conduct a safety recall involving approximately 283,200 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles to replace the crankshaft pulley on the V6 engine. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles or these Toyota models with 4 cylinder engines are involved. Continue reading

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GM Airbag Recall Active for All 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 Models

GM is recalling all model year 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles because the front occupant can be harmed in crash. The GM airbag recall is prompted by head injury criteria (hic) measurements that far exceed the limits imposed by U.S. regulations. More than 38,000 vehicles are involved in the U.S. Continue reading

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Rolls Royce Recall Active for Engine Fires on Ghost Models

Rolls-Royce is recalling 2010 model year Ghost luxury cars equipped with turbocharged engines, because the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat.

At least two cases of engine compartment fires have been reported, Rolls said in a required National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing about the safety defect. More than one hundred cases of the failure of the German-made Pierburg pump have been reported globally. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Corvette Recall on for 2011 and 2012 Coupes

The rear hatch on Corvette Coupes made from 24 January 2011 through 1 September 2011 could separate in a crash, thereby increasing the risk of injury. A stop sale is in place. Continue reading

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Volkswagen Recall for Leaking Diesel Engine Fuel Lines Active

A Volkswagen recall is now active for leaking fuel lines on Jetta, Golf and Audi A3 vehicles. The 2-liter TDI diesel engine is susceptible to a resonance that cracks the number two cylinder fuel line. The resonance is caused by the operation of the EGR system, which decreases emissions of nitrous oxides, a particular problem with diesel engines. More than 168,000 VW and Audi cars are affected by the fuel line safety defect, which because of the high pressure fuel system makes the cars susceptible to fires if the fuel line fails. Continue reading

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