Category Archives: recalls

NHTSA Probes GM Electric Power Steering Sudden Failure

Complicating matters for General Motors is the EPS system used in those vehicles is the same as that used in 2005 -2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 models. In March of 2010, GM recalled more than 1 million of them to fix a defect with the EPS assist motor. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, engineering, news analysis, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hyundai Recall Active on Veracruz and Santa Fe SUV Airbags

The recall appears to have been prompted by a request for an explanation about a high number of warranty claims by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continue reading

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kia Recall on Sorento Passenger Airbag Trails Service Bulletin

A Kia recall is now active for model year 2007-2008 Sorento passenger cars manufactured from June 15, 2006 through November 27, 2007. The safety recall is prompted by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) analysis that showed complaints about the passenger side airbag were higher than those of other vehicles. The Korean maker Kia disagreed, but has recalled the Sorento to prevent a dispute with NHTSA and it obvious negative effects on its quality image.

Continue reading

Posted in auto news, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volkswagen Recall Active on Jetta Sedans for Burning People

A Volkswagen Recall is now underway in the United States on almost 3,000 Jetta sedans because the stainless steal exhaust tips extended too far, resulting in complaints from customers that they are being burned. These port-installed exhaust tips extend beyond the original length of the factory installed exhaust system. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NHTSA Ups Scrutiny of Failing Chrysler Minivan Headlights

According to NHTSA, the minivan headlights randomly shut off and remain dark on Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans. More than 600,000 vehicles are potentially affected according to a NHTSA filing. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, engineering, news analysis, recalls, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Recalls 310,000 Pilot SUVs for Defective Seat Belts

The latest quality gaff from the Japanese maker once known for its quality follows Honda recalls announced over the Labor Day weekend for fires on more than a million vehicles globally. 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

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Recalls a Million Vehicles for Fires, Software Problems

The latest Honda recalls are part of much larger global quality problems that affect almost one million Honda vehicles with potential fatal safety defects, including the Honda Fit, which was already recalled in the U.S. Worse, Honda recalls during the last year show that Honda’s once vaunted reputation for manufacturing and design quality is in shambles. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Porsche Recalls 911, Boxster, Cayman Models for Seat Belts

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Porsche said the mounting holes in the seat belt anchor plates are too small and the anchor plate may not be able to rotate about the fastening bolt as designed. If this happens, the seat belt may not fit properly around the occupant, or may potentially loosen increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

General Motors Recalling TRW ESC Because it Can Run Wild

This seemingly benign electronic programming glitch can have severe consequences because it can result in the ESC activating at high speeds without warning resulting in “sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, particularly at higher speeds, which may cause the driver difficulty in maintaining the vehicle’s desired path of travel and desired vehicle speed, and could result in a crash without warning.” Continue reading

Posted in auto news, engineering, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audi Recalls R8 for Potential Engine fires. Dealers Stop Sales

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), parent company Volkswagen said that a fuel line may rub through on an engine compartment heat shield and cause a fuel leak. No fires have been reported, but Audi has no way of knowing the number of the supercars affected.
Continue reading

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NHTSA Opens BMW Defect Probe on 120,000 7-Series Models

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary engineering investigation on 120,000 2002-2008 BMW 7-Series models because of one complaint. The Office of Defects Investigation said in a regulatory filing today that it has received a single complaint from a consumer alleging a rollaway incident with a model year 2006 BMW 7-Series vehicle after parking and exiting the vehicle. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chrysler Recalls 300,000 Minivans for Possible Airbag Defect

Previously minivan recalls were conducted in November 2010 because a defective drain grommet on the heating and ventilation system (HVAC) allowed condensation from a/c operation to leak onto the computer. At the time only the grommet was replaced. Subsequent Chrysler durability testing revealed that some of the computers failed. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Recalls More than 1 Million F-Series Trucks for Fuel Tank Fires. Reverses No Risk Stance after NHTSA Digs Deeper

Ford Motor Company is recalling more that 1 million F-Series pickup trucks and corresponding Lincoln versions built during model years 1997 through 2004 because of fuel tank fires. The Ford recalls result from the automaker’s latest corrosion problem caused by … Continue reading

Posted in auto news, news analysis, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Second Smallest U.S. Safety Recall in History? Toyota Recalls 32 Lexus RX 350 SUVs for Defective Antilock Brake Calibration

Toyota is recalling 32 model year 2011 Lexus RX350 sport utility vehicles equipped with vehicle dynamics integrated management (VDIM). The calibration for the hydraulic control valves from ADVICS manufacturing in Ohio is incorrect. Because of this safety defect, Toyota said in a NHTSA filing, there is a possibility that the right front wheel may not be controlled properly during antilock brake system operation or vehicle stability control actuation. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, manufacturing, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevy Recalls Colorado, GMC Canyon for Bad Transmissions

The safety defect in violation of FMVSS #114, which deals with the shift interlock design, is caused by a defective automatic transmission adjustment clip built in China. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, engineering, manufacturing, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment