This is the latest example of “Toyota effect” caused by a more vigorous NHTSA, which was embarrassed by its lack of action in deadly Toyota unintended acceleration and stuck gas pedal matters.
In what could be the smallest safety recall in history, Volkswagen of America is recalling four, yes, four 2012 CC cars. It seems that optional wheels and tires were installed when the cars were imported, but they did not have the correct tire pressure monitoring sensors in them.
As a result the tire pressure warning system (FMVSS 138), which was put in place after the Ford Explorer and Firestone tread separation fiasco, does not function properly, and the tires could be underinflated.
In a regulatory filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA, Volkswagen said it had already contacted all of the affected owners. Volkswagen owners with questions can call VW at 1-800-822-8987 (VW recall 44J4/XO).The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline is 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
The Volkswagen CC 2.0L TSI recently earned a ‘top safety pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the highest possible from the non-profit safety research organization. The annual rating recognizes those vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute’s front, side, and rear crash test evaluations, and the newly required roof-strength test evaluations. The Institute only awards the rating to vehicles that are fitted with electronic stability control and head protection airbags.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
