Tag Archives: auto recalls

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

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

Nissan Recalls Altima Sedans for Defective Suspension

Nissan North America is recalling 20,000 2011 and 2012 model Altima sedans because an assembly defect can potentially cause the driver to loose control. Canton Mississippi built compact car – Nissan’s best seller – can have transverse link bolts that were improperly torqued on the assembly line. Continue reading

Posted in auto news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a 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

Toyota Recalls 80,000 Highlander Hybrid and RX 400h Vehicles

Toyota Motor Sales, USA (TMS) today said that it will recall about 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles sold in the U.S in what appears to be the first recalls for its hybrid drive system.

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Japanese company said that the so called Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the Hybrid System Inverter contains a control board with defective transistors. Transistors on the control boards in some of 2006-2007 model year Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h SUVs were inadequately soldered and could be damaged from heat caused by a large current flow during high-load driving. Continue reading

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

BMW Recalls X5 SUVs for a Bad Belt Tensioner

BMW is recalling 2012 model X5 SUVs in North America because the belt tensioner can fail as part of a larger global service action. Diesel engine models have a Czech Republic built tensioner with defective welds that can suddenly fail. If the belt tensioner fails a loss of power steering results, thereby increasing the possibility of a crash. Continue reading

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

Mazda Recalls Mazda 3 Models for Bad Windshield Wipers

Mazda is recalling more than 100,000 Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed 3 cars from the 2008-2009 model years because the windshield wipers can stop working. The ground terminal of the Korean-built Bosch windshield wiper motor may have been bent during assembly. Over time the electrical resistance of the motor circuit may increase so that eventually the windshield wipers would not work. Continue reading

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

Cadillac Recalls 2011 SRX SUVs for Defective Airbags

The SRX computer turns off the right roof-rail airbag if the passenger sensing system determines that the right front passenger seat is unoccupied. Therefore a right rear occupant may not be protected and suffer injuries in frontal and side crashes. Continue reading

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

Volvo Recalls S60 for Defective Software and Engine Stalling

Volvo is recalling 2012 model year S60 passenger cars because they can stall without warning. All Volvo S60 models made from 18 November 2010 through 5 May 2011 will have the engine control software reprogrammed to eliminate this safety defect. Continue reading

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

Honda Recalls New Civic for Fuel Leaks in Latest Quality Gaffe

Toyota of course was ultimately assessed record civil fines by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year for its failure to promptly recall all of the vehicles affected by deadly unintended acceleration or stuck gas pedal problems. The “Toyota effect” now looms large over the auto industry since no automaker wants to be charged with a safety defect coverup. Continue reading

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

Volvo Recalls XC90 Crossover for ZF Power Steering Defect

Volvo is recalling 2010-2011 model XC90 vehicles manufactured from 29 January 2010, through 16 August 2010. The power steering fluid may leak from the oil pipe connection at the steering gear valve housing from the ZF produced part. Continue reading

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

Honda Expands Airbag Recall to 833,000 Honda, Acura Models

All automakers typically try to limit the number of vehicles covered in recalls or service actions to cut down on expenses and limit damage to their reputations. However, as investigations proceed the population of affected vehicles sometimes expands due to uncertainties around the root cause or inability to identify exactly how many parts are affected. Continue reading

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

Hyundai Recalls Sante Fe SUVs. Follows Kia Sorento Recall

The parts used in the driveline of the Sante Fe are identical to the ones recalled by Kia on the Sorento, which was recalled first. Continue reading

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

Volkswagen Recalls 71,000 Jetta Sedans for Sudden Stalling

All Jetta models made in Mexico from March of 2010 unit March 21011 – an entire year of production – have a fuse box design that runs the engine management system, horn, wiper blades and theft alarm through one fuse. If the fuse blows for any reason, the engine quits without warning. Continue reading

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

Hyundai Elantra Air Bag Recall – More than 280,000 Affected

Hyundai Motor Company in the United States is recalling 2007 through 2009 Elantra models for two safety defects that interfere with proper air bag deployment. Electrical sensor problems are responsible for both potential safety defects. Continue reading

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