Nissan Motor Co. is recalling about 841,000 vehicles worldwide to deal with a steering wheel issue that can cause vehicles to lose steering control. 

All Micra cars built in either the UK or Japan between 2002 and 2006 are affected by the recall, along with Nissan Cube mincars built in Japan between the same time period. This recall does not affect any US cars, although it will affect Japan, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

The problem stems from an improperly tightened bolt in the steering wheel which can work itself loose and cause the vehicles to lose steering. In some cases, the steering wheel has come right off. No injuries have been reported as a result of this defect.

Nissan will either tighten the bolt or replace the steering wheel free of charge.

Discuss this story at nissanforums.com

Cadillac is recalling over 27,000 Cadillac SRX SUVs to have their lug nuts tightened.

The recall affects 2013 model year SRXs equipped with the factory 18-inch wheels. According to the American automaker, the wheel nuts may not have been tightened enough to meet safe specifications. No crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of this issue.

Dealerships will tighten the nuts and rotate the tires free of charge. 19,000 affected SRXs are in the U.S. while 913 are in Canada. The rest were exported out of North America.

Discuss this story at CadillacOwners.com

Maserati North America is issuing out a recall for 2005-2008 Quattroporte, 2008 Granturismo, and 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C vehicles for a possible rear tie rod failure.

According to the Italian automaker, the affected models were manufactured with rear tie rod assemblies that may not have sufficient anti-corrosion material applied, potentially causing them to weaken and fail over time. Failure of the tie rods can result in loss of control and an increased risk of crashing.

Maserati will begin notifying affected owners so that the automaker can replace the tie rod assemblies. The recall is expected to begin by the end of June 2013.

A total number of 7,438 vehicles are potentially affected.

Discuss this story at AlfaOwner.com

Japanese automaker Subaru is recalling almost 5,400 model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles because the steering column might disengage.

The affected vehicles were built between February 15 and June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another. If that happens, the driver won’t be able to steer the car.

Subaru will notify affected owners, and replace the column assembly free of charge through its dealer network. Anyone with questions can call Subaru at (800) 782-2783. The recall campaign number is WQI-45.

A total of 469,000 Jeep SUVs are being recalled for a faulty circuit board that can send a wrong signal causing those vehicles to shift into neutral on startup and even roll away.

The recall affects 2005-2010 Grand Cherokees and 2006-2010 Commanders. 295,000 vehicles being recalled are in America, 28,500 are in Canada, and 4,200 are in Mexico. The remaining 141,000 affected are outside North America.

U.S. safety regulators have concluded that cracks in a circuit board that turns the four-wheel-drive system on and off can result in a faulty signal when the SUVs are being started, causing them to roll away when it’s shifted to neutral. According to the American automaker, there have been 26 crashes related to the recall and two injuries. Affected owners will be contacted so that dealers can update the software free of charge.

Discuss this story at JeepCommander.com

Two separate probes into Ford and Chrysler vehicles have been closed by U.S. auto safety regulators now that both automakers have conducted safety recalls.

Both investigations were closed earlier this month after Ford recalled 230,000 minivans and Chrysler recalled about 30,000 Jeep SUVs. In March, 2004-2007 model year Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey models were recalled to repair a problem that could prevent the third-row seat from folding down and locking in place. 230,000 minivans in total were recalled, 33,500 of them being outside the U.S.

SEE ALSO: Ford Recalling 230,000 Minivans

In a separate filing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) closed the probe on 115,000 Jeep Patriot SUVs after complaints of the engine stalling at high speeds were reported. In April, the American automaker recalled 2012 model year Patriot and Compass SUVs for the issue.

Discuss this story at JeepForum.com

Kumho is recalling nearly 12,000 of its Solus tires that are now being added to a recall campaign from last year.

The original recall related to roughly 1,200 tires that could develop a crack in the sidewall, but the story behind this development is more disturbing. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) documents say Kumho sent 11,922 tires to Liberty Tire Recycling for disposal after they were punctured with three drill holes through the treat surface.

Rather than disposing of them, Liberty patched the tires and resold them as “used tires” to distributors in Texas, New York, North Carolina and Puerto Rico.

Despite being repaired, NHTSA says the tires might not meet Rubber Manufacturers Association standards for tire repairs and could fail.

Kumho says it will notify owners and that dealers will replace the tires, which are size 225/45R17. Owners with questions can call (909) 428-3358.

Roughly 100,000 Ford and Mercury minivans might be added to a recall announced earlier this year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) is watching vehicles sold outside states included in the initial recall.

The campaign targeted about 230,000 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey North American minivans in March because rust in the wheel wells can let the third-row seats come loose. The affected vans range from the 2004 to 2007 model year and were sold in cold-weather states where road salt is used.

SEE ALSO: Ford Recalling 230,000 Minivans

NHTSA said problems are rare and is only aware of one problem reported by an owner outside the area affected by the recall. The investigation is closed, but owners not covered by the recall may still contact Ford for repairs if their van shows signs of rust.

The rusting area can weaken the mounting brackets that attach the seats to the floor. A new bracket will be installed away from the rusting area and a panel will be installed to prevent further water entry on affected units.

General Motors is recalling 38,197 eAssist-equipped vehicles for a faulty circuit board that could lead to a fire in the trunk in the worst case scenario.

The recall affects 2012 and 2013 model year Chevrolet Malibu Ecos, Buick LaCrosses, and Buick Regals equipped with eAssist and sold in the U.S. Vehicles being recalled were all built before December 2012.

According to GM, a malfunctioning generator control module can slowly drain the battery, leading to an indicator on the dash. If the indicator is ignored, the engine could stall, and in some cases, a burning or melting odor, smoke, and in rare instances, a fire in the trunk.

GM did confirm that the issue is not related to the eAssist battery pack and that the smoke and fire hazard is a result of an overheating control board. So far one trunk fire has been reported, but no injuries are known related to the issue.

Those with affected vehicles will be able to go to the dealership where it will check the generator control module to ensure that it’s operating properly.

Discuss this story at ChevyMalibuForum.com

Improperly torqued bolts anchoring second-row seat belts in a total of 272 Mercedes-Benz GL SUVs are cause for a new recall.

The recall reaches through the product range to include the GL350 BlueTEC, GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and GL63 AMG.

Mercedes will fix the flaw free of charge to owners through its dealer network by checking to be sure the bolts are correctly torqued. A total of 272 units, all from the 2013 model year, could be affected. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz with further questions at (800) 367-6372.

Discuss this story at BenzWorld.org

Have you ever been blinded at night by an oncoming Toyota FJ Cruiser’s lights? Well, that is set to change, as Toyota is recalling about 11,489 of the off-road machines for having lights that are too bright. 

Only FJ Cruisers fit with the Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kit that were built between January 25, 2006 through February 23, 2013 are affected by the recall.

The special light kit fits the FJ with 55-watt bulbs which are to bright and fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, “Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.”

Toyota will notify owners and replace the 55-watt bulbs with 35-watt bulbs, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota for more information at 1-800-331-4331.

 Discuss this story at fjcruiserforums.com

You may have heard that the Dodge Viper is a car that wants to kill you, but in at least two cases that might actually be true.

That’s because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating model year 2005 and 2006 Dodge Vipers because of two complaints that the rear suspension knuckle separated, which caused the drivers to lose control and crash.

One of the complaints says while driving approximately 50 mph, the knuckle assembly failed and the vehicle stopped suddenly. The driver crashed into a concrete divider.

NHTSA hasn’t issued a recall so far, but one could be issued.

Another complaint said a man was driving his 2006 Dodge Viper when he lost traction to the left side and started to slide. The car went airborne and crashed into some woods nearby. The driver suffered lower back injuries and a mechanic determined that a steering knuckle separated from the right rear wheel.

Discuss this story at ViperAlley.com