Subaru has recalled 69, 590 2011 Outback and Legacy models over defective sunroofs. Vehicles manufactured between August 3, 2010 and July 1, 2011 can have the sunroof’s glass panel detach from the sunroof entirely.
This could understandably cause a serious safety hazard to owners and occupants, as well as other vehicles on the road. Owners can contact Subaru at 800-782-2783, and owners will be notified in October. Dealers will carry out necessary repairs free of charge.
[Source: NHTSA]
In a country where people can sue restaurants over coffee being too hot, the latest recall for the 2011-2012 Volkswagen Jetta is dubious, but legally sound.
According to NHTSA, some vehicles built between March 18, 2010, and Aug. 22, 2011 had a stainless steel exhaust tip installed at the port. The exhaust tip may stick out past the standard muffler’s length, and can burn someone’s leg if they get too hot.
Anyone affected by the recall can contact Volkswagen at 800-822-8987 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236. The recall is expected to begin in November.
As a result of identifying problems with power window switches, Honda Motor Co. has announced it is recalling some 960,000 vehicles worldwide.
The recall is mostly related to 2006 to early 2010 Fit subcompacts (totaling almost 800,000). In addition, in the U.S., the company is also recalling some 80,111 CR-Vs from the 2006 model year for similar problems. The recall is a result of potential problems such as fire hazards that could result from faulty electrical contacts in the switches.
Another vehicle being recalled is the CR-Z hybrid, including some 5,626 currently on US roads. In this case the problem concerns the vehicle’s Engine Control Unit; the CR-Z has come under criticism for its rather underwhelming performance, especially as it relates to fuel economy.
Honda hasn’t said how much this global recall will cost, though with it following in the wake of supplier struggles resulting from the March 11 earthquake in Japan, it has proved yet again, that 2011 is shaping up to be one of the most difficult years the automaker has faced in recent times.
BMW is recalling 241,000 3-Series models due to faulty tail lights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has confirmed that certain 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi models built between September 1, 2001 and March 1 2005 may experience resistance in the electrical contacts of one or more rear lamp functions.
The resistance could eventually lead to the one or more rear lamp functions from working. That failure could reduce the ability to warn other motorists of the drivers intentions, potentially leading to an accident.
BMW dealers will repair the electrical components free of charge once the recall begins in October of this year. Concerned BMW owners may contact customer relations at 1-800-525-7417
Owners of BMW‘s 2009 X5 SUV powered with a diesel engine should be keeping their eyes out for a recall notice, scheduled to be sent out on October 1st. The recall is for a replacement fuel filter heater that BMW has concluded can be faulty in 2,120 X5 SUVs with a diesel engine manufactured from October 1st, 2008 to June 12th, 2009.
The problem, according to BMW, is that the fuel filter heater remains on even if the SUV itself isn’t. This causes the heaters to discharge its battery prematurely and there’s a possibility that the heater could overheat and cause a fire. BMW will replace the fuel filter heater for free and if owners have any questions they can contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
Owners of Nissan’s 2005-2010 Pathfinders, Frontiers and Xteras are experiencing failures to their automatic transmissions because radiator coolant is leaking into the system. The radiator cooler tanks are rupturing, which forces the coolant into the transmission through the transmission cooler lines. Nissan has offered an extended warranty for the radiators, but the coverage only applies to vehicles with fewer than 80,000 miles.
Owners are upset that Nissan didn’t notify them about the radiator problem. “The issue here is that Nissan knew that they had a faulty radiator and instead of recalling the radiator they extended the warranty knowing that the majority of the cars would surpass 80,000 miles before they started having problems with the transmission,” wrote Eva Saldivar of Porterville, California, in her complaint to the Center for Auto Safety. Her 2005 Pathfinder had 115,000 miles when she had to pay about $6,000 for repairs. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has at least 200 complaints regarding this transmission issue and the Center for Auto Safety has around 50 complaints.
In October, Nissan extended the warranty on the radiators of 2005-2010 Frontiers, Pathfinders and Xterras from three years or 36,000 miles to eight years or 80,000 miles. Nissan said only “a small percentage” of vehicles might experience the coolant-leak problem, which it blames on “an internal crack on the oil cooler tube”.
Clarence Ditlow, the executive director of the Center for Auto Safety said an investigation is warranted because owners are reporting safety-related problems, like rapid slowing or the inability to safely cross an intersection.
No official investigation or recall has been announced.
[Source: New York Times]
Porsche is recalling specific vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 Boxster, Cayman and 911 model ranges due to an issue with the seatbelt anchor.
The automaker claims that undersized mounting holes for the anchors could cause the seatbelt to become not ”routed optimally around the occupant.” Over time, the anchor could loosen, resulting in an increased injury risk in a crash.
Among the models targeted by NHTSA for recall include the 2011 911 Speedster, the 911 GTS RS 4.0, the 2012 Boxster (including the Boxster S and Spyder) and Cayman (including the Cayman S and Cayman R), the 911 Carrera (including the Carrera S, GTS, 4, 4S, and 4 GTS); 911 Targa 4/4S and the 911 Turbo and Turbo S manufactured from May 31, 2011 through June 10, 2011.
Porsche dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and made any necessary alterations free of charge.
Hit the jump for the official press release
Two weeks ago, a recall was launched for approximately 20,000 Nissan Altima sedans for a front suspension bolt that may not have been properly tightened during production of the vehicle. Today, another recall was launched regarding an incorrectly assembled air bag control unit in both the 2012 Altima and the 2012 NV work van. The affected vehicles were built during a two week period this year and the recall involves 54 units.
The faulty airbag control unit installations were installed in the Altima between June 15 and 21, 2011, and June 23-28 for the NV. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the unit “will not operate as designed and this issue may cause the air bags not to inflate in a crash … This could increase the risk of injury.”
According to NHTSA, the Japanese automaker will replace the air bag control units free of charge starting on or around August 22.
Maserati is recalling 2009 model year Quattroporte and GranTurismo vehicles, over inadequate rear tie-rods that could fail. The recall is affecting 763 vehicles that were built between July and September 2008. A failed tie-rod could lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Maserati dealers will replace the poorly installed tie-rods, install a tie-rod kit and perform a wheel-alignment, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2011. Owners may contact Maserati at 1-201-816-2600.
U.S safety regulators have begun investigating warranty claims regarding the brake effectiveness of the 2008 Mazda CX-9. The investigation surrounds leaking brake fluid that could affect the brakes of the 2008 CX-9, according to NHTSA.
So far, no injuries or crashes have been reported however, an estimated 37,000 vehicles could be affected. Information was sent to the NHTSA from Mazda regarding a period in the first quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2010, displaying a “high number” of warranty claims and reports for the affected CX-9.”When brake fluid leaks into the vacuum booster the driver can experience reduced brake effectiveness which can result in extended stopping distance,” the filing said. So far, a preliminary investigation has been launched that could lead to a recall if regulators determine the vehicle components to be unsafe.
[Source: Reuters]
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall for 4,077 Buick LaCrosse sedans after finding issues pertaining to the electronic stability control system. The issue only pertains to 2012 model year cars, built between June 9 and July 2.
According to the recall notice, “The StabiliTrak system has an incorrect calibration that may cause the system to not properly detect if a sensor were to malfunction, and the warning light indicating that the system is not operating would not illuminate, as required in the safety standard”.
If the ESC malfunctions, there is a possibility the system could falsely activate, resulting in sudden changes to the vehicles driving dynamics. If this were to happen, there is a higher probability in loss of driver control, which could lead to a crash.
The recall will begin towards the end of August, and affected vehicles will have the electronic brake reprogrammed free of charge.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into 120,000 BMW 7-Series vehicles. The issue is regarding the car not shifting securely into park and rolling away. The affected model years include 2002 to 2008, after receiving a complaint regarding a 2006 model that rolled away after the owner parked and exited the vehicle. The car that rolled away was equipped with BMW’s electronic access and ignition system, and an electronic transmission shifter with a gear selector mounted on the steering column. A BMW spokesman said the automaker is unaware of accidents or injuries related to this issue.
A preliminary investigation is the first step in a process that may lead to a recall if the NHTSA determines that there is a safety concern. NHTSA said no issues have been identified yet for any incident reported.
Both the new Ford Mustang and the new VW Jetta are facing possible recalls as a result of ongoing investigations by safety officials.
The Mustangs in question are those from the 2011 and 2012 model year equipped with a manual transmission, with reports from owners stating an inability to shift into gears while merging into high speed traffic or while turning left across oncoming traffic. A total of 32 complaints have gone through NHTSA on the Mustang.
On the Volkswagen Jettas equipped with TDI, seven complaints have been filed alleging a leak from the fuel line to the fuel injector. NHTSA has also received one complaint from a VW Golf equipped with the 2.0L TDI. Incidents are being reported between 2,470 to 7,764 miles and could impact 40,000 Jetta TDI vehicles.
Both of these cases may or may not result in recalls.
[Source: Detroit News]
Honda has launched a recall for about 1.5 million vehicles in the United States to update the software that controls the automatic transmission. The recall will include the 2005-10 4 cylinder Accord, 2007-10 CR-V and 2005-08 Element models. The issue surrounds a bearing in the automatic transmission system that was not built with sufficient strength and as a result, may emit abnormal noise or cause the engine to stall during certain gear shifts. The secondary shaft bearing in affected vehicles can be damaged if the transmission is quickly shifted between each of the reverse, neutral and drive positions. This is most likely done in an attempt to free a car stuck in mud or snow. The software update will ease the transition between gears to reduce the possibility of damage.
Honda will begin notifying customers on August 31.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has upgraded their investigation into consumer complaints that the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles are affected by wheel stud fractures that cause the wheels to come off.
The initial investigation of 317,315 Ford mid-sized sedans has been upgraded to an engineering analysis after more than 29 complaints and 128 warranty related claims were filed because of these fractures. ”We’ll fully cooperate with the government as they review this matter,” Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said. “We are not aware at this point of any allegations of injuries related to this matter.” The current engineering analysis investigation does not always lead to recalls, but that situation has not yet been ruled out.
[Source: Automotive News]
Volvo is recalling the 2007 S80 built between March 2006 and May 2007 due to the power steering reservoir return hoses that may been incorrectly routed.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an incorrectly routed hose can result in increased pressure within the power steering. If there is a failure, it’s possible for the hose to burst, resulting in a loss of power steering, increasing the risk of a crash. Volvo will begin contacting owners in August, and any necessary repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-201-768-7300.
Ford has issued a recall for 3,000 2007 Ford Five Hundreds and Mercury Montego sedans due to faulty fuel tanks. The tank may not have been properly welded between the fuel tank and fuel filler neck. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has posted that in the event of a severe rear impact, a faulty weld could lead to a crack in the joint which may cause a fuel leak.
Ford has stated that there have been minor fuel leaks in a small number of warranty claims. However, most of the tanks in question have been replaced due to dashboard warning lights being triggered by evaporative emission leaks. The affected vehicles were built at the Chicago Assembly Plant between September 5 and September 11, 2006. Ford will notify affected owners beginning on August 15 and will give them until August 31 to respond for full reimbursement of the costs associated with the recall.
BMW has released a recall for the 2011 X3 after only being on the market for a few months. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a control module in the SUV’s electric power steering system may malfunction, resulting in a loss of power steering.
BMW has explained that the affected vehicles were built between April 27,2011 and June 8,2011. Only fifty vehicles in total were affected and the owners will be notified within the coming weeks. BMW dealers will repair the control module free of charge, so owners won’t have to foot the bill.
General Motors has recalled 6,800 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks. Apparently the transmission shift lever was not properly finished and as a result, might not display the correct gear on the PRNDL bar. NHTSA said the pickups do not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, “Theft Protection”. This may appear to be minor but the automatic adjustment clip is out of adjustment and the fault will allow drivers to remove the vehicle’s key when the lever isn’t fully engaged in Park. The truck could potentially roll away or the driver might not be able to restart the pickup.
All GM dealers have been instructed to install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip and the recall will begin in mid-July.
Toyota has officially announced a recall of certain 2006 and 2007 model year Highlander hybrid and Lexus RX 400h vehicles. The recall will affect 45,500 Highlander hybrids and 36,700 RX 400h’s. The issue stems from the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the hybrid system inverter that contains a control board with transistors.
Certain transistors on the control boards in the affected vehicles were inadequately soldered and could be damaged from heat caused by a large current flow during heavy driving.
If this were to occur, warning lights would come on and in most cases the vehicle would enter a fail-safe driving mode, resulting in reduced power and a shorter driving distance. In more serious cases, the power supply circuit fuse could blow when the transistor is damaged. The blown fuse would cause the hybrid system to stop and the vehicle would cost to a stop.
Owners with affected vehicles will be notified by first class main in mid-July 2011. An inspection will be made at a Toyota dealer, and if the vehicle is affected, the IPM will be replaced at no cost.
American automakers are performing much better regarding vehicle safety recalls compared to their Japanese counterparts. Approaching the middle of 2011, there have been 59 recalls, potentially affecting 6.8 million cars and light trucks. In 2010 at this point in the year, there had been 65 recalls potentially affecting 9.6 million light vehicles.
Toyota, whose reputation has been smudged recently for recalling millions of cars and trucks linked to sticky accelerator pedals and ill-fitting floor mats, is still in the hot seat. So far, Toyota has racked up nine of the industry’s worst recall campaigns affecting more than 2.8 million vehicles. The issue continues as the company widened its recall for another 1.4 million units also affected by floor mats that threatened to shift and pin down accelerator pedals. Since 2009, Toyota has recalled 9.8 million vehicles and has paid 32.4 million in fines for not issuing the recalls sooner.
At current pace, auto makers are on track to bring in fewer cars and trucks into dealers for recall issues compared to 2010. In 2010, 17.2 million units required a recall making it one of the poorest performances in recent years. 2009 was also plagued with recall issues totaling 16.4 million.
[Source: Wards Auto]
BMW has officially initiated a recall of certain diesel X5 vehicles due to a component manufacturing error at the supplier, affecting the welds in the belt tensioner that could have incipient cracks.
These cracks may cause a malfunction of the belt tensioner. If the belt fails, power steering assistance may fail, increasing chances of a crash.
The affected 2012 X5′s include any manufactured from March 31, 2011 to May 19,2011. The recall does not affect any gasoline powered X5′s.
BMW dealers will replace the engine belt tensioner free of charge. The safety recall has already begun. Any BMW owners with questions are encouraged to contact customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Cadillac is recalling 50,500 SRX crossovers due to the passenger side airbag functioning differently than the owners manual states. SRX air bags are programmed to disable the right side roof-rail airbag if the front passenger seat is occupied.
The owner’s manual says that airbags will deploy whether or not the seat is occupied. This discrepancy violates federal safety standards, necessitating the recall. A software upgrade is all that’s required to fix the defect, and only vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico are affected.
[Source: Automotive News]
A rather scary recall is creeping up for owners of Jeep‘s Grand Cherokee sold between 1993-2004. The recall is being demanded by The Center for Auto Safety, stating that a defective fuel tank design can cause the gas tank to rupture in the event of a rear-end collision. Adding fuel to the fire (sorry, we couldn’t resist) is Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety stating that those affected Grand Cherokees are “the most dangerous vehicle[s] on the road today”.
Chrysler is putting up a fight though, stating that the Center for Auto Safety’s test was three times as severe as the government standard. The culprit is the fact that the gas tank is housed behind the rear-axle, something that was changed in the 2005 Grand Cherokee when Chrysler moved it in front of the rear-axle. Chrysler stated that it wasn’t for safety reasons but rather to increase the cargo space.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating the claims.
[Source: Motor Trend]
