General Motors is recalling certain GMC and Chevrolet trucks because the steering gear pitman shaft may not have been manufactured properly. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the shaft may have not been allowed to harden properly and could fracture while driving. If this happens, the driver could experience complete loss of steering. GM will be notifying customers starting in April, and will inspect and replace the steering gear pitman shaft as necessary. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, or go to the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com. The vehicles involved in the recall include:
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GM Replaces Charge Cord On Volts
Complaints from Chevrolet Volt owners about charging cords overheating and melting have been met with a GM customer satisfaction initiative that will have the 120V charging chords replaced. The initiative will cover all 2011 and certain 2012 version of the hybrid electric car. According to GM spokesman Randal Fox, the new cord will be a larger wire gauge making it more durable and able to withstand higher temperatures. The initiative is not a safety recall, but an effort by GM to offer a more consistent charging experience. GM will contact owners about the new cord in a few weeks.
This Chevrolet Volt cord replacement follows an announcement in January, that had owners bringing in their vehicles to have steel plates added around the Volt Battery. These plates are installed to spread the force of an impact over a larger surface area preventing the battery from being damaged. This battery upgrade came after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) experienced a battery fire three weeks after crash tests were done on a Volt.
Infiniti Fuel System Inaccuracies
Nissan is recalling certain 2003-2004 Infiniti M45 vehicles for an electrical problem that could leave drivers stranded. Because of a circuit board failure, the fuel gauge may read at a higher level than actually exists in the tank. Owners could run out of fuel without warning leaving them stranded and increasing the risk of an accident. For more information on the problem, contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Volvo S60 And XC60 Potential Fuel Leaks
Volvo has announced a recall for certain 2012 S60 and 2012 XC60 vehicles because an an incorrect mixture and over application of under body coating could result in ridged, icicle like extrusions hanging from the vehicles undercarriage. These extrusions could penetrate the fuel line causing leaks that could increase the risk of fire. Dealers will inspect the vehicle undercarriage and remove any excessive under body coating in the fuel line area. I the inspection reveals that the fuel lines have been damaged, they will replace them free of charge. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact the Volvo customer care center at 1-800-458-1552.
Beware Of Deceptive Auto Ads
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is cracking down on automobile dealerships around the country who have been running ads that mislead consumers into thinking the dealership will pay off the remaining loan balance on their existing car when they trade it in. These dealerships then add the cost of the old car loan into the price of the new loan. The buyer ends up with a loan that they must pay off for a longer period of time because they are paying off their old car and new car at the same time. This is known as negative equity auto trade ins. In some cases, dealers force customers to pay off the old loan in cash before they could get their new car.
The dealers named in the FTC’s complaints include:
- Billion Auto, Inc., in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Frank Myers AutoMaxx, LLC, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Key Hyundai of Manchester, LLC and Hyundai of Milford LLC, in Vernon and Milford, Connecticut
- Ramey Motors, Inc., in Princeton, West Virginia
Three of the cases allege violations of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and its implementing Regulation Z for failing to disclose certain credit-related terms, and the complaints in two of the cases allege violations of the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA) and its implementing Regulation M for failing to disclose certain lease related terms.
Comments can be electronically submitted using the following web links:
Buick Regal Lighting Problem
General Motors is recalling certain 2012 Buick Regal vehicles for a problem with parking lamps. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the parking lamps do not activate when either the parking lamps or headlamps are turned on. The inadequate lighting will reduce the visibility of the vehicle and increases the potential for an accident. GM will be notifying owners this month and will fix the issue by reprogramming the body control module. For more information about the problem, contact GM customer services at 1-800-521-7300.
Lemon Law Protection For Small Business
A California Court of Appeal ruling last September may seem like a small victory for one business owner, but the courts decision is setting a precedence that will affect future decisions across the country when it comes to small business automobiles with a gross vehicle weight (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds.
Daniel Joyce, a licensed contractor from Petaluma first started having problems with his Ford F-250 shortly after purchasing it brand-new in 2006. Joyce decided to sue Ford, but the case was overturned saying that the truck was not covered by the lemon law because the GVWR was 10,000 pounds. After a four year battle, court finally issued a ruling siding with Joyce saying that it is the actual weight of the vehicle that counts. This decision is a victory for the consumer and could help other business owners who may be in a similar situation.
Unintended Acceleration In Ford Taurus
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into certain 2005-2006 Ford Taurus vehicles after receiving 14 reports of stuck throttles. Consumer complaints alleged vehicle engines could rev as high at 4,000 RMP after shifting into “park” or “neutral”, and difficulty stopping the vehicle has resulted in dangerous situations for drivers. According to these reports, the problem could be the result of a stuck throttle due to the cruise control cable detaching. If this preliminary investigation should lead to a vehicle recall, an estimated 360,000 vehicles could be affected.
