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Use Of Ethanol Still Being Challenged

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propel biofuels alternativesThe Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers have joined with the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute in filing a petition challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to approve the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol for 2007 and newer passenger cars and light trucks. These organizations say they represent those who are concerned about the safety and reliability of the use of increased ethanol. The petition asks that the EPA’s decision be put on hold until it can be determined whether the decision violates the Clean Air Act which limits the circumstances under which the EPA can approve new fuels and additives.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association the waiver should be for all vehicles. The EPA could have avoided market confusion by following all the science to its logical conclusion and allowing the use of E15 for all cars and light duty pickup trucks. According to the ethanol trade association, “Allowing for the use of E15 blends is safe and will help reduce the United States dependency on fossil fuels and imported oil.” The effort is also supported by corn-producing states and alternative fuel proponents who have long sought to increase federal rules boosting the amount of ethanol mixed into gasoline.

Still there is strong opposition to the decision. The infrastructure isn’t there to accommodate the product, the production and use of ethanol can add to the amount of smog put into the air, the use of ethanol will result in higher food prices, and there just hasn’t been enough research to see if automobile can withstand the use of higher ethanol fuel.

Land Rover Recalls LR2 SUV For Airbags

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In a recall that will affect only about 3,000 vehicles, Land Rover will be asking owners to bring in their 2010-2011 LR2 Suv’s for an intermittent problem with the driver’s side airbag. The vehicles affected were manufactured between November 2009 and August 2010. According to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the problem is with the shorting bar in the clock spring. The shorting bar may have been disconnected when the airbag module was installed leading to the airbag not deploying properly or at all. Owner with questions or concerns can contact Land Rover Customer Service Center at 1-800-346-3493 (1-800-FIND 4WD).

GM Recalls Crossovers For Seat Belts

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A seat belt problem found in some GM crossovers has lead the automaker to issue a recall that could affect almost 100,000 vehicles. GM reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that during component testing, it was found that some crossover vehicles may have seat belt anchors that could break during a high impact situation. The problem, which could affect both the driver and passenger front seats is being blamed on an unauthorized change to the anchoring tooling. The vehicles affected by this recall are:

  • 2011 Cadillac SRX
  • 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2011 GMC Terrain

Owners can contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463 with questions or concerns. They can also consult the GM owner center website at www.gmownercenter.com.

Fatal Accident As Ford Expands Minivan Recall

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A Massachusetts man, Sean Bowman, was killed when the rear axle of his Ford Windstar cracked in half causing the minivan to crash into a building. A week after the accident, the Bowman family received a recall notice saying that his 2001 Windstar’s axle should be inspected for corrosion that could lead to the axle breaking.

The original recall was announced last August and only after the story of Sean Bowman’s death broke, Ford announced that it would be expanding the recall to add another 37,000 vehicles. The initial recall was for vans in certain colder states where corrosion was a factor, but the expanded recall now covers a larger number of states.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 70 percent of recalled vehicles are repaired within the first 18 months. Recalls issued for older vehicles tend to be much lower and remain on the roads without being fixed, which could lead to Ford facing increased legal action over the issue. Ford continues to experience problems with the recall because of a shortage of parts. Some Windstar owners have complained that their minivans have been sitting at dealerships waiting for repairs for up to four months.

Volkswagen Recalls Vehicles For Fuel Line Problems

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volkswagen recall fuel lineVolkswagen has announced a recall for a fuel line problem that can affect vehicles with 2.5 liter 5 cylinder engines. The problem is being blamed on an improperly secured fuel line which can chafe leading to a fuel leak and a potential fire. The vehicles affected by this recall are:

  • 2007–2009 Golf
  • 2007–2009 Jetta and Jetta SportWagen
  • 2006–2010 New Beetle
  • 2007–2009 Rabbit

Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove a plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or position the fuel line fastening clamp to prevent the chafing. For more information, owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) vehicle safety hot line at 1-888-327-4236, or go to http://www.safercar.gov

Chrysler Recalls Dodge Ram Pickup For Brakes

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Chrysler Group LLC announced today that they will be recalling almost 80,000 diesel Dodge Ram pickup trucks over a defective brake system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the recall will affect 2010-2011 Dodge Ram diesel trucks built between March 2009-October 2010. These vehicles have a hydroboost brake systems and could have a power steering reservoir cap that could allow excessive vent pressure levels. The excessive levels may lead to brake pedals that are slow to return and an illuminated brake light. Chrysler said it will notify owners and dealers will replace the steering reservoir cap free of charge. Owners can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403 if they have more questions about the recall.

Toyota Recall For Brakes In 2011 Sienna

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Toyota has announced a recall for almost 95,000 2011 Sienna minivans to replace the brake light switch bracket. Toyota informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that Sienna vehicles built between December 2009 and November 2010 could experience a deformed brake light switch bracket due to the close proximity of the parking brake to the bracket. When the parking brake is engaged, the driver’s foot may come in contact and deform the stop lamp switch bracket. The deformation could result in brake drag and reduced braking. Depending on the amount of stop lamp switch bracket deformation, drivers may notice the rear brake lights remaining “ON” and/or the brakes remaining slightly applied, resulting in brake drag with associated brake noise, brake vibration, and/or illumination of the brake warning light.

Owners will be notified of the problem by mail starting mid January. This notification will instruct owners on what to do if they experience the problem and how to minimize it. A secondary recall notice will be issued in February once replacement parts become available. For more information customers can go to www.toyota.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

NHTSA Investigates GM Medium Duty Trucks

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fan blade separation investigation into GMC trucksThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into General Motors 2006 medium duty commercial trucks which include the Chevrolet Kodiak W4500 and W5500, GMC TopKick C4500 and C5500 and Isuzu 4500 and 5000 Series. There have been no injuries to date, but several complaints of fan blades separating from the vehicle have been reported. The problem is being blamed on flexible fan blades that may develop cracks over time. If the investigation should lead to a recall, almost 60,000 medium duty trucks could be affected.