Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Camry sedans and 2009-2011 Venza mid size crossover SUV (CUV) vehicles over a manufacturing defect that could leave drivers with inoperative brake lights. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), silicon grease may have gotten on the contacts of the stop lamp switch increasing the resistance of the switch. This problem with the brake lights could lead to a no start condition, and the driver may not be able to shift out of the “park” position. Toyota will be notifying and replacing the stop lamp switch starting in April. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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Ford Minivan Transmission Problems
Ford is recalling certain 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and 2004-2005 Mercury Monterey minivans for a problem with the transmission that could result in a sudden loss of power. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the torque converter output shaft could fail. The recall is expected to affect over 200,000 vehicles. Owners wanting more information on the torque converter problem can contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Slow Sales Stop Chevy Volt Production
General Motors Co. has announced that they will stop production of the Chevrolet Volt hybrid vehicle for five weeks to allow their surplus of inventory to be depleted. This will be the third time that production of the Volt has been stopped for at least a month since the car first went on sale in December 2010. The lack of interest in the Chevy volt is being blamed on several factors:
- A recent NHTSA investigation into battery fires resulting after crash testing.
- The lack of charging stations in some states.
- Electric car technology is still relatively new and problems need to be solved before it can be attractive to the mass market, the biggest complaints being lack of range and performance.
- The production of electric vehicles by other automobile manufacturers.
GM hoped to sell 10,000 Volts last year, but ended up selling just over 7,600. Some feel the promotion of the electric vehicle by the Obama administration has failed. Even as gas prices continue to climb and government incentives are used, it is still not enough to get consumers to buy electric cars. The plant shutdown is expected to lay off almost 1,300 workers, and slow down companies that supply parts and batteries for the Volt.
Nissan Quest Stalling Engine
Nissan is recalling certain 2011-2012 Nissan Quest minivans because the engine could stall unexpectedly. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while idling or driving at slow speeds on an incline with ¼ tank or less of fuel, the engine could stall due to an insufficient supply of fuel to the engine. Nissan will be notifying owners starting in March, and dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the fuel pump control module. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Infiniti Airbag Deployment Problem
Nissan is recalling certain 2003-2005 Infiniti Q45 vehicles for a problem with the seat mounted airbag wiring. The connector for the airbags could experience corrosion which will result in increased electrical resistance. The airbag may not deploy properly, leaving the occupants unprotected. Nissan will start notifying owner starting March 12, 2012, and will modify the wiring connector free of charge. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Paying For The Car Pool Lane Experience
The car pool lane is a roadway reserved for vehicles with at a specified number of occupants. These high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) may have the appearance of being lightly traveled, but statistics show that they carry more people per lane with fewer vehicles and usually at higher speeds. Some places allow hybrid and electric vehicles to access these lanes to encourage the use of a more environmentally friendly means of transportation.
Other states are looking at the concept of putting a price on the convenience of using HOV roadways. They say that tolls would not only raise money to maintain the roads but could manage traffic congestion as well. Motorist would be allowed to “buy their way” into the express lanes using an electronic transponder that logs how long and at what time of day the driver accesses them.
While the goal of the program is to keep traffic in the restricted lane moving at a reliable pace, a coalition of local groups say allowing people to by their way into the lane is having the opposite effect, and they have petitioning to have the program suspended. The state of California has recently restricted some older hybrids from HOV lanes because they were becoming too congested.
Mandatory Back Up Cameras
The Department Of Transportation has delayed a ruling proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to make backup cameras mandatory on all passenger vehicles. The NHTSA was hoping the ruling would be finalized today, but the DOT has decided that further studies are needed in order to ensure the most protective and efficient rules possible. A law to improve and standardized rear visibility for vehicles was first introduced in 2008, but the deadline has been extended several times. The new rule requirements would see 10% of new vehicles equipped with backup cameras by the end of 2012, 40% by the end of 2013 , and 100 % by the end of 2014.
According to the NHTSA, over 17,000 people are injured and approximately 230 people die in backup accidents involving cars, trucks and SUVs. Statistics show that most on these accidents involve children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. It is estimated that using a camera to eliminate the rear blind spot could cut that number in half. Unfortunately, it could also add up to $200 more per vehicle for a total of approximately $3 billion to the auto industry, most of which would be passed on to the customer.
The NHTSA provides a 60-day comment period on this rule making that begins when the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The proposal and information about how to submit comments is at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws-Regs
Porsche Cayenne Headlight Problem
Porsche has announced a recall on certain 2011-2012 Cayenne sport utility vehicles (SUV) because the headlamps could become loose and detach from the fender. The driver of the vehicle may experience loss of visibility, and/or the detached headlight could become a road hazard. The vehicles affected by the recall were manufactured between March 08, 2010 to January 31, 2012 and include:
- 2011-2012 Porsche Cayenne
- 2011-2012 Porsche Cayenne S
- 2011-2012 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid
- 2011-2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Porsche has already started notifying customers and will replace the headlamp locking assemblies free of charge. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact Porsche at 1-800-767-7243.
