Tag Archives: NHTSA

Buick And Cadillac Recalled For Engine Fires

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General Motors is recalling almost 14,000 2010-2011 Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS automobiles in the United States for a problem with the power steering. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there have not been any injuries related to the problem but there have been four reported fires.

After investigation, GM found that the starter and alternator cables were installed too close to the power steering conduit. The contact between the cables wore the conduit and wire insulation, resulting in an ignition source for the leaking steering fluid. The worn lines could also lead to a battery short.

Dealers will inspect and re-route harnesses in the recalled vehicles, as well as hold any unsold cars under the recall until the inspections and rectification can be made.

NHTSA Issues Reminder Recall For Fords

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a reminder recall for consumers with Ford vehicles that still have faulty cruise control systems. This recall was first issued as far back as the beginning of 1999 and has been reissued several times since then. The vehicles recalled are at risk of having the cruise control overheat and catch fire, even if they are turned off, parked and unattended.

Some warning signs that your vehicle may still have the cruise control issue are: a cruise control system that can’t be activated or stops working; brake lights that stop working; low brake fluid, ABS and brake warning lights on the dashboard that are illuminated; or the inability to get a vehicle out of park.

Owners of the affected automobiles are being urged to make sure their vehicles have been fixed. Ford offers a website service where you can enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), to see whether your vehicle has been recalled and whether the repair has been made. The vehicle’s VIN can be found on the dashboard and on the certification label on the door latch post next to the driver’s seat, NHTSA said. The vehicles affected by this recall include:

  • 1993-1996 Ford Bronco
  • 1992-1998 Ford Crown Victoria
  • 1992-2003 Ford Econoline E-150/250/350
  • 1996-2003 Ford Econoline E450
  • 2002-2003 Ford Econoline E550
  • 2000-2003 Ford Excursion Diesels
  • 1997-2002 Ford Expedition
  • 1995-2002 Ford Explorer
  • 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport
  • 2001-2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  • 1993-2003 Ford F-series (F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550)
  • 1993-2003 Ford F-Super Duty Diesels (excluding 1998)
  • 2003-2004 Ford F-150 Lightning
  • 1994-2002 Ford F-53 Motorhome
  • 1995-2003 Ford Ranger
  • 1993-1995 Ford Taurus SHO (automatic transmission)
  • 1995-2003 Ford Windstars
  • 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood
  • 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII
  • 1998-2002 Lincoln Navigator
  • 1992-1998 Lincoln Town Car
  • 1994 Mercury Capri
  • 1992-1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  • 1991-2001 Mercury Mountaineer
  • 1995-2002 Mercury Mountaineers

Stars On Cars – Rating Vehicle Safety

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The U.S. Transportation Department has announced their new 5 star safety rating system that will be used to rate the new 2011 automobile models. The safety rating program was first introduced in 1979, but changes were needed since almost 90% of vehicles tested under the old system received a five star rating. According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, “Through new tests, better crash data and higher standards, we are making the safety ratings tougher and more meaningful for consumers.” “The new rating system will encourage auto makers to install crash avoidance technologies and will help shoppers buy a safer vehicle.”

The ‘Stars on Cars’ system uses an overall score rating. Different size test dummies are used and crash prevention technologies are included in the score. A new test that simulates a car striking a pole or a tree has also been added. The overall score combines the results of front, side and rollover tests and compares those results with average risk of injury and the potential for vehicle rollover. So far, of the 34 vehicles tested under the new program only two have received the top grade of five stars. BMW AG’s 2011 5 Series and a version of the 2011 Sonata from Hyundai Motor Co.

There will be a bit of confusion for consumers, when trying to compare safety of a 2010 model with a 2011 model, but automobile manufacturers expect consumers will embrace the new changes. The window sticker attached to vehicles in dealership lots will need to be redesigned and won’t include the overall score until the 2012 model year. Vehicles that haven’t been tested will be listed as “not rated”.

Honda Fit Investigated For Headlight Failure

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After eight complaints, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have opened an investigation into Honda’s Fit for low beam headlights that stop working. Many of the drivers who have complained of the problem say that they had wiring harnesses, connectors and headlight switches replaced as a repair. If the investigation should lead to a recall, over 130,000 2007-2008 Honda Fit cars could be affected. There have been no reported traffic accidents because of the problem.

Hyundai Steering Problem Recall

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is recalling almost 140,000 Hyundai 2011 new generation Sonata’s. The complaint is that the vehicles can sustain a separation in the steering shaft assembly that results in loss of steering. Regulators are blaming the problem on a bolt in the steering system which was not tightened or not assembled properly. The vehicles involved were manufactured during the same month at the Hyundai factory in Alabama and each had fewer than 600 miles at the time of the alleged incident.

Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor said the automaker has seen only two reports of the steering problem. There have been no reported injuries or accidents linked to the complaints. Owners of affected vehicles can go to their dealers for inspection and repairs. Dealers also will update the power steering software. Owners may also call NHTSA at (888) 327-4236 for more information.

NHTSA Investigation Into Toyota’s Stalling Engines

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A recall has not been issued yet, but U.S. safety regulators are intensifying an investigation into complaints of stalling engines on Toyota Corollas and Matrix hatchbacks. The preliminary probe begun last November when the NHTSA received complaints for 2006 models, but the problem has been expanded to include almost 1.2 million 2005-2007 Corolla and Matrix cars.

The problem is being blamed on an improper coating on the engine control unit (ECU) circuit boards that lead to cracks in the coating. The NHTSA has received 163 complaints of stalling engines as of last week. It is unclear whether the investigation will lead to a recall.

Honda Recalls Vehicles In North America

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On Monday, Honda Motor Co. announced that they would be recalling more than 428,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the vehicles may roll away if parked incorrectly. The vehicles involved in this recall are 2003 and 2004 Accord, Civic, Element and some Acura 1.7 ELs.

The problem is with the ignition interlock lever, the device that stops the ignition key from being removed, when the vehicle is not in park. If the part fails, it is possible that the driver may think the car is in park when it is not.

The safety recall started with an inquiry from U.S. safety regulators in September 2008. By 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration upgraded its inquiry of the potential defect for the 2002 model year Accord. In early July, Honda and NHTSA representatives met to discuss the situation and on July 29 Honda determined that it had a safety defect with the ignition switch that demanded a recall.

Another Subpoena For Toyota

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Toyota has been subpoenaed again by a grand jury, this time for documents related to steering relay rods. A probe was launched when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received documents indicating that Toyota had potentially misled the government in 2005 over problems with steering linkages in its 1989-95 4Runner and the 1993-98 T100 vehicles. The subpoena, issued June 29, requests documents related to “defective, broken and/or fractured steering relay rods of Toyota vehicles,” Toyota said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In February, the same federal grand jury subpoenaed Toyota for information related to unintended acceleration in its vehicles as well as braking systems in the Prius hybrid. Toyota has also received subpoenas related to sudden acceleration from the SEC and the attorney general of Michigan. Toyota did not disclose which vehicles or model years were targeted by the latest subpoena.