Mercedes Benz has announced a recall for almost four thousand 2007-2009 E350 4Matic wagon vehicles manufactured between July 2006 to April 2009. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a manufacturing defect with the connecting rod for the load leveling rear suspension system could cause it to fail. If the rod fails, the driver could experience a loss of control of the vehicle. Owners wanting more information about the problem can Contact Mercedes Benz at 1-201-573-0350.
Defective Window Switch Investigation Expands
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is expanding an investigation into defective power window switches in some Toyota and GM vehicles. Both investigation began in February after vehicle owners reported intermittent power windows, the smell of smoke, and in rare occasions fires. If the investigation leads to a recall, approximately 1.4 million Toyota and 342,000 GM vehicles could be involved. The vehicles under investigation includes:
- 2007-2009 Toyota Camry
- 2007-2009 Toyota Yaris
- 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUVs
- 2006-2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUVs
The NHTSA said that it also will evaluate other GM vehicles with the same underpinnings. They include:
- Buick Rainier
- GMC Envoy
- Isuzu Ascender
- Saab 9-7X SUVs
2012 Automobile Quality Reports
According to the 2012 J.D. Power & Associates quality reports, released earlier this week, automobile manufacturers are producing higher quality vehicles than ever before, except when it comes to audio, entertainment, and navigation technologies. The overall quality of all automobile manufacturers increased by 5% since the 2011 quality reports, but “problems” related to the usability of the systems increased by 8%.
David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power & Associates, says that this does not mean that the quality is getting worse. “At one time, these sophisticated technologies were found only on high end vehicles. Over the past couple years, it is becoming more prevalent in mainstream automobiles. An increase in users who expect the same innovative technology found in their smartphones can quickly become dissatisfied when they can’t get it to work. Automobile manufacturers are listening to the consumers and work hard to meet their expectations but need to keep safety in mind as well. There is a learning curve for drivers to get adjusted to new features.”
This is the 26th year that J.D. Power & Associates has done their initial quality study. It not only serves as an industry benchmark for initial quality measured by the consumer, but it is also used by manufacturers to help them design and build better vehicles. Initial quality is a sign of long-term durability, which directly impacts consumer purchase decisions.
Toyota And Subaru Airbag Manual Update
Toyota and Subaru are recalling certain 2013 Toyota Scion FR-S and 2013 Subaru BRZ vehicles to update the owners manual information regarding the passenger side air bag. According to the recalls, the owner’s manual contains inaccurate information on the operation of the occupant classification system (OCS) which could increase the passengers chance of injury during certain crash conditions. The recall does not require the owner to take their vehicle to their dealership. Toyota and Subaru will be notifying owners of the problem and will mail out corrected manuals starting in June. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Toyota at 1-866-707-2466 and Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Auto Rental Companies Question Recall Pledge
Three major car rental companies in the United States are refusing to pledge to not rent or sell vehicles with recalls on them, because the pledge does not make exceptions for minor recalls, such as updates to the user manual or door stickers. The companies say they support federal legislation to make rental vehicles safer and they have already pledged to not rent dangerous vehicles, but they feel exceptions should be made for minor recalls that don’t affect safety. Lawyers for the companies say that it is unreasonable to “ground” a vehicle for such minor recalls and a pledge to notify customers of the problem prior to renting them the vehicle should be enough.
The pledge was introduced by Senate chairman Barbara Boxer earlier this year in response to a 2004 rental vehicle accident that claimed the life of two sisters. Boxer says it is unreasonable to make exceptions because all it will do is create legal loopholes. She feel consumers should put pressure on the rental companies to support the pledge, and urges customers to avoid the companies that don’t comply until they make the commitment.
The problem of unfixed recalls continues to plague not only rental car companies, but is an issue with taxis, limousines, used car lots and privately owned vehicles as well.
Driveshaft Problems For Honda Civic
Honda has announced that they will be recalling approximately 50,000, 2012 Honda Civic subcompact sedans. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the process of setting the retaining clip on the driver’s side driveshaft may have not been completed and the driveshaft could separate. The driver may experience loss of power and the vehicle could roll away even though the transmission has been set to “park”. Honda will inspect the driver’s side driveshaft and replace it if necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Honda customer services at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA Expands Jeep Fire Problems
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into Jeep vehicles with a high rate of fires after a rear impact accident, has been expanded to include three models of Jeep vehicles. Originally the investigation focused on 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees, but data collected shows that certain Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Liberty models of the same years, may also experience the same problems.
In an earlier letter to Fiat, CEO Sergio Marchionne referred to the Jeep Grand Cherokee as a modern day Pinto for soccer moms. The Pinto, which had the fuel tank located behind the rear axle, was also found to experience fires after rear impact accidents. According to the Center for Auto Safety, there have been 184 fatal fire crashes in model year 1993 to 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles and that 269 people have died as a result.
The Center for Auto Safety has been petitioning for a recall of the vehicles and said recently in an open letter to the NHTSA that “in NHTSA’s history of defect investigations and recalls, there has never been one where 4-year-old children in child restraints have burned to death in fire crashes until now. The letter continues to detail two instances where Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles were rear-ended and burst into flames, killing two children.
If the investigation leads to a recall, approximately 5.1 million vehicles could be involved. According to Bloomberg News, the recall could be one of the largest recalls in history and could be a significant expense for Chrysler and Fiat, who have depended on these models for profitable in recent years.
Lincoln MKT Potential Wheel Separation
Ford has announced that they will be recalling certain 2013 Lincoln MKT cars used as hearse or limousine vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with rear brake rotor bolts that are not fully seated allowing the head to protrude above the wheel mounting surface. The raised bolt could lead to torque loss in the wheel joint which could lead to wheel separation. Most vehicles have been quarantined at the coach builder’s facility and will be repaired before delivery and notices were sent out on May 24, 2012 to owners already receiving delivery of their vehicles. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Ford Motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
