GM has issued a recall for certain 2012 Chevrolet Express and 2012 GMC Savanna vehicles because the airbags may not properly deploy. The recall states that the second stage of the dual stage air bag may not inflate during a severe frontal impact. GM said that they will install a new front passenger air bag free of charge to the customer. Earlier this month GM issued a similar recall for certain Pontiac G8 vehicles, which requires that the airbags to be reprogrammed. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact GMC at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.
Honda Civic 2012 Green Car of the Year
Last years Los Angeles Auto Show focused on the electric car with the debut of the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf. Throughout the year, other automobile manufacturers continued to release electric hybrid and electric cars, but sales were poor even with government rebates and perks. This years LA Auto show still has its share of electric vehicles, but the 2012 Green Car of the Year shows that there is no single solution to efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.
Some of this years contenders included the Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i, Toyota Prius V and Volkswagen Passat TDI, but the six judge panel decided to award the Honda Civic Natural Gas version the 2012 green car of the year award. According to Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal, “The new generation Civic Natural Gas features greater fuel efficiency, a more attractive and roomier design with tailpipe emissions lower than any other internal combustion produced vehicle. There is no other vehicle like the Civic Natural Gas on American highways, and this recognition has been a long time coming for Honda.”
The Civic Natural Gas is the only natural gas passenger vehicle to be mass produced. It was first introduced as a fleet vehicle in 1998, and is in its fifth generation. It offers 110 horsepower and has a range of about 240 miles on a full tank. It is reasonably priced at just over $26,000, and is available at 200 Honda dealers in 36 states.
Nissan Power Window Problem
Nissan is recalling some 2011-2012 Infiniti G37 Coupe and 2011 Nissan 370Z vehicles for a problem with the power windows. According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the power window switch controller may be manufactured out of specification making the auto reverse feature inaccurate. If a body part should become trapped by a closing window, a pinch injury could result before the window reverses. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Nissan at 1800-647-7261 or Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
California Says Hands Free Even At A Stop Sign
According to a court ruling on Monday, drivers in California who use their non hands free cellphones while stopped at a red light or in a traffic jam will be ticketed if caught. This ruling comes after Richmond driver, Carl Nelson, received a ticket from an officer who saw him using his phone at a stop light in December of 2009. He argued he was not driving because the car was stopped while he made the call. Nelson referred to a 1991 Supreme Court ruling that said the term “drive” requires proof of “volitional movements”. In this case, a man suspected of drunk driving, was found asleep behind his running vehicle while parked on a residential street. Court threw out the case saying that there was no “volitional movement.”
In a 3-0 ruling, judges said that even though Nelson was paused at the time, he was driving on the road in the midst of other moving traffic, and distractions in this situation could create hazards to other drivers on the road. Nelson’s attorney said he plans to appeal to the state’s high court.
Shifting Problems With GM Cars
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into GMC’s 2007-2008 Saturn Aura has been extended to include the 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 and the 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The NHTSA said the protective jacket around cables connecting the floor shifter lever to the transmission can become damaged from regular use. The cables could corrode and eventually weaken giving drivers inaccurate transmission readings. There have been seven reports of crashes caused by the problem, with one involving injuries. According to GM the problem affects mainly models with four-speed transmissions, the Malibu and G6 have similar shift systems as the Saturn Aura, but the problem happens far less frequently on those cars.
2012 Cadillac CTS Braking Problems
General Motors is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac CTS vehicles after discovering that some vehicles could experience loss of braking. According to GM, the power vacuum brake boost push rod retention nut may not have been tightened properly and could loosen. If the pushrod separates from the brake pedal, the driver will experience loss of breaking. The recall will cover over 670,00 units, but the majority of the vehicles are still on dealership lots or on their way to dealerships. GM will inspect and tighten the retention nut if necessary. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
Toyota To Replace Crankshaft Pulley
Toyota will be recalling over 400,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles with V6 engines, to replace the crankshaft pulley. In a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Toyota said that there is a possibility that the outer ring of the crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring. If the problem is not fixed, the power steering pump may become detached making it difficult for the driver to steer. Notifications will be sent out starting in January, but if drivers start hearing abnormal noises from the engine compartment or experience illumination of the discharge warning light, they should immediately have their vehicle inspected by a Toyota or Lexus dealer. The vehicles involved in this recall include:
- 2004 Toyota Avalon
- 2004-2005 Toyota Camry
- 2004-2005 Toyota Highlander
- 2004-2005 Toyota Sienna
- 2004-2005 Toyota Solara
- 2004-2005 Lexus ES330
- 2004-2005 Lexus RX330
- 2006 Toyota Highlander HV
- 2006 Lexus RX400H
For more information on the recall, Toyota owners can go to www.toyota.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. Lexus owners can go to www.lexus.com/recall or call the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Center at 1 800-255-3987.
Ford Improves On MyFord Infotainment Usability
Consumer complaints about Ford’s new infotainment system, MyFord Touch, are not going unnoticed, as Ford prepares to send customers a free upgrade to make their system more user friendly. When the digital control system was launched last year, Ford said that it would combine modern consumer electronic screens and controls that will eventually become the industry standard. Instead, the new technology resulted in Ford dropping considerably in quality by both Consumer Reports and JD Power & Associates annual quality rankings.
Fortunately for Ford, the digital technology also makes it easy and affordable for Ford to improve the usability of the system. According to Ford’s director of electronics engineering, Graydon Reitz, the new system will be less cluttered and easier to use, with virtual buttons and voice recognition responding more rapidly in the new version. Customers with an earlier version of MyFord Touch systems will be able upgrade the systems themselves through a USB port in the car.
