Ford Recalls Windstar Minivans

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Ford is recalling over half a million 1998-2003 Windstar minivans because corrosion of the rear axle could lead it to break. The recall will focus on vehicles driven in areas where salt is used on the roads. After many years of vehicle service in these areas, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a preliminary investigation into the problem last may, after the agency received 234 reports of rear axle fractures and two minor crashes. Ford said they have received almost 1000 complaints of alleged cracked rear axles, including seven that resulted in injuries. The company will install reinforcement brackets free of charge on recalled vehicles. The places affected by the recall are Canada, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

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.

Easier Parking In Los Angeles

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The Express Park program is a year long program aimed at making parking easier for Los Angeles downtown motorists. The LA Department of Transportation has begun installing high tech parking meters throughout the city that will allow motorists to pay with credit and debit cards as well as the traditional coin method. This network of meters will also be used to keep track of parked cars in real time, and will eventually be able to alert motorists to empty parking stalls. The program will feature adjustable parking rates, which will increase and decrease rates according to demand. The experimental programs goal is to encourage public transit and reduce pollution and congestion caused by motorists cruising the block in search of a parking place.

Los Angeles is developing ExpressPark in partnership with Caltrans and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, using $15 million in grants from the federal Department of Transportation and $3.5 million in city funds. The program is similar to one recently launched in San Francisco and will cover 5,500 on-street metered spaces and 7,500 unmetered public parking spaces in off-street, city-operated facilities. The areas you will see these meters popping up includes Civic Center, the central business district, Chinatown and Little Tokyo.

Webasto Recall For Defective Sunroofs

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 300,000 aftermarket sunroofs are being recalled because the bonding between the glass and the frame may loosen, resulting in the glass becoming detached from the vehicle.

The sunroof is produced by Webasto Product North America of Fenton, Mich. The models being recalled are the 2002-2009 Hollandia 600 and 700 series as well as the 2007-2010 Hollandia TVS 900 series. Because these sunroofs are aftermarket, usually installed by dealers, they may be on a wide variety of vehicles.

Webasto will notify any recorded owners and installers will repair the sunroofs free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during September 2010. Owners may contact webasto at 1-888-749-8632 or for more information CLICK HERE.

GM Crossovers Recalled For Seatbelts

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On Tuesday, GM announced that they will be recalling almost a quarter million crossover sport utility vehicles for problems with seat belts. The recall will affect 2009-2010 Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Saudi Arabia.

According to a GM press release, the problem is with the second-row safety belt buckles. When the seats are laid flat and then returned to the upright position the buckle could come in contact with the seat frame and become damaged. Eventually, the buckle may fail to latch and unlatch properly or may appear to latched when it is not.

The auto maker will begin notifying owners of vehicles affected by the GM crossover recall this month. Dealers will inspect the seat belts and replace it if necessary, as well as reshape the side trim to allow the seats to fold without damaging the seat belts. The company said they discovered the problem when they inspected damaged safety belts in warranty return vehicles, but there have been no reports of seat belt failure to date.

Mazda Recalls Cars For Power Steering Problems

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Mazda has issued a recall notice for approximately 215,000 of its 2007-2009 Mazda 3’s and Mazda 5’s because of a problem with the power steering assist. The problem is being blamed on rust forming inside the high pressure pipe on the power steering system which makes its way to the motorized power steering pump, causing it to overheat and shut down. The same problem was found in vehicles in Japan two years ago but was not a concern in the U.S. until last June when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received 33 complaints related to the problem.

Because Mazda is short on parts to fix the problem, the recall will be broken down into two phases. Some owners will get details about how to have their cars fixed in a mailing that will begin by Sept. 15, but others might not hear anything until February, according to the NHTSA. Owners with concerns can contact Mazda customer assistance at (800) 222-5500. Owners can also contact NHTSA at (888) 327-4236.

Los Angeles Gridlock About To Get Worse

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In Los Angeles, the intersection of Interstate 405 and Sunset Boulevard is well known for its traffic delays and has just gotten worse with the recent $1.3 billion highway reconstruction project. The project, which is expected to take about three years, will bombard local residents with closed exit ramps, shut and narrow lanes, noisy night time construction and detours that will send traffic through residential neighborhoods.

People in Los Angeles often complain about traffic, but this construction project has an unusually broad reach. Not only does it make it almost impossible for commuters to get where they are going, it will also hurt any local businesses in the area as well as make it dangerous in residential neighborhoods due to the increased traffic.

This project is intended to complete a nonstop car-pool lane on the 405 from the 10 on the south side of Santa Monica to the 101 in the Valley. “If we didn’t do this, it would continue to be a nightmare,” said Michael Barbour, who is directing the project for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “I think that message has gotten across to the locals. They understand it. They are sucking it up over the next three years.” But the car pool lane is seen by some as taking a lane of traffic away from all commuters, since it is rare to find people in Los Angeles who are on the same schedules.

Automobile Recalls For July 2010

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Below are some of the automobile recalls for July 2010

  • Chrysler is recalling some 2010 left hand drive Jeep Liberty, Dodge Nitro and Ram 1500 trucks and right and left hand drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles that may have been built with an improperly formed master cylinder to hydraulic control unit brake tube assembly end flare. This could lead to a loss of brake fluid resulting to reduced braking. Dealers will replace the brake tubes free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler toll-free at 1-800-853-1403.
  • Ducati is recalling some 2010 Multistrada 1200 motorcycles for several problems. The throttle cables may come in contact with the upper edge of the radiator, the center stand mounting screws may come loose during operation, and an incorrect screw may have been installed in the steering head. Dealers will correct these problems free of charge. Owners may contact Ducati at 1-800-231-6696.
  • Ford is recalling certain 2010 Transit Connect vehicles manufactured from December 5, 2008 to May 31, 2010. The headliner retention push pin located on the headliner above the b-pillar trim on both the left and right side of the vehicles needs to be replaced because it exceeds the head injury criteria requirement standards. Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company at 1-866-436-7332.
  • Harley-Davidson is recalling certain 2010 FXDF motorcycles with fork leg assemblies (LH P/N 48622-08, RH P/N 48623-08) manufactured from January 29 through February 9, 2010. The wrong springs used in these fork leg assemblies may reduce suspension effectiveness which may result in reduced traction and possibly affect parking stability. Harley-Davidson will notify owners and dealers will repair the affected motorcycles free of charge. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson at 1-414-343-4056.
  • Jaguar is recalling some 2010-2011 XK and 2010 XF V8 5.0L gasoline engine vehicles which may experience fuel starvation due to an incorrectly activated fuel pump relay. Dealers will download revised software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin before August 30, 2010. Owners may contact Jaguar at 1-800-452-4827.
  • Kawasaki is recalling certain 2009 EX650C9F/FL and 2010 EX650CAF/FL Ninja 650 motorcycles for cowlings that can interfere with the operator’s foot while braking. This could reduce the operator’s control over braking or distract the operator, creating the potential for a crash. Dealers will install an updated footrest guard and fairing bracket free of charge. Owners may contact Kawasaki Consumer Services Department at 1-866-802-9381.
  • Nissan is recalling certain model year 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles manufactured from August 24, 2001 through August 28, 2001. Due to an improper installation, the inflator housing may rupture, producing loose metal fragments that could injure the front passenger. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module assembly with a new one free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin August. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 and Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
  • Subaru is recalling some 2010 and 2011 Outback and Legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from April 28 to June 23, 2010. An omitted lubrication hole prevents the transmission gears from being lubricated, which will lead to the gears eventually breaking. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
  • Yamaha is recalling certain 2009 VMX17 motorcycles manufactured from June 2008 to March 2009. Excessive electrical resistance in the accelerator position sensors and throttle position sensors ground wire could lead to a dangerous unstable idle speed. Yamaha will notify owners and dealers will repair the motorcycles free of charge. Owners may contact Yamaha at 1-800-962-7926.