Tag Archives: Safety

GM Pays Half Of Fuel Gauge Repairs

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed an investigation into faulty fuel gauges in some 2005-2007 GMC, Chevrolet, and Buick sport utility vehicles, after GM agreed to pay 50% of the repair fees. The investigation was started earlier this year after the NHTSA received 668 complaints of inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The repairs could affect up to 865,000 vehicles in the United States. According to the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) filed with the NHTSA, the vehicles involved include:

  • 2005-2007 Buick Rainier
  • 2005-2006 Chevrolet SSR
  • 2005-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT
  • 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370
  • 2005-2007 GMC Envoy
  • 2006 GMC Envoy XL
  • 2005 GMC Envoy XL 370
  • 2005 GMC Envoy XUV

Volkswagen Fuel Leaks In Diesel Engines

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Volkswagen has announced a recall for certain Volkswagen and Audi vehicles equipped with a 2.0L TDI common rail diesel engines. According to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fuel injection pulses could create stress in the fuel line at the #2 injector. The stress could lead to cracks, fuel leaks and a potential fire in the presence of an ignition source. The vehicles involved in this recall include:

Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line on the #2 cylinder as well as vibration dampers on all injector lines. Owners wanting more information can contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Chrysler Connecting Rod Bearing Failure

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Chrysler has announced a recall for certain 2012 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles for debris inside the engine block that could lead to connecting rod bearing failure. The vehicles were manufactured between August 31, 2011 to September 13, 2011 and are equipped with 3.6L engines. If the bearings should fail, the engine will seize, increasing the risk of an accident. The vehicles included in this recall include:

Owners wanting more information may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Saturn Ion Power Steering Investigation

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is intensifying their investigating into power steering problems in some 2004-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles after receiving over 4,300 complaints. Sixteen of these complaints said that the electronic power steering (EPS) warning lamp illuminated before or during the loss of steering assist and the increased steering effort contributed to a crash. NHTSA said they have upgraded the preliminary inquiry to an engineering analysis so they could further assess the frequency, scope and safety consequences of a sudden loss of steering assist in the subject vehicles.

The EPS system is the same as the on used in the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2010 Pontiac G5 vehicles. In March of 2010, GM recalled over one million of these vehicle to correct a defect with the EPS assist motor. The problem was described as a buildup of brush debris mixed with oily material on the EPS electric motor armature which causes the motor to stop functioning.

Jeep Liberty Investigated For Air Bag Problems

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After almost forty complaints of unexpected airbag deployment, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching an investigation into Chyrsler’s 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty SUV. Drivers complaints include the drivers side or both front air bags deploying during normal driving conditions. If the investigation leads to a recall, almost 400,000 Jeep Liberty SUV’s could be involved.

Chrysler has experienced air bag problem in several of their vehicles over the past year. The vehicles involved include: 2008 Chrysler and Dodge minivans, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, and 2009 Dodge Journey.

BMW Experiences Drive Shaft Problems

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BMW has announced a recall for certain 2011 328I XDrive and 2011 335I XDrive vehicles built between February 8, 2011 to July 29, 2011. During manufacturing, the front drive shaft attachment bolts may have not been torqued to the proper specification, and could loosen during driving. The loosened bolts will result in loss of power to the front wheels. BMW will begin notifying owners of the recall starting in October, where dealers will replace the front drive shaft attachment bolts. Owners wanting more information can contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

Posted in BMW.

Honda Recalls CR V And CR Z Vehicles

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Honda has announced two recalls that will affect some 2006 Honda CR-V crossover vehicles and some 2011 CR-Z sport hybrid coupes.

Honda will be recalling over 80,000 2006 CR-V crossover vehicles in the U.S. to replace the power window master switch. The problem is being blamed on accumulated residue from interior cleaners which can cause the electrical contacts on the switch to degrade. The increased electrical resistance of the contacts could pose a potential fire hazard. Dealers will replace the switch with one that cannot be affected by interior cleaners.

Honda will also be recalling certain 2011 CR-Z sport hybrid coupes to update the software that controls the hybrid electric motor on some manual transmission vehicles. When the gasoline engine has stalled, the battery is in a low state of charge, and the transmission is in gear, it is possible for the electric motor to rotate in the opposite direction. If the driver does not engage the brakes completely, the vehicle could roll back. A software update will be added to correct the problem.

Owners wanting more information on the recall can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and selecting option 4.

Child Safety Seats In Your Car

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In a crash, at just 30 miles per hour an unrestrained passenger can be thrown forward with a force of forty to fifty times their body weight. Because of this and seat belt laws, the first thing you do when you get into a car is put on your seat belt. What if the passenger is a child? Of course we would strap them in as well, but many child seats in cars do not pass safety standards. Some common problems found are:

-Child seat not securely fastened in the vehicle
-Tethers not used correctly, or used at all
-Shoulder harness placed in the incorrect slot of the child seat
-Child in the incorrect seat for his/her weight, height and age
-Safety regulations and standards change, so second hand owners are unaware of safety recall notices
-Install labels become faded by the sunlight exposure / installation booklets are lost
-Plastic parts on the seat can become weakened by sunlight exposure
-Food or cleaners spilled or used on parts may weaken parts or cause them to not work properly
-The seat may have even been abused or in an accident already.
-Many seats are just too complicated to use.

For your child’s safety, CLICK HERE for a chart on Correct Usage of Child Seats and keep up to date with recalls that may effect your child’s car seat.