Last August, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened up an investigation into failing ignition coils in some Volkswagen vehicles, the automobile maker offered an emission service program to inspect and replace ignition coils installed in some 2001-2007 vehicles. The NHTSA has intensified their investigation because of possible fire problems that could affect almost half a million Volkswagen Passats with four cylinder turbo engines. Additional consumer complaints and records from Volkswagen show that the problem could involve a greater number of vehicles and may lead to a recall.
The NHTSA reported that they have received 14 complaints of fires and another 21 complaints of ignition coil failures that caused vehicles to suddenly lose power. Volkswagen reported another 199 complaints, although it is not clear how many of those involved fires.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2010 had the fourth largest number of recalls since the agency started keeping track in 1966. The total amount of recalls reached 20.3 million vehicles with Toyota leading the pack with 6.7 million vehicles recalled. Though this may seem like a record amount, in 2004 the auto industry had the highest recalls with almost 31 million units recalled. While Japanese vehicles have always been known for quality and safety, 2010 was the first year that three Japanese automakers ended up in the top five.
Safety recalls have become more common since 2000, when Congress passed legislation to spot safety defects more quickly. This was in direct response to a massive Firestone recall for defective tires. In 2010, as a result of Toyota’s unintended acceleration recall, Congress, not only increased penalties against automobile companies, but also increased safety standards for vehicles as well as gave the government more power when it comes to recalls. As a resulted more and more recalls are being initiated by automakers, also known as “voluntary recalls.” This does not mean that automakers have the choice to initiate a recall, it only means the recall was not enforced by the NHTSA.
Below is a list of the top automakers number of recalls from 2010:
Toyota: 17 recalls – 6.7 million vehicles
General Motors: 21 recalls – 4 million vehicles
Honda: 15 recalls – 2.4 million vehicles
Nissan: 16 recalls – 2.1 million vehicles
Chrysler Group: 17 recalls – 1.6 million vehicles
Ford Motor: 9 recalls – 581,107 vehicles
Volkswagen: 2 recalls – 393,188 vehicles
BMW: 15 recalls – 288,503 vehicles
Mazda: 3 recalls – 243,500 vehicles
Whether it be the increased involvement of government in the auto industry or the the increased safety features in today’s automobiles, traffic deaths last year also fell to the lowest level in 60 years.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has come out with their annual list of top safety picks for the 2011 model year vehicles. This year they recognized 66 vehicles, more than double that of last year. Hyundai and their affiliate Kia as well as Volkswagen and their affiliate Audi lead the insurance industry’s list with nine vehicles on the safest new vehicles list. Below are some of the automobile manufactures and their vehicles that made the list.
Audi – A3 sedan, A4 sedans, Q5 SUV
BMW – 5 series (except 4-wheel drive and V8)
Buick – LaCrosse, Regal
Cadillac – CTS, SRX
Chevrolet – Malibu, Cruze, Equinox
Chrysler – 200 4-door
Dodge – Avenger, Journey
Ford – Taurus, Fusion, Fiesta sedan and hatchback built after July 2010, Explorer, Flex
GMC – Terrain
Honda – Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control, Element
Hyundai – Genesis sedan, Sonata midsize, Santa Fe, Tucson
Infinite – M37/M56 (except M56x 4-wheel drive)
Jeep – Grand Cherokee, Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Kia – Optima, Forte, Soul, Sorento built after March 2010, Sportage
Lexus – RX
Lincoln – MKS, MKZ, MKT
Mercedes – C class, E class coupe, E class sedan, GLK
Mitsubishi – Lancer sedan (except 4-wheel drive)
Nissan – Cube
Scion – tC, xB
Subaru – Legacy, Outback, Impreza sedan and hatchback (except WRX), Tribeca, Forester
Toyota – Avalon, Corolla, Sienna, Highlander, Venza
Consumer Reports (CR) is an American magazine published by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. Consumer Reports does not print outside advertising, accept free product samples, or permit the commercial use of its reviews for selling products. Its publisher states that this policy allows the magazine to “maintain their independence and impartiality… so that CR has no agenda other than the interests of consumers.
Every year, CR publishes their top ten automobiles in ten different categories. The choices are based on performance, reliability and safety. Below are Consumers Reports picks for the 2010 year.
Family Sedan
Nissan Altima:
The Nissan Altima has always been a popular choice as a family sedan. It’s roomy interior and comfortable ride makes the car an enjoyable drive. The 2010 version of this car offers improved looks, standard electronic stability control (ESC) and the best fuel economy in its class.
Small Sedan
Hyundai Elantra SE:
Hyundai safety and reliability has come a long way and has made Consumer Reports top picks for the third time. The Elantra SE, offers a comfortable ride, good fuel economy and plenty of features for the price. The SE comes with standard ESC that is often not offered on similar competitors vehicles.
Sporty Car
Volkswagen GTI:
The 2010 Volkswagen GTI is a sporty version of the Golf. It offers excellent handling and acceleration and is a comfortable car to drive. The interior is tastefully finished with plenty of cargo space, especially with the hatchback model. Like all Volkswagen’s, the GTI offers a respectable fuel economy.
The Subaru Forester has been labeled as the SUV that offers the most car like driving experience. It offers a comfortable ride with plenty of room and excellent visibility. The Forester offers excellent reliability and an impressive gas mileage for an SUV.
Best Overall Car
Lexus LS 460L:
Lexus has always pampered it’s customers with a luxurious driving experience. The LS 460L is no exception with it’s well crafted, roomy and quiet interior. Though the price is a bit higher than some of the vehicles in its class, if you can afford it, it is well worth it.
Family SUV
Chevrolet Traverse:
Overall, the Traverse stands out as a family SUV. It is comfortable and responsive, and allows up to eight adults seated comfortably as well as room for cargo. Visibility is not the best for this SUV, taking into account the size of it, but Chevy offers convex side mirrors and an optional rear view camera to help.
Sports Sedan
Infiniti G37:
The Infiniti G sedans are one of the highest rated sedans tested by Consumer Reports. Excellent handling, acceleration and comfort make this luxurious vehicle a pleasure to drive. Because it is a sports sedan, space and storage are compromised.
Family Hauler
Mazda5:
The Mazda5 offers a lot in a compact and affordable microvan. It offers the convenience of a minivan with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a wagon. The addition of standard ESC for 2010 makes this minivan safer and fun to drive.
Green Car
Toyota Prius:
The Toyota Prius was one to the first green cars manufactured for the public. Its overall mileage has made it the green car pick for the seventh straight year. It is a comfortable car to drive, and its 2010 redesign makes it even more appealing. Toyota has also added a dedicated EV that allows it to run longer on electric power at low speeds.
Pickup Truck
Chevrolet Silverado 1500:
This well rounded pickup offers a roomy cabin, an exellent payload capacity and a decent ride for a pickup. It is an excellent 4WD family vehicle offering a quality interior on higher end models.
Volkswagen has announced a recall for a fuel line problem that can affect vehicles with 2.5 liter 5 cylinder engines. The problem is being blamed on an improperly secured fuel line which can chafe leading to a fuel leak and a potential fire. The vehicles affected by this recall are:
2007–2009 Golf
2007–2009 Jetta and Jetta SportWagen
2006–2010 New Beetle
2007–2009 Rabbit
Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove a plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or position the fuel line fastening clamp to prevent the chafing. For more information, owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) vehicle safety hot line at 1-888-327-4236, or go to http://www.safercar.gov
Volkswagen is conducting a voluntary emissions service program to inspect and, if necessary, replace ignition coils installed in some 2001 to 2007 Volkswagen vehicles. The coils in some of these vehicles are prone to malfunction under certain conditions, which could lead to poor engine performance, decreased fuel economy, increased vehicle emissions, and an illuminating Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL).
If the MIL should illuminate, you should take your vehicle to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer for diagnosis and repair as soon as possible to avoid damaging the vehicle. If you vehicle is not experiencing any problems, it is safe to continue driving until you receive a notification to bring it in. Because of a shortage of parts, customer vehicles with immediate needs will be dealt with first. Some vehicles have already been equipped with the latest version of the parts and are not included in this campaign.
If you have paid to have ignition coils replaced in your Volkswagen prior to this program, you may be eligible for reimbursement. For further information, please contact Volkswagen Customer Care at: 888.683.9156 (United States) or 888.595.8228 (Canada). For more information, go to http://www.vwcoils.com/.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is opening an investigating into 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI cars after receiving seven complaints that the engine stalled while driving. It is estimated that about 38,000 diesel Jetta TDI and Jetta SportWagon TDI models could be affected. The NHTSA thinks the problem may be related to potential fuel system contamination issues.
VW spokesman Kerry Christopher said that Volkswagen takes safety issues very seriously and will fully cooperate with the NHTSA’s investigation.
Volkswagen is recalling some 2009 Routan vehicles manufactured from June 2008 to July 2009. These vehicles could have an improperly routed wire harness that could rub on the sliding door creating a short which could lead to a fire within the door.
Volkswagen will inspect the wire assembly for damage and replace and re-route it as necessary free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 2010. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
