Complaints of the inability to shift gears on some 2011-2012 Ford Mustangs, equipped with six speed manual transmissions, has lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open an investigation to see if the sports car should be recalled. Erratic shifting behavior while merging into traffic or turning left across oncoming traffic, were reported to have caused near collisions with other vehicles on the road. The NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation will assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect. If the investigation should lead to a recall, almost 30, 000 2011-2012 Ford Mustangs could be recalled.
Tag Archives: transmission problems
NHTSA Investigates BMW 7Series Vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into BMW 7 Series vehicles after receiving consumer complaints alleging vehicles rolling away when in “park”. The vehicles under investigation are equipped with BMW’s Comfort Access, electronic access and ignition system, and an electronic transmission shifter with the gear selector mounted on the steering column. The shifter is designed to automatically shift the vehicle to “park” under certain conditions. The NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation will assess the scope, frequency and cause of the rollaway incidents. The vehicles under investigation include:
- 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series
- 2003 BMW 730D
- 2003 BMW 730I
- 2002-2003 BMW 735I
- 2002 BMW 735LI
- 2002, 2003, 2005 BMW 745I
- 2002-2005 BMW 745LI
- 2007 BMW 750I
- 2006-2007 BMW 750LI
- 2005 BMW 760I
- 2005, 2007 BMW 760LI
Honda Recall For Transmission Problems
Honda has issued a recall for certain vehicles built between July 2004 to August 2010 for a problem within the transmission. The recall is being blamed on the outer ring of secondary shaft bearings in the transmission, breaking under certain driving conditions. The broken parts could become wedged in between the transmission idle gear and the electronic sensor housing within the transmission. The driver may experience an abnormal noise, the malfunction indicator light will turn on, the engine may stall, and/or the vehicle could roll away when in “park”. Owners wanting more information can contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. The vehicles involved in the recall include:
Chevrolet Cruze Experiences More Problems
If you have received a recall to check the steering shafts on your new 2011 Chevy Cruze, you may want to get the transmission shift linkages inspected while you are there. The automobile maker announced that within the group of vehicles to be checked for steering, they plan to inspect over 120,000 vehicles with automatic transmissions to make sure the shift linkages are installed properly. Improperly installed linkages may lead the driver to think they are in a certain gear when they are not. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or go to the Chevy owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Kia Recalls 2006-2008 Optima Vehicles
Kia has announced a recall that will have almost 70,000 Optima owners taking their vehicles in for repairs. The recall is over concerns that some of the shift cables were not assembled properly, allowing them to detach from the shift assembly dowel pin. The detached cable will prevent the transmission from being put in “park” even though the shift lever is in the “park” position. As a result, the vehicle could roll away causing damage and injury.
The vehicles involved in this recall are the 2006-2008 Optima vehicles built between September 2005 to June 2007. Kia will start notifying owners middle of March, where Dealers will inspect and reinstall the shift cable if necessary. Owners can contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 for more information.
Honda Transmission Problems
Despite a recall in 2004 and a class action settlement in 2006, Honda and Acura drivers continue to have problems with their automatic transmissions. Over 3,000 complaints have been filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the last two years, with a spike in complaints in the last six months.
The 2004 recall covered the 2003-2004 Honda Accord, 2002–2003 Honda Odyssey, 2003-2004 Honda Pilot, 2000-2001 Acura MDX, 1999-2003 Acura 3.2 TL and 2001-2002 Acura 3.2 CL. The class-action suit that was settled in 2006 claimed that Honda had misled consumers by selling them vehicles with defective transmissions. Honda denied those claims but settled the case without admitting a defect. Owners got their vehicles repaired, or received an extension on their transmission warranties. But now owners continue to have complaints because they continue to experience problems, even after the extended warranties are up. While 2003 model vehicles seem to experience the most problems, complaints have been noted in:
- 2003-2004 Honda Accord
- 2002-2007 Honda Odyssey
- 2002-2008 Honda Civic
- 2003-2004 Honda Pilot
- 2000-2002 Acura MDX
- 1999-2004 Acura 3.2 TL
- 2001–2003 Acura 3.2 CL
If you have had repeated substantial problems, and if your vehicle is still not repaired, you should call 1-888-EX-LEMON for a free consultation with one of our experts to learn whether your vehicle qualifies or, if not, whether there are other legal alternatives.
If you are in California call our Lemon Law Offices:
Anywhere in California (free call): 1.888.ExLemon (395.3666)
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