The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating inadvertent airbag deployment ins some 2003-2003 Jeep Liberty SUV’s. The investigation was first started in September of last year after 20 customers complained that their airbags inflated inadvertently. Today there have been over 80 complaints, with over half alleging injuries. Chrysler and the NHTSA are suspecting a voltage spike in the electronic circuit that controls the airbag deployment and are working to determine if a recall is warranted. There have been no complaints of inadvertent airbag deployment in vehicles manufactured after March 19, 2003.
Posted in Chrysler, Jeep, NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, airbag problems, auto industry, automobile investigation, automobile safety, electrical issues, repeated automobile issues
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Tagged airbag issues, automobile safety, Chrysler, electrical issues, Jeep, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, repeated automobile issues
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Members of the House Committee for Government Reform released a report on Wednesday, accusing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of trying to keep the Chevrolet Volt battery fire a secret. They say that the bailout of GM by the government creates business and political connections that could lead the NHTSA to sacrifice public safety during such investigations. They are accusing the administration of dragging their feet in opening the investigation and feel that the conclusion that the vehicles is “safe” was made hastily.
According to the NHTSA, the Chevy Volt never posed a highway fire hazard, because the problem can only be reproduced by severely damaging the Volt battery. They say that GM responded quickly to the problem by developing steps to discharge the battery after the vehicle has been in an accident. The NHTSA added, that the technology is relatively new for consumers and that the agency is still developing protocols for dealing with battery powered vehicles.
Posted in Chevrolet, GMC, NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Government, auto industry, automobile investigation, automobile safety, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, repeated automobile issues
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Tagged auto industry, automobile safety, battery fire, Chevrolet, Chevy Volt, electric vehicles, GMC, hybrid vehicles, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, repeated automobile issues, Safe Driving
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The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), is speaking out against the governments proposed fuel economy standards, saying it will limit new car sales and make automobiles more expensive for consumers. Automobile manufacturers building high performance vehicles, will have an especially hard time meeting the standards without electric or hybrid vehicles in their lineup.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that the additional technology required on vehicles will significantly increase the purchase price of vehicles, but say that the lifetime fuel savings would amount to more. The NADA disagrees with their cost analysis, and plans to release a study next month that finds the technology costs could add up to $5,000 to the price of a vehicle. They say that people who can afford the more expensive vehicles up front may save money over time, but many won’t be able to afford it.
The new rules will have automakers building vehicles that will give an average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The final rules are expected to be put in place by the end of the summer.
Posted in U.S. Government, auto industry, autombile technology, enviromentaly friendly, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles
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Tagged auto industry, automobile sales, automobile technology, electric vehicles, Enviromental Protection Agency, enviromentally friendly, EPA, fuel economy, fuel efficiency, hybrid vehicles, NHTSA
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Kia has announced a recall that will affect almost 145,000, 2006-2008 Kia Optima cars and 2007-2008 Kia Rondo crossover vehicles. According to the manufacturer, the clock spring contact assembly for the driver’s side air bag could become damaged and develop a high resistance. This condition could cause the air bag to not deploy properly, or at all. During an accident, the driver will not be properly protected, increasing the risk of injuries. Kia will begin notifying customers starting in March. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact the Kia customer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
Posted in Kia, airbag problems, automobile recalls, automobile safety, electrical issues, repeated automobile issues
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Tagged airbag issues, airbag problems, automobile recalls, automobile safety, electrical issues, Kia, Kia Optima, Kia recall, kia Rondo, recalled air bags, repeated automobile issues
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BMW is recalling certain Mini Cooper vehicles equipped with a turbocharger, for an electrical overheating problem. The report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that a circuit board on the auxiliary water pump, used for cooling the turbocharger, could become very hot and cause a fire. BMW will replace the water pump free of charge starting in February 2012. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact BMW at 1-866-275-6464. The vehicles included in the recall are:
Posted in BMW, Mini Cooper, automobile recalls, automobile safety, electrical issues, repeated automobile issues
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Tagged automobile recalls, automobile safety, BMW, electrical issues, engine fires, fire hazard, fire reports, Mini Cooper, repeated automobile issues, turbo problems
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Ford has announced a recall for certain 2004-2005 Ford Freestars and Mercury Monterey minivans for a torque converter output shaft that could fail. If the shaft should fail, the driver will experience a sudden loss of power, increasing the chance of an accident. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Posted in Ford, Mercury, Power train issues, automobile recalls, automobile safety, repeated automobile issues
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Tagged automobile recalls, automobile safety, Ford, Ford recall, Mercury, minivan recall, powertrain issues, repeated automobile issues
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Mitsubishi is recalling certain 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles because of a improperly manufactured turn signal. According to the recall report, the auto cancel function of the system could fail to work, indicating the driver is preparing to turn when they are not. Mitsubishi dealers will inspect and replace the turn signal once a notification schedule has been issued. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Posted in Mitsubishi, automobile recalls, automobile safety, electrical issues, repeated automobile issues
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Tagged automobile recalls, automobile safety, electrical issues, Mitsubishi, repeated automobile issues, Safe Driving, turn signal problems, turn signal recall
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General Motors (GM) is recalling some 2011-2012 Chevrolet Captiva vehicles with manual mode transmissions. Driving in manual mode or first gear could cause the engine and power steering pump to operate at very high speeds. The increased speed could result in temperatures that could melt the steering pump reservoir. Any leaking fluid, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in an engine fire. GM will notify customers of the recall with an advisory letter, and when parts become available, will send another letter instructing customers to take their vehicles in for repairs. Owners wanting more information can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Posted in Chevrolet, GMC, automobile recalls, automobile safety, repeated automobile issues, steering problems
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Tagged automobile recalls, automobile safety, Chevrolet, electrical issues, GM recall, GMC, repeated automobile issues, Safe Driving, steering problems
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Some 2010-2011 Ford Fusion and 2010-2011 Mercury Milan vehicle owners are being asked by Ford to bring in their vehicles to have the rear wheel studs replaced. The recall report states that the wheel studs may fracture and could result in the wheel completely separating from the vehicle. Dealerships will inspect the rear brake disks for wear, replace any worn disks, and will replace the wheel lugs on all four wheel. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Posted in Brake issues, Ford, Mercury, automobile recalls, automobile safety, repeated automobile issues
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Tagged automobile recalls, automobile safety, braking problems, Ford, Ford recall, Mercury, repeated automobile issues, wheel separation, wheel stud fractures
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General Motors is recalling certain 2010-2011 Cadillac SRX crossover vehicles for improperly installed transmission shift cables. The cable could detach from the transmission bracket giving the driver inaccurate transmission indications or preventing the driver from shifting gears. GM will inspect the cable for proper installation free of charge to the customer. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
Posted in Cadillac, GMC, automobile recalls, automobile safety, repeated automobile issues
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Tagged automatic transmission, automobile recalls, automobile safety, Cadillac, GM recall, GMC, repeated automobile issues, transmission problems
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