Category Archives: NHTSA

Honda CR-V Vehicles Experience Headlight Problems

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened up an investigation into Honda’s 2002-2004 CR-V models. There have been 12 reports from consumers alleging that the low beam head lights stopped working at the same time. Several of the complaints reported that the headlight switch and its wiring harness connector needed to be replaced due to overheating damage.

Last September, the NHTSA opened up an investigation for similar problems with Honda’s 2007-2008 Fit vehicles. In December, the investigation lead to a recall. The problem was blamed on an error during installation where the wires were pulled tighter than indended. After repeated use of the headlight switch, a terminal on the switch could become worn leading to the oxidation and low conductivity.

GM Investigates Faulty Fuel Gauges On SUVs

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has started an investigation into over 850,000 General Motors SUV’s after receiving complaints of inaccurate fuel gauges. Of the 668 complaints received, 58 said that their vehicle ran out of fuel even though the fuel gauge said there was still fuel in the tank. The vehicles involved in this investigation include:

  • 2005-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • 2005-2007 G.M.C. Envoy
  • 2005-2007 Buick Rainier
  • 2005-2007 Saab 9-7x

2011 MV Agusta F4 Motorcycles Recalled

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Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta (MVA) is recalling over two hundred 2010 F4 Motorcycles. According to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the upper fixture points of the sub frame may not be strong enough and could lead to frame cracks and instability of the vehicle. A reinforcement support kit will be installed by dealers free of charge.

This is the second recall for this motorcycle in the past year. Last June MVA recalled almost seventy 2010 MV Agusta F4 super bikes for a faulty air filter frame that may become loose, allowing material to enter the system. This debris could damage the assembly causing the motor to seize.

Owners wanting more information on either recall can contact MV Agusta at 1-215-830-3300, or the NHTSA’s vehicle safety hot line at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

TSB Copyrights Hurt The Consumer

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A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is a bulletin issued by an automobile manufacturer to an auto dealer notifying them about warranty extensions and fixes for known repeated problems. Because it is not a recall, the dealer is under no obligation to make the repair or to even notify customers of the problem. The publication of these TSB’s gives information that could save consumers large amounts of money on repairs, but still the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declined to post these reports on their web site. The reason: The NHTSA has been warned that the TSB’s are copyrighted.

According to NHTSA spokeswoman, Karen Aldana, “Many manufacturers say that technical service bulletin information is copyrighted, and therefore the NHTSA has a legal obligation to leave them “off” their site.” These manufacturers believe that the bulletins should not be published because they show how to make repairs that “should not be performed by do-it-yourselfers. These bulletins, however, can be obtained through commercial services which sell the information to repair shops as well as individuals.

But not all automakers copyright their bulletins. Automakers like BMW, Chrysler, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru and Volvo all say they would not object to publication by the agency. Some say that failing to do so could be seen as the agency being more concerned about catering to the auto industry instead of helping consumers.

Toyota Highlander HEV Investigated For Stalling

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have opened up a defect investigation into 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) after receiving 32 complaints of stalling engines. None of the incidents resulted in an accident, but many complained that the vehicle could not be restarted and had to be towed to the dealership. The NHTSA have carried out several investigations into stalling engines of different vehicles and manufacturers over the years, many of which have led to recalls.

NHTSA Investigates VW And Audi Diesel Vehicles

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Last February the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened up an investigation into failing fuel pumps in some Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars. Today, the NHTSA announced they will be intensifying the investigation after receiving over 150 complaints. The vehicles involved in this investigation include the 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta, 2010 Volkswagen Golf and 2010 Audi A3 vehicles. If the investigation should lead to a recall, nearly 100, 000 vehicles could be involved.

Last may, VW issued a service bulletin telling dealers to inspect the diesel fuel requiring fuel system service associated with fuel pump failure, suspecting the problem is with contaminated fuel. According to VW, even small amounts of gasoline in the diesel may disrupt lubrication, leading to fuel pump failure. They told the NHTSA that they were unable to find a defect related to motor vehicle safety with relation to the TDI clean diesel fuel system.

Corrosion Investigation For Nissan And Infiniti

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>The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have opened an investigation into 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinders and 1997-2003 Infiniti QX4 vehicles over corrosion issues. There have been 35 reports of failure of the front suspension with over half of the complaints saying that steering control was affected. If the investigation should lead to a recall, over 400,000 Pathfinders and QX4 vehicles could be recalled.

VW Passat Ignition Coil Fire Problems Escalate

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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.