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Recent TSB’s Help Consumers Care For Their Vehicles

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T.S.B’s (Technical Service Bulletins) are not recalls. They let automakers and consumers know about recurring problems experienced with various automobile models. Manufacturers do not offer payment assistance for these repairs beyond normal warranty coverage. Below is a list of some recent T.S.B’s

T.S.B. SB0151-09 issued on Oct. 14
2006-9 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 models may have a clicking noise from the rear, which requires the rear coil spring assembly to be replaced.

T.S.B. WVL-22 issued on Oct. 13
2005-8 Subaru Foresters and 2005-7 Imprezas may experience a momentary lack of fuel during cornering when the gas tank is below 1.5 gallons. The fuel pump could momentarily draw air, causing the engine to misfire resulting in damage to the catalytic converter. Removal of the one-way valve situated at the base of a small sub chamber in the tank should remedy the problem.

T.S.B. J06 issued on Oct. 12
2009 Dodge Ram 1500s’ a leaky windshield washer fluid reservoir sensor has the potential to leak fluid through to the wiring harness to the temperature sensor. This could damage the temperature sensor, preventing the fluid-level warning lamp from lighting. Replacing both sensors and the harness will stop the leak.

T.S.B. 09-19-15 issued on Oct. 5
2006-10 Focus and Escape models may have defective ignition locks that fail to turn to the start position. The problem is blamed on a bad steering column lock module which causes the keys to bind, but can be repaired by replacing the module.

T.S.B. 09-19-14 issued on Oct. 5
2010 Ford Transit Connects may have a brake knock in the rear. Ford dealers have been instructed to engage the parking brake three notches, and drive forward and then reverse for about 800 feet. If this “voodoo” doesn’t work, you can try swapping or replacing the left and right rear drums.

T.S.B. 09-18-2 issued on Sept. 21
2008-10 Ford Focus models may have problems with the front stabilizer bar, the upper front strut bearing or the lower control arm that may cause popping or clicking noises on turns or bumps. Replacing the affected parts, or tightening them to the factory-specified torque setting, should solve this problem.

T.S.B. SB0342-09 issued on Sept. 21
2006-9 Toyota 4Runners during stop and go driving or heavy acceleration, a smell of sulfur may be noticed. The replacement of the converter will eliminate the smell.

T.S.B. SB0338-09 issued on Sept. 16
2007-10 Toyota Tundras may emit a grinding noise from the front end when in 4 wheel drive. A new differential support should remedy the problem.

T.S.B. 09-023A issued on Sept. 10
2003-5 Q45s and 2004 M45s could have an electrical malfunction that deactivates one or both front side air bags and turn on the warning light. The system should be inspected, and if need be, repaired by adding a coating of epoxy to the wiring connectors and rerouting them slightly.

T.S.B. 0600309 issued on Sept. 4
2008-9 Mazda Tribute crossovers may have a popping or clunking sound from the steering column when turning. Replacing the steering shaft and the coupling joint will remedy the noise.

T.S.B. 0904509 issued on Aug. 17
2007-10 Mazda CX-7 may have a rattling sound from the bumper at highway speeds. Adding washers and new fasteners between the bumper cover and the body will quiet the noise.

T.S.B. 09-02-35-005 issued on Aug. 10
In some 2008-9 Cadillac CTS; 2005-9 Chevrolet Cobalt; 2006-9 Chevrolet HHR,2006-9 Pontiac Solstice; 2007-9 Chevy Equinox and 2007-9 Pontiac G5’s the key is difficult to remove from the ignition. Replacing the ignition lock cylinder will fix the problem.

Aurora Man Awarded $55.6 Million in Patent Dispute

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Jacob Krippelz has won an 11-year legal battle against Ford over a lighting system he patented. In 1991, Krippelz patented his design for a small lamp mounted to side view mirrors, now known as a “puddle lamp”. He sent a copy of his patent to Ford soon after it was issued, according to court documents. The auto maker told him they were not interested in the invention. Six years later, Krippelz walked into his local Ford dealer and saw the lamp on a vehicle. Ford’s puddle lamp supplier had its own patent, which refers to Krippelz’s patent.

In December, a federal jury in Chicago awarded him $23 million in royalties for Ford’s patent infringement, but the case was not over. Last week, U.S. District Judge James Zagel more than doubled the award, to $55.6 million, due to “willful” infringement laws, after finding that Ford had sold vehicles with similar lamps even though the company knew of the potential infringement.

$82.6 Million awarded to Woman After Ford Explorer Rollover

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The Supreme Court has left in place an $82.6 million award to a woman who was paralyzed after her Ford Explorer rolled over.

Benetta Buell-Wilson was driving on a San Diego interstate in January 2002 when she swerved to avoid a metal object on the road. She lost control of her 1997 Explorer and ended up rolling the vehicle. The mother of two was paralyzed from the waist down when the roof collapsed on her neck, severing her spine.

Ford Motor Co. challenged $55 million of the portion awarded, saying that the vehicle design met federal safety standard. The jury said that Ford knew the Explorer had design defects that made it prone to rollovers in emergency maneuvers and the collapse of its roof. They rejected Ford’s contention and initially awarded Buell-Wilson $369 million, including $246 million in punitive damages but courts twice cut the size of the award.

The case is Ford v. Buell-Wilson, 09-297.

Toyota Recalls Gas Pedals in Biggest Recall Ever

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Sept. 29, 2009, Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Toyota’s largest recall ever. The recall covers Toyota and Lexus models, including Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks, Camry, Prius, Avalon, Lexus ES and IS cars. The problem allegedly caused more than a dozen fatalities and resulted in more than 100 formal complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The action addresses the unintended acceleration of some vehicles, which Toyota previously blamed on floor mats becoming trapped between the drivers’ feet and the gas pedal. Toyota continues to ask owners of the recalled vehicles to remove driver’s side floor mats until the company provides additional information.

Toyota Motor Corp. Dealers will begin repairs in January by shortening the gas pedals as a temporary measure. Replacement pedals and a new brake system should be available in April 2010 on some of 3.8 million vehicles recalled.

For 2005 through 2010 model year Toyota Avalons, 2007 through 2010 Camry and Lexus ES350, the automaker will reconfigure the floor surface beneath the pedal to create more space between the pedal and the floor. The brake over-ride system that will be offered on the Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES and IS models should ensure the car stops if both the accelerator and brake pedals are applied at the same time. Many of the reported incidents involved sudden increases in speed when the cruise control system is engaged. Drivers have reported that their brakes could not stop their vehicles when they experienced the phenomenon.

Toyota intends to make the brake over-ride feature standard throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines beginning in January 2010.

GM Chairman Plans to Repay Taxpayers

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A recent government report stated that taxpayers are not likely to receive full payment for the loan made to GM. Mr. Whitacre, General Motor’s Chairman, says that General Motors has every intention of repaying the taxpayers $6.7 billion. This excludes nearly a billion dollars that was lent to the old GM that remains in bankruptcy. The remaining $50 billion that was borrowed was given in the form of stock which the U.S. Government hopes to get back from public stock offerings.

Nissan Plans World’s Least Expensive Car

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The chief of Nissan has announced plans to produce a small car for sale in India. It will cost less than any other car sold in the world. It should be available in 2011.

The car will be manufactured by Bajaj Auto in India. It will compete with with Tata Motors, Nano, which sells for as little as $2,500.00 and started selling this year. The Nano is a hatch back that can seat up to five people.

General Motors and Toyota have announced that they also intend to sell a low cost car in India.