Customer satisfaction campaigns, also known as secret warranties or silent recalls, is a practice used by automobile manufacturers to correct relatively minor issues that could affect driver’s comfort or the vehicle’s appearance. Instead of dealing with thousands of customers, the manufacturer deals with complaints on a case by case basis. In many cases, those who are unaware that a satisfaction campaign exists, end up paying for the manufacturing mistake. Continue reading
Category Archives: Automotive News
Questionable Lending Practices Could Mean Default For Car Buyers
Predatory lending is unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent lending practices, usually backed by collateral that can be repossessed or foreclosed on if the borrower defaults on their loan. Lenders are often accused of tricking the borrower into thinking that their interest rate is lower than it actually is and that they will be able to repay the loan. Although predatory lenders tend to target the less educated, the poor, racial minorities, and the elderly, anyone can be a victim of this practice. Predatorial lending may not always be illegal, but it can leave victims with bad credit and unmanageable debt. Continue reading
Could Your Tesla Model S Be A Lemon?
A consumers report published this month could have some Tesla Model S drivers wondering if their cars could be lemons. When ConsumerReports.org first tested the Model S, they described the vehicles as a revolutionary car from an innovative automaker. In May 2013, they gave the Model S a score of 99 %, receiving a Consumer Reports’ recommendation. But over the last 15,743 miles, their test car developed some minor problems. These problems include: Continue reading
New York Pushes For Used Car Repair Rule
According to a report in the New York Times, the city hopes to implement legislation that will address the problem of vehicles being sold with unfixed recalls on them. Federal legislation to address the problem has been stalled in Congress for years as dealers say it would cost companies and consumers unnecessary time and expense to implement the guidelines. Continue reading
Auto Safety Bill Proposes Increased Transparency From NHTSA
In response to the record amount of recalls issued in 2014, U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, J. Rockefeller, is introducing a bill (S. 2559) that will give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more funding and increased authority when it comes to recalling unsafe vehicles. Continue reading
Chrysler Pushed To Speed Up Jeep Repairs For Rear Impact Fires
Federal regulators are putting pressure on Chrysler to accelerate production of trailer hitches needed to repair an estimated 1.6 million Jeep SUV’s. In June 2013 Chrysler and the NHTSA reported that the fuel tanks in these vehicles are more susceptible to leaks and fire during certain rear impact accidents because of the location of the tank behind the rear axle, slightly below the rear bumper. Chrysler’s repair of installing a trailer hitch for extra protection has been approved by the NHTSA despite criticisms from consumer advocates who say that hitches will only incrementally improve the performance in certain low speed rear impacts. The initial Jeep recall involved approximately 2.7 million vehicles, but Chrysler says that, given the age of some of them, only about 1.6 million remain on the road. Continue reading
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Illuminating Service Airbag Warning
General Motors has decided that a defect relating to airbag safety exists in certain 2014 Corvette sports cars. Owners will be issued notices with instructions to return to their dealership to have the Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) replaced, free of charge. The GM recall number is 14219 and the NHTSA campaign number is 14V299. Continue reading
Rupturing Airbags Prompt NHTSA Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced that they will be opening an investigation into automobiles from five major automobile manufacturers for problems with airbags that could rupture and injure vehicle occupants. The announcement comes after six reports of air bag inflator ruptures occurring in areas that have consistently hot, humid conditions. The NHTSA has received notification from BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota that they will be issuing limited regional recalls to repair possible safety defects involving these Takata brand air bag inflators. Continue reading
