Tag Archives: automobile problems

Toyota Recall For Steering System Problems

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Toyota announced Thursday that they will be recalling 373,000, 2000-2004 Avalon sedans as well as 39,000 2003-2007 Lexus LX470 SUVs for two unrelated steering system defects.

The defect in the Avalon Sedan is being blamed on an improper casting in a component of the steering lock system. If the steering is turned hard to the right, the component may break, resulting in the steering locking up. There have been six reports of the problem in the U.S. Three resulting in accidents with no injuries.

In the Lexus LX479 SUV, the snap ring on the steering shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences an impact to the front wheel, such as hitting a pothole. Over time, this may cause the steering shaft to disengage. Toyota was not aware of any accidents resulting from the Lexus steering-shaft problem.

In announcing the latest recall, Steve St. Angelo, Toyota’s chief quality officer for North America, said the automaker was “continuing to work diligently to address safety issues wherever they arise and to strengthen our global quality assurance operations so that Toyota owners can be confident in the safety of their vehicles.”

Chrysler Recall For Braking Problems

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Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be recalling certain 2010 Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Ram vehicles which were built will a defective part that could affect the braking ability. In certain models, the improperly formed part could allow brake fluid to drain out of the system leading to a loss of braking.

Although the NHTSA notice has already been issued, a full recall won’t take place until August, where dealers will install replacement brake tubes on affected models free of charge. If you have questions you can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403, or the NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

Daimler Truck Recall

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Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 Freightliner Columbia, Cascadia, Coronado, Century, M2, Sterling 9500, and Western Star 4900 vehicles equipped with DD13 and DD15/DD16 engines and manufactured from January 1, 2007 through April 5, 2010. The problem is with the fuel filter becoming restricted resulting in the low pressure fuel flange becoming cracked resulting in a fuel leak. The fuel flange will be replaced with a new part free of charge. Owners may contact Daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0172.

Automobile Recalls For June 2010

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Below are some of the automobile recalls for June 2010

  • Access Options is recalling certain trucks and vans built on Ford E150, E350, Toyota Sienna, and Dodge Grand Caravan chassis and equipped with VMI/Ricon 6-way power seat bases. The seat base may have a defective weld on the pivot pin which could fail and injure the occupant. The manufacturer will replace the swivel plate free of charge if necessary. Owners may contact Access Option at 831-722-6804.
  • BMW is recalling 2008-2011 1-Series vehicles. In a crash that allows the front pre-tensioner and load limiter to deploy, the insulation around the pre-tensioner could ignite. The manufacturer is still working on a remedy for the problem. If owners would like more information, they can contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
  • Subaru is recalling certain 2010 Outback and Legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2009 through April 12, 2010. The wiring in the steering column electrical roll connector located behind the vehicle’s steering wheel may develop stress cracks and break resulting in certain electrical components not operating. Possible circuits affected are the driver’s frontal airbag, paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control and radio functions. Dealers will check lot numbers of the steering roll connector and will replace it with a new one if the lot number showed any affected range of the failure occurrence. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
  • Suzuki is recalling some 2006 grand Vitara’s and 2005-2006 XL-7 vehicles for the tension adjuster pulley that operates the power steering pump and air conditioner compressor. Repeated heat stress can cause the outer portion plastic materials to deteriorate and break off. Broken pieces of the pulley can get caught between the pulley and the drive belt, causing the drive belt to come off, making the vehicle difficult to steer. Dealers will replace the power steering pump drive belt tension adjuster pulley free of charge. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
  • Volvo is recalling some 2010-2011 C30, 2010 S40 and V50 vehicles equipped with 6 speed manual transmissions. The gearshift lever stud assembly may not have been torqued to the correct specification which could result in the gearshift lever cable or stud assembly to become loose, making it difficult to engage, disengage or shift gears. Dealers will torque the gearshift lever stud assembly to the correct specification free of charge. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or customercare@volvoforlife.com.
  • Volvo Trucks is recalling certain model year 2001-2006 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured with a TRW sealed drag links. Certain factors can exist, which if left untreated may result in a ball socket separation resulting in complete loss of steering. Dealers will inspect and repair the ball socket or the drag link as required. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before August 15, 2010. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks at 1-800-528-6586

Toyota Recalls Faulty Engines

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Toyota Motor Corp. will be recalling 270,000 Lexus and other vehicles worldwide to fix faulty engines that could make vehicles stall while driving. The problem is with contaminated materials used to make valve springs and crucial engine components. The global recall that starts Monday affects six luxury Lexus sedan models as well as the popular Toyota Crown, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said. Of the 270,000 recalled cars, some 180,000 were sold overseas, including 137,000 in the the United States.

According to the released statement by Toyota, models that could potentially have a faulty valve spring include:

  • Lexus IS 350
  • Lexus GS 350
  • Lexus GS 460
  • Lexus GS 450h
  • Lexus LS 460
  • Lexus LS 600h L
  • Toyota Crown

Current model years are unaffected by the recall. Lexus is moving quickly to resolve the situation and will announce an appropriate remedy as soon as possible.

GMC Recalls Windshield Washer Heater

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In 2008 GM recalled vehicles for an overheating windshield washer heater. A fuse was installed as a rectification, however, new reports of problems with the heater overheating continue to exist. GM will be recalling these vehicles again, and will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. Below is a list of the vehicles recalled:

    2006-2009

  • Buick Lucerne
  • Cadillac DTS
  • Hummer H2
    2008-2009

  • Buick Enclave
  • Cadillac CTS
    2007-2009

  • Cadillac Escalade
  • Cadillac Escalade ESV
  • Cadillac Escalade EXT
  • Chevrolet Avalanche
  • Chevrolet Silverado
  • Chevrolet Suburban
  • Chevrolet Tahoe
  • GMC Acadia
  • GMC Sierra
  • GMC Yukon
  • GMC Yukon XL
  • Saturn Outlook
    2009
    Chevrolet Traverse

Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and Hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

BMW Recalls Motorcycles

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BMW will be recalling over 15,000 motorcycles for three separate safety issues. If owners have any questions about the recalls, they may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

Certain 2007 – 2009 R 1200 and K 1200 series motorcycles manufactured between August 2006 to May 2009 may develop stress cracks on the brake lines due to vibration and strain on the line. These lines could develop leaks, and if unnoticed could drain the brake reservoir, causing the front brakes to fail. Starting in July, BMW will notify owners and dealers will install a new brake line with a protective sleeve, free of charge.

Certain 2008 – 2009 F650 GS and 800 GS motorcycles manufactured between September 27, 2007 to March 30, 2009 may have drive chains that have not been produced to the proper specifications. The chain could break over time and could become trapped between the rear wheel and the frame, resulting in rear wheel lock up. Neither a remedy nor a notification schedule has been provided by the manufacturer.

Finally, certain 2007 – 2008 G650 X Country, G650 X Challenge, and G650 X Moto motorcycles manufactured between November 29, 2006 to May 19, 2008 may have a roll gear pin mount that could bread over time. If the mount breaks, fragments could become trapped between the drive chain and the rear sprocket causing the rear wheel to lock up. Neither a remedy nor a notification schedule has been provided by the manufacturer.

Posted in BMW.

Recall For Lexus HS 250h Hybird

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Toyota Motor Corp. has stopped the sales of and will be recalling its 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered the recall after finding that the vehicle would leak more than the allowable fuel in a rear end collision of about 50 to 80 km.

Toyota conducted tests to verify that the Lexus hybrid was in compliance with federal safety standards before releasing the vehicle, and no problems with the fuel tank were found. Because more than 142 grams of fuel spilled in the tests conducted for the NHTSA, Toyota will attempt to replicate the test to determine why the tank leaked, which will allow it to develop a remedy.

Toyota is not aware of any incidents or accidents resulting from the defect in the HS, but once a fix is found, Toyota will notify HS drivers to bring their vehicles in for repair.