Tag Archives: automobile problems

Toyota Recalls Lexus LS Vehicles

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Toyota announced Wednesday that it will be recalling almost 4,500 Lexus LS luxury sedans in the United States and 7,000 in Japan. The complaint comes from consumers who say that the steering wheel came out of alignment with the direction of the car’s wheels during certain driving maneuvers.

The problem involves the computerized system that oversees how the steering wheel controls the tires. The steering system comes standard in Japanese models, but is optional in other countries. It varies the amount that the steering wheel turns the tires, allowing drivers to turn the wheel less at low speeds when attempting to navigate or park in tight spots and providing finer control at high speeds. The system can take “a few seconds” to return the steering to normal after it has been adjusted, which led to complaints from drivers, said Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco.

There have been 12 complaints out of Japan but no accidents reported because of the problem.

Automobile Recalls For April 2010

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Below are some of the automobile recalls for April 2010:

  • Volvo is recalling certain model 2010 XC90 vehicle for a fuel line leak that could develop in the fuel line at the right front wheel. Dealers will inspect the date code of the fuel line and will replace it free of charge if needed. The recall is expected to begin during May. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
  • The Braun Corporation is recalling some 2008-2010 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan commercial enter vans altered between January 21, 2009 and March 19, 2010. When the vehicles were converted for wheelchair accessibility, the fuel fill pipe was exposed close to the left rear tire. This may result in wear on the tire resulting in loss of tire pressure which could lead to an accident, or a vehicle fire if the fuel fill pipe becomes worn. Braun will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2010. Owners may contact Braun toll-free at 1-800-488-0359.
  • BMW is recalling certain 2010 X5 M SAV vehicle because they do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 108. (Lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment) These vehicle were equipped with side marker lamps, but are not wired for illumination. BMW has not yet provided a remedy or an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact BMW at 800-525-7417.
  • Hino is recalling some 2008-2010 NV8J trucks with Allison 3000 RDS automatic transmission. The drive coupler bolts could shear due to improper tightening during the manufacturing process. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule or a remedy for this campaign. Owners may contact Hino at 1-248-699-9330.
  • Workhorse is recalling certain model year 2010 W42, W62 and model year 2011 W22 trucks and built with a General Motors gasoline engine and equipped with Remy alternator. A low resistance electrical short in the alternator may result in a vehicle fire. Dealers will inspect and replace the alternator if necessary free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2010. Owners may contact Workhorse at 1-877-246-7731.
  • Ford is recalling some 2010 Fusion, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, Mercury Milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between December 15, 2009 – February 3, 2010 for head restraints that do not comply with vehicle safety standards. In a crash, the head restraint may move rearward increasing the risk of neck injury. Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall began on May 3, 2010. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Subaru Recalls Outback And Legacy Vehicles

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Subaru is recalling almost 30,000, 2010 Outback and Legacy vehicles built between July 31, 2009 and December 1, 2009 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The problem affects cars with continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT cooler hose could crack and leak resulting in damage to the transmission and possibly start a fire. Subaru dealers will replace the hose for free, with parts being available sometimes this month.

If you own or think you own one of these cars and need more information, Subaru’s customer hot line is 856-488-8500. You can also try calling NHTSA’s vehicle safety hot line at 888-327-4236.

Another Safety Probe For Toyota

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As Transportation chief Ray LaHood met with president of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, another safety probe is on the horizon. This time, Federal regulators are examining whether Toyota delayed disclosing a defect in the steering system in 4Runner SUVs and T100 trucks. The probe was launched when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received documents Friday indicating that Toyota had potentially misled the government in 2005 over problems with steering linkages in its 1989-95 4Runner and the 1993-98 T100 vehicles.

Toyota said it had recalled HiLux trucks sold in Japan but no recall was necessary in the U.S., because there had not been any complaints. But four lawsuits filed in 2009 in Los Angeles, showed that there had been complaints as far back as 2000 on models using the same linkages. It wasn’t until 2005 that the automaker recalled vehicles in the U.S. to replace the steering relay rods.

In addition to the new investigation, NHTSA is examining whether the company’s recalls for floor mats and sticky pedals that could cause sudden acceleration were timely. In addition to investigating sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the stability control system in the Sequoia SUV, stalling problems in the Corolla and Matrix, steering wander in the Corolla and Matrix and braking performance in the Prius.

But NHTSA has also come under fire for its handling of the Toyota defect scandal. In the last eight years, the agency closed multiple investigations involving Toyota despite thousands of complaints and allegations of several dozen deaths caused by sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles.

Chevrolet Corvette Recall

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GM will be recalling about 40,000, 2005-2006 Chevy Corvettes equipped with tilt and telescopic steering. The company said that repeated movement of the steering column could cause a signal interruption in the active handling system, which could cause unintended braking, possibly leading to a crash.

Owners can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 about recall number N100118 or contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or at www.safercar.gov.

Lexus “Don’t Buy” Recommendation Lifted

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Consumer Reports magazine is lifting their “Don’t Buy” recommendation for the 2010 Lexus GX460 after dealerships updated the electronic stability control software.

In April, Toyota recalled about 10,000 of the Lexus SUVs and stopped selling them after Consumer Reports testers went into a sideways skid during a high speed turn on the magazines test track. Under normal circumstances, the electronic stability control should quickly correct the loss of control and keep the SUV on its intended path. But with the GX 460, the stability control took too long to react, the magazine’s engineers said.

While the fix made the GX 460’s handling secure, Consumer Reports said it is still “ponderous and ungainly,” which is typical of SUVs. Crossover vehicles are probably a better choice since they are built on car underpinnings, and they are smaller, so you get better gas mileage.

GM Recalls Hummer H3s

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GM is recalling about 150,000 Hummer H3s and H3Ts built between 2006-2010. GM filed the recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) saying that the clips that hold the hood louver, the vent mounted on the hood of the H3, could detach while driving. GM has received two complaints in the U.S. and three in Japan in regards to this problem. The repair involves applying an adhesive to refasten the louver to the hood.

GM plans to send a bulletin to dealers outlining the fix this week, followed by a letter to Hummer owners next week on the recall.

Nissan Recalls Infiniti G35s For Airbags

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Nissan will be recalling as many as 140,000 Infiniti G35 sedans built between 2005-2006 and G35 coupes from 2005-2007 because of faulty airbags. Though there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to this problem, Nissan found that the wire harness for the airbags may become warn, preventing the bags from deploying during an accident. The automaker says Infiniti owners who see the red air bag light come on should get to a dealer right away. Recall notices will be mailed out next month to Infinity car owners.