Tag Archives: California Lemon Law

Recalled Child Restraints In GM Trucks

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No injuries have been reported, but after concerns were raised by Transport Canada, GM has decided to recall almost 200,000 pickup trucks for an inadequate child restraint system in trucks without rear seats. The vehicles involved in the recall are:

  • 2004-2011 Chevrolet Colorado
  • 2004-2011 GMC Canyon regular cab
  • 2004-2011 GMC Canyon extended cab
  • 2007-2008 Isuzu I-290/I-370
  • 2006 Isuzu I-280/I-350

According to GM, “The child restraint top tether anchor for the front center seat position is not accessible for installing a child seat”, so the child restraint may not be properly secured.”

Customers will be mailed an owner’s manual supplement that describes how to install a child restraint using a top tether in the center position. Dealers will modify the back panel trim cover to allow access to the top tether anchor, if requested by the customer.

NTSB Most Wanted List For Transportation Safety

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In order to combat the high incidences of motor vehicle accidents the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has put together a “Most Wanted List” of transportation safety improvements and notable “Most Wanted” successes of last year. While most items are related to aviation, operator problems for truckers, and motor coaches, there are several issues that may affect the every day driver. Below is a list of problems the NTSB hopes to improve.

  • Child Occupant Protection:
    • Review existing laws and bring in legislation that would require children up to 8 years old to wear child restraints and use booster seats.
  • Enforcement of Seat Belt Laws:
    • Strengthening the law by allowing officers to ticket drivers for not wearing seat belts without having to observe another offense first.
    • Implementing fines and driver’s license penalty points.
  • Eliminate Distractions for Young Drivers:
    • Prohibit the use of interactive wireless communications devices by young novice drivers.
    • Restrict the number of teen passengers traveling with young novice drivers.
    • Enact graduated driver licensing legislation.
  • Reduce Drinking and Driving:
    • Frequent, statewide sobriety checkpoints.
    • More effective measures for first time arrests with high blood alcohol concentration and repeat offenders.
    • Zero blood alcohol requirement for those already convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI).
    • Administrative license revocation for refusing to take or failing an evidential test for alcohol.
    • Vehicle sanctions for DWI offenders to separate drinking from driving.
    • Elimination of plea-bargaining DWI offenses and programs that divert offenders and purge offense records.
    • DWI offense records retention for at least 10 years to identify repeat offenders.
    • Special sanction court-based programs such as DWI courts for hard core DWI offenders.
  • Improve Motorcycle Safety:
    • Require that all persons shall wear a Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218-compliant motorcycle helmet while driving or as a passenger on any motorcycle.

NHTSA Investigates Honda Unintended Acceleration

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reviewing a request for an investigation into unintended acceleration in Honda’s 2005 Accord hybrid. This request comes after a July 2005 crash that killed one and permanently injured another. The driver alleges that the vehicles brakes were ineffective and the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably.

Twenty two other similar complaints involving Honda Accord Hybrid and Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles were found in NHTSA’s database. In each incident, there were complaints of inadequate braking performance while driving over bumpy road surfaces.

The auto supplier, Indiana-based CTS Corp., is the supplier of Honda’s pedal assemblies and is the same company that supplies Toyota’s assemblies. Other customers include Ford and Nissan. CTS has pointed out that their units, while used by many different auto manufacturers, all have different designs and specifications.

Faulty Windshield Wiper Motor Urges Jeep Recall

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Chrysler is recalling almost 17,000 2008 Jeep Liberty Suv’s for a faulty windshield wiper motors. The motors have been improperly manufactured allowing moisture to enter and short it out. If this happens, the driver could experience reduced visibility which could lead to an accident. Owners can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403.

Camry Accident In Utah Questions Toyota Recall Fix

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A recent car accident in western Utah is making government official and safety advocate groups question the repairs done to Toyota vehicles recalled because of unintended acceleration. Two people were killed and two injured when a 2008 Toyota Camry sped out of control and crashed into a rock wall. The vehicle was believed to have experienced unintended acceleration even though the owner of the Camry was said to have had the vehicle repaired by Toyota for unintended acceleration.

Based on statements from witnesses and those that survived the crash inside the car, investigators are led to believe that the pedal was stuck, according to Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Todd Johnson. Tire skid marks showed that the Camry’s driver tried to stop the vehicle as it exited Interstate 80. The car ended up going through a stop sign at the bottom of the ramp and through an intersection before hitting the wall.

Engine Failure Recall For Nissan Sentra

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Nissan has announced that they will be recalling almost 14,000 2010-2011 Sentras for a problem that could lead to engine failure. The problem is being blamed on the positive terminal of the battery not making good contact with the battery cable. The problem could lead to the engine stalling, difficulty starting, and could cause damage to the engine control unit (ECU).

The vehicles recalled were built between May and July of 2010. Owners can contact Nissan at (800) 647-7261 for further information.

Buick And Cadillac Recalled For Engine Fires

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General Motors is recalling almost 14,000 2010-2011 Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS automobiles in the United States for a problem with the power steering. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there have not been any injuries related to the problem but there have been four reported fires.

After investigation, GM found that the starter and alternator cables were installed too close to the power steering conduit. The contact between the cables wore the conduit and wire insulation, resulting in an ignition source for the leaking steering fluid. The worn lines could also lead to a battery short.

Dealers will inspect and re-route harnesses in the recalled vehicles, as well as hold any unsold cars under the recall until the inspections and rectification can be made.

Tata Motors To Repair Nanos For Fire Hazard

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While Tata Motors insists that it is not a recall, they are asking owners of the world’s cheapest car, the Nano, to bring in their vehicles for a free upgrade in safety equipment. The upgrade is in response to reports of mysterious circumstances which led to six cars catching fire since the car was first introduced last year. Tata Motors Group CEO and managing director Carl-Peter Forster said, “The Nano car is a very reliable and safe vehicle. The company has undertaken a second check and found that the vehicle has a safe design. After a thorough investigation by a team of internal and international experts, it was found that the fire hazard problem was specific to the cars which had the incidents.”

The company has taken up several corrective measures. They will now offer a cover on the catalytic converter to prevent the car from catching fire, as well an add a fuse in the electrical system to prevent short circuits. For any Nano cars produced before January 2010, they will also be replacing the starter motor. The company will contact owners of the Nano and perform the upgrades free of charge.