Tag Archives: Automobile Safety

Subaru Windshield Oily Film Problems

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An oily substance on the windshields of Subaru vehicles is creating visibility problems for many Subaru drivers. The yellowish chemical haze has been reported as being so bad that driving the vehicle is made impossible especially in very bright or night time situations. Solutions offered by dealerships have been to clean the windshield, but the oily film is difficult to remove, and returns in a very short time.

Rumor is that there has been a technical service bulletin issued on the problem, but my searches have come up empty handed. Unofficially, the problem is being blamed on the material used in a rubber seal on the heater box. The material used is “off gassing” to excess causing the build up. The problem is expected to clear up after extended use, but some people with respiratory problems may experience health issues when breathing the fumes.

Another Subpoena For Toyota

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Toyota has been subpoenaed again by a grand jury, this time for documents related to steering relay rods. A probe was launched when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received documents 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. The subpoena, issued June 29, requests documents related to “defective, broken and/or fractured steering relay rods of Toyota vehicles,” Toyota said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In February, the same federal grand jury subpoenaed Toyota for information related to unintended acceleration in its vehicles as well as braking systems in the Prius hybrid. Toyota has also received subpoenas related to sudden acceleration from the SEC and the attorney general of Michigan. Toyota did not disclose which vehicles or model years were targeted by the latest subpoena.

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.

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.

GreenRoad Technologies Saves Companies Money

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Launched in 2003, The California-based GreenRoad Technologies Inc.®, provides a cost-effective service that helps reduce emissions, vehicle wear-and-tear and helps save lives. While billions have been invested in building safer and more fuel efficient vehicles and roads, virtually nothing was being done to address what contributes to wasted fuel and 90% of all crashes… driver behavior.

After four years of extensive testing in more than one million driver trips, GreenRoad’s comprehensive service is proven to be effective, especially in the commercial fleet industry. GreenRoad responds to unsafe and inefficient driving by enabling commercial fleets, insurers and consumers to measure, improve and sustain safe and fuel-efficient driving behavior. GreenRoad continuously measures and analyzes maneuvers which most impact safe driving, fuel efficiency and emissions and positively motivates drivers to change their behavior behind the wheel. Constant reinforcement in the form of a simple red-yellow-green display encourages them to maintain improvements. Fleet management and risk and safety professionals gain complete visibility into driving behavior and have easy-to-use tools they need to help drivers achieve safety and fuel-efficiency goals. Customizable, Web-based and e-mail reports provide individual trip detail, risk analysis and coaching to help drivers maintain improvements.

More than 70 industry-leading fleets in trucking, public transit, telecommunications, service delivery and public safety, have implemented the GreenRoad service and are realizing sustained improvements in the safety and fuel efficiency of their fleets.

Summertime Driving Safety

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The summer holidays are just about here and everyone is looking forward to vacations and summertime activities. Unfortunately this also means an increase in accidents and injuries. Inexperienced teen drivers will be spending more time on the roads, children out of school will be spending more time outdoors, there will be an increase in RV’s, bikes, and motorcycles on the roads, and in general, a greater hub of activity everywhere.

  • Safe driving practices are the best way to deal with increased traffic. Try to stay calm, drive at a safe speed and be courteous to other drivers. Speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic and not yielding the right-of-way can lead to collisions.
  • Make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up, and babies and young children are in car seats or booster seats. Proper use of seat belts and child car seats is the best way to reduce vehicle-related injuries and fatalities.
  • Summer also brings increased construction on roads and highways. Keep road workers safe by being prepared to stop and slow down in construction zones. Keep your gas tank full, in case you need to change your route or are caught in traffic along the way.
  • People driving RV’s and trailers are usually inexperienced with such a large load. Take extra precaution while driving these vehicles, and give them the room they need to maneuver. Don’t let items block your view of the road, make sure loads are securely tied down, and slow down.
  • Make sure your vehicle is in good running condition before your go. Always keep a roadside emergency kit and a first aid kit for emergencies.
  • Plan your route before you go. If you don’t have someone to read the map or GPS for you, pull over if you need to review your route. Distractions behind the wheel greatly increased your chance of an accident.
  • Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going and if you become tired, stop to rest and stretch your legs. It’s better to arrive late than not arriving at all.
  • Finally, Don’t Drink And Drive!

Nissan Recalls Sport Utility Vehicles

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Nissan has issued a recall for certain 2010 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles manufactured between February 22, 2010 to March 13, 2010. There is a potential for two problems affecting these vehicles.

  • The fasteners securing the passenger front air bag module may not be torqued to the proper specifications which could affect the deployment of the passenger front air bag.
  • The fasteners securing the steering shaft positioning bracket may not be torqued to the proper specifications which could result in the fasteners coming out of the steering column positioning bracket, resulting in poor handling of the vehicle.

Dealers will inspect the steering column and the passenger front air bag fasteners and any missing fasteners will be replaced and all loose fasteners will be re-tightened to the proper torque specifications free of charge.