Tag Archives: Automobile Safety

Two Recalls For Mercedes Benz

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A recent recall on Mercedes Benz G-Class sport utility and G55 AMG model vehicles may give some off roader enthusiasts second thoughts about complying. About 2,000 2002-2009 G55 AMG models are violation federal lighting standard because of a grill guard designed to protect the headlamps while driving off road as well as about 3,500 G-class models from 2002-2010 have grills that cover the front turn signals. The fix for the recall is to remove the grills from in front of the headlamps and an improved reflector installed for the signal lights.

Mercedes will send owners notices of the recall, but neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or Mercedes can force owners who like the extra protection to carry out the fix.

Honda Recalls Vehicles In North America

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On Monday, Honda Motor Co. announced that they would be recalling more than 428,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the vehicles may roll away if parked incorrectly. The vehicles involved in this recall are 2003 and 2004 Accord, Civic, Element and some Acura 1.7 ELs.

The problem is with the ignition interlock lever, the device that stops the ignition key from being removed, when the vehicle is not in park. If the part fails, it is possible that the driver may think the car is in park when it is not.

The safety recall started with an inquiry from U.S. safety regulators in September 2008. By 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration upgraded its inquiry of the potential defect for the 2002 model year Accord. In early July, Honda and NHTSA representatives met to discuss the situation and on July 29 Honda determined that it had a safety defect with the ignition switch that demanded a recall.

New Design For Gas And Brake Pedal

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Masuyuki Naruse, a Japanese inventor in southwest Japan, says he has revolutionized the brake and accelerator pedals of automobiles, to make it safer for drivers. Naruse says the side by side pedal arrangement that exists today, makes it easy for drivers to mistakenly floor the accelerator, instead of brakes, when under stressful situations. His solution? A single pedal that accelerates the vehicle when pressed with the side of the foot, and brakes when the pedal is pushed down. Mr. Naruse’s pedal has been around for two decades, but until recently, his design has not been takes seriously. About 130 cars are equipped with Mr. Naruse’s pedal, mostly owned by friends and acquaintances. He holds patents for the Naruse Pedal in Japan, the United States and six other countries.

Ririko Takeuchi, a Tokyo-based spokeswoman for Toyota, said the company could not comment on Mr. Naruse’s pedal design. But she said Toyota “listens to ideas received from the public, because we believe there’s always room for improvement.”

Vehicle Weights and Vehicle Overload

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Overloading can significantly impair the stability of a vehicle. Not only is it dangerous, but the extra weight causes excessive wear to your automobile and the roads it drives upon. In addition, overloaded vehicles are illegal, and can affect your safety and insurance coverage.

It is not difficult for a weights and standards officer to determine if a vehicle is overweight. If a vehicle is sitting low or crooked, the tires look strained or flat, or even if it seems excessively packed, the officer can stop you and weigh the vehicle using portable scales under each axle. If the weight exceeds the gross vehicle weight (GVW), a ticket will be issued, and you may be prevented from carrying on with your trip until the problem is corrected.

So how do you know what the weight capacity of your vehicle is? A vehicle specific certification/tire label is usually indicated on your DMV registration and also attached to the rear edge of the driver’s door. The label will show the ‘Gross Vehicle Weight Rating’ (GVWR), which includes the weight of the vehicle, occupants, fuel, and cargo. This label will also tell you the maximum weights for the front and rear axles. Other weight information that is good to know when loading a vehicle is the ‘Curb Weight’. This is the actual weight of the vehicle with standard equipment and all necessary operating fluids, including a full gas tank. It does not include passengers or cargo. You should be able to find this in your owners manual, or online auto sources. Keep in mind that the weights include ‘standard equipment’ only and weight for additional equipment should be added.

Remember, the loading of the vehicle is the driver’s responsibility. Ensuring that tire pressure, load distribution, and total weight of the vehicle is within specifications will help to make your trip safe and trouble free.

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.”

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.