Safety advocates encouraging a recall of certain 2002-2004 Ford Escape vehicles are also asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to include the 2002-2004 Mazda Tribute in their investigation. According to the group, both sport utility vehicles (SUV) are similar vehicles built on the same assembly line. In 2004 Ford and Mazda issued identical recalls for unintended acceleration caused by an accelerator cable that may not return to the idle position. Ford later issued a technical service bulletin that warned dealers that an improper repair could lead to an adjacent cruise control cable being damaged and snagging on the engine cover causing unintended acceleration. The Center for Auto Safety say that because the vehicles are so similar and there is no way of knowing whether the recalls were carried out correctly, Ford and Mazda should issue a recall to ensure the safety of the vehicles.
Tag Archives: Manufacturer defect
Ford Escape Investigated
The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is encouraging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open an investigation into certain 2002-2004 Ford Escape vehicles that could be susceptible to unintended acceleration after being repaired for another recall. According to the consumer safety group, the original recall involved accelerator cables snagging on the accelerator pedals, preventing the engine from returning to idle. The group says that almost a year later, Ford issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) which cautioned dealers to take extra care when correcting the recall because the adjacent cruise control cable could be damaged in the process. The damage could allow the cable to snag on a ridge in the engine cover causing unintended acceleration. There have been over 130 complaints from owners claiming they experienced sudden acceleration before and after the original recall was performed. The recall petition also mentions a case in Payson, Ariz., where a 17 year old died in a crash that was blamed on a snagged cruise control cable. According to Ford, they are currently working with the NHTSA to investigate the problem.
Chevrolet Problems
Every automobile manufacturer is subject to repeated problems related to the safety, value, or use of their vehicles, and Chevrolet is no exception. There have been over 16,000 complaints on file for Chevy vehicles, with the Impala, Malibu, Silverado, Trailblazer, Cavalier, Equinox and Cobalt topping the list. Some of these problem are as simple as updates to the owners manual, but many of them can seriously affect the safety of the vehicle, putting the vehicle occupants and others on the road in danger.
In order to protect consumers against defective vehicles, the federal government enacted the Magnusson Moss Act. Every state has their own version of the lemon laws, and California is no exception. California’s Lemon Laws were enacted in 1970 and were founded in the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. The law states that if a manufacturer cannot fix a defective car, truck, boat, RV, motor home, or motorcycle after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the vehicle must be replaced or refunded. Generally, the manufacturer is responsible to re-purchase or replace the defective vehicle.
If you live in California and think that your vehicle could be a lemon, contact the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates at 1.888.395.3666 or go to LemonLawSpecialists.com for a free consultation. You have nothing to loose but your lemon.
BMW Power Steering Problem
BMW is recalling certain 2011 1-Series Active E an 2012 Z4 vehicle because drivers could experience sudden loss of power steering assist. Variations in electrical currents occurring within the power steering assist system could lead to sudden loss of power steering increasing the effort needed to maneuver the vehicle. Difficulty in steering could increase the chance of the driver getting into an accident. BMW will be notifying owners starting in July and will replace the steering assistance module free of charge. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417.
Chevy Captiva Park Brake Could Disengage
General Motors (GM) have announced a recall for certain 2012 Chevrolet Captiva sport passenger vehicles because they may fail to conform to the park brake performance requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standards. According to the recall report, the park brake cable may not be fully seated and could separate from its connector. The park brake could become inoperative and the vehicle could roll away unexpectedly. Dealers will inspect and secured the cable as necessary. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
Audi Sunroof Could Shatter
Volkswagen is recalling certain 2012 Audi Q5 vehicles because the sunroof was installed with a glass that could shatter in extremely cold weather conditions. If the sunroof breaks while the vehicle is being driven, the occupants could be injured by falling glass, increasing the chance of an accident. Volkswagen will be notifying owners of the problem starting in August, and will replace the sunroof glass free of charge. For more information on the defect, owners can contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
BMW Steering Problem
BMW has announced a recall for certain X5 and X6 crossover vehicles because of a machining error of the steering gear surface. The problem could lead to power steering leaks that could spray onto hot exhaust parts increasing the risk of an engine fire. BMW will begin notifying owners of the recall starting in July, and will inspect and replace the steering gear as necessary. The vehicles included in the recall includes:
Owners wanting more information about the defect can contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Chevrolet Cruze Fire Risk
General Motors (GM) has announced two recalls for certain 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles, both of which could result in fire, possibly causing injury or death to the vehicle occupants.
- The first defect involves fuel tank strap attachment welds which may have been omitted during manufacturing. In an accident the tank could come loose resulting in a fuel spill that could ignite in the presence of an ignition source. GM will inspect the vehicles for missing welds and will secure the tank bracket attachment with fasteners as necessary.
- The second problem involves the engine shield belly pan. Spilled or dripping oil could accumulate in the shield, and the hot engine or exhaust system surfaces could cause it to ignite. Dealers will modify the shield to prevent the fluid build up and will apply a protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness to vehicles with manual transmissions.
Owners wanting more information about the problems can contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.
