Mercedes Benz has announced a recall for almost four thousand 2007-2009 E350 4Matic wagon vehicles manufactured between July 2006 to April 2009. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a manufacturing defect with the connecting rod for the load leveling rear suspension system could cause it to fail. If the rod fails, the driver could experience a loss of control of the vehicle. Owners wanting more information about the problem can Contact Mercedes Benz at 1-201-573-0350.
Tag Archives: Manufacturer defect
Defective Window Switch Investigation Expands
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is expanding an investigation into defective power window switches in some Toyota and GM vehicles. Both investigation began in February after vehicle owners reported intermittent power windows, the smell of smoke, and in rare occasions fires. If the investigation leads to a recall, approximately 1.4 million Toyota and 342,000 GM vehicles could be involved. The vehicles under investigation includes:
- 2007-2009 Toyota Camry
- 2007-2009 Toyota Yaris
- 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUVs
- 2006-2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUVs
The NHTSA said that it also will evaluate other GM vehicles with the same underpinnings. They include:
- Buick Rainier
- GMC Envoy
- Isuzu Ascender
- Saab 9-7X SUVs
Auto Rental Companies Question Recall Pledge
Three major car rental companies in the United States are refusing to pledge to not rent or sell vehicles with recalls on them, because the pledge does not make exceptions for minor recalls, such as updates to the user manual or door stickers. The companies say they support federal legislation to make rental vehicles safer and they have already pledged to not rent dangerous vehicles, but they feel exceptions should be made for minor recalls that don’t affect safety. Lawyers for the companies say that it is unreasonable to “ground” a vehicle for such minor recalls and a pledge to notify customers of the problem prior to renting them the vehicle should be enough.
The pledge was introduced by Senate chairman Barbara Boxer earlier this year in response to a 2004 rental vehicle accident that claimed the life of two sisters. Boxer says it is unreasonable to make exceptions because all it will do is create legal loopholes. She feel consumers should put pressure on the rental companies to support the pledge, and urges customers to avoid the companies that don’t comply until they make the commitment.
The problem of unfixed recalls continues to plague not only rental car companies, but is an issue with taxis, limousines, used car lots and privately owned vehicles as well.
Driveshaft Problems For Honda Civic
Honda has announced that they will be recalling approximately 50,000, 2012 Honda Civic subcompact sedans. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the process of setting the retaining clip on the driver’s side driveshaft may have not been completed and the driveshaft could separate. The driver may experience loss of power and the vehicle could roll away even though the transmission has been set to “park”. Honda will inspect the driver’s side driveshaft and replace it if necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Honda customer services at 1-800-999-1009.
Lincoln MKT Potential Wheel Separation
Ford has announced that they will be recalling certain 2013 Lincoln MKT cars used as hearse or limousine vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with rear brake rotor bolts that are not fully seated allowing the head to protrude above the wheel mounting surface. The raised bolt could lead to torque loss in the wheel joint which could lead to wheel separation. Most vehicles have been quarantined at the coach builder’s facility and will be repaired before delivery and notices were sent out on May 24, 2012 to owners already receiving delivery of their vehicles. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Ford Motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Consumers Fail To Respond To Recalls
After three recalls and multiple recall notices, owners of certain 1998-2003 Ford Windstar minivans continue to fail to bring in their vehicles to get their recalled rear axles replaced. The automaker had even offered to buy back the vehicles with cracked or perforated axles, but only 60% of the vans have been repaired. There has been substantial talk in the news lately about vehicles being rented and sold with unfixed recalls on them. Automobile manufacturers, rental companies, and car lots have all been working with the government to improve recall notification policies and to improve the recall process, but ultimately it is up to the consumer to take their vehicles in to their local dealerships for repairs. Recalls often seem insignificant to some consumers because of the constant bombardment of recall notices, also known as “recall fatigue”. Unfixed recalls not only affect the occupants of the vehicle, it can have dangerous repercussions to everyone on the road.
Kia Borrego Brake Problem
Kia is recalling certain 2009 Borrego vehicles equipped with non adjustable brake pedals. The recall report states that certain pedal mounts may have a fiberglass composition that allows them to break off in a collision. If the vehicle continues to roll after the impact, the driver would only have the parking brake to stop it. Kia will be notifying owners to take their vehicles to their dealerships to have the brake pedal mount replaced. For more information on the problem, contact the Kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
Chevy Malibu Airbag Software Problem
General Motors (GM) will be recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Malibu sedans because the airbags may deploy unexpectedly or fail to deploy at all. According to the recall report, the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) could reset itself after an event of hard breaking. If this occurs during an aggressive turning maneuver and then there is a rollover sensed, the roof rail airbags could deploy. The reset SDM could also impede the air bags and seat belt pretensioner from deploying during a severe crash. GM will be notifying customers starting in June, and dealers will reprogram the SDM to correct the problem. Owners wanting more information can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-263-3777 .
