NHTSA Warns Ford Owners on Older Recall Concerning 17.5 Million Vehicles

In an unusual announcement today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) voiced concerns that millions of Ford vehicles previously recalled for a faulty cruise control system may have not been repaired, despite FoMoCo's notification efforts.

The safety agency noted that Ford Motor Company "has been diligent in contacting owners of the affected vehicles, including sending re-notification letters to owners in many cases."

According to the feds, since 1999, approximately 17.5 million Ford vehicles have been involved in the recalls because of the faulty cruise control disconnect switch, which can overheat and burn, potentially causing a fire long after the engine has been turned off.

"As more of the affected vehicles enter the used car market, the agency is concerned that most used car buyers don't know whether the used vehicles they purchased were ever returned to dealers for the needed repairs," the NHTSA said in a statement.

The agency said it advising owners of the affected Ford models to watch for potential warning signs of an imminent fire, including: a cruise control system that can't be activated or stops working; brake lights that stop working; low brake fluid; ABS and brake warning lights that are illuminated on the dashboard; or the inability to get a vehicle out of park.

Concerned owners can visit Ford's dedicated recall page and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if their particular model has been recalled for the problem and if the repair has been made.

Here's the complete list of affected vehicles with the defective cruise control system:

• 1992-2003 E Series (all including Econolines)
  
• 1992-1998 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car
  
• 1993-2003 F Series (150-550)
  
• 2003-2004 Lightning
  
• 2002-2003 Blackwood
  
• 1993-1997 F Series (>8500GVW Diesel)
  
• 1999-2003 F Series (>8500GVW Diesel)
  
• 1993-1995 Taurus SHO
  
• 1993-1998 Mark VIII
  
• 1993-1996 Bronco
  
• 1994-2002 F53 Motorhome
  
• 1994 Mercury Capri
  
• 1995-2003 Ranger
  
• 1995-2002 Explorer
  
• 2001-2002 Explorer Sport & Sport Trac
  
• 1995-2002 Mountaineer
  
• 1995-2003 Windstar
  
• 1997-2002 Expedition
  
• 1998-2002 Navigator
  
• 1998-2002 Mazda-B-Series
  
• 2000-2003 Excursion

Chrysler and Dodge to Recall More than 26,000 Vehicles in the U.S.

A new recall announced by the Chrysler Group will affect 26,397 owners of Chrysler and Dodge brand vehicles in the USA. The recall includes certain 2010MY Chrysler 300 and Sebring, and Dodge Charger, Avenger, Challenger and Journey, and some 2011MY Ram pickup trucks, because a power steering pressure hose may leak fluid onto a hot engine and cause a fire.

The U.S. automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin before the end of the October 2010.

Owners may contact Chrysler for more information regarding the recall at 1-800-853-1403.

According to reports, 13,000 vehicles are also being recalled outside the U.S. for the same problem.

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New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

According to the company, there's a possibility that a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

"If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline," said the automaker.

Toyota said it will begin notifying owners of the involved vehicles through mail beginning in early November 2010. As with all recalls, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed free of charge.

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Suzuki May Recall up to 280,000 Swifts and Three other Models Worldwide

Own a [previous generation] Suzuki Swift supermini produced between May 2007 and September 2009? If so, there's a good chance you'll need to visit your local dealer in the coming weeks as the Japanese automaker said it will recall 90,617 units of the Swift and three other models in Japan, with another 192,000 cars sold abroad also possibly subject to the recall.

Suzuki said the recall is due to problems with the cars' exterior mirrors as over time, strong vibrations could cause screws to loosen and possibly result in the mirrors falling off.

In a filing with Japan's transport ministry, Suzuki said it has received 77 complaints on the matter but no accidents have been reported.

Source: Reuters

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Cadillac Recalling 2010MY SRX Crossover to Fix Power Steering Line

General Motors said on Thursday it is issuing a voluntary safety recall of 3,996 Cadillac SRX crossovers from the 2010 model year due to a possible damage to the power steering line. According to the company, if the line is damaged, power steering fluid could leak and make its way onto hot engine parts resulting in a fire. GM said it is aware of one such fire in an unattended SRX related to this condition.

"Based on GM analysis, the issue is believed to exist in only two or three of the recalled vehicles," the company said in a statement.

The affected vehicles were built in December 2009, with 3,460 of those sold in the United States, while 341 were exported to China.

The Detroit automaker said it will notify owners of the recalled SRX models and schedule an appointment for inspection with any necessary repairs to be performed free of charge.

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Aston Martin Recalling over 1,000 U.S. Vehicles Over Safety Concerns

British sportscar maker Aston Martin has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety recall 1,090 DB9, V8 Vantage and DBS vehicles built between 2007 and 2008.

In a letter sent by Aston Martin to the NHTSA, the British carmaker reported that the camber bolt that holds the front bottom suspension arm was not made to specification and "could crank along its shank" (shaft).

According to the company, this would allow the lower control arm to move freely, affecting the driver's ability to steer, and thus increasing the risk of a crash. The letter went on to say that drivers may hear a metallic rattling sound if the lower control arm had loosened in such a fashion.

An Aston Martin spokesperson told Bloomberg news that the defect was detected through company testing, not through any customer complaints. He went on to say that the driver would still be able to steer, but may notice 'looser handling'.

To rectify the defect, dealers will replace the affected camber bolts free of charge. Aston Martin has notified the NHTSA that the safety recall will begin on or before October 18th of this year.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: NHTSA / Bloomberg

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Tesla Recalls 439 Roadsters Over Potential Fire Hazard

Tesla Motors has initiated a voluntary safety recall on its battery-electric Roadster 2.0 and 2.5 models following the discovery of a potential fire hazard involving an auxiliary power cable.

The California-based automaker said it became aware of the problem after a single incident where an auxiliary cable "chafed against the edge of a carbon fiber panel in the vehicle causing a short, smoke and possible fire behind the right front headlamp of the vehicle."

The affected 12 volt auxiliary cable is located in the passenger wheel well behind the right headlight. It is part of a backup system that provides power to systems including the front and rear lights, turn signals and airbags in the event the primary 12 volt power system fails or drops below a certain threshold.

Tesla said it has assured owners of the 439 affected Roadsters that it is merely a precautionary measure and does not affect the main battery pack or power systems in any way. It also does not affect Roadster 1.5 models (vehicles with a VIN ending in 500 or before), as these vehicles do not have the 12 volt auxiliary cable installed.

Owners of the affected models are being notified by email and post, and can make an appointment for Tesla service staff to inspect the cable and install a protective sleeve to prevent any further incidents. This can be done at the owner's home or place of work and takes approximately one hour. The appropriate regulatory agencies have also been notified.

By Tristan Hankins

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NHTSA Investigates '04-'05 MINI Cooper Over Power Steering Issue

After having received 54 complaints from owners of the 2004-2005MY Mini Cooper over an alleged loss of power steering, the National National Highway Traffic Safety Administration decided to take action and open a preliminary investigation into the matter.

Here's what the safety agency said on its website:

"The Office of Defect Investigations has received 54 complaints and a confidential number of field reports alleging an unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving the vehicle. When the power steering assist stops working it requires increased force to steer the vehicle. Some drivers reported experiencing difficulty while trying to steer or control the vehicle. The reports indicate that the loss of power steering assist may be related to a power steering pump failure."

If the government agency's investigation reveals there is indeed a problem with the power steering, then up to 80,000 2004 and 2005 model year Mini Coopers may be affected.

We'll follow up the story and keep you posted as soon as we learn more.

Hyundai to Recall Nearly 140,000 2011MY Sonata Sedans

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Hyundai is recalling certain 2011MY Sonata sedans over a potential issue with the steering system that could result in a total loss or reduction in steering capability. The recall affects all Sonatas manufactured from December 11, 2009, through September 10, 2010.

Here's how the government safety agency describes the problem with the Sonata's steering system:

"On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened. Improper assembly or insufficient tightening of the connections could result in a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash."

Hyundai said dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque, adding that the company will also update the power steering software free of charge.

The safety recall for the 2011 Sonata is expected to start in early October 2010. For more information, owners may contact Hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.