Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Ferrari recalling 200 cars worldwide

Ferrari is recalling certain 458 Italia and California models around the world due to a problem with the crankshaft. Roughly 13,000 examples of these cars are currently roaming the streets, and 206 are affected by this problem.

According to Autocar, the recall has been issued due to an incorrect finish on the vehicles' crankshafts. The British magazine states that the problem "causes unwanted vibrations which can damage the engine if it is not changed."

"We are writing to all clients affected now, asking them to return the car to a dealer for the work to be done," a Ferrari spokesperson told Autocar.

In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to issue a formal recall notice about the affected vehicles.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/f...ars-worldwide/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Feds investigating 2012 Hyundai Elantra after airbag separates driver from his ear

Safety features like airbags are supposed to keep us safe in the event of a collision. But one driver allegedly met with a nasty surprise when an airbag in his car reportedly sliced his ear in half.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the incident occurred on April 7 when an unnamed owner of a 2012 Hyundai Elantra was in a crash. Apparently the side curtain airbag on the driver's side rapidly inflated (like it's supposed to) but took with it a metal bracket (which it's not). The result was a severe laceration to the driver's ear in an automotive reenactment of Holyfield-Tyson II.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is apparently looking into the event, but has yet to issue a recall. Hyundai for its part insists the incident was isolated, and that it has not received reports of anything similar happening to any other drivers.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/f...g-separates-d/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Acura recalling over 52,000 TL sedans over power steering hose

Acura is recalling 52,615 TL sedans from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The problem: a faulty power steering hose that could, over time, deteriorate and develop a fluid leak.

According to the automaker's official statement, a leaky power steering hose "could lead to loss of power steering assistance or, if it leaks onto a catalytic converter it may result in smoke, or in the worst case, fire." Acura states that no crashes, injuries or fires have been reported because of this issue.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/a...steering-hose/

adamls2

Lexus announced a recall for 2013 Lexus GS350 F-Sport models due to a problem with the variable gear ratio steering electronic control unit. The good thing is that they are only recalling 650 cars.
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...s-gs-350f.html

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

^glad to see they are on top of things... as they should be.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

yes, if the steering wheel is turned and left that way for a bit, the wheel was getting stuck in that position lol

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Jeep recalls nearly 68,000 Wrangler models over... skid plate fires?

Chrysler is recalling 67,872 Jeep Wrangler models over a potential issue with the transmission skid plate. The recall deals solely with Wranglers from the 2010 model year, equipped with automatic transmissions. It's been found that debris can collect on the skid plate that protects the transmission, leading to the risk of a fire if the debris makes contact with the nearby catalytic converter.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/j...skid-plate-fi/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

NHTSA launches inquiry into Fisker Karma garage fire

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a formal field inquiry into the garage fire that may or may not have been started by a Fisker Karma sedan, Bloomberg reports. The conflagration, which destroyed the Karma, the garage and a few nearby vehicles, took place on May 3 in Sugarland, Texas.

Claude Harris, NHTSA's director of vehicle safety compliance, said that the investigation is "ongoing," adding that "no determination has been made at this time." Until an official cause is isolated, we're betting there will be a good bit of he-said, she-said finger pointing in all directions...

It's worth noting that NHTSA has also been actively investigating the safety of battery packs used in the Chevrolet Volt after reports of fires in the wild and after NHTSA's own crash testing procedures.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/n...a-garage-fire/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Lexus has announced a voluntary recall of roughly 650 2013 GS 350 F Sport models over a potential issue with one of the electronic control units.

When the vehicle is parked with the steering wheel turned, the calibration of the ECU for the Variable Gear Ratio Steering can cause the steering wheel to "become off-centered" if the car is immediately restarted.

Lexus will be notifying owners in early June, at which time they can take their cars to the dealer to have the ECU recalibrated free of charge.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/t...er-faulty-ecu/

memasterac

Another source HERE

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears

General Motors has announced the automaker is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Malibu models for a potential sensor failure. Under hard braking, the vehicle's sensing and diagnostic module may reset itself, and if that occurs just before an abrupt turn, the vehicle could trick itself into sensing a rollover. In that event, the roof rail airbag could deploy outside of a crash situation. What's more, the seat belt pretensioners could then fail during a severe crash. Needless to say, it could be a dangerous situation.

The recall covers a total of 4,304 units manufactured between October 24, 2011 and March 31, 2012.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/c...ag-deployment/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

NHTSA broadening Chevy Cruze fire probe to 370,000 sedans

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has expanded its investigation into Chevrolet Cruze engine fires to two model years.

In April, NHTSA began investigating two complaints concerning fires erupting in 2011 Cruze engine compartments. Now, Reuters is reporting that the government agency has added 2012 Cruze models to the list, upping the number of total vehicles from 177,000 to 370,000.

General Motors told Reuters it has cooperated with investigators and there have been no reported injuries or accidents related to the probe.

According to a pair of complaints filed on NHTSA's website, two Cruze sedans were on the the open road when smoke began streaming out from under the hood. A few minutes later, the cars were ravaged by fire.

"In two minutes, the car was fully engulfed and flames were 15-feet high," one complaint said. "GM needs to find out and correct this problem before someone get [sic] seriously hurt."

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/n...70-000-sedans/

Hoovey689

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Kia recalls nearly 73,000 Rio models over airbag issue

Due to a potentially faulty sensor mat, Kia is voluntarily recalling Kia Rio models from the 2006 to 2008 model years. The sensor in the passenger's seat is susceptible to cracking from fatigue. If that happens, it may not be able to detect whether a child is in the seat, nor will it be able to adjust the airbag deployment settings so as not to deploy if there is a child present.

Kia says there are around 73,000 units affected, and the Korean automaker will begin notifying owners in July.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/05/k...-airbag-issue/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2009 Kia Borrego recalled over brake pedal issue

Kia is warning owners of its 2009 Borrego (all 21,912 of them) that the SUV's brake pedal mounts could present a problem.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall action, the mounts are made of a "fiberglass composition" that could fracture in an accident. This could render the brakes unusable and require the driver to use the emergency brake or, in the wise words of the NHTSA, "experience a possible second impact."

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/06/2...e-pedal-issue/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

NHTSA opens safety investigations into Toyota, GM and Honda crossovers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is evidently keeping itself very busy these days, as the federal agency has just announced it is launching or renewing investigations into Toyota, Honda and General Motors crossovers.

2006-2008 model year Toyota RAV4 crossovers are under review for allegations of rear tie-rod rust which can result in failure. NHTSA also said it is probing some 35 complaints about 2005 Honda Pilot models with inappropriate activation of the vehicles' stability control system. The alleged malfunction can cause the vehicles to slow down or stop in bad unsafe situations. At the moment, NHTSA is reviewing a petition regarding the Pilot issue, a move that will determine whether it needs to open a full-blown investigation.

In addition, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia three-row crossovers built in 2007-2009 are getting looked at for "loss of low beam headlamp" function. One complainant said the wiring in his Outlook overheated and melted. NHTSA says it has received 415 complaints about the problem and a GM spokesman confirmed that the automaker already started a "Customer Satisfaction Program" in December to address the issue.

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons tells the The Detroit News, "We will fully cooperate with its [NHTSA] investigation." At least four of the complaints about the RAV4 claimed the tie rod failed at speeds above 35 mph, resulting in a loss of control. The NHTSA investigation summary states, "Pictures provided by some complainants show the wheel adjacent to the failed component severely out of wheel alignment with respect to toe and camber."

No word on the timeframe for these investigations before it can be determined whether or not a recall is warranted.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/08/n...nd-honda-cros/