Recall Alert: Airbag Problem Affects Millions of Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda Vehicles

Four Japanese automakers — Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda — have announced a voluntary recall of 3 million vehicles worldwide because of possibly faulty airbags; more than a million of those vehicles are in the U.S.

According to the automakers, the problem lies in the front-passenger airbag inflator, which in affected vehicles could deploy with too much pressure due to improperly manufactured propellant wafers, causing the inflator casing to rupture. This could result in injuries to passengers, though none have been reported. The airbags were manufactured by Japan's Takata Corp., a major world supplier of airbags.

According to Toyota, affected vehicles in the U.S. include 510,000 Toyota Corolla compact sedans, Matrix compact hatchbacks, Sequoia SUVs and Tundra pickup trucks, as well as Lexus SC 430 sport coupes, all manufactured between 2001 and 2003. According to news reports, Toyota is recalling 1.7 million vehicles worldwide.

Toyota said it will notify owners by mail. Dealers will inspect the front-passenger airbag; if it is equipped with an affected inflator, the inflator will be replaced with a new one for free. Toyota owners can go to www.toyota.com/recall or call Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331; Lexus owners can go to www.lexus.com/recall or call Lexus customer service at 800-255-3987.

2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid at the 2013 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Acura MDX, Buick Enclave, Volvo XC90
• Looks like: An Infiniti JX35
• Drivetrain: Supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and lithium-ion battery pack paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2013

The Infiniti QX60 name may not sound familiar, but the crossover that bears it should jog your memory. It's the new-for-2013 JX35. For 2014, not only does the seven-passenger vehicle get the QX name change, but a hybrid model is joining the roster.

At the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer told Cars.com that every new Infiniti will offer a hybrid variant. The Q50 hybrid (formerly the G37) debuted at the show; up next is the QX60 — Infiniti's first hybrid crossover.

Car Talk: What's the Ugliest Car?

Just as a person's beauty is only skin deep, a car's is in the eye of the pink-slip holder. Still, there's just no denying that some have a face only an owner could love. Tom and Ray Magliozzi, the hosts of NPR's "Car Talk" radio show, solicited input online to determine the ugliest automobile currently in production.

Based on the nominations received, the field was narrowed to 10: Chevrolet Spark, Fiat Multipla, Infiniti QX56, Kia Soul, Lincoln MKT, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Cube, Nissan Juke (photo above), Toyota Prius v and the Smart ForTwo. At last check, the Multipla was trouncing the uncomely competition with nearly 39% of the vote. Its nearest opponent is the Juke with nearly 26%; the balance of the nominees' vote tallies were in the single digits.

Is the Multipla being unfairly maligned in the face of an uglier opponent? Or perhaps you wish to contribute to the pile-on? Click here to cast your vote.

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Top 10 Ugly Cars

2014 Infiniti Q50 Video

Notwithstanding Infiniti's questionable new Q-for-cars, QX-for-SUVs naming convention, the 2014 Q50 appears to be an overall improvement on the outgoing G37 sedan it replaces. Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays looked at the Q50's hybrid version this week at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, concluding that its "surprising utility complements a strong pedigree."

More 2013 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

The new Q50 is lower, longer and wider than its predecessor, with body-style updates that add improved interior volume to decent backseat legroom and trunk space (even in the hybrid). Features like the double-arched grille in front and rear-end style suggest classic Infiniti; meanwhile, a 3.5-liter V-6 paired with an electric motor, direct-adaptive steering system and stylish, samurai-influenced interior trim show change is also embraced.

Check out the video below.

Infiniti to Rename Entire Lineup Q or QX

Infiniti, one of the last luxury holdouts to have model numbers that actually indicate engine size — as opposed to BMW, Mercedes and Lexus — will rename its entire lineup using Q or QX monikers starting with the 2014 model year.

Luxury brands like Volvo, Audi and Lincoln have similar conventions; Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen headed up Audi of America until last spring. Citing the need for "a new identity and direction to promote consumer familiarity with our model range as we expand the portfolio," he laid out plans to begin the shift "in logical stages" starting with the 2014 model year.

Among Infiniti's SUVs, the EX35 becomes the QX50, the JX35 will be the QX60, the FX35/50 will be the QX70 and the QX56 will be the QX80.

Among the brand's cars, the G25/37 sedan becomes the Q50, which debuts in redesigned form at next month's Detroit auto show. It’s essentially the next G with a new name. The G37 coupe and convertible become the Q60, and the M37/56 becomes the Q70.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2012 Infiniti QX56

The luxurious three-row 2012 Infiniti QX56 can easily handle larger families with its seating for up to eight passengers, according to Cars.com Family contributor Courtney Messenbaugh. Its 400-horsepower V-8 engine can tackle mountain passes, but you'll pay for all that power at the gas pump. The QX gets a paltry 14/20 mpg city/highway, and it cost Courtney $100 to fill the gas tank. Ouch.

2012 Infiniti QX56

2012 Infiniti QX56: Car Seat Check

With its V-8 engine, the 2012 Infiniti QX56 has plenty of power to haul a larger family in style. The QX, which was redesigned last year, can seat up to eight passengers in its three rows of seats, but our test car had seating for seven, with captain's chairs in the second row and a three-seat bench in the third.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

Recall Alert: 2011-2012 Infiniti M, QX and Nissan Juke

Nissan is recalling 79,275 model-year 2011 and 2012 versions of the Juke small crossover, Infiniti M sedan and Infiniti QX56 SUV due to a problem with the fuel pressure sensor, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, the sensor may not have been tightened correctly; it could come loose and cause a fuel leak. This may lead to a possible fire and an increased risk of injury.

Nissan will notify owners starting March 19, and dealers will replace the affected fuel pressure sensors free of charge. Owners can call Nissan at 615-725-1000 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Infiniti QX56

Large SUVs might not make the most ideal family vehicles, but the 2012 Infiniti QX56 is an exception, according to Cars.com Senior Family Editor Kristin Varela. The mammoth QX56 manages to be both a nimble handler in parking lots, thanks to its cadre of cameras and sensors, and a comfortable commuter for the driver and kids in tow with its wide range of available luxury features.

2012 Infiniti QX56 Review

2013 Lexus LX Chases Infiniti QX For Luxury-Loving Families

Infiniti has nearly perfected the highly scientific and closely guarded formula required to produce a luxurious family hauler with inspiring performance. The automaker has set the bar high with the QX56 in that regard, with the exception of its design, which is a bit ... unique. Its works, though. In 2011, the QX56 outsold its main rival, the Lexus LX 570, 13,428 units to 3,167.

Now Lexus is trying to catch up with a refreshed 2013 LX 570.

More 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

While I haven't had the opportunity to drive the new LX 570 with my family in tow, initial reports look promising. With many features similar to my favorites in the QX, such as a wide-view front and side camera feature allowing you to see what's in front of your bumper while moving at up to 7.5 mph, the 2013 LX 570 could be a contender, or maybe even a leader, in the uber-lux large SUV segment.