Recall Alert: 2008-09 Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution

Mitsubishi is recalling 29,353 Lancers and Lancer Evolutions from the 2008-09 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration.

In areas where road salt is used in the winter, long-term exposure to a mixture of melted snow and salt may cause it to adhere to the car’s front-impact sensors. This recall affects vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

This water-salt coating may cause corrosion on the sensor. In a crash that would deploy the airbags, this type of short circuit may cause a delay in the airbag deployment, which would result in injuries to the driver or passenger.  

Dealers will install new front-airbag sensors that have improved corrosion resistance for free. This recall is expected to begin by Nov. 27.

For more information, owners can call Mitsubishi at 714-372-6000 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2007 Dodge Nitro

Chrysler is recalling 84,680 Dodge Nitros from the 2007 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

High usage of the windshield wiper system’s delay mode may affect the primary wiper function and render the wiper system inoperable. In inclement weather, this problem would impair visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect and add external relays as well as update the totally integrated power module software to control the wiper functions.

For more information, owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2007|Dodge|Nitro

Recall Alert: 2007-08 Jeep Wrangler

Chrysler has issued a recall for 161,450 Jeep Wranglers from the 2007-08 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles affected by the recall were manufactured from June 2006-July 2008 and are equipped with an automatic transmission.

These vehicles weren’t equipped with a transmission fluid temperature warning system. Without this system, transmission fluid could boil over and come into contact with a hot engine or exhaust component, which could cause a fire.

Dealers will inspect and install a “hot oil” message in the instrument cluster and a chime indicating an elevated transmission fluid condition. This recall is expected to begin in December.

For more information, owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2007|Jeep|Wrangler

2008|Jeep|Wrangler

Recall Alert: 2010 Jaguar XF

Jaguar has issued a recall for 2,131 XF models from the 2010 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is due to the fuel transfer pipe in the fuel tank, which may become kinked. This would prevent fuel from flowing from one side of the fuel tank to the fuel pump, causing “fuel starvation” at low fuel levels. This can cause the engine to stall without warning and possibly cause an accident.

Dealers will repair the fuel tank assembly for free. Owners may contact Jaguar at 800-452-4827 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2010|Jaguar|XF

Recall Alert: 2009 Nissan Sentra

Nissan has issued a recall for 10,586 Sentra models from the 2009 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects those models equipped with Bosch master cylinders, which may leak brake fluid. If enough fluid leaks, the brake system warning indicator will light up because the brakes aren’t functioning properly. If one of the brake circuits fails, it will increase the vehicle’s stopping distance and the risk of a crash. No matter the car you drive, if a warning light goes on you should take it to be serviced immediately.

Dealers will inspect and replace the master cylinder brake booster assembly for free. Owners may contact Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2009|Nissan|Sentra

Recall Alert: 39,600 Mazda B Series Trucks

Mazda has issued a recall for 39,600 Mazda B Series pickup trucks from the 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The only pickups being recalled are those equipped with the Texas Instruments speed-control deactivation switch and/or antilock brake system manufactured before Dec. 5, 2002. Part of the cruise control deactivation switch may corrode over time, possibly leaking. This could lead the switch to overheat, which may start a fire under the hood. This could happen even if the engine is not running.

Mazda dealers will install a universal fused jumper harness on the deactivation switch for free. Owners may contact Mazda at 800-222-5500 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2003|Mazda|B Series

Recall Alert: 52,937 GM Compact Cars

GM has issued a recall for 52,937 vehicles, including the 2006-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2007 Pontiac G5 and 2006-2007 Saturn Ion, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is for vehicles sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas and is due to a plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly that could crack. If either of these components cracks then fuel will leak, which could cause a fire if it ignites. The fuel leak may be visible depending on the size of the crack.

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module for free. Even if you do not own a vehicle sold or registered in the aforementioned states, check with your dealer all the same. Some vehicles from the same timeframe in other states may be eligible for special warranty coverage.

Owners may contact Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, Saturn at 800-972-8876 and Pontiac at 800-620-7668 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2007|Chevrolet|Cobalt

2007|Pontiac|G5

2010|Saturn|Ion

Recall Alert: 12,674 Chrysler, Dodge Cars

Chrysler has issued a recall for 12,674 vehicles, including the 2009-2010 Chrysler 300, 2009-2010 Dodge Challenger, 2009-2010 Dodge Charger, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These vehicles may have been built without a front-wheel spindle nut.

The spindle nut is a rather large and obviously important part of the wheel assembly that keeps the wheel attached to the axle. Without one, it’s possible that the tire and wheel could separate while driving, endangering the vehicle and others on the road. Chrysler made the determination after a new supplier, SMW Automotive, began supplying the front corner modules for the 2010 model year, according to the automaker. The previous supplier went bankrupt. Less than a hundred 2009 models are included in the recall. Affected models were built between Aug. 4 and Sept. 28, 2009.

Dealers will inspect the tire; if there is no spindle nut, they will make the repair free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2010|Chrysler|300

2010|Dodge|Charger

2010|Dodge|Challenger

Recall Alert: 2008-2009 Nissan Rogue

Nissan has issued a recall for 163,659 Rogue vehicles from the 2008-2009 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall is due to a screw in the steering gear housing cover that could loosen over time and fall out.

If the screw falls out, the steering response may be compromised and affect the driver’s ability to steer. A loss of steering control could lead to an accident.

Dealers will inspect the screw on the steering gear housing cover and tighten or replace it if necessary. They may also install a cover plate to prevent the screw from coming out. Both fixes are free. Owners may contact Nissan dealers at 800-647-7261 or the NHTSA hotline at 888-327-4236.

2009|Nissan|Rogue

Ford Recalling 4.5 Million Vehicles

The Detroit News is reporting that Ford will recall 4.5 million vehicles over a faulty cruise control deactivation switch. It is the same defect that was at the heart of previous recalls now totaling 14 million vehicles. There have been more than 1,500 complaints and at least 550 vehicles fires due to the faulty part. 

The new recall includes these vehicles:

• 1995-2003 Ford Windstar 
• 2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesel
• 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty diesel
• 1992-2003 Ford Econoline
• 1995-2002 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
• 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Ranger
• 1994 Ford F53 Motorhome vehicles equipped with the Texas Instruments speed control deactivation. 

This has been a black cloud for Ford for nearly 10 years. The automaker recalled 9.6 million vehicles between 1999 and 2008 and is still battling dozens of lawsuits over the issue. 

Ford recalls 4.5 million vehicles for faulty switch (Detroit News)