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)

Recall Alert: 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

GM has issued a recall for certain Pontiac Vibe vehicles from the 2009-2010 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They are specifically recalling those models equipped with a 1.8-liter engine and originally sold or currently registered in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

GM says that when driving the vehicles in “extremely low ambient temperatures,” the intake manifold suction port for the brake vacuum may become locked because of freezing condensation coming from the positive crankcase ventilation.

This could mean the vehicle’s stopping distance my take a hit and a crash could occur if the brakes are needed in an emergency but don’t respond well.

Dealers will modify the brake vacuum line for free. Owners may contact Pontiac at 800-620-7668 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 143,223 Nissan and Infiniti Vehicles

Nissan has issued a recall for 143,223 vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles include the 2009 Nissan Cube and Murano, the 2008 Nissan Rogue, the 2008-2010 Infiniti M35, and 2008-2010 Infiniti M45.

The recall is focused on certain vehicles from the 2008-2010 model years originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.

These vehicles have a nut securing the sensor-transmitter of the tire pressure monitoring system that may corrode and possibly crack when exposed to road salt. The nut may fall out of the sensor-transmitter, which will cause the monitoring light to illuminate.

If the driver ignores the light and continues to drive the car in this condition, the tire could lose air pressure, resulting in a flat that could potentially cause an accident.

Nissan dealers will replace the TPMS nut with a “new, more robust nut” free of charge. Owners may contact Nissan at 800-647-7261, Infiniti at 800-662-6200 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: Audi A3, TT

Audi has issued a recall for 10,200 vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recalled cars include the Audi A3 from the 2006-2010 model years, the Audi TT from 2008-2010 and the Audi TT Roadster from 2008-2010.

The recall is for vehicles manufactured between Sept. 29, 2005, and Aug. 26, 2009. The closing force of an internal spring in the fuel tank ventilation valve of these cars may not be strong enough to hold the valve closed under extreme driving conditions. This could cause the fuel tank to leak, and with an ignition source could cause a fire.

Audi dealers will replace the fuel tank ventilation valve with a stronger valve for free. Owners may contact Audi at 800-253-2834 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

2010|Audi|A3

2010|Audi|TT

Explaining the Toyota Floormat Recall

Toyota is in the process of recalling nearly 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles for an issue with their floormats. A number of complaints have shown that the floormats can creep forward and get stuck under the accelerator, which can lead to unintended and potentially dangerous acceleration. (Yes, we know the recall is not official yet, but for clarity we will call it a recall).

We had a 2010 Toyota Prius in our test fleet this week and noted its floormat set-up is similar to Toyotas included in the recall. The 2010 Prius is not included in the current recall, but the 2005-2009 Prius is. Toyota spokesman John Hanson said that the 2010 model uses the same type of floormats as the older Prius, as do many other current Toyota models not included in the recall.

The 2010 Prius, which has only been on sale for a relatively short time, is not included in the recall at this time because there have been no specific complaints filed with either Toyota or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the floormats, Hanson said. However, when the recall is finalized, which could be as early as next week, the 2010 Prius may be included, he said. Other models haven’t been included based solely on the lack of complaints. A number of factors including pedal placement and keyless ignition in addition to the floormats may have contributed to the complaints against the recalled cars.

So, what is it about these floormats that’s causing the problem?

3.8 Million Toyota, Lexus Recalled Over Floor Mats

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration issued a wide-ranging announcement late today that Toyota will recall 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles. The recall stems from faulty floormats that can become stuck under the accelerator pedal causing unexpected acceleration. The defect is suspected to be the cause of one recent fatal accident.

The recall includes the following models:

• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2004-2009 Prius
• 2005-2010 Tacoma
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2007-2010 ES 350
• 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350

NHTSA suggests all owners remove the driver-side floormat from these cars immediately and not replace them with anything. Toyota has released a warning for owners including steps to take in case of an accelerator issue. We've posted the notice below.

Recall Alert: 2009-2010 Nissan Altima, Maxima

Nissan has issued a recall for 26,398 Altima and Maxima vehicles from the 2009-2010 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is due to an upper front strut insulator that might have been manufactured out of specification. This could lead to a crack in the strut insulator, which could cause the strut rod to come out of its mounting position. The vehicle’s stability could then be compromised and potentially cause a crash.

Dealers will replace both front strut insulators for free. Owners may contact Nissan at 800-647-7261 or the NHTSA hotline at 888-327-4236.

2010|Nissan|Altima

2010|Nissan|Maxima

Recall Alert: 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer

Mitsubishi has issued a recall for 6,903 Lancer Evolution, Ralliart and Sportback vehicles from the 2008-2009 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects vehicles with turbocharged engines because of the way the fuel return pipe is attached to the engine. Frequent operation of the vehicle at certain engine revolutions could result in damage that may cause a stress crack to develop at the fixed portion of the fuel pipe.

If the stress crack develops, the pipe could leak fuel, and if an ignition source is present, start a fire.

Mitsubishi will replace the fuel return pipe and add two attachment brackets to tamp down fuel-pipe vibrations. Dealers will perform this service free of charge.

Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 888-648-7820 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.