Grand Cherokee SUVs.
with defective Takata inflators.
Ford is recalling nearly 202,000 pickup trucks, SUVs and cars in North America because the automatic transmis- sions can suddenly downshift to first gear. The transmis- sion recall covers the 2011 and 2012 F-150 and the 2012 Expedition, Mustang and Lincoln Navigator. Ford says a software problem in a speed sensor can force the vehicles into a downshift. Ford has also announced that it’s recalling more than 81,000 Explorer SUVs to fix a rear suspension problem. The Explorer recall covers SUVs and Police Interceptor models in the U.S., Canada and Mexico from 2014 and 2015. This is not a just a problem for US automakers as Subaru told its owners of some newer Legacy and Outback vehicles not to drive them because the steering can fail. The company recalled about 52,000 of the cars and SUVs from the 2016 and 2017 model years. It also told dealers to stop selling them until they were repaired. About 22,000 of the cars have been sold in the U.S. and another 3,500 in Canada, with the remainder still on dealer lots awaiting new owner. The company did step up to offer loaner cars until parts were available, Subaru of America spokesman Mike McHale said, “We have the details of the owners and are contacting them directly.” Subaru does not know exactly how many cars will have the problem, but it affects cars sold worldwide. The recall covers 2016 Legacys and Outbacks made from February 29, 2016 to May 6, 2016. Also covered are 2017 Legacys and Outabacks made from April 18, 2016 to April 29, 2016. This recalls are not just specific to newer models as Toyota is recalling about 320,000 trucks and SUVs because the roof-mounted air bags can inflate without a crash. The recall covers the 2005 and 2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, the 2003 through 2006 Land Cruiser, and the 2004 through 2006 4-Runner. The Lexus brand is also included in the recall with the 2003 through 2006 Lexus LX 470 and the 2004 through 2006 GX 470 also affected. The company says improper programming in the air bag control computer caused the problem, which could increase the risk of driver and passenger injuries. With some recalls it just seems like they are never going to get it right as seen with the Honda Motor Co as it is recalling more than 11,000 decade-old Accord sedans, some of them for the fifth time since 2014, after dealers found the Japanese automaker originally had installed the wrong inflators in some cars. Since 2008, Honda has recalled more than 8 million vehicles in the United States
Accords from model years 2004 and 2005 have been recalled four other times by Honda, beginning in June 2014, to replace defective Takata inflators. Honda has recalled the 2006-2007 Accords twice in 2015. Honda is also recalling about 45,000 newly redesigned Civic compact cars in the Canada and the United States because the engines can fail and stall while being driven. The recall affects 2016 Civics equipped with two-litre four-cylinder engines because a circular clip around the pistons may be missing or was improperly installed at the factory. That can cause a pin on the piston to rub against the engine block and possibly cause engine failure or a fire. The recall covers about 34,000 Civics in the U.S. and almost 10,700 in Canada. Even Tesla is getting into the recall action with 2,700 Model X SUVs after the auto maker’s own tests showed the third-row seats made by Futuris Group could snap forward in a crash. The recall involves SUVs made before March 26 and sold in the U.S. Nissan might be the fastest growing automaker but they are also the recall leader, as they are recalling close to 4 million cars due to major safety problems where pas- senger air bags or seat belts could fail in a crash. Nissan North America, Inc. says the first problem is with a sensor that detects if the front passenger seat is occupied. The issue, with 3.2 million cars, can have the computer incorrectly think that an adult is a child or classify the seat as empty, turning off the air bag. A second problem affects 620,000 Sentras and their front seat child restraint system, which might cause air bags to inflate when they shouldn’t. Today’s automobiles are complicated machines with thousands of parts, and we must remember that the brand we drive is made up of thousands of differ- ence brand parts. It must also be said that thanks to transportation and safety organization globally and the auto industry’s own testing and watch dogs that many of these recalls are found before they cause serious harm to the driver, passengers, other motorist or bystanders. We also recommend that you regularly check with your service department for any possible recalls and please do not ignore any recall because your car is working fine, you do not want to find out you were wrong. A number of models are affected including the Maxima, Altima, LEAF, Sentra, Pathfinder and some Infiniti models.
123 DECEMBER 2016 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
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