We probe Honda accords for airbag problem

US safety regulators investigating complaints, which can inflate the side air bags on some Honda Accords, when the doors are closed.

The probe covers about 363.000 of the popular mid-sized vehicles from the model year 2008.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 28 drivers about the problem have complained. Two people reported injuries.

Investigators will determine how often the problem happens and whether a recall is necessary.

News Search comment remained for Honda spokesman early Tuesday

Read More

Chrysler recalls 120,000 vehicles for airbag problems

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau - 4 days

Chrysler is due to problems with the airbag warning lights that trigger without apparent reason, models recalled 120,000 of the full-size.

It is the latest in a series of industry-wide security-related issues in connection with faulty wiring, which increasingly reflect the complexity of today's high-tech cars. In some cases, the problems were a mere inconvenience, but in other cases, the problems can fire and intervention of braking systems, which leads without apparent reason, cause serious problems, such as vehicle trigger a potential loss of vehicle control.

The new Chrysler recall includes 119.500 his Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans and Dodge Challenger muscle Coupe. Must trigger the airbag warning lights apparently baseless and does not mean that she are disabled.

The manufacturer said it was advised of the problem but customer complaints, adding that there were no reports of injuries or accidents. It raises faulty wiring for the problem.

The recall extends between April to December 2011, some marketed as 2011 models, vehicles produced during the model year 2012

Owner of the problem starting this month will be notified and repairs be carried out free of charge. The manufacturer plans to reimburse owner previously used for warning light repairs have paid.

The 2013 version of the Dodge Challenger was subject to a separate wiring-related recall that less than a month ago announced. In this case, improper wiring can overheat and cause a fire. The producers went so far as to warn owners park their vehicles until repairs could be made.

At about the same time Honda announced a short circuit in a control unit stability to cause as many as 250,000 different vehicles, their brakes too short that could run without the involvement of the driver.

Meanwhile, shorting Toyota, began the year with a reminder at 752.000 vehicles, this could be the airbags on some models Corolla and Matrrix as well as inadvertently providing pre-tensioners by front seat could cause. The Japanese giant recalled several million products through a faulty drivers side window switch which can cause fires, the smoke or even vehicle last year.

Industry analysts note that today's cars of high-tech systems, the rival - and exceed in the rule - the complexity of the modern consumer electronic devices become. Where problems with a defective circuit board on a Smartphone or an audio system is a disadvantage or lead the customer the device to a memory swap out the major risks in the face of defective vehicle control loops is reminiscent to a steady increase in the related.

Apparently in contrast, problems with conventional mechanical defects, such as E.g. engine, on the decline according to a study by J.D. power and associates.

Copyright © 2009-2013, the Detroit Bureau

Read More

Nissan recalls five 2013 models for airbag problems

Staff, Reuters-1 day

Nissan is recalling that 2013 model year said five vehicles, including top-selling Altima and Sentra, because that cannot provide passenger air bag in a crash the automaker's US Department of labor.

The models in the recall said Nissan's Altima, Xterra, Pathfinder, and leaf as well as Infiniti JX35, on Wednesday.

Nissan have not specified the number of vehicles involved, to recall, or if they were produced. The reported recall affects only models that are sold in the United States. Nissan did not say whether vehicles in other countries be advised.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said sensors that determine whether a passenger in a seat sits not specifications may have met and know no drivers. If a crash occurs and no passenger is detected, the airbag may not deploy.

The recall is expected to start next month.

Dan passe, a Nissan spokesman at the U.S. headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., said there were no reports of injuries or crashes related to this problem.

Nissan determines that a recall should be conducted, on 21 February, two months after the automaker noticed that a growing number of warranty claims by owners, their airbag detection dashboard warning said according to documents filed with the NHTSA was lit.

Nissan is also recalling 482 Sentras in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, made from Sept. 11 Oct. 4 last year because fuel tanks were not properly sealed. This can cause a small leak fuel when the tanks are filled, Nissan said the NHTSA.

Watch, said that no injuries or crashes which resulted in fuel tank problem.

Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters.

Read More

1 Million Toyotas recalled for windshield wiper, airbag problems

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau - 2 days

Toyota says it is remembered more than 1 million vehicles, including some late model luxury cars, due to some security issues related to faulty airbags and faulty windshield wipers.

The announcement comes in the same week that the manufacturer certifies that it 2012 world's best-selling automaker regained the title as that. But Toyota had recalled more vehicles than other automakers, who work in the United States last year--the third time the dubious distinction of conquered it in four years.

The new recall covers about 752.000 Corolla and Corolla matrix cars that sold in 2003 and 2004. According to Toyota, a control module is vulnerable for short. When that happens, their airbags and front seat pre-tensioners may occur accidentally deployment.

The second recall involves an estimated 270,000 Lexus IS models, which sold between 2006 and early 2012. The manufacturer says, "the windshield wiper arm nut could be insufficient sealing. "When movement is restricted the windshield wipers by external loads, such as an accumulation of heavy snow on the windshield, which can either or both the wipers become ineffective."

The twin callbacks service actions that have threatened to tarnish Toyota's pound sterling reputation for quality, reliability and dependability, traditionally or QRD are seen at the latest in an ongoing series of large-scale security industry.

Just in last October 7.4 million were reminded, worldwide due to the potential risk vehicles of fire vehicle in connection with faulty power switch window. A third of these vehicles had been sold in the States. In November, Toyota recalls another 2.8 million vehicles due to problems with hybrid systems.

All in all recalls 5.3 million cars, trucks, and transitions in the U.S. market involved Toyota alone in 2012, significantly higher than the second place Honda, 3.9 million vehicles recalled. GM recalled 1.5 million vehicles, landing the Detroit makers third on the entire list in the past year.

But Toyota's recall problems really started in 2009, when it ordered the first in a growing number of measures in connection with problems of unintended acceleration. The first involved vehicles, which carpets the accelerator could absorb, pedal, a problem if you have highlighted a California Highway Patrol officer and several family members in a fiery accident killed.

Early in 2010, pedals to light came a second problem with sticky accelerator. The forced not only Toyota recall millions more vehicles but to just stop production at many of its U.S. Assembly lines.

During these two years alone, more than 8 million vehicles by unintended acceleration problems were recalled. The manufacturer was grilled by Congress and hammered through a series of record illegal to delay fines for safety-related recalls. But Toyota was last year again by another record by further delay related to so called carpet fine hit entrapment on its Lexus RX crossovers.

Despite its current problems, industry analysts have little evidence of any impact on Toyota image or sales the manufacturer handily outperformed the US car market overall increase in 13.5% in 2012 seen.

Global sales, meanwhile soared to 9.75 million last year significantly higher than the second place GM 9,29 million vehicles sold.

Toyota says that it will be notified soon, affected owners of his two recent recalls. Owner companies in the www.toyota.com/recall and the Toyota customer experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or www.lexus.com/recall and Lexus customer satisfaction (1 800-255-3987) attain also.

Copyright 2013 the Detroit Bureau

Read More

Honda recalls 750,000 vehicles for airbag defects

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau

After having the second-highest number of callbacks for all manufacturers in the US market, Honda that it almost three-quarters of the 1 million vehicles will remember exit to a difficult start for 2013, this time announcing, because missing rivets not correctly provide their driving side airbags in the event of a crash could fall.

The latest safety issue is 748.000 of the manufacturer's popular pilot crossover Odyssey minivan models. A further 29,000 vehicles in Canada distributed are also discussed.

The latest recall covers Honda Pilot models during the 2009 to 2013 model years and Odyssey minivans from 2011 to 2013?? customers will be prompted the vehicles to their dealers for the inspection of the airbag driver side and, if necessary, for Reparaturen.Es is the latest in a series of problems that had Honda airbags now resulted in the recall of several million vehicles in the last few years. Include a problem in over-aggressively, airbags could inflate shrapnel into the passenger cabin fire caused.

According to Honda "driver-side airbags in these vehicles may be without some of the rivets, the plastic cover of the airbags protect the assembled. If the studs are not present, which can provide airbag not properly, increase the risk of injury in a crash. No crashes or injuries reported in connection with this issue."

The manufacturer says that no crashes or injuries have been reported due to the problem.

Will owners of mid-February, notify the company by dialing owner while 800-999-1009 and select option 4 or www.recalls.honda.com to contact.

Honda has problems that the manufacturer with more vehicles recalled led repairs than any other manufacturer for security in 2011 compared to an ongoing series of topics, including airbag and vehicle fire. Last year, it came in the second, with 3.9 million vehicles safety campaigns, behind only Toyota, which even involved recalled 5.3 million cars, trucks and crossovers.

The automotive industry suffered a total an increase of recalls last year with a total of 16.2 million vehicles, 4.5% after a preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Toyota and Honda, stamps have usually identified with high quality and reliability, in the callback list for the past four years led.

Copyright © 2009-2012, the Detroit Bureau

Read More

Chrysler recalls over 900,000 Jeeps for airbag issue

Paul A. Eisenstein, TheDetroitBureau.com

Chrysler is recalling over 919,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty SUVs worldwide due to a potential defect that can cause their airbags to unexpectedly inflate while the vehicles are being driven.

A total of 775,000 older versions of the two Jeep models will be impacted in the U.S., along with 49,000 sold in Canada, 22,000 in Mexico and the rest distributed to other global markets. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the problem has not led to any accidents there have been a number of minor injuries caused by the inadvertent airbag deployments.

The latest recall adds to the growing tally of safety actions related to airbag safety defects. Ford, Honda and Hyundai are among the list of other makers who have been affected in recent years.

NHTSA reports that the Jeep problem involves Grand Cherokees produced in the 2002 through 2004 model-years, and Liberty SUVs produced in 2002 and 2003. According to the safety agency, the problem has been linked to a defective part in the computer used to control the airbags.

Under normal circumstances, airbags rely on a network of sensors that indicate when and where a collision has occurred – and on more recent models, sensors also detect the severity of a crash and where occupants are sitting in the vehicle. The Jeeps involved in the recall may see their front or side-impact airbags inflate even if they aren’t involved in a collision. Pre-tensioning seatbelts may also be triggered.

A Chrysler spokesman noted that the problem has occurred in less than three-hundreths of a percent of the Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee models on the road.

Nonetheless, after completing a year-long investigation, NHTSA determined the problem occurred 215 times, causing 81 minor injuries – but while the inadvertent airbag deployments have not been linked to any crashes, the safety agency warns that drivers could be startled into losing control of their vehicles.

Chrysler says it plans to notify owners by January and repairs will be made to the electrical system at no charge to consumers.

Automotive manufacturers have seen a number of airbag issues pop up in recent years forcing them to recall large numbers of vehicles. In July, Hyundai recalled 220,000 Sonata sedans and Santa Fe SUVs from the 2007 to 2009 model-years because sensors designed to protect small children in an airbag deployment might not work. The maker also recalled nearly 23,000 late-model Sonatas for a separate airbag problem.

Ford announced the recall of 154,000 Fiesta models due to airbag problems last month, and the maker previously called back 1.5 million vehicles – including 1.2 million F-Series pickups – due to unexpected airbag deployments.

Honda, meanwhile, has recalled over 2.5 million vehicles sold through the Honda and Acura brands because they could deploy with too much force, sending deadly shrapnel into the passenger compartment. The problem was linked to at least two deaths.

Because of the potential dangers, NHTSA has put a high priority on discovering and fixing airbag problems.

Read More

Volvo offering world's first pedestrian airbag

Volvo

Volvo is betting it can also save pedestrian lives with the world's first external airbag.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, The Detroit Bureau

By even the most conservative estimates airbags have saved thousands of lives since the auto industry began phasing them into widespread use two decades ago.  And now, Volvo is betting it can also save pedestrian lives with the world’s first external airbag.

The new system is one of the many high-tech safety features being introduced on the Swedish maker’s new V40 wagon, which is itself making its world debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show.

The 5-door features – as one might expect of Volvo – a wide range of advanced safety technology, and along with the new airbag system the V40 has Volvo’s Pedestrian Detection technology designed to prevent a collision in the first place.

The V40 itself is based on an all-new architecture that is intended to serve as the platform for a wide variety of upcoming Volvo products, including replacements for the current C30 coupe, S40 sedan and even the bigger V50 wagon.

The maker, which has long based its brand image on advanced safety has been working for several years to develop a pedestrian airbag – which it sees as the most effective way to meet Europe’s strict pedestrian impact legislation.  Continental regulators have been pressing automakers to find ways to reduce the results of car-pedestrian collisions which routinely result in about a quarter or more of motor vehicle fatalities.

Other makers have come up with a variety of solutions, mostly passive.  Typically, that has resulted in modest vehicle design changes to allow the hood of a vehicle to crumple slightly to soften the blow when a pedestrian is hit and lands atop the car.  Other makers have explored the idea of using small pyrotechnic igniters to actually raise the hood after an impact to further cushion the blow.

But with the Volvo system sensors rapidly detect a car-pedestrian impact and respond much like what happens in a car-to-car collision.  That triggers the section of the hood closest to the windshield to pop up slightly, a U-shaped airbag emerging from underneath, and forming a cushion around the base and sides of the windshield and A-pillars.

Along with the pedestrian-related technology the new V40 also includes Volvo’s City Safety system, which can activate the V40’s brakes if it sensors detect a low-speed collision with another vehicle is likely.  The system is designed to step in if the driver is distracted.  But the technology purposely applies the brakes rather abruptly to prevent a driver from simply using City Safety to keep them out of trouble while they text or otherwise ignore driving duties.

In keeping with other recent Volvo products, the maker has been trying to show that a safe vehicle doesn’t have to be a boring one.  The wagon is a curvaceously styled alternative to the classic boxy Volvo of decades past.

The overall design emphasized a lower center of gravity to improve handling, meanwhile, and such functional features as rear monotube shocks improve handling, especially under aggressive driving.

At 177.2 inches. nose-to-tail, the V50 is about an inch longer than the current S40 and about eight inches longer than the current Audi A3 Sportback.

Several versions of the Volvo 1.6-liter turbo I-4 are likely to be offered for the V40, along with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel.

Read More

KIA recalls 146,000 U.S. vehicles for airbag problem

Kia Motors said that it is reminds 145.755 Optima sedans and Rondo crossover vehicles in the United States because of the potentially defective drivers, the airbags.

Affected the model years 2006-2008 Optimas and 2007-2008 the Rondo, are Kia Motors America said in a statement on Monday.

Kia Motors America, a unit of the KIA Motors Corp., said that any injuries or airbags deploy it not because of the problem is.

95.569 Optimas and 50.186 Rondos are affected.

KIA, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co, said that the clock contact spring Assembly for the driver's side airbag additional restraint system in the course of time can damage, may cause the driver's airbag not to the provide.

The recall is expected to start in March, said KIA.

Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters.

Read More