Recall- Such a dreaded word. We hear about them all the time. Automobiles, with their many functioning parts are susceptible to faults and now more than ever we have become aware of the seriousness of their nature.
What is a recall?
A recall happens in case a manufacturer or third party decides that a product has a fault serious enough to cause harm to consumers. It is then banned from distribution until the trouble has been fixed and tested.
How to Find Out If Your Car Has Been Recalled?
Customers can be informed in different of ways that a recall has been issued on a product they own. For vehicles, nearly all manufacturers contact the owners directly since their information is readily on hand. News outlets may also report on the recall, and many times dealerships will send notifications directly to their customers.
What to do?
As you’d expect, receiving a recall notification isn’t exactly great news. However if you act promptly, you’ll be able to ensure your safety. Once you hear word of a recallfor your make and model, you should contact either your dealership or the manufacturer for the quickest solution, and as it’s an official recall, any repairs will be free of charge.
For the Future. The Law Offices of Hovanes Margarian provides you with a complimentary monthly recall email newsletter to keep you safe and informed!
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration follows all recalls and issues technical service bulletins, and is an excellent source forrecall information.
Nissan has started recalling about 598,000 vehicles due to brake pedal and fuel gauge issues.
The specific models involved in the Nissan recall are 2005-2010 Infiniti Qx56, Pathfinder and Armada, Titan and Frontier Pickups, as well as Quest minivans.
The first reason is that the brake pedal pin can disengage from the pedal bracket. This in its turn can bring to a reduction in the braking force increasing the risk of a crash.
The second reason is the matter with the fuel gauges. These are giving incorrect information by showing there is still fuel, when the fuel tank is empty.
The owners of the cars can contact their dealers or Nissan to find out more about the solutions.
At the same time two other producers: General Motors and Mitsubishi, started recalling some of their vehicles as well.
General Motors recalls 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalts and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5s. The main complaint from the users is the sudden loss of power assist. The vehicles will need a new power steering motor.
Mitsubishi recalls 2004 Endeavors, as well as 2010 Galants. The company will reimburse owners of Endeavors of the salt-belt states for the fuel-filler pipe repairs and prolong the warranty for the car-owners of other states.
As for the Galants, Mitsubishi informs that a defect with a pipe bracket can lead to an automatic transmission fluid leakage.
Manufacturers Involved: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY
Potential Number of Units Affected: 340 000
Summary:
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Titan, Armada, and Infiniti QX56 vehicles. The instrument panel fuel gauge may inaccurately display that the vehicle still has some fuel, typically about one quarter tank, when the fuel tank is empty.
Consequence:
This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall on the highway, which could cause a crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the fuel sender unit inside the fuel tank with a new improved sender card. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before March 22, 2010.
Vehicle Make/Model: INFINITI QX56 of years 2008-2010, NISSAN/ARMADA of years 2008-2010, NISSAN/QUEST of years 2008-2009, NISSAN/TITAN of years 2008-2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V072000
Date Owner’s Notified: 0000-00-00
Manufacturers Involved: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Potential Number of Units Affected: 179383
Summary:
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2208-2010 Titan, Armada, and Infiniti QX56, and Model year 2008-2009 Nissan Quest vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin end was not spin-formed to specification during the manufacturing process of the brake pedal assembly. The pivot pin could slide and cause the brake pedal to partially disengage from the brake pedal bracket.
Consequence:
The driver will experience unusual and noticeable looseness in the pedal and a reduction in braking force increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect to see if the pivot pin had been formed properly and will replace the brake pedal assembly if necessary free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before March 22, 2010.
Though the congressional hearings of Toyota are already over and Toyota is setting up a North American Quality Advisory Panel, the problem with accelerator pedals is still unsolved. It still affects the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
The well-known Edmunds.com, which is one of the best automotive sources, is planning to provide one million dollars to those, who research the matters with acceleration. The research doesn’t specifically focus on Toyota, as the same problem appeared with other vehicle producers. 20 years ago Audi was in the news headlines for unintended acceleration.
Edmunds.com is currently working on rules for this “crowd sourcing” project.
Meanwhile, the whole buzz on Toyota recalls has shown once again the relevance of the California lemon law, which is there to protect the buyers of defected cars. Dealers might use numerous tricks to assure the customers that the problem is fixed. But a lemon car might still be a lemon, unless you try to obtain your rights.
Make sure your car can be considered a lemon. And keep in mind that the California lemon law could work for you if the defect made your car accelerate and that Toyota abandoned any fixing.
As expected Toyota announced a March Sale after reporting its sales figures for February 2010. The number of sold cars fell by almost 9 % compared to that of February 2009.
This was caused by the problems that some of the models have been facing. The whole story ended with congressional hearings and by a decision to set up an independent North American Quality Advisory Panel lead by the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater. All finding will be accessible by the public.
These events have had a negative effect on the company’s reputation causing consumer withdrawal.
Toyota announced the specific dates for the incentive program, which has started on March 2, 2010 and will end on April 5, 2010. As we have mentioned in one of our previous posts, the offers from Toyota are
0 % financing for 60 months for Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Tundra and Yaris.
Low lease rates on 2010 Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, Prius, RAV4, Tundra and Venza.
Two-year premium maintenance program.
You can get more information on the official website of the company by filling in your Zip Code.
Date Owner’s Notified: 0000-00-00
Recalled on: 2/19/2010
Manufacturers Involved: Mazda Motor Corp
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: Mazda Motor Corp
Component: SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Potential Number of Units Affected: 12300
Summary:
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2010 CX-9vehicles equipped with electrically heated front seats. There is a possibility under extremely cold conditions for the seat heater control circuit to overheat and fail due to insufficient electrical grounding.
Consequence:
This may cause burn damage of the seat cushion surface, or a risk of smoke fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will install an additional ground harness on the seat heater control system. The seat heater control circuit will be replaced if necessary and/or the seat will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before March 9, 2010
Toyota has been going through the biggest crises in its 73-year history. Recent recalls for some of the models, caused by accelerator pedals, have changed the public opinion. The reputation that was primarily built on high quality and trust is now doubted.
Company officials express their regret and their will to emphasize on safety and real-life conditions.
To somehow regain the consumer trust, Toyota is planning to have an incentive program for the U.S. customers. The program will be running throughout March.
The main points of it are
Zero percent financing for 60 months on some of the car models included in the recent recalls
A special free-of-charge two-year maintenance package for returning customers
Possibility to get cash rebates with the maximum amount of $ 3000.
The program will be announced after presenting the U.S. Sales figures for February.
Meanwhile, Toyota is implementing Limited Service Campaign for VVT-i Oil Line until March 31, 2010.
The company officials announced thatsome vehicles with a 2GR-FE (V6) engine may have a leaking oil hose. The owners of the cars will be informed and will have the opportunity to replace it free of charge. Some of the models for the campaign are Camry, Avalon, Rav4, and Lexus 350 ES and 350 RX.
Date Owner’s Notified: 0000-00-00
Recalled on: 2/18/2010
Manufacturers Involved: BMW of North America, LLC
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: BMW of North America, LLC
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Potential Number of Units Affected: Unknown
Summary:
BMW is recalling certain molder year 2009-2010 7-Series and model year 2010 550i Grand Turismo Vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard No. 110 “Tire Selection and Rims”. These vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure label indicating that the vehicle’s seating capacity is five passengers. The actual seating capacity is four passengers. The tire size, tire pressure, and vehicle capacity weight on the label are correct.
Consequence:
The tire belt does not conform to FMVSS 110.
Remedy:
BMW has not yet provided a remedy or an owner notification schedule for this campaign.
Date Owner’s Notified: 0000-00-00
Date Received by ODI: 2009-08-20
Date Added to Database: 2009-08-20
Manufacturers Involved: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 37E3/S7 & 37E5/J7
Component: POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Potential Number of Units Affected: 16000
Summary:
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between September 2008 and August 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the Direct Shift Gearbox “DSG” may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the “depress brake pedal” indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.
Consequence:
The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
Remedy:
Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before October 19, 2009.
Toyota has been going through the biggest crises in its 73-year history. Recent recalls for some of the models, caused by