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Chrysler recalls nearly 250,000 minivans and crossovers over ignition key woes

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan (top) and 2010 Dodge Journey (below) – Click either image for high-res image gallery

2010 Dodge Journey Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced that the Auburn Hills automaker is recalling 248,437 vehicles due to potentially faulty ignition systems. According to the company, certain 2010 Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Dodge Journey vehicles were built with ignitions that could accidently switch from the “run” position to “accessory,” thereby causing the engine to shut off.

Both the company and NHTSA are concerned that the issue could cause an accident. As such, Chrysler will replace the ignition modules free of charge beginning in April of this year.

The recall includes vehicles manufactured between August 3, 2009 and June 17, 2010, and owners can contact Chrysler for more information. Click past the jump for the full recall notice.

Gallery: 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

Gallery: 2010 Dodge Journey

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading Chrysler recalls nearly 250,000 minivans and crossovers over ignition key woes

Chrysler recalls nearly 250,000 minivans and crossovers over ignition key woes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA probing 44,000 Toyota Highlander Hybrid crossovers over stall risk

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Government/Legal, Toyota

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

According to The Detroit News, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has opened an investigation into almost 44,000 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles from the 2006 model year over stalling concerns. The agency has received a total of 32 complaints, with 21 of those incidents involving engine stalling at speeds of over 40 mph. A total of 26 of the reports said that the engine then could not be started again afterward. NHTSA says that the problem represents a growing trend, and that all but one of the incidents have occurred during the last year.

Toyota, meanwhile, says that the company will do everything in its power to cooperate with the government’s investigation. As The Detroit News reports, Toyota recently recalled 1.33 million Corolla and Matrix vehicles for stalling engines. That recall also included certain Pontiac Vibe models as well.

Toyota is just now beginning to recover from a rash of recalls associated with unintended acceleration. The Japanese automaker was recently vindicated by research conducted by NASA engineers who determined that there was nothing electronically wrong with the company’s throttle system.

[Source: The Detroit News]

NHTSA probing 44,000 Toyota Highlander Hybrid crossovers over stall risk originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalling 700,000 Fit models over engine fears – 97k in U.S.

Filed under: Budget, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Honda

2009 Honda Fit Sport

2009 Honda Fit Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has announced that the company is recalling around 700,000 vehicles globally for faulty lost motion springs in the valve train. The springs may fatigue and break over time, causing the engine to stall as a result. The recall covers certain 2009-2010 Fit, Freed and City models, and so far the company has received a total of 72 complaints of the issue in Japan and 29 complaints from elsewhere in the world.

No injuries or accidents have been reported as a result of the problem.

A total of 176,000 vehicles are being recalled in Japan, while another 156,000 are being brought in for inspection in China. A full 233,000 models are being recalled through the rest of Asia, and North America should see 122,000 cars head back to the dealership – over 97,000 of which are from the States. Hit the jump for Honda’s official press release. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: Review: 2009 Honda Fit Sport

[Sources: Honda, BBC]

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Honda recalling 700,000 Fit models over engine fears – 97k in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baltimore issues over 2,000 red light camera tickets with dead officer’s signature

Filed under: Government/Legal

Getting pulled over and ticketed by law enforcement makes for a bad day, and we’re quite certain the feeling is amplified when the citation comes in the mail days after the infraction occurs. There’s no surprise, then, that most drivers can’t stand traffic cams, and in many cases, the ticketed fight the infractions tooth and nail. In the city of Baltimore, MD, there are 2,000 ticketed motorists who may have a solid case.

WBAL-TV 11 reports that a police officer who tragically died in a car accident ‘signed’ those 2,000 tickets months after he passed away. That’s a big problem, because each red light camera citation is supposed to be reviewed by an officer of the law before getting sent out. City officials claim that the residents received the wrong notice, and that the tickets were in fact properly reviewed before being issued. We’re guessing that those ticketed won’t buy that explanation and the courts in Baltimore will be quite busy for the next few months. Head over to WBAL TV to view the report.

[Source: WBAL TV]

Baltimore issues over 2,000 red light camera tickets with dead officer’s signature originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac recalling 50,000 CTS models worldwide over potential handling fault

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Cadillac, Luxury

2010 Cadillac CTS

2010 Cadillac CTS – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration have announced a recall of certain 2009 and 2010 model-year Cadillac CTS models. The notice covers around 50,000 units worldwide, 11,147 of which were sold in the States.

According to NHTSA, jam nuts on the vehicles’ suspension could come loose over time, eventually allowing the toe link to completely separate from the vehicle. If this happens, the rear wheel could turn in or out, making the vehicle difficult to steer. GM says that owners may hear a metallic clanking noise in the rear of the vehicle as a warning before this happens.

So far, no accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of the defect, though NHTSA warns that if left untreated, owners could experience a loss of control.

GM says that it will install new jam nuts free of charge and replace the rear suspension toe link as necessary. A recall schedule hasn’t been established yet, but owners should hear something soon. Hit the jump for the full recall notice.

Gallery: 2010 Cadillac CTS

[Sources: Chicago Tribune, NHTSA]

Continue reading Cadillac recalling 50,000 CTS models worldwide over potential handling fault

Cadillac recalling 50,000 CTS models worldwide over potential handling fault originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Porsche to hire 1,000 employees as it ramps up for Cajun

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Crossover, Porsche

2011 Porsche Cayenne nose

Porsche would like to double its global sales to about 200,000 per year. That’s an ambitious goal for a niche company, but Porsche intends to make things happen with the help of more money and manpower. AutoWeek reports that the German automaker plans to hire 1,000 employees by 2015. Half the workers will help build the company’s forthcoming small crossover, which has been given the working name ‘Cajun,’ while the other half will be engineers needed to develop new vehicles. An additional 500 workers could be added by 2018, provided sales targets are met.

AW claims that Porsche intends to expand its lineup from four models to seven to help reach its sales goals, while also forking over up to 750 million Euro ($1.01 billion in U.S. funds) to upgrade its Leipzig factory. The latter is believed to be the main candidate to build the Cajun when production begins in 2013.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Porsche to hire 1,000 employees as it ramps up for Cajun originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Iggy Pop car insurance bus ad

Unless you live in New Hampshire, here in the States, you’re required to have some form of car insurance covering your vehicle. The annual cost to insure a car depends on an array of factors ranging from the type of vehicle to where you live to your driving record. You undoubtedly know what you pay for insurance on an annual or monthly basis, but do you know how much you will end up paying over the course of your driving life? According to Insurance.com, the average person will spend $84,388.

What does ‘average’ mean in the context of this study? In this case, researchers assume that you first insure your own vehicle at 21 years old, get married at 27, insure two teenagers for a few years and then stop driving when you turn 75. That passage of time is filled with a variety of claims, including accidents and other incidents that get sent across your insurance agent’s desk.

Predictably, Insurance.com offers up a few suggestions for cutting your overall coverage expenses. Some are easier said than done (avoid traffic tickets) while others might actually be fun (defensive driving course). Check out the company’s press release for the full details after the jump.

[Source: Insurance.com | Image: Flickr/jcrakow via CC2.0]

Continue reading Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000

Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: NHTSA investigation into 100,000 VW and Audi diesels intensifies

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Audi, Volkswagen, Diesel

2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI (MkVI) – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to The Detroit News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is turning up the heat on its investigation into faulty Volkswagen fuel pumps. The administration has announced that it is currently looking into 97,272 diesel Volkswagen and Audi vehicles after receiving a total of 160 complaints about the issue. NHTSA says that in roughly half of those complaints, the bad pumps resulted in an engine stall on the highway or in traffic that prevented the engine from being restarted. Even so, no major accidents have been attributed to the faulty pumps, though one minor fender-bender has been reported as a result of the issue.

The investigation covers 2010 Golf hatchbacks, 2009-2010 Jetta sedans and certain 2010 Audi A3 models as well.

Volkswagen says that the fuel pump issues that it has encountered have resulted from diesel fuel that has been contaminated with gasoline. The company says that even a small amount of gas mixed in with diesel fuel can cause the pumps to shut down. Unfortunately for thusly affected owners, fuel system damage due to using the wrong fuel won’t be covered under warranty.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen has informed NHTSA about 120 separate fuel slip-ups, some of which came courtesy of dealers and service personnel using the wrong fuel.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: NHTSA investigation into 100,000 VW and Audi diesels intensifies originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler paying all 260,000 employees a 125th anniversary bonus

Filed under: Mercedes-Benz

Daimler

January 29 is a big date in the history of Daimler. On that fateful day back in 1886, Carl Benz filed his patent for the world’s first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine. Thus, January 29 a date worth celebrating, and Daimler management seems to agree.

The Detroit News reports that Daimler will pay out 125 million euros ($170 million in United States currency) in bonus money to the company’s 260,000 employees. Split evenly, our math tells us that workers stand to gain about €480 (about $659) each, provided that the employee has been with the company for at least one year. Other reports, however, have stated that each person’s bonus could be as high as €1,000, or about $1,360 based on current exchange rates.

Regardless of the exact dollar figure, Daimler workers will indeed be happy to receive an extra bonus this year. What’s more, Daimler has reportedly worked out a deal with its employee council to shell out 3,125 euros ($4,315 USD) in bonus money for a successful 2010, so this year’s bonus earnings could be even higher.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Torsten Silz/AFP/Getty Images]

Daimler paying all 260,000 employees a 125th anniversary bonus originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren prices MP4-12C at $229,000

Filed under: Coupe, Performance

McLaren MP4-12C

2012 McLaren MP4-12C – Click above for high-res image gallery

McLaren has finally slapped a sticker on its first road car in nearly a decade and to get behind the wheel of the all-new, carbon-fiber tubbed MP4-12C you’ll need $229,000. To start.

As expected, the 12C’s sticker is right in line with the primary competition from Ferrari and Lamborghini, with the 458 coming in around $225,000 and the latest Gallardo LP-570-4 stickering for just over $237,000.

Naturally, $229k doesn’t include the extras, and after speaking with Managing Director Antony Sheriff last year in Monterey, it’s clear that McLaren plans on on offering a host of upgrades to the 12C, ranging from lightweight wheels and bespoke paint to a three-camera interior recording system for track days. Expect ordering details to be released soon, but if you haven’t put your name on the waiting list already, we suspect you might have a tough time getting your hands on one before 2013.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C

mp4_12c_011_2 mp4_12c_010_2 mp4_12c_012_2 mp4_12c_014_2 mp4_12c_015_2

McLaren prices MP4-12C at $229,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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