Tag: concerns

Report: China suspends Jeep Wrangler importation over safety concerns

Filed under: Convertible, SUV, China, Recalls, Chrysler, Jeep, Off-Road

2011 Jeep Wrangler

2011 Jeep Wrangler – Click above for high-res image gallery

China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) has suspended the importation of the Jeep Wrangler due to a series of car fires. Car News China reports that the Agency’s investigation showed the fires resulted from issues with the automatic transmission and systems tied to the transmission.

The AQSIQ reportedly asked Chrysler to find the cause of the issue and solve it, adding, “Manufacturer and importers should take precautionary measures for the vehicles involved to ensure consumers’ safety.” The imported Wranglers likely come from our shores, but a quick check of NHTSA’s recall database shows there are no active recalls for Wrangler fires in the U.S. See any irony here?

In an unrelated (though somehow still related…) issue, Chrysler has also recalled 464 Wranglers in China for improperly torqued bolts that lead to loud noises and even potential steering problems. The vehicles in question were built between July 7, 2010 and September 10, 2010. The Chrysler China Sales Company will check affected vehicles for free and fix bolts where necessary. That very same recall is happening here in the U.S. as well.

Gallery: 2011 Jeep Wrangler

2011 Jeep Wrangler2011 Jeep Wrangler2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited2011 Jeep Wrangler interior

[Source: China Car News]

Report: China suspends Jeep Wrangler importation over safety concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler recalling 76,000 Ram pickups over braking concerns

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Dodge

2009 Dodge Ram pickup

Dodge Ram – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is recalling 76,112 Dodge Ram trucks for a problem that may result in brake pedals that don’t return as quickly as they should. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the issue is specific to 2010 and 2011 model year diesel trucks. Models made between March 2009 and October 2010 may have been built with power steering reservoir caps with “excessive vent pressure levels.” Somehow, the faulty power steering cap causes the brake pedals to be slow to return.

We aren’t entirely clear on how the power steering cap impacts the braking system, but NHTSA says that the danger isn’t that drivers won’t be able to stop their trucks – the brakes release when they should. Instead, the vehicle’s brake lights will stay illuminated for too long, increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Chrysler says it has received 175 reports of the issue, but it has received no reports of any accidents or injuries stemming from the defect. Chrysler will notify owners of affected trucks that it will inspect and replace the power steering reservoir cap for free as necessary. Hit the jump to see the full NHTSA campaign report.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Dodge Ram

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Shunk / AOL

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading Chrysler recalling 76,000 Ram pickups over braking concerns

Chrysler recalling 76,000 Ram pickups over braking concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009-2010 Mazda5 minivans recalled over fuel pump concerns

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Mazda

2009 Mazda5

2009 Mazda5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a safety recall on certain Mazda5 minivans from the 2009 and 2010 model year.

This recall focuses on the van’s fuel pump, with NHTSA citing that water may not have been completely removed from the pump’s harness connector before vehicle assembly. Thus, the connector pin may corrode, causing the pin to break. If the harness connector breaks, this could lead to an inoperative fuel pump. The Mazda5’s engine could stall, and the inability to restart the engine increases the risk of a crash.

Approximately 16,200 of the Mazda minivans are effected by this problem, and the safety recall is expected to begin on or before December 11th. Dealers will inspect the fuel pump connector and replace the harness free of charge. For the full details, follow the jump to read NHTSA’s official statement.

Gallery: 2009 Mazda5

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading 2009-2010 Mazda5 minivans recalled over fuel pump concerns

2009-2010 Mazda5 minivans recalled over fuel pump concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: PSA may withold hybrid vehicles in China over intellectual property concerns

Filed under: Hybrid, China, Government/Legal, Technology, Peugeot, Citroën, Diesel

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Cracking the burgeoning Chinese automobile market is a challenge that nearly every automaker in the world is currently grappling with. Among the myriad reasons why the Chinese nut is a tough one to crack is that the government has set strict regulations and laws that must be met before it will approve of any automaker doing business within its borders.

For instance, no foreign automaker is allowed access into the country without first partnering up with a local manufacturer from China. Naturally, that means sharing a great deal of resources and technology – and that presents a big problem with you’re dealing with cutting-edge products that you’ve spent a ton of time and money developing.

PSA Peugeot Citroën is the latest automaker to express concerns with the notion that its intellectual property must be handed over to its Chinese partners, Dongfeng Motor Group and Changan Automotive. Problem is, to sell in China, Hybrid4 technology must also be in the hands of Dongfeng and Changan, which is something PSA isn’t keen on. “The Chinese government will have to reconsider its position,” according to PSA Chief Financial Officer Frederic Saint Geours. Sounds unlikely, but we’ll see.

Gallery: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4

[Source: Automotive News China – sub. req’d.]

Report: PSA may withold hybrid vehicles in China over intellectual property concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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