investigating Archives

Report: NHTSA investigating some Nissan Altima, Jeep Wrangler models

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Recalls, Safety, Jeep, Nissan, Off-Road

2010 Nissan Altima – Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into two vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years: the Nissan Altima and Jeep Wrangler. The Altima has been the subject of 20 non-injury complaints regarding a loss of stopping power. The culprit is supposed to be a brake fluid leak which, if left unaddressed by drivers when the warning light “is ignored,” decreases braking force. There are 440,000 Altimas included in the investigation. Nissan recalled 180,000 Sentras from the same model years for the same kind of leak.

There are also 220,000 Jeep Wranglers under investigation for non-deployment of drivers’ airbags due to a failed electrical circuit. 29 non-injury complaints were received, and at least six of the Wranglers were found to have been right-hand-drive models.

NHTSA investigating some Nissan Altima, Jeep Wrangler models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: NHTSA investigating some Nissan Altima, Jeep Wrangler models”

NHTSA investigating Infiniti QX4, Nissan Pathfinder over corrosion fears

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Infiniti, Nissan

2003 Infiniti QX4

2003 Infiniti QX4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into certain late model Infiniti QX4 and Nissan Pathfinder SUVs over corrosion of the driver’s side front strut tower. Affected Queue-By-Fours are from the 1997 to 2003 model years, while the Pathfinders are from 1996 to 2004.

According to NHTSA’s summary, the government organization has received 35 reports of corrosion instances, with 18 citing that this problem caused the vehicle’s steering to suffer. What’s more, five of these reports stated that the steering “shaft” or “column” broke, resulting in a complete loss of steering.

This investigation was opened on January 28, and pending NHTSA’s findings, an official recall should be announced in the near future. For the full summary, follow the jump for NHTSA’s release.

Gallery: 2003 Infiniti QX4

2003 Infiniti QX4

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading NHTSA investigating Infiniti QX4, Nissan Pathfinder over corrosion fears

NHTSA investigating Infiniti QX4, Nissan Pathfinder over corrosion fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “NHTSA investigating Infiniti QX4, Nissan Pathfinder over corrosion fears”

Report: NHTSA investigating steering issues on 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata

2011 Hyundai Sonata – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has only been on sale for a few months, but it’s already winning over many American mid-size sedan buyers, and we’ve been every impressed by what we’ve found in our first drive and review. However, the rakish new Sonata could face a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into about 16,300 Sonatas due to potential steering issues.

NHTSA has received reports that cite problems with either a separation of the upper universal joint in the intermediate steering shaft assembly. The result is a complete loss of steering capability, though the universal joint was not completely separated.

Hyundai says that it is unaware of any accidents or injuries connected to this issue and that it is fully cooperating with NHTSA on the investigation. The automaker also says that it had received reports of two vehicles with a steering problem linked to the upper universal joint, but that both were repaired without issue. Expect the results of NHTSA’s investigation to be released in the coming weeks.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL
[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: NHTSA investigating steering issues on 2011 Hyundai Sonata originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: NHTSA investigating steering issues on 2011 Hyundai Sonata”

Ferrari reportedly investigating 458 Italia fire risk [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Safety, Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Italia – Click above for high-res image gallery

That Ferrari 458 Italia… it’s so hot right now. Nobody but the sickest of pyromaniacs wants to see Ferrari’s exquisite new 458 Italia go down in flames (if that’s you, you’ll want to click on past the break…). Sadly, though, the case of Ferraris on flambé is spreading like.. ahem, wildfire. So problematic is the issue that the Italian automaker itself is now investigating the cause of the conflagrations.

According to various reports, there have been at least three separate instances where Ferrari 458 Italias have burst into flames without being involved in an accident. At this time, Ferrari is assuming that these three cases are unrelated, and it’s not willing at this time to rule out driver error.

Interestingly enough, though, at least one of these flame-broiled Ferraris caught ablaze in transport to London in a Heathrow warehouse, meaning it was not being driven at the time of the fire. Here’s hoping that Ferrari’s investigation doesn’t turn up any major design flaws. In the meantime, perhaps 458 owners should keep an extinguisher handy… just in case.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Italia

[Source: Daily Mail]

Continue reading Ferrari reportedly investigating 458 Italia fire risk [w/video]

Ferrari reportedly investigating 458 Italia fire risk [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ferrari reportedly investigating 458 Italia fire risk [w/video]”