Automotive Recalls

As a service to your customers, please note the following vehicles have been recalled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or by their manufacturers.

If any of your customers drive affected vehicles, recommend that they return the vehicle to a dealership, where the vehicle will be repaired under warranty. Note that these recalls apply only to items that could affect vehicle occupant safety. Items listed under separate manufacturer technical service bulletins are not always covered by warranty.

PASSENGER VEHICLES

2010 Toyota Prius

2010 Lexus HS 250h, Toyota Prius
Nearly 150,000 Toyota hybrid vehicles could have a brake problem. On certain vehicles, customers have experienced inconsistent brake feel after ABS actuation during slow and steady application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces. Stopping distances may be increased compared with a customer’s expectation for a given pedal force. Vehicle stopping distances may increase relative to a customer’s expectation increasing the risk of a crash. (Note: Only Prius vehicles produced since May 2009 and all HS 250h vehicles are subject to this recall; first- and second-generation Prius vehicles use a different ABS and are not involved in this campaign.) Dealers will rewrite the programming of the ABS control unit free of charge.

2005-2010 Toyota Avalon; 2007-2010 Toyota Camry, Tundra; 2008-2010 Toyota Sequoia; 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla, Matrix, RAV4; 2010 Toyota Highlander
More than 2.3 million Toyota vehicles could have an accelerator pedal problem. Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation (without A/C) when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increase, which may result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash. (Note: This action is separate from the ongoing recall of approximately 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats; approximately 1.7 million Toyota division vehicles are subject to both separate recall actions. Note also that Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and Camry Hybrid models are not included in this recall.) Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal, which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly.

2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe
Certain Pontiac Vibe models may suffer from the same floor mat-caused accelerator pedal malady affecting Toyota vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide-open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver’s floor mat. A stuck accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death. General Motors will modify or replace the accelerator pedal and the floor mat with a newly designed mat free of charge.

2007-2008 Honda Fit
More than 141,000 Honda vehicles could have a window problem. On certain vehicles in severe conditions, water may enter the driver’s window and reach the master power window switch. If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the water intrusion, overheating and failure of the switch may result. An overheated switch can cause smoke, melting and fire. Dealers will inspect the switch and install a cover around the switch housing to prevent water from entering the switch. If the switch is damaged, the switch will be replaced and a cover will be installed.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid
Ford is voluntarily initiating a “customer satisfaction program” (CSP) to update the software for the regenerative braking system certain hybrid vehicles. The current programming allows what Ford has labeled “different brake feel” when the hybrid vehicles’ regenerative system transitions over to conventional brakes. The software will be reprogrammed to make the brakes perform in a more predictable manner, reducing unnecessary occurrences of the vehicle switching from regenerative braking to conventional hydraulic brakes. Customers with affected vehicles will receive a notice in the mail. (Note: This is not a government-mandated recall, and there have been no injuries associated with the problem.)

Continued
[ 1 ] [ 2 ]

[Printer-friendly version]