GM to recall mid-sized SUVs to repair power-window, door-lock switches

General Motors Co. will recall 249,260 midsize sport utility vehicles to correct a potential fire hazard, a U.S. government safety agency said. GM, in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said the recall affected 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy SUVs, as well as certain 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Saab 9-7X and Isuzu Ascender SUVs. A possible electrical short could affect power windows and door locks, and in some cases could cause a fire, GM said in its Aug. 17 letter to the NHTSA that was posted on the agency's Web site. The recall involves vehicles sold or currently registered mainly in the Northeast and Midwest states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. "Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke or a fire," the NHTSA said. GM dealers will replace the driver's master power window switch on Chevrolet, GMC and Buick models. Saab and Isuzu owners can call the manufacturers' customer service centers or the NHTSA safety hotline. All of the models are based on a GM platform and have been discontinued. The recall was reported Saturday by The Detroit News and the Associated Press. GM has received reports of 28 fires, the AP said. The company is not aware of any injuries caused by the problem. NHTSA launched an investigating of the SUVs in February after receiving a dozen complaints of fires. The agency upgraded its investigation of the matter to an engineering analysis in June. GM had received at least 167 reports and 698 warranty claims related to the alleged problem, the News said. NHTSA has received 83 complaints, 66 alleging the door module had melted or burned, and the remaining 17 stating that the window switches acted erratically or were inoperative, according to the News.

Ford is recalling 424,000 Escapes in the U.S.

Ford Escapes from the 2001-2004 model years with 3-liter, V6 engines are affected by the recall. Ford Motor Co. is recalling 424,000 Escapes in the United States because a cruise control defect may cause the throttle to stick, leading to unintended acceleration. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it was investigating the safety defect July 17, based on 99 complaints, including 13 crashes and the death of a 17-year-old Arizona girl. The worldwide recall covers SUVs from the 2001 through 2004 model years, Marcey Zwiebel, a Ford spokeswoman, said in a telephone interview. Almost 424,000 U.S. vehicles with three-liter, six-cylinder engines will be covered under the recall, according to documents Ford provided to NHTSA. There's inadequate clearance between the engine cover and a control cable in those models, Ford said. For the 2001-2004 model year recall, there also are about 35,000 vehicles in Canada, 19,000 in Mexico, 4,500 in Europe and 4,300 in other regions, Ford said. In Europe, the model is called the Maverick. It wasn't immediately known if the Escape's assembly line sibling, the Mazda Tribute, also would be recalled. Mazda has been working "hand-in-hand with Ford and NHTSA" on the stuck throttle investigation but as of this afternoon had not issued a recall of the Tribute SUVs from 2001-2004, said a company spokesman. Affected owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their SUVs to a Ford or Lincoln dealer, the company said. The notices will go out beginning August 6, Ford said. The U.S. safety regulator's investigation remains open, pending the agency's review of the documents provided by Ford in its recall action, Karen Aldana, a NHTSA spokeswoman, said in an e-mailed statement. Continued monitoring "NHTSA will continue to monitor any future issues involving a stuck throttle or unintended acceleration in these vehicles to ensure there are no additional safety risks that warrant further action," Aldana said. The U.S. investigation followed a July 10 letter from Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Automotive Safety in Washington, to Ford CEO Alan Mulally, asking him to recall all Escapes from model years 2002 to 2004 for what he called a "lethal cruise control cable defect." Escapes from the 2002 model year have been the subject of eight previous NHTSA investigations, according to the agency's database. Some of the vehicles have been recalled for engine stalling, an electrical short in the antilock brake system and leaking brake fluid. Ford also recalled 11,500 2013 Escapes July 19 because fuel lines were at risk of leaking, causing an engine fire. Toyota Motor Corp. recalled millions of U.S. autos in 2009 and 2010 for unintended acceleration, replacing floor mats at risk of jamming accelerators and sticky gas pedals. The Toyota City, Japan-based company paid a record $48.8 million in fines for how some of the recalls were conducted.

Honda to recall CR-Vs over unexpected door opening

Honda's U.S. division is recalling more than 170,000 CR-Vs and Acura ILXs because the front doors can open unexpectedly. American Honda said there have been no reports of accidents or injury resulting from the problem so far. The automaker said it will replace both front door latches on 166.000 CR-Vs from the 2012 model year and 6,200 Acura ILXs from the 2013 model year. It will also replace the interior front door latches on some CR-V cars. The U.S. division of Honda Motor Co. (HMC) said that operating the driver's or passenger's inner-door handle at the same time as the manual or power lock leads to a problem that causes the door to not latch properly. As a result, the door could open unexpectedly.

GM recalls 475,418 Chevy Cruze for engine shield

General Motors Co is recalling 475,418 of its popular compact Chevrolet Cruze sedans to modify the under-engine shield so flammable liquids are not trapped in the engine compartment, the automaker said on Friday. The recall covers 2011 and 2012 Cruze sedans that were built at GM's Lordstown, Ohio plant from September 2010 through May 2012. The recall affects 413,418 vehicles sold in the United States, 61,299 in Canada and 701 in Israel. Cruze models sold around the world that were made at plants other than the Lordstown one do not have the same design and are not believed to have the same issue, a GM spokesman said. But about 10,000 Chevy Cruze sedans sold by GM's Australian unit, Holden, may be affected and Holden is looking into the issue, the GM spokesman said. The engine shield on the models affected has the potential to trap engine fluids and raise the risk of a fire, GM said. GM said no crashes or injuries have been reported in relation to the issue. Owners will begin getting recall notices in mid-July. A fix of the problem will take about a half hour at a Chevrolet dealership, GM said.

Honda recalls nearly 53,000 Acura TL sedans in US

Honda says it's recalling nearly 53,000 Acura TL sedans in the U.S. to fix a problem with power steering hoses.

The hoses can deteriorate over time and leak fluid. That can cause the cars to lose power steering or even cause a fire.

The sedans are from the 2007 and 2008 model years. Honda says there have been no reported crashes, injuries or fires related to the problem.

Honda Motor Co. recalled 273,000 TLs in in 2008 for a similar problem. They were from the 2004 through 2008 model years.

Owners will get letters in mid-June telling them to take their cars to an Acura dealer.

Ford recalls more than 140,000 Focus cars in U.S

Ford Motor Co (F.N) is recalling 140,310 Focus cars from model year 2012 in the United States to repair a potential problem with the passenger-side windshield wiper motor, according to U.S. safety regulators.

A seal plug in the wiper motor electrical connector may be missing, allowing water into the motor's electrical connection, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That could result in an inoperative wiper on the passenger side, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford said no accidents or injuries had been reported related to the issue. Owners will be notified the week of May 21, and the wiper motor connector will be cleaned and sealed as needed, NHTSA said.

In separate NHTSA documents, Chrysler, which is controlled by Fiat (FIA.MI), is recalling 1,689 2012 model Jeep Patriot and Compass sport utility vehicles that may have been built with a fuel tank assembly containing a damaged rollover valve. In an accident or rollover, fuel could leak and increase the risk of a fire, NHTSA said.

Chrysler said in a NHTSA filing that it was not aware of any accidents, leaks, fires or injuries related to the issue. The recall is expected to begin by June.

Chrysler recalls small Jeeps to fix gas valves

Chrysler is recalling about 1,700 small Jeeps because faulty gas tank valves can cause fires.

The recall affects some 2012 all-wheel-drive Jeep Compass and Patriot SUVs.

Chrysler says the valves were damaged when the manufacturer tested them for leaks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the valves can leak gasoline if the SUVs are involved in a crash. Chrysler says it doesn't know of any fires or injuries.

The recall is expected to start in June. Dealers will replace the fuel tanks free of charge.

Owners with questions can call Chrysler at (800) 853-1403.

BMW recalls 1.3 million cars worldwide for battery cable issue

BMW AG is recalling about 1.3 million cars for repair worldwide due to a possible problem with a battery cable cover in the car boot, the carmaker said today.

The recall affects 5- and 6-Series BMWs built between 2003 and 2010, BMW said in a statement.

The recall affects about 367,000 vehicles in the United States and 290,000 in Germany, BMW said.

"In some remote cases, the battery cable cover inside the boot of these vehicles may be incorrectly mounted," it said.

"This can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire," the company said, adding it was not aware of any accidents or injuries to people due to the problem.

BMW said it was writing to car owners. The repair procedure in a BMW partner workshop would take about 30 minutes and would be free of charge to customers, it added.

Subaru recalls 275,000 SUVs in U.S. over seat belts

DETROIT (Reuters) -- Subaru is recalling about 275,000 Forester SUVs in the United States to replace a rear seat belt part that may not allow proper installation of a child restraint, U.S. safety regulators said.
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.'s Subaru is recalling the 2009 through 2012 model year Foresters because the automatic locking retractor in the rear-center seat belt assemblies doesn't meet federal requirements, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For that reason, the assemblies may not allow proper installation and secure attachment of a child restraint, increasing the risk of injury, NHTSA said.
Subaru will install a newly modified automatic locking retractor and the recall is expected to begin on or before April 13, NHTSA said.
A Subaru spokesman said there have been no accidents or injuries related to the issue.

Toyota recalls over 681,000 vehicles in United States

Toyota Motor Corp. said today it is recalling more than 681,000 cars and trucks in the United States to address potential problems.

The Japanese automaker said it will recall about 495,000 Tacoma pickup trucks from model years 2005 to 2009 to replace a part in the steering wheel. It is also recalling about 70,500 Camry mid-sized cars and 116,000 Venza crossover vehicles from model years 2009 to 2011 to replace a stop lamp switch.

Toyota said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries in either case.

For the Tacoma, Toyota will replace the steering wheel spiral cable assembly because friction may occur over time involving that part, which may result in the driver's side airbag being deactivated and not deploying in an accident.

For the Camry and Venza, silicon grease during assembly may lead to increased electrical resistance that can cause the vehicle not to start or the shift lever not to move from the "park" position, Toyota said.

Both fixes will take about 30 minutes, the company said. Owners of the affected Tacomas will be notified in early April, while the others will be alerted as soon as Toyota has the necessary replacement parts.

Goodyear recalls Wrangler Silent Armor tires

Goodyear said it will recall almost 41,000 light-truck tires over concerns of partial tread separation. Tread separation could lead to vehicle damage if the tread strikes the car, or an accident could occur if the tire fails.
The sizes recalled include:
-- LT235/80R17 LRE
-- LT325/60R18 LRE
-- LT275/70R18 LRE
-- LT265/70R17 LRE
-- LT245/75R17 LRE
-- LT285/70R17 LRD

The affected Wrangler Silent Armor tires were produced from March 31 to May 31, 2009. To find out when the tires were produced, owners can look at the last four digits of the tire-information number on the sidewall. If the number is between 0909 and 2209, then the tires need to be replaced.
Goodyear says it estimates that only a small percentage of the tires are affected.
The company has been inspecting these tires since May 2010, when it observed elevated levels of warranty returns. Goodyear says it found stone drilling damage and other external damage. Goodyear continued to monitor the tires in 2010 and 2011, but the company claims it still found no safety issue.
In the third quarter of last year, Goodyear received an injury claim involving the tires: Two people died in a rollover crash in Texas when a Wrangler Silent Armor tire failed, Goodyear spokesman Scott Baughman told the Chicago Tribune.
Goodyear says customers will be notified by March 22, and the tires will be replaced at no cost to owners.

Chrysler recalls police Chargers due to overheating

Chrysler Group LLC recalled nearly 10,000 Dodge Charger police vehicles built last year due to overheating issues that may lead to headlamp and brake failure.

The recall affects 9,688 Chargers for the 2011 and 2012 model years. The problems could lead to a loss of visibility or braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posting.

In some police cars, the low beam headlights may fail because of an overheated bulb harness connector. In other vehicles, the antilock brake and electronic stability system may stop working due to an overheated power distribution center.

Chrysler will relocate the ABS/ESC fuse and replace the headlamp jumper harness. Chrysler said it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires due to either condition.

The issues occur when police cars are exposed to severe conditions such as long periods of driving at a high speed, evasive driving during training exercises and extended idling, Chrysler said in a statement.

The headlamp problem was spotted in late August and led to changes at Brampton Assembly Plant, where Chrysler builds the Charger. In December, a state police car in Michigan showed repeated loss of ABS/ESC system power.

Door fires in Toyota Camry, RAV4 models studied by NHTSA

U.S. safety regulators have opened a preliminary investigation into consumer complaints of driver's side door fires in 2007 model year Toyota Camry sedans and RAV4 crossover SUVs.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said an estimated 830,000 vehicles may be affected. This probe is short of a recall but may lead to one.

Six consumers have complained, NHTSA said in a filing that shows the investigation was opened this week.

"Based on the available information, it appears the fires are originating from the power window master switch located on the driver's side door," the filing says.

Toyota said it awaits more information from NHTSA before responding to the government agency.

"Toyota received the Preliminary Evaluation Opening Resume for the 2007 RAV4 and Camry on February 7. However, we have not received an information request from the NHTSA. Toyota will fully cooperate with the agency in its efforts to investigate these allegations," the company said in an email statement.

Nissan recall

Nissan Motor Co. is recalling almost 37,000 Versa small cars with manual transmissions in the United States because they potentially could be shifted out of park without depressing the brake pedal, according to documents filed with NHTSA.

NHTSA said 36,608 Versas from model year 2012 with manual transmissions may experience interference between the shifter rod and shift knob. That could cause the driver to inadvertently shift the vehicle into gear without stepping on the brake pedal, increasing the risk of an accident, according to NHTSA documents.

Nissan discovered the problem in November 2011 during a dealer vehicle inspection and will notify owners and replace the shifter knob or shifter assembly as necessary, NHTSA said. The recall is expected to begin on February 20.

A Nissan official said no accidents or injuries have been reported in relation to this issue.

Kia recalls 145,755 Optimas, Rondos in U.S.

Kia Motors America is recalling 145,755 vehicles to fix a problem with the driver's side airbag that could potentially prevent it from deploying.

The recall covers 2006-08 model Optimas and 2007-08 model Rondos, according to documents posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site safercar.gov.

The problem originates with the clock spring assembly in the driver's side airbag which may become damaged over time. The damage can place high resistance on the electrical circuit, prompt an airbag warning light to illuminate on the instrument panel and compromise the airbag's ability to deploy, the automaker said in a letter to NHTSA. The condition could put drivers at risk for injury.

Kia, which identified the problem in November, will begin notifying dealers and customers sometime in March.

The company, in a statement, said it isn't aware of any airbags failing to deploy or of injuries resulting from the problem.

"Kia will provide a lifetime warranty for the driver’s airbag clock spring contact assembly for vehicles covered under this recall," Kia said.

Dealers will replace the vehicle's airbag clock spring as necessary, free of charge.

Ford recalls 450,426 minivans, SUVs in U.S. for safety flaws

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 450,426 vehicles in the United States to fix defects that can cause fires or loss of power.

The action covers 205,896 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans and 244,530 Escape sport-utility vehicles.

Ford is recalling 2004 and 2005 model Freestar and Monterey minivans because the torque converter output shafts in their powertrains may fail and cause sudden loss of power.

The 2001 and 2002 model Escape SUVs may have brake-fluid leaks from the cap of their brake master cylinder reservoir leading to corrosion that may cause fire.

Ford disclosed the recalls today on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Ford wasn't immediately available for comment.

The minivan recalls followed an investigation by the U.S. auto-safety regulator. The Escape recall follows another in 2007 during which Ford said some of the vehicles may not have been properly repaired.

BMW recalls Mini Coopers after fires, U.S. regulator says

BMW is recalling 88,911 Mini Cooper cars because of a defect that has caused fires, the U.S. auto-safety regulator said.

The circuit board on the electric auxiliary water pumps that cool the cars' turbochargers can malfunction, overheat and cause fires, BMW said Saturday in a posting on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site.

In October, the agency opened an investigation into Minis after reports of 12 engine fires, including five that destroyed the vehicles. In eight cases, the fires happened when the cars were parked and turned off. The recall includes various Minis from the model years 2007 to 2011.

GM recalls Chevy Sonics to check for missing brake pads

General Motors is recalling 4,296 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact models to inspect for missing brake pads. The missing part could lengthen the stopping distance, potentially contributing to a crash, the company said today in a statement.

The recall targets 2012 Sonics. The subcompact car -- a replacement for the South Korea-built Chevy Aveo -- went on sale this fall.

GM said the company isn't aware of any crashes or injuries resulting from missing pads. The problem was discovered when a rental Sonic was brought in for warranty service.

The missing brake pads -- part of a subassembly of components -- fell off before the cars were assembled and had remained unnoticed at the bottom of containers being shipped to the Orion Township, Mich., factory, said GM spokesman Alan Adler.

Korea Delphi Automotive Corp. is one of two suppliers that provides GM with brake assembly for the Sonic. GM declined to name the second supplier.

Delphi spokesman Lindsey Williams said in a statement that Korea Delphi -- a joint venture between Delphi International and two Korean stakeholders -- isn't associated with the recall of the GM Sonic.

GM's Adler also said the recall isn't a supplier issue and the company has since updated its processes in the assembly plant.

"This has been fixed by adding a clip to the shipping containers," Adler added.

Customers affected by the recall will start receiving letters from their dealers Jan. 14. GM said it expects "very few cars" to be affected by the problem.

"Dealers will inspect the front brakes for missing inner or outer pads," GM said in a statement. If a pad is missing, the dealer will install a new one, and if necessary, a new brake caliber or rotor. There will be no cost to the customer, the company said.

The Sonic is the only subcompact car built in the United States.

GM moved production of the redesigned small car to Michigan after striking a plant-specific deal with the local union at the Orion Township factory.

As part of the agreement, 40 percent of the plant's work force earn an entry-level wage, which starts at $15.78 an hour -- well below the base $28-an-hour pay for veteran auto workers.

The factory, which employs about 1,590 hourly workers, also builds GM's all-new compact car, the Buick Verano.

GM recalls 15,627 Chevrolet Captiva crossovers

General Motors is recalling 15,627 Chevrolet Captiva crossovers from the 2011-12 model years because the power steering fluid could overheat under certain conditions, leading to an engine compartment fire, the automaker said today.

The recall includes 3,150 vehicles sold to rental car fleets in the United States. No fires have been reported in the United States, where the Captiva is available only for fleet sale. The vehicle is built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.

GM spokesman Alan Adler said if the vehicle is inadvertently driven with the transmission in manual mode and left in first gear for a prolonged period, the vehicle's power steering fluid may overheat. This could cause the fluid reservoir to leak and start a fire if an ignition source is present, the company said.

Dealers will replace the power steering fluid loop cooler with a more efficient cooler at no cost.

Ford recalls Fusion, Milan to fix wheels that may fall off

The recall covers certain 2010 and 2011 Fusions and Milans.

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 128,616 Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans to fix defective wheels that may fall off, the U.S. Transportation Department said today.

The cars' wheel studs may fracture while driving, leading to "vibration and/or wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a notice on its Web site. The recall covers certain 2010 and 2011 models, the notice said.

The vehicles were built from April 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009 and from Dec. 1, 2009 through Nov. 13, 2010.

Dealers will replace lug nuts on all four wheels and inspect rear-wheel disc brake surfaces and replace them as necessary, the agency said.

"Affected customers can continue to drive their vehicles," said Susan Krusel, a spokeswoman for Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford. "We are not aware of any accidents or injuries."

Ford plans to notify owners beginning the week of Jan. 24, Krusel said. Customers can ask their dealers to inspect the lug nuts to make sure they're properly attached, she said.

The recall covers cars originally equipped with 17-inch steel wheels built at a plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, NHTSA said in a letter to Ford. The wheels were supplied by Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. in Northville, Mich., and the brakes were supplied by Brembo North America Inc. in Plymouth, Mich., the agency said.

NHTSA began investigating Jan. 21, according to agency documents. The agency at the time was aware of 29 owner complaints, including four instances in which wheels had fallen off, and 128 warranty claims Ford had paid for fractured wheel studs.

Honda widens airbag fixes to 917,000 more vehicles

U.S. accounts for 90% of affected models

Honda Motor Co. widened its biggest recall to fix flaws related to airbags in models including the Civic and Accord produced as long as a decade ago.

The recall covers an additional 917,267 vehicles worldwide, said spokesman Keitaro Yamamoto. That brings the total to more than 2.77 million, the company's biggest recall for an individual flaw, he said.

More than 90 percent of the affected vehicles are in the United States.

"Affected driver's airbag inflators may deploy with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to rupture and could result in injury or fatality," the company said in a statement.

The models include the 2001 and 2002 Accord, the 2001 to 2003 Civic, the 2001 to 2003 Odyssey, the 2002 and 2003 CR-V, the 2003 Pilot, the 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL and the 2003 Acura 3.2 CL vehicles, according to the statement.

Honda recalled more than 300,000 Pilot SUVs in September for seat-belt stitching that could unravel during a crash.

The latest move is a blow to Honda, the only large carmaker to report a sales decline in the U.S. last month, as it seeks to recover from natural disasters in Japan and Thailand this year.

Toyota Motor Corp. posted a drop in U.S. sales last year after the recall of millions of vehicles undermined its reputation for quality.

"A recall will definitely have a negative impact on Honda," said Masatoshi Nishimoto, a senior manager for IHS Automotive in Tokyo. "Honda is behind on production due to the impact of the Japanese earthquake and the Thai floods."