Honda Recalls 2012 Accord, 2012 Crosstour, 2011-2012 Ridgeline

Honda has issued two recalls today -- one for the 2012 Accord and 2012 Crosstour, and another for the 2011-2012 Ridgeline. 

The 2012 Accord and Crosstour recall is the most worrisome of the two. According to a bulletinfrom the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Accords and Crosstours from the 2012 model year may have been built with a faulty inflator for the side-curtain airbag on the passenger's side. As a result, those airbags may not deploy during a crash, seriously increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Thankfully, the size of this recall is fairly small, including only 347 units to date. (Given the popularity of the Accord, the recall could've been much larger a few months down the road.) Hondaexpects to notify owners of affected vehicles about the recall by next Friday, February 10. At that time, they'll be able to take their vehicles to a Honda dealer, who will inspect the airbag system and replace inflators as necessary, free of charge.

If you have questions about the 2012 Accord and Crosstour recall, we encourage you to ring Honda Customer Service at 800-999-1009, or call the NHTSA at 888-327-4236 and ask about recall campaign #12V030000.

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The 2011-2012 Ridgeline recall centers around the Ridgeline's spare tire, which has come withinaccurate inflation information on the attached placard. If owners use the spare tire and it's improperly inflated, the tire could fail, leading to an accident. Approximately 206 Ridgelines are included in this recall.

Honda has already begun sending out notices to Ridgeline owners, so if you have one of the recalled vehicles in your garage, you should receive something in the mail very soon. At that time, you can take your Ridgeline to a Honda dealer, who will amend or replace the tire information placard free of charge. 

Should you have additional questions about the Ridgeline recall, call Honda Customer Service at 800-999-1009, or ring up the NHTSA at 888-327-4236 and ask about recall campaign#12V025000.

Chrysler Recalls 2012 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Models For Engine Debris

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Chrysler Group is recalling nearly 700 model-year 2012 Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and Jeep Grand Cherokee models built between August 31 and September 13, 2011.

All affected vehicles are equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which may potentially experience connecting-rod bearing failure due to manufacturing debris left inside the engine block during assembly.

Connecting-rod failure could lead to a seized engine and loss of vehicle control. No customer incidents have been reported due to this defect, which was detected during a quality audit of Chrysler’s Saltillo South Engine Plant.

Due to the recent manufacturing dates, most affected vehicles are on dealer lots or in transit to dealerships, and won't yet have been delivered to customers.

Chrysler will replace the engines of affected vehicles when the recall begins in October.

Owners will be notified via first class mail, but those with questions or concerns can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403. Questions may also be directed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, which can be reached at (888) 327-4236.

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Chrysler Recalls 2012 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Models For Engine Debris

Newsletter Stay up to date on car reviews, buying guides, articles and more

Chrysler Group is recalling nearly 700 model-year 2012 Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and Jeep Grand Cherokee models built between August 31 and September 13, 2011.

All affected vehicles are equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which may potentially experience connecting-rod bearing failure due to manufacturing debris left inside the engine block during assembly.

Connecting-rod failure could lead to a seized engine and loss of vehicle control. No customer incidents have been reported due to this defect, which was detected during a quality audit of Chrysler’s Saltillo South Engine Plant.

Due to the recent manufacturing dates, most affected vehicles are on dealer lots or in transit to dealerships, and won't yet have been delivered to customers.

Chrysler will replace the engines of affected vehicles when the recall begins in October.

Owners will be notified via first class mail, but those with questions or concerns can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403. Questions may also be directed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, which can be reached at (888) 327-4236.

View the original article here

Chrysler Recalls 2012 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Models For Engine Debris

Newsletter Stay up to date on car reviews, buying guides, articles and more

Chrysler Group is recalling nearly 700 model-year 2012 Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and Jeep Grand Cherokee models built between August 31 and September 13, 2011.

All affected vehicles are equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which may potentially experience connecting-rod bearing failure due to manufacturing debris left inside the engine block during assembly.

Connecting-rod failure could lead to a seized engine and loss of vehicle control. No customer incidents have been reported due to this defect, which was detected during a quality audit of Chrysler’s Saltillo South Engine Plant.

Due to the recent manufacturing dates, most affected vehicles are on dealer lots or in transit to dealerships, and won't yet have been delivered to customers.

Chrysler will replace the engines of affected vehicles when the recall begins in October.

Owners will be notified via first class mail, but those with questions or concerns can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403. Questions may also be directed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, which can be reached at (888) 327-4236.

View the original article here

Chrysler recalls 12 different 2011 models for faulty steering column

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GM Recalls 2011 Chevrolet Cruze For Steering, Shifter Issues

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

General Motors [NYSE: GM] is recalling nearly all of its 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan models built to date for two potential issues both related to vehicle assembly.

According to the automaker, in about 154,000 Cruze models, the intermediate steering shaft covers need to be inspected for proper installation, while the automatic-transmission shift linkage needs to be checked in more than 120,000 Cruze sedans. All of the affected Cruze models were built in Lordstown, Ohio, and about 129,000 of those 154,000 Cruze models recalled are in the U.S.

The concern with the steering issue is that the shaft might not have been properly installed; GM cited one complaint in which the owner, in a parking lot, turned the steering wheel without a change in direction from the vehicle. Likewise, the automatic transmission shifter could potentially still be in gear when it's in the 'Park' position.

This isn't the first steering-related issue for the Cruze, or for compact GM sedans. Just last month, GM recalled some Cruze models for a steering-wheel issue, in which it might not have been properly fastened to the steering column at the factory. The action had been prompted by an incident in which the steering wheel actually detached into a Minnesota driver's hands at 65 mph.

Since the recall doesn't actually involve any redesigned parts, expect to hear from General Motors soon regarding the recall effort; otherwise you can call Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, or check in with the GM Owner Center.

[Detroit News; New York Times]

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