Recalls For July 7, 2014

Happy Monday Everyone!

Recalls abound.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued many new recalls ranging from propane leaks to cracked frames.  Other issues include faulty seat belt anchors, broken chains, fires, loss of power steering, ignition lock problems and much more.

Please review the recall list.   If your vehicle is affected please have it repaired as soon as possible.  Your life and the life of others may depend upon a quick repair.     

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V271
Manufacturer :	Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	TIFFIN / 2008-2011
Subject :	Moisture In Clearance Lights may cause Short
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V275
Manufacturer :	Great Dane Trailers
Make / Model Years :	GREAT DANE / 2015
Subject :	Missing Pintle Hook Bogie Tube Welds
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V276
Manufacturer :	Van Hool N.V.
Make / Model Years :	VAN HOOL / 2004,2006,2013
Subject :	Battery Equalizers-Possible Fire
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V278
Manufacturer :	Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	SUZUKI / 2014
Subject :	Drive Chain Link may Not be Riveted
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V279
Manufacturer :	Mobility Specialists, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FORD / 2007-2008
Subject :	Wheelchair Lift/Outer Roll Stop Latching Mechanism
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V280
Manufacturer :	Lotus Cars USA, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	LOTUS / 2008-2011
Subject :	Oil Cooler Line Detachment
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V281
Manufacturer :	Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	MITSUBISHI / 2014
Subject :	Power Steering Pressure Tube may Chafe
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V283
Manufacturer :	PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years :	PETERBILT / 2010-2015
Subject :	Lack of Air Bag Fault Telltale Lamp
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V287
Manufacturer :	Terex South Dakota, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	TEREX / 2006-2014
Subject :	Frame may Crack
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V288
Manufacturer :	Starcraft RV, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	STARCRAFT / 2014
Subject :	Frame Spring Hanger Failure
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V291
Manufacturer :	Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	JAGUAR / 2013-2014
Subject :	Rear Brake Pipe Leaking Brake Fluid
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V292
Manufacturer :	Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	JAGUAR / 2013
Subject :	Control Module Calibration Software/FMVSS 208
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V295
Manufacturer :	Ameritrail, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	RANCH KING / 2011
Subject :	Trailer Brake Actuator may Fail Prematurely
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V296
Manufacturer :	NABI Bus, LLC
Make / Model Years :	NABI / 2012
Subject :	Steering Column Support Bracket may Detach
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V297
Manufacturer :	Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2012-2013
Subject :	Corrosion of Propane Tank Fuel Line
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V302
Manufacturer :	Champion Bus, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	CHAMPION BUS / 2014
Subject :	Seat Belt may be Difficult to Unlatch/FMVSS 209
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V303
Manufacturer :	Champion Bus, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	CHAMPION BUS / 2014
Subject :	Hybrid Transmission Software
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V304
Manufacturer :	Van Hool N.V.
Make / Model Years :	VAN HOOL / 2014-2015
Subject :	Driver Seat Belt Anchorage Assembly/FMVSS 210
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V306
Manufacturer :	Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2012-2015
Subject :	Steering Shaft Interference may Affect Steering
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V308
Manufacturer :	Altec Industries Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ALTEC / 2009-2012
Subject :	Fiberglass Boom may Conduct Electricity
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V309
Manufacturer :	Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2012-2015
Subject :	Steering Shaft Interference may Affect Steering
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V310
Manufacturer :	Hyundai Motor Company
Make / Model Years :	HYUNDAI / 2010-2012
Subject :	Headliner Support Bracket may cause Injury
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V311
Manufacturer :	Subaru of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	SUBARU / 2005-2014
Subject :	Brake Lines may Fail due to Corrosion
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V337
Manufacturer :	Corp. Micro Bird Inc.
Make / Model Years :	MICRO BIRD / 2011-2013
Subject :	Corrosion of Propane Tank Fuel Line
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V373
Manufacturer :	Chrysler Group LLC
Make / Model Years :	CHRYSLER / 2008-2010 DODGE / 2008-2010
Subject :	Ignition Switch may Turn Off

Recalls for Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Happy Tuesday everyone! 

Wow!  It's amazing to read of all the faults in vehicles.  I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.  I want to hear your opinions over recalls.  Is the quality of cars worse today than ten years ago?  Do car manufactures rely too heavily on suppliers.  Is quality control of parts from suppliers poor.  Are car manufactures passing the buck on to suppliers?  Are engineers not designing parts of quality?  Is the economy affecting the quality of cars?  These are just some ideas.  What's your opinion?

 Today a number of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls regard air bag problems.  Other issues include problems with seat belts, drive shafts, steering, ignition switches, short circuits and more.


If your car is affected, please have it repaired as quickly as possible.

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V248
Manufacturer :	Jerr-Dan Corporation
Make / Model Years :	JERR-DAN / 2007-2014
Subject :	Underlift Boom may Drift Down
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V249
Manufacturer :	Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC
Make / Model Years :	SEAGRAVE / 2013-2014
Subject :	Seat Belt may be Difficult to Unlatch/FMVSS 209
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V250
Manufacturer :	Elgin Sweeper Company Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ELGIN / 2013
Subject :	Seat Belt may be Difficult to Unlatch/FMVSS 209
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V255
Manufacturer :	Lodal, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	LODAL / 2011-2013
Subject :	Ice May Form in Intake Manifold
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V257
Manufacturer :	Champion Bus, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	CHAMPION / 2013
Subject :	Wheelchair Lift Armored Pendant Cable Shortcircuit
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V263
Manufacturer :	Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	NISSAN / 2014
Subject :	Circuit Board Voltage may Result in Shutdown
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V264
Manufacturer :	BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	BMW / 2012-2014
Subject :	Camshaft Chain Tensioner may cause Engine Stall
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V269
Manufacturer :	Eldorado National- Kansas
Make / Model Years :	ELDORADO / 2012-2014
Subject :	Wheelchair Lift Armored Pendant Cable Shortcircuit
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V316
Manufacturer :	Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years :	FORD / 2014
Subject :	Loss of Steering Control
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V320
Manufacturer :	BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	BMW / 2014
Subject :	Rear Shock Absorber may Break
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V335
Manufacturer :	Motor Coach Industries
Make / Model Years :	MCI / 1993-1995,2006,2008
Subject :	Driveshaft may Detach from Motor Coach
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V340
Manufacturer :	Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	NISSAN / 9999
Subject :	Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator may Rupture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V343
Manufacturer :	Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years :	FORD / 2004-2007
Subject :	Frontal Air Bag Inflators may Rupture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V344
Manufacturer :	Mazda North American Operations
Make / Model Years :	MAZDA / 2003-2008
Subject :	Frontal Air Bag Inflators may Rupture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V346
Manufacturer :	General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :	CHEVROLET / 2010-2014
Subject :	Knee Contact may Turn Ignition Switch Off
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V348
Manufacturer :	BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	BMW / 2001-2006
Subject :	Frontal Air Bag Inflators may Rupture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V349
Manufacturer :	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years :	ACURA / 2003 HONDA / 2002-2003
Subject :	Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V350
Manufacturer :	Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	LEXUS / 2003-2005 PONTIAC / 2003-2005 TOYOTA / 2003-2005
Subject :	Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V351
Manufacturer :	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years :	ACURA / 2002-2006 HONDA / 2001-2011
Subject :	Driver Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V353
Manufacturer :	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years :	ACURA / 2003-2005 HONDA / 2003-2005
Subject :	Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V354
Manufacturer :	Chrysler Group LLC
Make / Model Years :	CHRYSLER / 9999
Subject :	Frontal Air Bag Inflators may Rupture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V355
Manufacturer :	General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :	BUICK / 2005-2011 CADILLAC / 2000-2011 CHEVROLET / 2006-2014
Subject :	Ignition Switch may Turn Off
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	14V372
Manufacturer :	General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :	CHEVROLET / 2013-2014
Subject :	Driver's Front Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Car of the Future’ Is Here. Now.

 

Toyota Shows Production Fuel Cell Vehicle; Previews Mobility’s Future at 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival

Toyota’s Driver Awareness Research Vehicle, DARV 1.5, demonstrating ways for the car and driver to share tasks and reduce distraction

 

ASPEN, Colo., June 27, 2014 – Driving helps make lives safer, greener and more convenient at Toyota’s “Experience the Future of Mobility” exhibit, open now at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival. Toyota is staging the North American debut of its “Car of the Future” at the annual conference. Unveiled earlier this week at a press conference in Japan, the zero-emission hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) will be available for sale to customers in California in summer 2015.

True to the Festival’s 2014 focus on imagining the future, the Toyota FCV is an important step forward for zero-emission vehicle technology. An electric-drive, mid-size, four-door sedan, the vehicle won’t require customers to compromise on safety, price or performance. Instead, the FCV will travel approximately 300 miles on a single fill-up of hydrogen, which takes less than five minutes.

In addition, Toyota is taking steps to ensure that owners of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be able to fill their tanks, no matter what brand is on the hood. In May, the company announced it had entered a financial relationship with FirstElement Fuels to support the long-term operation and maintenance of 19 new hydrogen refueling stations in California.

“Our society is on the cusp of a revolution in personal mobility,” said Osamu Nagata, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America. “Slowly but surely, new technologies are changing how we think about automobiles and transportation -- from intelligent, automated systems that team up with drivers to improve safety, to zero-emission vehicles that emit nothing but water vapor. These technologies will help save lives, improve the environment, create jobs and help the U.S. maintain technical leadership in a field that is an important contributor to economic growth.”

Nagata will discuss the company’s vision for the future of mobility on the Festival’s main stage on June 28 during a one-on-one interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin, Financial Columnist, Editor-at-Large, New York Times; Co-anchor, CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

In addition to the FCV, Toyota is presenting a comprehensive vision for the Future of Mobility with an interactive exhibit that brings to life emerging automated vehicle technologies and cutting-edge safety research.

The display includes a preview of the Toyota’s newest generation Driver Awareness Research Vehicle (DARV 1.5), part of the company’s ongoing research into the dynamics of driver distraction at the Collaborative Safety Research Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Toyota DARV 1.5 uses advanced technology, including Microsoft's Surface and Kinect and custom biometric software and algorithms by Infosys, to help driver, passengers and the vehicle itself work together as a team to achieve safer driving.

The technology allows for features such as “driver lock-in,” which tracks the driver’s body frame and automatically enables or disables features based upon who is interacting with the navigation panel. The Toyota research vehicle also explores new ways to use emerging wearable devices, such as smart watches, to control key vehicle functions in an effort to understand the potential impact of these devices on auto safety. In addition, the Toyota DARV 1.5 looks at new ways to create a safer driving environment by measuring driver behavior and providing a driving “score” based on safe driving choices.

Aspen Ideas Festival attendees will also experience:
  

• A large interactive wall that uses image capture to display the activity of visitors moving about the exhibit, while sharing how next-generation automated safety technologies will team up with drivers to improve safety;

 

• Educational information about the technologies, a fueling station to enjoy pour-over coffee, and outdoor living room relaxation area.

Toyota is a presenting underwriter of the tenth annual Aspen Ideas Festival, the nation's premier, public gathering place for leaders from around the globe and across many disciplines to engage in deep and inquisitive discussion of the ideas and issues that both shape our lives and challenge our times.

 

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we’ve built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 40,000 people (more than 32,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks (more than 2.2 million in the U.S.) in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.