Recalls for March 16, 2015

Happy Monday everyone.  The start of another work week brings recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This week recall issues include potential fires, cracking wheel chair lifts, brake and steering issues, faulty seat belts, parking brakes that don't hold, broken gas pedals, leaky fuel lines, electrical failures, improper labeling and more.

Please review the list of recalls.  If your vehicle is affected by a recall please have it repaired as quickly as possible.  We want you to be safe.

Have a safe motoring week!  

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

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V104
Manufacturer :	Gulf Stream Coach, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	GULF STREAM / 2010-2014
Subject :	Incorrect Tire Labels/Part 567
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V107
Manufacturer :	Prevost Cars, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	PREVOST / 2014
Subject :	Seat Belt Retractor may not Lock
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V109
Manufacturer :	Lance Camper Manufacturing. Corp.
Make / Model Years :	LANCE / 2015
Subject :	Screws for Awning Lateral Arm Brackets may Fail
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V111
Manufacturer :	McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	MCNEILUS / 2005-2014
Subject :	Secondary Brake Pressure Insufficient/FMVSS 121
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V112
Manufacturer :	Farber Specialty Vehicles
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 1993 FARBER / 2009 FORD / 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER / 2010-2014 GMC / 2007 STRICK / 2006-2007 UTILIMASTER / 2005-2013 WINNEBAGO / 2005-2014 WORKHORSE / 2010
Subject :	Wheelchair Lift Platform Cracking
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V113
Manufacturer :	General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :	CHEVROLET / 2015
Subject :	Parking Brake Cable Brackets/FMVSS 135
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V114
Manufacturer :	Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Make / Model Years :	DODGE / 2015
Subject :	Damaged Fuel Rail Hose Connection
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V117
Manufacturer :	Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Make / Model Years :	KAWASAKI / 2009-2013
Subject :	Police Use Modifications/Electrical System Issues
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V118
Manufacturer :	Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2016
Subject :	Steering Shaft Interference may Affect Steering
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V119
Manufacturer :	Prevost Cars, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	PREVOST / 2014-2015
Subject :	Kidde Handheld Fire Extinguisher
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V120
Manufacturer :	Wheeled Coach Industries, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	WHEELED COACH / 2010
Subject :	Various Electrical System Failures
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V121
Manufacturer :	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years :	HONDA / 2014-2015
Subject :	Connecting Rod Bolts may be Improperly Torqued
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V122
Manufacturer :	Prevost Cars, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	PREVOST / 2007-2012
Subject :	Fuel Line Abrasion Causing Fuel Leak
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V123
Manufacturer :	Kia Motors America
Make / Model Years :	KIA / 2014-2015
Subject :	Accelerator Pedal may Fracture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V124
Manufacturer :	Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2016
Subject :	Steering Shaft Interference may Affect Steering
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V126
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2015
Subject :	Incorrect Certification Label/FMVSS 567
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V127
Manufacturer :	Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Make / Model Years :	FREIGHTLINER / 2007-2011
Subject :	Water Intrusion Causing Electrical Shorts
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V128
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2015
Subject :	Incorrect GVWR Rating on Label/FMVSS 567
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V129
Manufacturer :	NABI Bus, LLC
Make / Model Years :	NABI / 2014
Subject :	Tie Rod Nuts may be Incorrectly Torqued
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V130
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2015
Subject :	Fueling Station too Close to Ignition Source
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V131
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2015
Subject :	Fueling Station too Close to Ignition Source
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V142
Manufacturer :	Indian Motorcycle Company
Make / Model Years :	INDIAN / 2015
Subject :	Loss of Rear Brakes

Four Decades of Data Used to Test 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

Recorded customer use drives durability testing for next-generation midsize sedan                     |         

DETROIT – Data collected over decades from across the globe is helping ensure the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu can handle the world’s worst roads even if the all-new midsize sedan never drives on them.
Data collection boxes are placed in cars in real-world driving conditions around the world. Since 1972, these devices have accurately recorded the harshness and frequency of every jounce, bump and shudder inflicted on the car on roads in the U.S., Russia, Saudi Arabia and developing markets.
 
“Although most Malibu owners will never put their car through similar abuse, we test all new vehicles in extreme climates, inclement weather and on punishing road surfaces,” said Dan Devine, Malibu validation engineer. “The 2016 Malibu is definitely up to these challenges.”

Tests like these ensured the current generation Malibu was dependable and durable, two qualities that in turn helped Malibu stand out from its rivals in important quality surveys, such as J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study and Vehicle Dependability Study.

General Motors engineers analyze the data to calculate the precise amount of damage potholes and other hazards create over 150,000 miles. Then the conditions are replicated at GM’s Milford Proving Ground in Michigan on three unique road courses, each riddled with simulated potholes of increasing severity. Engineers run preproduction cars through the course up to hundreds of times.

Additional validation and development tests include logging more than 1.5 million miles of driving in controlled environments and on open roads.

The 2016 Malibu also endured some harsh weather through drives in scorching Yuma, Ariz. – which averages 107 degree temperatures in July – and sub-zero cold of Northern Canada – which averages a low of -13 degrees in January. At the GM Technical Center in Warren, Mich., the Malibu put in several hours in the Climatic Wind Tunnel, where temperatures can be raised to 140 degrees or lowered to 40 degrees below zero.

The new Malibu also endures a battery of stationary and dynamic tests to simulate abuse well beyond the average lifetime of the car. These tests include:

• A four-post vehicle test which balances each wheel on a hydraulic post that actuates the suspension at high frequency, accelerating the wear on bushings and dampers.
• Door, hood and decklid slams speed up wear on hinges and latches.
• Road durability testing includes extremes such as twist ditches, driveway angles, mud and gravel, high-speed tests, chatter bumps, Belgian blocks and salt spray.

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu will be available late in 2015.

About Chevrolet


 Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Recalls For March 9, 2015

Good Monday morning!  Thank you for visiting our blog. 

Today as usual the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is continuing to pursue our interests by relentlessly finding safety issues and conditions that could cause injury or even death. 

Today's issues include wheel lug nuts that might break, electronics that could overheat, brake problems, exterior lights that might be impaired by water, improper bolt security on axles, exhaust fumes that might seep into a compartment, cracked steps, stalling engines, natural gas leaks, hood latches that might fail and more.

Please review the recalls.  If your vehicle is affected please have it repaired as soon as possible.

Have a great week!
        

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

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V092
Manufacturer :	Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	LAND ROVER / 2015
Subject :	Wheel Lug Nuts May Crack
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V094
Manufacturer :	Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Make / Model Years :	FREIGHTLINER / 2015
Subject :	Incorrect Brake Boost Pump Switch
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V096
Manufacturer :	Altec Industries Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ALTEC / 2011-2014
Subject :	Cylinder Base End Lug May Crack
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V097
Manufacturer :	Hyundai Motor America
Make / Model Years :	HYUNDAI / 2015
Subject :	Water may Leak into Rear Combination Lamp Assembly
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V098
Manufacturer :	Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	TOYOTA / 2015
Subject :	Improperly Tightened Rear Axle Bolts
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V099
Manufacturer :	Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	TOYOTA / 2015
Subject :	Incorrect Tire Placard Information/FMVSS 110
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V101
Manufacturer :	Altec Industries Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ALTEC / 2012-2014
Subject :	Short Circuit may Result in Module Overheating
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V102
Manufacturer :	Keystone RV Company
Make / Model Years :	KEYSTONE / 2013-2015
Subject :	Quad Entry Step Failure
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V103
Manufacturer :	Cruiser RV
Make / Model Years :	CRUISER RV / 2016
Subject :	Opening Slide Floor May Expose Owners to Fumes
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V105
Manufacturer :	Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Make / Model Years :	FREIGHTLINER / 2014-2015
Subject :	Corrosion of Fuel Hoses may Result in CNG Leak
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V108
Manufacturer :	PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years :	PETERBILT / 2009-2015
Subject :	Improperly Torqued Tie Rod Clamp
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V115
Manufacturer :	Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Make / Model Years :	DODGE / 2012-2013 JEEP / 2012-2013
Subject :	Fuel Pump Relay may Fail Resulting in Stall
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V116
Manufacturer :	Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	NISSAN / 2013-2015
Subject :	Secondary Hood Latch may Bind and not Latch

Elio Engine Goes Through Paces

The Elio three wheeled vehicle allegedly goes into production in 2016.  The engine is a fresh design that was specifically designed for the Elio.  The vehicle is a new vehicle classification in many states as an autocycle.  It's a two passenger completely enclosed vehicle.  A driver sits in front with a passenger sitting behind the driver in a rear seat.

The three cylinder engine pictured here is going through testing before it goes into production.  It will placed in the vehicle with either a manual or automatic transmission.

The vehicle will be manufactured in the United States.  Estimated price is $6800 with front-wheel-drive, air bags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, a/c, radio, power window and power lock.  The manufacturer is targeting 84 mpg.      


Click Link To View The Test:  Elio Engine Undergoes Tests