Chrysler recalls 300,000 minivans for airbags that could spontaneously deploy
August 4, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Minivan/Van , Etc. , Recalls , Safety , Chrysler , Dodge Chrysler has announced that it is recalling 299,178 minivans for a potentially dangerous HVAC fault. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , certain 2008 Chrysler Grand Voyager, Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan models could have air conditioning systems that leak condensation onto the occupant restraint control module. This can cause the airbag light to illuminate and may eventually lead to the accidental deployment of the supplemental restraints. The vehicles in question were manufactured between June 24, 2007 and July 30, 2008, and NHTSA warns that an accidental airbag deployment could cause occupant injury or lead to a serious accident. Chrysler dealers will replace the occupant restraint control module free of charge once the recall begins this month. At this point it’s unclear whether any work will be done to the HVAC system to prevent condensation from causing the same issue in the future. Click past the jump for a look at the full recall notice. Owners may contact NHTSA or Chrysler for more information. Continue reading Chrysler recalls 300,000 minivans for airbags that could spontaneously deploy Chrysler recalls 300,000 minivans for airbags that could spontaneously deploy originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Beatboxing cop car can pull you over by way of a song
July 25, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Sedan , Etc. , Safety , Videos , Dodge , Police/Emergency Doug E. Fresh, Swifty, Buffy and Wise were the pioneers. Rahzell, Wes Carroll and Gavin Tyte moved it into the modern era, and Beardyman is moving it into the future. What the hell are we talking about? The art of beatboxing, of course. A new challenger has arrived to take on the kings of vocal percussion. Actually, this challenger is a Charger – a Dodge Charger police car to be exact. The car’s emergency sirens have been programmed to “beat box.” (We put that term in quotes so as not to offend the people we listed above). Click past the jump to see and hear the car in action. Continue reading Beatboxing cop car can pull you over by way of a song Beatboxing cop car can pull you over by way of a song originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Chrysler joins Ford, backs hand-held cellphone ban
July 20, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Safety , Technology , Chrysler Chrysler has joined Ford in backing a federal ban on the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving. According to The Detroit News , Chrysler, Ford and Verizon Wireless have all announced their support of the Safe Drivers Act of 2011 . The bill, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D, NY), would require the Transportation Department to study the impact of distracted driving over two years, especially on younger drivers. After that time, the agency would make a recommendation on minimum federal standards to ban cell-phone use while driving and appropriate penalties. That’s in spite of recent research by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association that indicates distracted-driving legislation has had little to know actual impact on phone use behind the wheel. Still, as The Detroit News points out, nine states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws aimed squarely at cell phone use. A federal standard would require all states to enforce the same penalties. General Motors , meanwhile, has declined to support the bill, opting instead to back Oprah Winfrey’s efforts on distracted driving awareness. Chrysler joins Ford, backs hand-held cellphone ban originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Chrysler suspends nine workers at Trenton plant over drinking and smoking scandal [w/video]
![Chrysler suspends nine workers at Trenton plant over drinking and smoking scandal [w/video]](http://larsonautomotiveblog.com/wp-content/themes/agentpress_1.02/tools/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/7c2ba1561311085652-150x150.jpg&h=150&w=225&zc=1)
July 19, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing , Safety , Videos , Chrysler , UAW/Unions Last week, the local news team at FOX 2 Detroit broke this story about Chrysler employees caught drinking and smoking on their lunch break near the Trenton Engine Plant. Now, Chrysler has taken swift action against the nine employees caught on tape by FOX 2 – all have been suspended without pay, pending further investigation. In speaking to FOX 2 Detroit, Chrysler issued this official statement regarding this matter: To date, all nine employees have been suspended indefinitely without pay pending further investigation. While the evidence seems conclusive, the Company needs to act in accordance with corporate policy and the terms of the collective bargaining agreement before further action is taken. The investigation is ongoing. After receiving a bunch of viewer tips, FOX 2 filmed the nine Chrysler employees drinking and using drugs at a park across from the United Auto Workers Local 372 headquarters, near the Trenton plant. A similar incident occurred last September at Chrysler’s Jefferson North facility. Follow the jump to watch FOX 2′s original video report of the Trenton incident. Continue reading Chrysler suspends nine workers at Trenton plant over drinking and smoking scandal [w/video] Chrysler suspends nine workers at Trenton plant over drinking and smoking scandal [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
NHTSA investigating some Nissan Altima, Jeep Wrangler models
July 1, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Sedan , SUV , Recalls , Safety , Jeep , Nissan , Off-Road 2010 Nissan Altima – Click above for high-res image gallery The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into two vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years: the Nissan Altima and Jeep Wrangler . The Altima has been the subject of 20 non-injury complaints regarding a loss of stopping power. The culprit is supposed to be a brake fluid leak which, if left unaddressed by drivers when the warning light “is ignored,” decreases braking force. There are 440,000 Altimas included in the investigation. Nissan recalled 180,000 Sentras from the same model years for the same kind of leak. There are also 220,000 Jeep Wranglers under investigation for non-deployment of drivers’ airbags due to a failed electrical circuit. 29 non-injury complaints were received, and at least six of the Wranglers were found to have been right-hand-drive models. NHTSA investigating some Nissan Altima, Jeep Wrangler models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Chrysler recalling 11,000 new vehicles over steering concern *UPDATE
June 16, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Recalls , Safety , Chevrolet , Dodge , Jeep Chrysler’s recalled vehicles for 2011 steering defect – Click above for high-res image gallery Chrysler has issued a recall that spans across its family lines. A missing or incorrectly installed rivet on the steering column could result in a loss of control. The recall affects the following 2011 model year vehicles: Chrysler 200 Chrysler 200 convertible Chrysler Town and Country Dodge Avenger Dodge Caliber Dodge Grand Caravan Dodge Journey Dodge Nitro Jeep Compass Jeep Liberty Jeep Patriot Jeep Wrangler In total, 11,351 Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles need to be inspected by a dealer. Affected vehicles will have their steering column inspected and adjusted as needed, at no cost to owners. The recall will begin this month. Click past the jump for the full National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bulletin. *UPDATE : Chrysler has corrected NHTSA on the effect of the missing or incorrectly installed rivet. This issue has no affect on a vehicle’s steering ability, but could cause the steering column to improperly bear the driver’s weight in the event of a front-end crash . Continue reading Chrysler recalling 11,000 new vehicles over steering concern *UPDATE Chrysler recalling 11,000 new vehicles over steering concern *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Center for Auto Safety pushes for recall of 2.2 million Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs
June 10, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: SUV , Government/Legal , Safety , Chrysler , Jeep The Center for Auto Safety doesn’t often make national news, but demanding that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall 2.2 million Jeep Grand Cherokee models tends to change things. The safety-minded organization claims that the 1993 through 2004 Grand Cherokee “is the most dangerous vehicle on the road today” due to a supposed defective fuel tank design. The tank in question is located behind the rear axle, which reportedly makes the tank more apt to puncture in the event of a rear-end accident. And when gas tanks rupture, they tend to burst into flames. In fact, The Center for Auto Safety claims that 55 people have died in crashes with severe fires. That’s not a very good statistic for Chrysler , but the automaker reportedly told ABC News that rear-impact accidents that lead to a fire are rare, and no different than other models in the same class as the Grand Cherokee. Chrysler ended up moving the gas tank of the Grand Cherokee to the front of the rear rear axle, but the automaker claims the move was made to make more room for cargo and not because of any safety concerns. Center for Auto Safety pushes for recall of 2.2 million Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards
May 13, 2011 by Dodge Blogger · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Truck , Safety , Chevrolet , Dodge , Ford , GMC , Nissan , Toyota IIHS Full-Size Pickup Rollover Crash Testing – Click above for high-res image gallery Like their body-on-frame SUV cousins, full-size pickup trucks are more prone to roll over than a standard passenger car. That’s exactly why it’s so important to have a vehicle that earns good marks in roof-strength tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just released the data on its recent volley of tests on full-size pickup trucks, and both the 2011 Ford F-150 and 2011 Toyota Tundra earned the coveted Top Safety Pick designation. The vehicles earned the highest possible rating of ‘good’ in the institutes crush test, where a large steel plate is pressed against one corner of the roof to calculate a strength-to-weight ratio. Meanwhile, the 2011 Nissan Titan took home an acceptable rating in the rollover evaluation while the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado , 2011 GMC Sierra and 2011 Ram 1500 netted marginal scores. IIHS says that the roof on the Toyota Tundra stood up to 4.5 times the truck’s weight while the F-150 handled 4.7 times the pressure. A vehicle must withstand 4 times its weight before five-inches of crush is detected before being awarded a Good rating. Hit the jump for the full press release. Continue reading Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
NHTSA rules Wrangler doesn’t need recall for fuel spillage problems
April 6, 2011 by paramopgi · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Government/Legal , Safety , Jeep 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4×4 – Click above for high-res image gallery The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 615 complaints so far about the 2007 and 2008 Jeep Wrangler over issues of fuel spillage. The complaints say that when the Wrangler is being refueled, there’s nothing that stops the fuel from spilling over onto the ground, all over the car or even on the person doing the refueling once the tank is full. NHTSA received so many complaints that the agency opened up its own investigation in August, 2010 to look into the matter. After more than seven months of testing, though, NHTSA hasn’t uncovered an issue that would require a recall. That is, of course, exactly what Chrysler has said all along. The Auburn Hills-based automaker contends that the issue only presents itself when the plastic o-ring on the inlet check valve swells from being exposed to fuel with a concentration of ethanol greater than 10 percent. In the end, the big question is how so many complaints made it to NHTSA’s desk when this really isn’t such a wide-spread problem. NHTSA claims that the buzz surrounding this issue came from the Internet, which could explain why the number of complaints was so high. The agency claims on its website that “ODI suspects that the NHTSA safety complaints submitted by subject vehicles owners may have been influenced by Internet-related publicity both before and during this investigation.” Don’t look at us. Follow the jump to read over the over NHTSA investigation results. Gallery: Review: 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4×4 [Source: NHTSA , MyFoxDC via The Car Connection ] Continue reading NHTSA rules Wrangler doesn’t need recall for fuel spillage problems NHTSA rules Wrangler doesn’t need recall for fuel spillage problems originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read
