Here’s a look at some of the latest recalls and product safety announcements.
DETROIT (AP/CLARKSVILLENOW) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling nearly 50,000 small SUVs worldwide because the engines could stall while being driven.
The recall covers the Dodge Journey and Jeep Compass and Patriot from the 2016 model year. All have 2-liter or 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines.
The company says a sensor connector in the engine can malfunction. That can cause the SUVs to either stall or fail to start.
Fiat Chrysler says it doesn’t know of any crashes or injuries due to the problem.
Most of the recalled vehicles are in the U.S., and all were built during an 11-week period last spring.
Dealers will replace the sensor connector for the crankshaft and camshaft. Owners will be notified about when to bring vehicles in for repairs. Owners with questions can call FCA at (800) 853-1403.
Honda to recall about 650,000 Odyssey minivans in U.S.
Honda Motor Co said on Thursday it will recall nearly 650,000 Odyssey minivans in the United States covering 2011 to 2016 model years because second-row seats may not lock in the event of a crash.
No injuries or crashes have been reported related to this issue, Honda’s U.S. division said.
Two separate recalls will be conducted, Honda and U.S. safety regulators said. The largest involves 634,000 Odyssey minivans for model year 2011 to 2016, and a smaller one affects about 7,600 of the 2016 model year Odyssey minivans.
Many fewer minivans will be recalled in Canada and Mexico, but Honda did not immediately have details on the number of vehicles involved.
In each of the recalls, the second row of seats may not lock in the event of a crash in certain conditions, U.S. regulators from the National Highway Traffic Administration and Honda said.
Owners in the larger recall will be notified by letter in mid-February. The parts to fix this issue will not be available until the spring, Honda said.
In the smaller recall, Honda said it will notify owners in late January.
GM sued over car fire that causes $450K in damage to homes
General Motors has been sued over a 2014 car fire that caused more than $450,000 in damage to two central Pennsylvania homes.
Pennlive.com reports that Erie Insurance Exchange and four of its policy holders claim the blaze resulted from a defect GM officials didn’t adequately address.
The fire began in the engine compartment of a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix owned by Bruce and Sheri Dohner, spread to their garage and engulfed their home. A neighbor’s home also was damaged.
The car was among 1.1 million recalled by GM for a defect that allowed oil to leak onto the engine’s hot manifolds. The lawsuit says the Dohners got the work done, but the repair didn’t work.
On Tuesday, GM asked to have the case moved from Cumberland County Court, where it was originally filed, to federal court in Harrisburg.
U.S. regulators open investigation on 2007-2009 Ford Fusion
U.S. safety regulators are investigating Ford Motor Co’s Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans from the 2007 to 2009 model years for brakes that may fail in certain conditions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday.
There have been three reported crashes related to this issue, but no injuries, NHTSA and Ford officials said.
The probe was opened on Dec. 20 and involves one of Ford’s most popular models, the Fusion. The Milan is no longer produced.
The probe can lead to a safety recall but is short of one at this point.
A report on the NHTSA website showed that when the sedans go over rough or uneven surfaces, such as a manhole cover, or on slippery roads, the anti-lock braking system may not work properly. This can increase the distance required to stop the cars, heightening the chance of a crash.
NHTSA said that in some cases, consumers complained that the brake pedal “goes soft” and often is reported as “going to the floor.” Also, drivers have said their cars have ended up in the flow of traffic when the vehicles did not stop as expected, such as at traffic signals.
Ford said it is cooperating with federal safety officials in the investigation.
The Fusion and Milan from these model years have been involved in several past recalls. The 2006-2011 Fusion and Milan sedans are among the 1.9 million Ford models affected by an ongoing massive Takata Corp air bag recall that includes more than a dozen automakers.
In addition, 2010 and 2011 Fusion and Milan models were recalled for fuel tanks that may crack.