Thursday, July 21, 2011

Ford rcalling more vehicles for fuel tank problem

Ford Motor Co. said today it is recalling nearly 3,000 2007 Five Hundred and Mercury Montego sedans to replace the fuel tanks.

In a notice posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, Ford said the fuel tanks on 2,945 vehicles may not have proper welds between the fuel tank and fuel filler neck.
As a result, some may not have enough strength in the event of a severe rear impact. An improper weld could result in a crack in the joint which could cause a fuel odor or fuel leak.
Ford said minor fuel leaks have been reported in a small number of warranty claims.
The automaker said the vehicles being recalled were built at its Chicago Assembly Plant from Sept. 5 through Sept. 11, 2006.
Although Ford believes that the majority of the suspect tanks have been replaced due to dashboard warning lights stemming from evaporative emission leaks, Ford will recall the vehicles built in the suspect period "in an abundance of caution."
There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fires resulting from the condition, Ford said.
Ford will begin notifying owners on Aug. 15, and will give them until Aug. 31 to file for reimbursement if they have previously replaced their fuel tank for the same problem. They can also seek reimbursement through their dealer.
Ford told its dealers it must replace fuel tanks in recalled vehicles -- even if owners have previously replaced them.
The fuel tanks were manufactured by Visteon at their facility in Chicago. This facility only built tanks and is no longer in operation. Visteon no longer manufactures fuel tanks.
Ford investigated the issue in 2009 after receiving two reports of minor fuel leaks and four reports of fuel odors or warning lights, but closed the investigation after determining the issue did "not represent an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety."
It continued to investigate the issue in 2010 and this year.

Chrysler recalls Dodge ram Pickups for TieRod Problem

Chrysler Group will recall more than 243,000 Dodge Ram pickup trucks because of potential problems with tie rod assemblies that may increase the risk of a crash, the automaker and U.S. safety regulators said.

To be recalled are 2008-2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 models, 2008-2011 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis 4x2 models, 2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 models, and 2003-2008 Ram 2500 and 3500 models, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
About 243,000 of the recalled trucks are in the United States. Of those, about 74,000 have already received service on the tie rod assembly, the NHTSA filing said.
Also, about 35,000 pickups in Canada will be recalled as well as some 2,750 in Mexico and 5,700 in other countries.
A Chrysler spokesman said there have been a few crashes and at least one minor injury as a result of the issue.The trucks "may experience a fracture of the left tie rod stud,"
Chrysler told NHTSA. "This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the (driver) is making a left turn."
This may result in the "loss of directional stability" in the left front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash, Chrysler said.
Chrysler said that the risk is highest when making a sharp, 90-degree turn.
The automaker has not yet determined when customers will receive letters alerting them to the recall.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Chrysler recalls 242,780 Dodge Ram pickup trucks

DETROIT (Reuters) - Fiat SpA's Chrysler Group LLC will recall about 243,000 Dodge Ram pickup trucks because of potential problems with tie rod assemblies that may increase the risk of a crash, the automaker and U.S. safety regulators said.
To be recalled are 2008-2011 Ram 2500 and 3500 4x4 models, 2008-2011 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis 4x2 models, 2008 Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 models, and 2003-2008 Ram 2500 and 3500 models, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The vehicles "may experience a fracture of the left tie rod stud," Chrysler told the NHTSA. "This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the (driver) is making a left turn."
This may result in the "loss of directional stability" in the left front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash, Chrysler said.
Chrysler said that the risk is highest when making a sharp, 90-degree turn.
The filing made no mention of injuries or crashes linked to the problem.
Chrysler has not yet determined when customers will get letters alerting them to the recall.