GM recalling cadillac SUVs because wheels can fall off.

The AP (5/22) reports, “General Motors Co. is recalling more than 27,000 Cadillac SUVs worldwide because the wheels can fall off. The company says the recall affects the 2013 Cadillac SRX with 18-inch wheels.” The AP notes that “tThe recall affects almost 19,000 SUVs in the U.S. and another 913 in Canada.”

Mack recalling more than 5,000 trucks over brake defect.

Truckinginfo (5/21) reports, “Mack Trucks, is recalling 5,203 model year 2013-2014 CHU, CXU, GU, MRU, and LEU trucks manufactured July 16, 2012, through March 18 of this year that are equipped with drum brakes.” Truckinginfo notes that “a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bulletin says the clevis pin for the brake slack adjuster may be missing a cotter pin” and that “if the cotter pin is not installed, the clevis pin may loosen and fall out causing a loss of brake function on the affected wheel.”

J&J unit ending production of all-metal replacement hips.

The New York Times (5/17, B2, Meier, Subscription Publication, 1.68M) reports Johnson & Johnson’s orthopedic unit, DePuy Orthopaedics, announced Thursday “that it was phasing out production of all-metal replacement hips, a move reflecting an industrywide trend to abandon the once widely used implants because of high early failure rates.” The company previously recalled “an all-metal model known as the Articular Surface Replacement, or A.S.R.” in 2010 because it deteriorated only a few years after it was implanted. J&J is now facing “a wave of lawsuits from patients who say they were injured when all-metal implants sold by the company failed. It faces over 10,000 cases related to the A.S.R. and 3,300 cases related to the all-metal Pinnacle, according to a company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.”

        Bloomberg News (5/17, Cortez) notes that “metal liners in the Ultamet Metal-on-Metal Articulation and the Complete Ceramic-on-Metal Acetabular Hip System will no longer be available worldwide after Aug. 31, the New Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said today in an e-mail.” The company will continue to “market the Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System, one of the most widely used systems for hip replacement.” The “decision to stop selling the products was unrelated to the 2010 recall of J&J’s ASR metal-on-metal hips,” according to Mindy Tinsley, a spokeswoman for J&J’s DePuy unit

Subaru recalling more than 5,000 vehicles over loss of steering.

CNN Money (5/15, Valdes-Dapena) reports, "Subaru is recalling 5,379 Legacy and Outback cars in the United States because of a problem that could cause them to lose steering control." CNN Money notes that "steering shafts in the cars, all from the 2013 model year, could become disengaged, causing a loss of steering." The problem was first discovered at a Subaru factory and "later, the carmaker received a customer complaint about loss of steering control in another car."

Chrysler Recalls Vehicles That May Roll Away Causing Crash

Chrysler Recalling 475,000 Vehicles for Electrical Issues

Chrysler Group LLC will is recalling about 475,000 vehicles in three separate recall campaigns -- most covering older-model SUVs worldwide to perform a software update -- after at least two dozen vehicles rolled away after drivers started their SUVs.
The Auburn Hills automaker said it is recalling 469,072 2006-2010 Jeep Commanders and 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokees -- including 295,000 vehicles in the United States, 28,500 in Canada, 4,200 are in Mexico and 141,000 outside North America.
Chrysler spokesman Eric Mayne said the automaker has reports of 26 crashes and two injuries related to the issue. Some of the crashes stemmed from drivers using remote starters, which led to vehicles rolling away.
Chrysler discovered some circuit boards with cracks transmitted compromised signals that enable inadvertent gearshifts to neutral. The software reflash will prevent the problem. Chrysler has been working on a software fix for more than six months, according to documents it filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The investigation by Chrysler began in January 2012 when an owner of a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee said his SUV rolled away after he used a remote starter. Chrysler will notify owners next month.
Separately, Chrysler is recalling 5,440 right-hand-drive SUVs to install dust shields mostly used by the U.S. Postal Service for rural delivery. The vehicles, model-year 2008-2012 Jeep Wranglers, are used primarily for mail delivery in rural areas.
The shields are designed to prevent dust buildup on a steering-column-mounted electrical connector. Buildup may cause circuit fatigue and compromise airbag function, Chrysler said.
Investigators discovered connectors in the affected vehicles sustained buildup more rapidly because of their rigorous duty cycle. Chrysler Group also will replace the connectors with components that are more resistant to dust.
Chrysler Group is unaware of any associated accidents or injuries. The issue has not been observed in any other vehicle population. NHTSA opened an investigation into the issue in 2011.
Chrysler is also recalling 532 Ram 1500 pickups to inspect components that accommodate windshield defrosting and defogging.
Chrysler Group engineers observed a fault code linked to coolant-system function in the 2013 trucks. Investigation revealed one component had evidence of corrosion that compromised system performance.
Additional investigation discovered coolant systems in some vehicles would benefit from recalibration, so Chrysler is recalling the trucks to perform a software upgrade - if necessary - and to replace the component, if compromised by corrosion.
The campaign affects 498 vehicles in the U.S. and 34 in Canada. More than one-third are still in dealer hands.
Chrysler Group is unaware of any associated complaints, accidents or injuries.
The repairs will be performed at no cost to customers and are designed to ensure proper windshield defrosting and defogging.