BMW Recalling 89,000 Mini Brand Cars Over Faulty Water Pumps Nearly 89,000 Mini brand cars, including the Mini Cooper line of vehicles, are being recalled in the U.S. because of faulty water pumps that can malfunction and potentially cause engine compartment fires.
The recall comes about three months after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a defects investigation, citing 12 reports of fires in the vehicles manufactured by BMW.
Five of the fires reportedly destroyed the cars, according to a NHTSA document. BMW said it is unaware of any injuries or accidents caused by pump malfunctions.
The vehicles being recalled include seven models of the Mini series, ranging in model years from 2007 to 2011. The company is recalling 235,535 worldwide, including 88,911 cars in the U.S.
"For us this is a pretty serious issue," BMW spokeswoman Nathalie Bauters said, noting that the company seldom issues full recalls.
Bauters said BMW will notify car owners by mail in February, and dealers will replace the water pumps free of charge.
The pump was designed to conduct heat away from the engine's turbocharger after the car is turned off. BMW, in a letter to NHTSA, said the pump's electronic circuit board can malfunction because of "certain design features" and in some cases overheat.
This can lead to the "smoldering of the water pump," BMW said. "It cannot be excluded that this may also lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire."
Eric Noble, president of the CarLabs industry consulting firm in Orange, said BMW's reputation is unlikely to suffer much from the recall.
"I think this is relatively minor in terms of any impact it would have on Mini as a brand," Noble said.
"Mini buyers tend to love their Minis. This alone isn't going to change that."
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Ford Recalls 525,000 Vehicles For Fire, Power Loss Problems
Ford Recalls 525,000 Vehicles For Fire, Power Loss ProblemsFord Motor Co. said it is recalling 525,000 SUVs and vans over fire risks and power loss issues.
The Dearborn automaker issued two recall campaigns that cover about 450,000 vehicles in United States - about 76,000 outside the United States.
Ford is calling back 274,368 2001-02 Ford Escapes for fire risks — and warned owners not to park the vehicles in garages until they get them repaired.
Ford said it was not certain when it would get the parts.
The recall follows a more than two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into fires in some recalled Ford Escapes.
Ford said it was calling the vehicles back due to the possibility of corrosion in the ABS module electrical connector that can result from a brake fluid reservoir cap that can leak brake fluid onto that electrical connector and lead to a fire.
The module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke or a fire.
In April 2007, Ford recalled the 2001-04 Escapes to address potentially missing or misplaced seals in the wiring harness connector to the ABS module electronic control unit. Ford said some repaired vehicles may not have received a proper inspection or application of electrical grease as instructed in the FSA.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries attributed to this condition.
Ford has received a few reports of property damage beyond vehicle-only damage as a result of alleged vehicle fires.
Separately, Ford is recalling 251,065 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles in the North America for possible loss of forward and reverse power due to a torque converter malfunction.
A vehicle that loses forward and reverse power due to torque converter malfunction remains readily controllable; the vehicle will coast during which it can be safely maneuvered and parked, Ford said.
Ford is aware of two minor accident allegations (with minor injuries alleged in one, no injury in the other) over the course of eight years.
The Dearborn automaker issued two recall campaigns that cover about 450,000 vehicles in United States - about 76,000 outside the United States.
Ford is calling back 274,368 2001-02 Ford Escapes for fire risks — and warned owners not to park the vehicles in garages until they get them repaired.
Ford said it was not certain when it would get the parts.
The recall follows a more than two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into fires in some recalled Ford Escapes.
Ford said it was calling the vehicles back due to the possibility of corrosion in the ABS module electrical connector that can result from a brake fluid reservoir cap that can leak brake fluid onto that electrical connector and lead to a fire.
The module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke or a fire.
In April 2007, Ford recalled the 2001-04 Escapes to address potentially missing or misplaced seals in the wiring harness connector to the ABS module electronic control unit. Ford said some repaired vehicles may not have received a proper inspection or application of electrical grease as instructed in the FSA.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries attributed to this condition.
Ford has received a few reports of property damage beyond vehicle-only damage as a result of alleged vehicle fires.
Separately, Ford is recalling 251,065 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles in the North America for possible loss of forward and reverse power due to a torque converter malfunction.
A vehicle that loses forward and reverse power due to torque converter malfunction remains readily controllable; the vehicle will coast during which it can be safely maneuvered and parked, Ford said.
Ford is aware of two minor accident allegations (with minor injuries alleged in one, no injury in the other) over the course of eight years.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Jaime Jackson Selected as One of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania
The National Trial Lawyers has recognized Jaime Jackson, partner of AtleeHall, LLP among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania. Membership in the organization is limited to 100 lawyers in each state and is obtained by select invitation only, following a multi-phase vetting process reviewing qualifications, trial results, and leadership
According to its website The National Trial Lawyers is a national organization composed of The Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state. Membership is obtained through special invitation and is extended only to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and profile as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers. It is the mission of The National Trial Lawyers to promote excellence in the legal profession.
According to its website The National Trial Lawyers is a national organization composed of The Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state. Membership is obtained through special invitation and is extended only to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and profile as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers. It is the mission of The National Trial Lawyers to promote excellence in the legal profession.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Bicycle Helmets Recalled
Bicycle helmets imported from China by Triple Eight Distribution of Port Washington, N.Y. that were sold at bicycle and sports stores and other retailers nationwide and online from August 2006 through November 2011 for about $40 are being recalled. Little Tricky helmets are marketed for children and youth and feature a large Little Tricky logo on both sides of the helmet.
Product testing demonstrated the helmets do not comply with Consumer Product Safety Commission safety standards for impact resistance, meaning a rider could suffer head injuries in a fall.
There are currently no incidents reported. There are about 30,400 helmets in the recall.
For more information, contact Triple Eight toll free at 888-548-8518 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday or visit the company's website at http://www.triple8.com
Product testing demonstrated the helmets do not comply with Consumer Product Safety Commission safety standards for impact resistance, meaning a rider could suffer head injuries in a fall.
There are currently no incidents reported. There are about 30,400 helmets in the recall.
For more information, contact Triple Eight toll free at 888-548-8518 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday or visit the company's website at http://www.triple8.com
Friday, December 2, 2011
Honda Recalls more vehicles for airbag problems: Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CR-V and other models, manufactured in 2001 and 2002.
Honda Airbag Recall Expands
Honda said there have been 20 accidents so far related to this problem, including two deaths in the U.S. in 2009.
One of the deaths was Ashley Parham. The high school student died after a crash in the Carl Albert High School parking lot in 2009.
Midwest City police officers said her Honda Accord's airbag exploded, sending metal fragments into her body. She died from her injuries.
The Japanese automaker announced the recall Friday, which affects the Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CR-V and other models, manufactured in 2001 and 2002.
The recall spans 273,000 vehicles in the U.S., some 27,000 in Canada, nearly 2,000 vehicles in Japan and another 2,000 in other countries. It affected 170 vehicles in Europe.
The latest recall is an expansion of recalls for the same problem in 2008, and again carried out in 2009, as well as last year. The recall now covers about 2 million vehicles worldwide, according to Tokyo-based Honda.
Honda spokesman Hajime Kaneko said the cause for the latest recall was the use of incorrect material in the chemical used to deploy air bags.
The initial cause of the recall was excessive moisture in the inflator propellant, which is part of what inflates the air bag.
But that problem was found later to affect more vehicles than initially estimated, as incidents didn't stop, and the recall was expanded to account for the possibility that the problem was caused by a defective stamping machine used during production, he said.
Honda is extremely sorry about the recalls but believes the problem has now been taken care of, with no more recalls linked to this problem expected, he said.
The automaker intends to contact owners of the affected vehicles at the end of December.
Read more: http://www.koco.com/news/29905178/detail.html#ixzz1fO9iiDgv
Honda said there have been 20 accidents so far related to this problem, including two deaths in the U.S. in 2009.
One of the deaths was Ashley Parham. The high school student died after a crash in the Carl Albert High School parking lot in 2009.
Midwest City police officers said her Honda Accord's airbag exploded, sending metal fragments into her body. She died from her injuries.
The Japanese automaker announced the recall Friday, which affects the Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CR-V and other models, manufactured in 2001 and 2002.
The recall spans 273,000 vehicles in the U.S., some 27,000 in Canada, nearly 2,000 vehicles in Japan and another 2,000 in other countries. It affected 170 vehicles in Europe.
The latest recall is an expansion of recalls for the same problem in 2008, and again carried out in 2009, as well as last year. The recall now covers about 2 million vehicles worldwide, according to Tokyo-based Honda.
Honda spokesman Hajime Kaneko said the cause for the latest recall was the use of incorrect material in the chemical used to deploy air bags.
The initial cause of the recall was excessive moisture in the inflator propellant, which is part of what inflates the air bag.
But that problem was found later to affect more vehicles than initially estimated, as incidents didn't stop, and the recall was expanded to account for the possibility that the problem was caused by a defective stamping machine used during production, he said.
Honda is extremely sorry about the recalls but believes the problem has now been taken care of, with no more recalls linked to this problem expected, he said.
The automaker intends to contact owners of the affected vehicles at the end of December.
Read more: http://www.koco.com/news/29905178/detail.html#ixzz1fO9iiDgv
Monday, November 28, 2011
Chevrolet Volt Batteries Catch Fire After Crash Tests
NHTSA launches formal probe into safety of Volt battery.
The New York Times (11/25, B6, Bunkley, Subscription Publication) reported, "Federal safety regulators on Friday said they have begun a formal defect investigation of the Chevrolet Volt because a second battery caught fire after a crash simulation." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has "been examining batteries in several plug-in cars since a June fire involving a Volt that had been heavily damaged in a government crash test." The agency said that "on Thursday, a Volt battery pack that was intentionally damaged Nov. 17 as part of that testing caught fire."
Bloomberg News (11/25, Keane, Welch) reported that the NHTSA is "is concerned that damage to the Volt's batteries as part of three tests that are explicitly designed to replicate real-world crash scenarios have resulted in fire," the agency stated on its website. Still, the NHTSA "said it doesn't know of any crashes outside of testing that have led to battery-related fires in Volts or other cars powered by lithium-ion batteries. Chevy Volt owners whose vehicles have not been in a serious crash don't need to be concerned, the agency said."
The AP (11/27) reported, "GM, which was informed of the investigation on Friday, said in a statement that the Volt 'is safe and does not present undue risk as part of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash.'" These "latest fires are in addition to a battery fire in a crash-tested Volt six months ago."
GM spent $1.78 million on lobbying during third quarter. The AP (11/23) reported, "General Motors Co. spent 29 percent less lobbying the federal government in the third quarter this year than last, but it still spent $1.78 million to influence legislators and agencies on gas mileage and pollution regulations, electric vehicle infrastructure funding, distracted driving regulations and other issues." Data show that GM "spent $2.49 million on lobbying in last year's third quarter and $1.94 million in the second quarter of this year." The automaker "had a dozen lobbyists dealing with Congress, the White House and federal agencies including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Energy, Defense, Transportation and State departments; and other parts of the government."
The New York Times (11/25, B6, Bunkley, Subscription Publication) reported, "Federal safety regulators on Friday said they have begun a formal defect investigation of the Chevrolet Volt because a second battery caught fire after a crash simulation." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has "been examining batteries in several plug-in cars since a June fire involving a Volt that had been heavily damaged in a government crash test." The agency said that "on Thursday, a Volt battery pack that was intentionally damaged Nov. 17 as part of that testing caught fire."
Bloomberg News (11/25, Keane, Welch) reported that the NHTSA is "is concerned that damage to the Volt's batteries as part of three tests that are explicitly designed to replicate real-world crash scenarios have resulted in fire," the agency stated on its website. Still, the NHTSA "said it doesn't know of any crashes outside of testing that have led to battery-related fires in Volts or other cars powered by lithium-ion batteries. Chevy Volt owners whose vehicles have not been in a serious crash don't need to be concerned, the agency said."
The AP (11/27) reported, "GM, which was informed of the investigation on Friday, said in a statement that the Volt 'is safe and does not present undue risk as part of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash.'" These "latest fires are in addition to a battery fire in a crash-tested Volt six months ago."
GM spent $1.78 million on lobbying during third quarter. The AP (11/23) reported, "General Motors Co. spent 29 percent less lobbying the federal government in the third quarter this year than last, but it still spent $1.78 million to influence legislators and agencies on gas mileage and pollution regulations, electric vehicle infrastructure funding, distracted driving regulations and other issues." Data show that GM "spent $2.49 million on lobbying in last year's third quarter and $1.94 million in the second quarter of this year." The automaker "had a dozen lobbyists dealing with Congress, the White House and federal agencies including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Energy, Defense, Transportation and State departments; and other parts of the government."
Monday, November 21, 2011
JFK 50 Mile 2012--Race Report
One word to sum it all up PERFECTLY AWESOME! It was one of those races where everything clicked, and I felt great, and was only feeling stronger as the race went on. I owe it all to my superb support crew, who were right there every time and helped carry me through. I don’t know what you want to hear about, so I will fill you in on everything as best I can, so you can plan for next year. Training was the key, back to back long runs on weekends, and track on Weds, everything else was recovery or just slow miles with the dog.
Overall time: 7:57:46
Finished in 87th Place
Overall pace 9:22
Race Recap
Went down the day before drank a bottle of Pedialite with a tablespoon of salt in afternoon. Pre-Race meal was chicken Parmesean and a salad. Drank a 20oz bottle with one scoop Infinit and 1 table spoon of Baking soda, and 3 Siberian Ginsing tablets, Ibuprofen.
A good solid 7 hours of Sleep
Woke at 4:30—1 cup coffee. Ate oatmeal, a banana, drank another 20 oz bottle of 1 scoop Infinit with 1 tablespoon baking soda mixed in, 3 Siberian Ginseng and Ibuprofen. Arrived at H.S. at about 6am, ate power bar. About 6:40 began walk to start line (about 1 mi away); was just chatting with fellow runners, when we heard the gun go off, no warning and we were still about ¼ from the start, I still have no idea where the start line was. Was a mad scramble, According to my watch, first mile was an 8:57, I was trying to move up and get ahead of the masses before entering the Appalaichan Trail. Mile 2 was up hill on the road, most people walked, but I kept a jog to get a head of the people. Entered the woods at about mile 2.5 to the trail, in about 24:30. The next 13 miles was on the trail steep up and steep down (twice across 2 peaks). It was brutal. Hoyt would have loved it, trail running at its best. It was fairly spaced out so you had some room to maneuver, but it was still crowded, difficult to pass, but I didn’t have to worry about that because mostly I was being passed. Lots of walking up the hills in the woods, and down the steep switchbacks at about mile nine and then coming out at Weverton Cliffs at about mile 15. The pace for the miles on the trail were anywhere between 11:00 and 13:00, slow going for me as I am not a good technical trail runner, that was about the only thing ugly about the race, was my running form in the woods, portions of the trail were very steep up and down and very rocky. I got pretty beat up in the woods, rolling my ankle a couple times near the end at about mile 14, and taking lots of odd steps, stretching my legs in funny ways (tweaked hamstring). It took me about 2:55 to complete the first 15 miles and get out of the Appalaichan Trail alive. I think that’s about a 10:50 pace. Over that stretch I took 2 Gu Roctanes and ate 2 packs of Cliff Margarita Blocs (both were great throughout race). Took water and a S-Cap at mile 9.3 aid station.
Exited the Woods at Weverton Cliffs at about Mile 15 Aid Stop, happy to be alive and in tact, drank water. Met Ann and the kids there, Ate a peanut butter and fluff sandwich (tasted great), Gu Roctane and 3 more Cliff Blocs. Picked up more Gu Roctane and Cliff Blocks, stuffed them in my bike shirt and kept moving picked up bottle of Infinit I carried with me.
On to the C&O Canal:
This was awesome, started feeling real good, so happy to be off the trail and the rocks and run on flat surface, beautiful scenery, started to hit comfortable stride, hitting about an 8:35 pace. Next 27 miles were on the C&O Canal, kept pace right at about 8:20-8:30, ran a couple miles under 8:00; nutrition was basically a Gu Roctane and a package of Cliff Blocs every hour, and sipping on Infinit (2 scoops) in between. Took water at aid stations. This was where I truly felt great and one of those days where you are just floating along, I do not believe I got passed by any runner on the canal trial, and just kept passing people. At about mile 24, I started believing I could have a shot at breaking 8 hours because I was feeling great, and I felt I could run a 3:45 marathon from here, Next saw Ann and the kids at about mile 27 at the Anteitem Aid Station, drank some Coke, Gu and Blocs, S-Cap and kept on moving. Great to see everyone, felt re-energized and kept on trucking down the canal path feeling great. About mile 33, got a little stomach pains and stopped in the port-o-potty for a couple minutes at mile 35, jumped out felt better and kept moving to mile 38 and the Taylors Landing Aid station, where Ann and the kids were there smiling again, Jen and Ryan were there, all a welcome sight after some long miles on the canal, according to the watch, still hitting about 8:20 miles at this point. Drank some coke, Gu, Cliff Blocs, and grabbed another Infinit bottle, everyone ran with me a little while which was great. Four more miles on the Canal Path, exited the canal path at about mile 42, was nice to have a change of scenery, walked up a steep hill off the path and up the road (first and last time I walked since the trail)Got up that hill and had about 7 miles to go to the finish. The count down begins, and this is the point were I started really believing I could break the 8 hour mark, if I could keep all my miles under 9:00. I did averaging 8:35 over the last 7 miles. Saw Jen and Ryan at mile 46, great to get a pick up and encouragement. I passed a few runners, and was also passed by three runners, felt strong and rolling along, legs and stomach felt good, but ready to get to the finish. I think I took another Gu at about mile 45, ate a couple Blocs and sipped on Infinit. Ann met me about ¾ mile from the finish and cheered me in, helping push me up the last hill. Great to see all the cheering faces at the finish, ran the last mile in 8:09 and felt incredibly, indescribably AWESOME, well worth it! Any other details, I will fill you in and I expect to see you at the start of the 50th Annual JFK 50 in 2012! Post-Race beverage of choice: Stella Artois
Overall time: 7:57:46
Finished in 87th Place
Overall pace 9:22
Race Recap
Went down the day before drank a bottle of Pedialite with a tablespoon of salt in afternoon. Pre-Race meal was chicken Parmesean and a salad. Drank a 20oz bottle with one scoop Infinit and 1 table spoon of Baking soda, and 3 Siberian Ginsing tablets, Ibuprofen.
A good solid 7 hours of Sleep
Woke at 4:30—1 cup coffee. Ate oatmeal, a banana, drank another 20 oz bottle of 1 scoop Infinit with 1 tablespoon baking soda mixed in, 3 Siberian Ginseng and Ibuprofen. Arrived at H.S. at about 6am, ate power bar. About 6:40 began walk to start line (about 1 mi away); was just chatting with fellow runners, when we heard the gun go off, no warning and we were still about ¼ from the start, I still have no idea where the start line was. Was a mad scramble, According to my watch, first mile was an 8:57, I was trying to move up and get ahead of the masses before entering the Appalaichan Trail. Mile 2 was up hill on the road, most people walked, but I kept a jog to get a head of the people. Entered the woods at about mile 2.5 to the trail, in about 24:30. The next 13 miles was on the trail steep up and steep down (twice across 2 peaks). It was brutal. Hoyt would have loved it, trail running at its best. It was fairly spaced out so you had some room to maneuver, but it was still crowded, difficult to pass, but I didn’t have to worry about that because mostly I was being passed. Lots of walking up the hills in the woods, and down the steep switchbacks at about mile nine and then coming out at Weverton Cliffs at about mile 15. The pace for the miles on the trail were anywhere between 11:00 and 13:00, slow going for me as I am not a good technical trail runner, that was about the only thing ugly about the race, was my running form in the woods, portions of the trail were very steep up and down and very rocky. I got pretty beat up in the woods, rolling my ankle a couple times near the end at about mile 14, and taking lots of odd steps, stretching my legs in funny ways (tweaked hamstring). It took me about 2:55 to complete the first 15 miles and get out of the Appalaichan Trail alive. I think that’s about a 10:50 pace. Over that stretch I took 2 Gu Roctanes and ate 2 packs of Cliff Margarita Blocs (both were great throughout race). Took water and a S-Cap at mile 9.3 aid station.
Exited the Woods at Weverton Cliffs at about Mile 15 Aid Stop, happy to be alive and in tact, drank water. Met Ann and the kids there, Ate a peanut butter and fluff sandwich (tasted great), Gu Roctane and 3 more Cliff Blocs. Picked up more Gu Roctane and Cliff Blocks, stuffed them in my bike shirt and kept moving picked up bottle of Infinit I carried with me.
On to the C&O Canal:
This was awesome, started feeling real good, so happy to be off the trail and the rocks and run on flat surface, beautiful scenery, started to hit comfortable stride, hitting about an 8:35 pace. Next 27 miles were on the C&O Canal, kept pace right at about 8:20-8:30, ran a couple miles under 8:00; nutrition was basically a Gu Roctane and a package of Cliff Blocs every hour, and sipping on Infinit (2 scoops) in between. Took water at aid stations. This was where I truly felt great and one of those days where you are just floating along, I do not believe I got passed by any runner on the canal trial, and just kept passing people. At about mile 24, I started believing I could have a shot at breaking 8 hours because I was feeling great, and I felt I could run a 3:45 marathon from here, Next saw Ann and the kids at about mile 27 at the Anteitem Aid Station, drank some Coke, Gu and Blocs, S-Cap and kept on moving. Great to see everyone, felt re-energized and kept on trucking down the canal path feeling great. About mile 33, got a little stomach pains and stopped in the port-o-potty for a couple minutes at mile 35, jumped out felt better and kept moving to mile 38 and the Taylors Landing Aid station, where Ann and the kids were there smiling again, Jen and Ryan were there, all a welcome sight after some long miles on the canal, according to the watch, still hitting about 8:20 miles at this point. Drank some coke, Gu, Cliff Blocs, and grabbed another Infinit bottle, everyone ran with me a little while which was great. Four more miles on the Canal Path, exited the canal path at about mile 42, was nice to have a change of scenery, walked up a steep hill off the path and up the road (first and last time I walked since the trail)Got up that hill and had about 7 miles to go to the finish. The count down begins, and this is the point were I started really believing I could break the 8 hour mark, if I could keep all my miles under 9:00. I did averaging 8:35 over the last 7 miles. Saw Jen and Ryan at mile 46, great to get a pick up and encouragement. I passed a few runners, and was also passed by three runners, felt strong and rolling along, legs and stomach felt good, but ready to get to the finish. I think I took another Gu at about mile 45, ate a couple Blocs and sipped on Infinit. Ann met me about ¾ mile from the finish and cheered me in, helping push me up the last hill. Great to see all the cheering faces at the finish, ran the last mile in 8:09 and felt incredibly, indescribably AWESOME, well worth it! Any other details, I will fill you in and I expect to see you at the start of the 50th Annual JFK 50 in 2012! Post-Race beverage of choice: Stella Artois
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