Recalls/TSBs auto news

Acura recalling over 52,000 TL sedans over power steering hose

Acura is recalling 52,615 TL sedans from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The problem: a faulty power steering hose that could, over time, deteriorate and develop a fluid leak.

According to the automaker's official statement, a leaky power steering hose "could lead to loss of power steering assistance or, if it leaks onto a catalytic converter it may result in smoke, or in the worst case, fire." Acura states that no crashes, injuries or fires have been reported because of this issue.

Owners will receive notification by mail starting in mid-June, and Acura dealerships will replace the defective hoses free of charge. If owners want to find out if their specific vehicle is affected before being notified by mail, Acura invites them to visit www.recalls.acura.com or call 1-800-382-2238 and select option 4. Scroll down for the official press release.

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Report: Feds investigating 2012 Hyundai Elantra after airbag separates driver from his ear

Safety features like airbags are supposed to keep us safe in the event of a collision. But one driver allegedly met with a nasty surprise when an airbag in his car reportedly sliced his ear in half.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the incident occurred on April 7 when an unnamed owner of a 2012 Hyundai Elantra was in a crash. Apparently the side curtain airbag on the driver's side rapidly inflated (like it's supposed to) but took with it a metal bracket (which it's not). The result was a severe laceration to the driver's ear in an automotive reenactment of Holyfield-Tyson II.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is apparently looking into the event, but has yet to issue a recall. Hyundai for its part insists the incident was isolated, and that it has not received reports of anything similar happening to any other drivers.

Report: Engine packaging to blame for Fisker Karma garage fire?

While the investigation of the Fisker Karma that toasted a Texas garage is not over, pundits have begun to weigh in. Automotive News has found a particularly credible one in Jon Bereisa, CEO of Auto Lectrification and the chief engineer of the General Motors EV1 and systems architect for the Chevrolet Volt. And according to Bereisa, the poor packaging of the Karma's internal combustion engine is what likely caused the fire.

"The engine is shoehorned into that bay, because they had to use a larger engine, because it was too heavy a car," Bereisa told AN. "As a result, there's no room for exhaust routing and heat shielding to route the heat away."

The Karma uses a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from GM. In the Karma, however, the Ecotec does not drive the wheels, but acts as a generator to supplement and recharge the batteries. The report says that a fluid leak, combined with tight engine compartment confines and the resultant high heat from the gasoline engine's exhaust and the would have been enough to cause the fire.

Fisker is maintaining that it is not the car's battery pack that is at fault, and has pointed to other potential sources of the blaze, according to the report, telling AN that, "There are myriad combustible materials that could be in the garage, in the wheel arch, or picked up on the roadside."

Official: Ford recalling 10,500 F-150, Mustang, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator models over faulty transmission sensor

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of several recent Ford models due to a defective transmission sensor. Some 10,000 vehicles are affected, including some 2011 and 2012 F-150 pickups, 2012 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models, and 2012-2013 Ford Mustang vehicles.

Problem vehicles will experience one of several issues with their automatic transmissions, including the transmission not shifting into reverse when the gearshift lever is moved to the "R" position, the "R" lamp on the dashboard not illuminating, and the backup lamps not working. A faulty transmission range sensor is the culprit.

Ford says the recall campaign will start on June 25, with owners being notified by the automaker. Ford can also be reached at 1-866-436-7332.

Scroll down to read the full recall report.

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Ferrari recalling 200 cars worldwide

Ferrari is recalling certain 458 Italia and California models around the world due to a problem with the crankshaft. Roughly 13,000 examples of these cars are currently roaming the streets, and 206 are affected by this problem.

According to Autocar, the recall has been issued due to an incorrect finish on the vehicles' crankshafts. The British magazine states that the problem "causes unwanted vibrations which can damage the engine if it is not changed."

"We are writing to all clients affected now, asking them to return the car to a dealer for the work to be done," a Ferrari spokesperson told Autocar.

In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to issue a formal recall notice about the affected vehicles.

Report: Fisker Karma to blame for garage fire in Texas?

All the Justin Bieber in the world doesn't seem like enough for Fisker to catch a break. First it was a 2012 Fisker Karma spectacularly crapping out on Consumer Reports. Now a Texas fire investigator has said that a house fire originated with the plug-in hybrid, according to AutoWeek.

The fire consumed the car while doing "substantial damage" to the garage and spreading to the suburban Houston home, but nobody was injured in the blaze. According to the report, two other vehicles parked in the garage, an Acura NSX and Mercedes-Benz SUV, were also damaged. Estimates of the extent of the destruction were said to be $100,000, not including the damage to the other cars - and we're assuming not including the Karma either, given that the six-figure car was a complete loss, according to the report.

The fire started within three minutes of the Karma being parked in the garage, after the owner said he smelled burning rubber. According to the report, the car had not yet been plugged in to charge. The Karma is said to be new enough that it was built after the battery recall, and the report indicates that the battery pack survived the fire intact.

Though the Fort Bend County chief fire investigator told AW that "the Karma was the origin of the fire," and that it resembled a golf cart fire, something that happens roughly 50 times a year in the area, the incident is still being investigated.

When contacted for comment, Fisker's response was to tell AutoWeek not to jump to any conclusions: "There are conflicting reports and uncertainty surrounding this particular incident. The cause of the fire is not yet known and is being investigated."

The automaker then went on to speculate about "fraud or malicious intent," stating that "fireworks were found in the garage" and that "an electrical panel located in the garage... is also being examined," according to the report. Fisker also told AW that it believes the car's battery pack "does not appear to have been a contributing factor in this incident."

BMW recalling 24,000 vehicles over emissions problem

BMW wants to take another look at over 24,000 vehicles it's sold in the United States. No, this isn't just to check out how they're holding up in the real world, it's to make sure the smoke coming out of the tailpipe is clean enough.

BMW is recalling a total of 24,340 vehicles from the 2009-2011 model years - roughly 2,740 2011 or 2012 X5 xDrive50i and X6 xDrive50i vehicles as well as 21,600 335d models - because some parts of the emissions system (the DEF mixer, EGR valve and SCR catalyst) can incorrectly calculate the vehicle mileage. This can cause too many emissions to come out of the tailpipe, according to the California emission control rules. The recall will start May 9. Drivers should be on the lookout for letters after that date, a spokesman told Automotive News.

Just two months ago, BMW had to recall 1.3 million 5 Series and 6 Series vehicles from the 2003 to 2010 model years, 368,000 of them in the U.S.

120,000 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger models recalled over electrical issue

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall concerning 2011-2012 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger models. A fuse controlling the power distribution unit for the ABS and ESC system can overheat, causing both features to fail.

Charger Pursuit vehicles were recalled a couple of months ago over the same issue and it was thought that severe usage was the culprit. However, a number of civilian reports convinced Chrysler to recall all of the vehicles in question.

Chrysler will begin notifying the 119,072 owners this month. Affected vehicles can be taken to the dealer to have the fuse in question relocated, free of charge. Scroll down for the official NHTSA bulletin.

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Bombardier recalls 3,200 Can-Am Spyder RT trikes over brake failure fears

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a bulletin for the recall of the 2010 Can-Am Spyder RT to rectify an issue with its brakes. A pin in the brake pedal connecting rod on 3,259 units potentially affected could come loose; if that happens, total loss of braking is possible.

Bombardier Recreational Products, maker of the three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder, is notifying owners. Dealers will replace the pins in question free of charge. Scroll down for the official word and more information from NHTSA.

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BMW, Rolls-Royce issue recall over smoldering circuit boards

Drivers of 2010-2011 Rolls Royce Ghost models and several BMW models with turbocharged engines need to get their vehicles to their dealers. The cars are being recalled for a potentially hazardous defect that could turn their high-end autos into smoldering hunks of less luxurious melted plastic and steel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the circuit boards on the cars' water pump could overheat and possibly catch fire.

The 2011 BMW models affected are the 5 Series and 5 Series Gran Turismo. 2012 models are the 6 Series, 7 Series, X5 and X6. All affected models have either the turbocharged V8 or V12. NHTSA says the number of BMWs affected is 2,846. About 60 Rolls Royce Ghosts will be recalled.

The recall is nearly identical to one announced last November that recalled 2010 Rolls Royce Ghosts. This campaign seems to address the same problem that plagued 2011 models.

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