2017 Ford ExplorerHandout Ford mid-June recalled roughly 1.2 million Explorer SUVs in the U.S. and 28,000 in Canada over an issue with the rear suspension that may lead to diminished steering control and, in turn, an increased risk of a collision. On vehicles that see frequent full rear suspension articulation – that is, that regularly exercise the rear suspension across its full range of motion – the suspension’s toe link could fracture, making the truck harder to control. Ford Explorer SUVs from model years 2011 through 2017 built at the company’s Chicago plant may be affected. The automaker also launched a second recall the same day for the same issue, specifically for roughly 12,000 sedans and crossovers sold in parts of Canada. Affected vehicles in that recall include the 2009 through 2015 Lincoln MKS; 2009 through 2017 Ford Flex; and 2010 through 2017 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKT if built in the company’s Chicago or Oakville, Ontario plants and sold in Alberta, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. While the Explorer toe link fracture led only to a single report so far or a truck hitting a curb, the Canadian sedan recall has resulted in at least one crash involving minor injuries. The repair in both recalls will see dealers replace the left- and right-hand rear suspension toe links with new forged units and re-align the
Origin: Ford recalls 28,000 Explorers in Canada over increased crash risk
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Porsche recalling first-gen Panameras over fire risk
Porsche is recalling some 33,206 examples of its first-generation Panamera sedan in North America because in rare cases, a potential electrical system failure could lead to a fire in the vehicle. Most all first-gen Panamera trims are affected, including the 2010 through 2016 Panamera S and 4S; the 2011 through 2016 Panamera, Panamera 4 and Turbo; the 2012 through 2016 Panamera Turbo S and S E-Hybrid; the 2013 through 2016 Panamera GTS; the 2013 Platinum Edition and 4 Platinum Edition; the 2014 to 2016 Panamera 4S Executive, Turbo Executive and Turbo S Executive; and the 2015 Panamera Diesel, Edition, 4 Edition and Turbo S Exclusive Series. The defect involves water entering the air conditioning blower control unit, possibly leading to a short-circuit over time, which in turn poses a fire risk. While drivers should be able to detect something is wrong while driving, the short circuit could also happen when the vehicle is shut off, and so Porsche is asking owners to park their Panameras outside until the vehicle has been fixed. Dealers will add a relay harness to the blower control unit in affected vehicles and reseal it to protect it from water
Origin: Porsche recalling first-gen Panameras over fire risk
Ram recalls over 38,000 pickups due to airbag issues
2019 Ram 1500 Laramie LonghornBrian Harper / Driving FCA is recalling 38,890 Ram 1500 pickup trucks from the 2019 and 2020 model years due to an internal error in the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) that can cause the airbags to turn off. This poses as a safety risk because the airbags may not deploy in a crash, which can cause serious injury, bodily harm, or perhaps even death. To fix the issue, Ram will notify affected vehicle’s owners and instruct them to take their pickups to a dealer, where the Occupant Restraint Controller will be inspected. If found to be faulty, the part will be replaced. If no fault is detected, then it will simply be updated. In Canada, 38,890 RAM 1500 pickup trucks are affected, but it’s estimated that just under 296,000 units are affected in the U.S. alone, along with 1,817 in Mexico and 6,154 outside the NAFTA region. Ram 1500 Classic pickups are not affected. The recall is expected to start on June 20. Customers can either check online, or contact FCA at 1-800-465-2001 and reference recall no. V61 or V71, to see if their trucks are
Origin: Ram recalls over 38,000 pickups due to airbag issues
New Mercedes-AMG four-cylinder engine makes over 100 horsepower per cylinder
Mercedes-AMG Produktion M139 2019Mercedes-AMG Mercedes-AMG have just released the most powerful four-cylinder engine to ever go into a road car — a wild, 416-horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged engine set to be featured in the ’45’ series of vehicles. The outgoing engine was no slouch to begin with, making a healthy 376 horsepower. This means the company has managed to squeeze out an extra 61 horsepower out of the same displacement. Bravo, Mercedes. Along with the 416 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque in the S’ trims, there will also be a detuned version set for the standard 45s, making 382 horsepower and 354lb.-ft. That torque also comes in further along in the powerband, meaning you get a much steadier power delivery. To achieve all this, Mercedes-AMG have done some properly nerdy stuff, fitting the engine with electric wastegates, piezo-injectors, and relocating the turbo, etc. The engines will also be built more quickly thanks to Mercedes one man (or woman), one engine mantra, which includes tools that have already been computer-controlled to properly torque the bolts. According to plant manager Alexander Kurz, this cuts production time by 20 to 25 per cent, allowing 140 engines per day to be built. The M139 engine will be available in the upcoming A, CLA, and GLA 45
Origin: New Mercedes-AMG four-cylinder engine makes over 100 horsepower per cylinder
Fiat Chrysler’s U.S. sales chief files ‘whistleblower’ lawsuit over sales reports
Detroit, Michigan Ð Jan. 14, 2019 Ð Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand, celebrates after 2019 Ram 1500 was named North American Truck of the Year (NATOY) at the North American International Auto Show today. Selected by a jury of automotive journalists, the NATOY award joins a long list of awards won by the Ram brand this year. For more information contact Dave Elshoff at 248-797-2300 or Nick Cappa at 248-202-8039. Reid Bigland, the U.S. sales chief of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), has filed a “whistleblower” lawsuit against the automaker, claiming he’s been made a scapegoat over a federal probe into inflated sales reporting practices. According to the suit, Bigland said he has cooperated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and has testified about the sales reports, which he said predated his appointment to the position of sales chief in 2011. Bigland claimed that last March, as punishment for his testimony, FCA slashed his pay by about 90 per cent. The automaker would use his withheld salary to pay any penalties levied by the SEC. Bigland wrote a letter to federal investigators and to FCA last year outlining the reporting practices, which he said “he inherited.” He said he had not manipulated the methodology used to calculate sales. The lawsuit said the automaker’s actions will cost Bigland more than US$1.8 million in his bonus and stock payout. According to the suit, Bigland sold his shares in FCA last year, which the automaker did not like. The suit is asking for unspecified damages. FCA said in a statement that, like all of its corporate officers, Bigland’s bonus is subject to the company’s discretion. According to Automotive News, FCA voluntarily changed the way it reported its U.S. monthly sales, starting in July 2016. It then restated its results for the previous five years using the new method—which turned a previously-reported 75-month-long string of sales increases into about half that. Bigland said he wasn’t part of the new sales reporting process, and was only told that the automaker was considering using different methods. Born in Kamloops, British Columbia, Bigland became CEO of Chrysler Canada in 2006. Along with his position as head of U.S. sales, Bigland also heads up the Ram truck brand, and previously led Dodge, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. According to the Detroit News, the SEC began its investigations after two dealers in Illinois filed a civil racketeering lawsuit against FCA in 2016, saying the company offered its dealers money to report unsold vehicles as sold. A judge dismissed the racketeering claims and FCA settled the civil
Origin: Fiat Chrysler’s U.S. sales chief files ‘whistleblower’ lawsuit over sales reports
Ram recalls 6,886 trucks in Canada over driveshafts that could fail
2019 Ram 1500Handout / Ram Ram is recalling close to 7,000 pickups in Canada because their rear driveshafts could detach thanks to a bad weld. Some 6,886 model year 2018 and 2019 Ram 1500 44 trucks are affected, the automaker said. In affected vehicles, a weld in the rear drivehsaft could crack and fail, and the shaft could separate from the pickup. If the truck is in rear-wheel-drive mode when this happens, it could cause an immediate lack of propulsion. Additionally, the broken-off shaft could pose a hazard to other drivers or people nearby. Owners may notice a weird vibration or hear noises prior to the weld separating, though FCA notes only about one per cent of the recalled vehicles are likely actually affected. The automaker came across the issue last summer when it noticed a higher-than-expected number of warranty claims coming in for cracked driveshafts. Affected owners will be notified via mail, and will have their driveshaft replaced for
Origin: Ram recalls 6,886 trucks in Canada over driveshafts that could fail
63,000-plus Rams recalled in Canada over tailgates that may unlatch in traffic
2017 Ram 1500Handout Ram is recalling 63,753 trucks in Canada, and more than 410,000 in the U.S., because the tailgates could unlatch themselves in traffic if the power-locking mechanism fails. A component in the mechanism could break after enough time, though only in 1500, 2500 and 3500 trim-level trucks equipped with 8-foot cargo beds and the power-locking option. Specifically, pickups from model years 2015 through 2017 are affected, as well as 2018 models built before March 31, 2018. New 2019 model year trucks are not affected, nor are trucks with manual tailgate locks. Owners of affected vehicles will receive a notification regarding the recall beginning in
Origin: 63,000-plus Rams recalled in Canada over tailgates that may unlatch in traffic
Renault and Fiat Chrysler reportedly in talks over tie-up
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Renault are reported to be in ‘advanced discussions’ over a wide-ranging partnership, which could ultimately lead to the FCA Group joining the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. The talks, first reported by the Financial Times and subsequently by Reuters, are focused on the potential for co-operation between FCA and Renault, and are said to be at “an advanced stage”. The FT reports that Nissan has not been involved in the talks so far. FCA, Renault and Nissan have all declined to comment. FCA and Renault already have a partnership to product commercial vehicles, and have previously held talks over sharing platforms. It is understood those talks have now moved beyond technology sharing into a wider-ranging partnership. A source told Reuters that the talks could involve a transfer of equity between FCA and Renault, saying “this isn’t just another partnership.” If the two firms did take a stake in each other, it would be similar to the agreement between Renault and Nissan that led to the creation of the Alliance between the two firms, spearheaded by Carlos Ghosn, who served as chairman of both companies. The future of the Alliance is currently the subject of talks between the two car makers following Ghosn’s arrest in Japan on financial fraud chargers. The two firms could both benefit from a tie-up. FCA is strongest in North America, through its Jeep and Ram brands, where Renault has no presence. Conversely, FCA is some way behind its rivals with plans to develop electric cars, and could benefit from Renault and Nissan’s experience in this area. FCA also includes the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands. FCA is understood to have also held talks with the PSA Group, which comprises Peugeot, DS, Citroen and Vauxhall/Opel, over a partnership. PSA boss Carlos Tavares is known to be keen to grow his firm with acquisitions or partnerships, and has been strongly linked to a deal with Jaguar Land Rover. FCA boss Mike Manley is also known to be keen on a partnership, telling reporters at the Geneva motor show that he was open to cooperation with other car firms, “whether it’s partnerships, joint ventures or deeper levels of equity cooperation that makes sense for us and whoever that
Origin: Renault and Fiat Chrysler reportedly in talks over tie-up
Over 15 per cent of rideshare vehicles may have open recalls, CR finds
In this file photo, mechanic Antonio Ramos works on a car at San Rafael Firestone January 5, 2009 in San Rafael, California.Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Approximately one out of every six vehicles signed up for Uber and Lyft “carry unaddressed safety defects,” suggests a Consumer Reports review of data from Seattle and New York City. Uber and Lyft are letting down their customers and jeopardizing their trust, said CR safety policy advocate William Wallace. Uber’s website says people can ride with confidence,’ while Lyft promises peace of mind,’ yet both companies fail to ensure that rideshare cars are free from safety defects that could put passengers at risk. CR looked at information on nearly 94,000 vehicles registered to Lyft and Uber in the two metropolitan areas. Among the vehicles noted was a 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS with a total of eight unaddressed safety recalls, including possible seat-belt issues and engine failure. In other vehicles, CR’s researchers found issues like “deadly Takata airbags that could hurt or kill the driver or front-seat passengers.” It’s worth noting this seemingly high 1-in-6 rate of open recalls is around the same for all vehicles in the U.S. There are plenty of ordinary people who just don’t want to repair their cars, even when they should. Over 100 million people use the two popular ride-hailing apps as a regular way to get around, and according to CR, neither one has a clear policy when it comes to addressing open recalls.
Origin: Over 15 per cent of rideshare vehicles may have open recalls, CR finds
Corvette faces lawsuit over allegedly faulty wheels
The 650-hp, 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06Handout A class-action lawsuit against General Motors claims some Chevrolet Corvettes have wheels prone to bending and cracking at “extremely low mileage,” and that the company knew about it and has been blaming drivers. According to automotive watchdog site Car Complaints, the class-action suit is on behalf of anyone who purchased or leased a 2015-or-newer Corvette Z06 model, or a 2017-or-newer Grand Sport model within the U.S. It claims GM was aware of the issues with the alloy rims that causes them to bend and crack, and has been “systematically denying coverage” under the usually all-inclusive 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranties. The lawsuit cites GM as blaming “potholes or other driver error” for bent or cracked wheels, instead of admitting inherent fault. The issue came to light when a customer took delivery of a leased 2018 Corvette from a California dealership last summer and discovered the wheels were bent. Actually, it was a Cali wheel-finishing company, CalChrome, that was tasked with coating the wheels that noticed the damage. When the issue was brought up with the dealer, however, the customer was told the warranty wouldn’t cover the busted alloys, and that the issue was likely caused by the way the car had been driven. Following some persistent complaining, GM agreed to pay US$1,200, a fraction of the US$7,500 the customer ended up personally paying to replace the wheels (looks like they may have been ripped off there, too). GM is being accused of knowing about the issue and covering it up prior to the 2018 sale that sparked the lawsuit. Multiple other complaints regarding the specific ‘Vette models’ wheels had been registered with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Car and Driver also covered the issue as it pertained to a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport it was testing last fall.
Origin: Corvette faces lawsuit over allegedly faulty wheels
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