Road Reality » brake

16,000 Ford F-Series Pickups Recalled over Transmission Concern

John Suit — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:00:07 +0000

Even the best-selling pickup truck in America can have a bad day, and this is the F-Series’ day. Ford is recalling a bit more than 16,000 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks. The issue is the switch that prevents a driver from shifting from Park into Neutral or Drive. Normally, it stops drivers from shifting out of Park unless the brake is pressed, but apparently some faulty switches were installed into the affected vehicles.

With the bad switch in place, a driver could inadvertently put their truck in Reverse or Drive, which the NHTSA is worried could lead to pedestrian injuries or vehicular accidents.

The following is the list of recalled trucks:

2011 F-150: Built between September 9th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011
2012 F-250: Built between September 12th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011
2012 F-350: Built between September 12th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011
2012 F-450: Built between September 12th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011
2012 F-550: Built between September 12th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011

Ford will be inspecting the “Brake Shift Interlock Switch” and replacing it if necessary. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified soon, as the recall is supposed to begin on December 19th.

Show Press Release

by John Suit

Source: NHTSA

128,000 Ford Fusions and Mercury Milans Recalled over Wheel Stud Issue

John Suit — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:00:11 +0000

2010 Mercury Milan

Last week, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Ford is recalling over 128,000 Ford Fusions and its sister car, the Mercury Milan, because of a problem with the wheel studs. The recall only effects Fusions and Milans with steel wheels, not alloy ones. Wheel studs are threaded bolts by which a vehicle’s wheels are attached. They run through the brake hub, and if enough of them break, the wheel could literally fall off of the car. Continue reading for more details and the NHTSA’s press release.

2011 Ford Fusion

While the cause of the defect is not known, it’s likely that it was either a problem with manufacture or lug nut tightening, but the result is the same: wheel vibration and/or separation from the vehicle, which can lead to a loss of control and possibly a crash. The recall includes an inspection of the brake hub, as well as the replacement of all wheel studs and lug nuts on the recalled sedans.

The recalled vehicles include Fusions and Milans built in April of 2009, as well as between December 1st, 2009 and November 13th of 2010. The latter grouping is almost, if not all of the 2011 model year, during which the Mercury brand was disbanded. While the recall sounds like a lot of cars, it’s somewhere closer to 1/6th of total production of Fusions and Milans.

Ford’s recall is expected to begin in late January, and owners of affected vehicles will be notified soon.

Show Press Release

by John Suit

Source: NHTSA

Honda Recalls Odyssey, Acura RL because of Shared Supplier

John Suit — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:00:26 +0000

2007 Honda Odyssey

Last week, Toyota recalled a total of 740,000 vehicles. This week, because it uses the same supplier for some of its brake components, Honda is recalling almost 472,000 vehicles for the same issue – leaking brake fluid can cause loss of pedal pressure and result in more effort required to stop an affected vehicle. Interestingly, the only vehicles mentioned in the recall are the Acura RL and Honda Odyssey, which nobody would suspect of sharing braking components. Click past the jump for the press release and details.

Even if they couldn’t be more different – a flagship luxury sedan and a people-mover, the RL and Odyssey must share brake master cylinders, the components in your braking system that amplifies your pedal effort to stop your car.

2006 Acura RL

The recall affects 2005-2007 Acura RLs and Honda Odysseys, so if you own one, expect to get a recall notice from Honda in the near future.

Honda gets a nod for their quickness in identifying the supplier and issuing a recall on this matter, but seriously, it seems like it’s Recall Month on Road Reality!

Show Press Release

by John Suit

Source: NHTSA

Toyota’s Problems Continue: New Brake System Recall

John Suit — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:00:16 +0000

2005 Toyota Avalon

If Toyota were a person, he or she would need some anti-depressants at this point. After a multitude of recalls earlier this year, another big one is hitting the airwaves. This time, it’s for the brake master cylinder, which amplifies the pressure you put on the brake pedal, making it easier for you to stop your car. In certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles, however, a seal is going bad, leaking out the brake fluid, which leads to the “brake warning lamp” illuminating on your dash. Click past the jump for the affected model list and full press release.

The total number is listed at 740,000 vehicles, and includes the following models:

2005-2006 Toyota Avalon
2004-2006 Toyota Highlander (non Hybrid)
2004-2006 Lexus RX330
2006 Lexus GS300
2006 Lexus IS250
2006 Lexus IS350

From Toyota’s press release, it looks like they’re laying the blame on using non-Toyota brake fluid, which allows the internal seal to dry out because of lubricants missing in the replacement fluid.

Over time, with the dried-out seal, this small leak can lead to a soft or spongy brake pedal, and reduced braking.

If you’ve got one of the above-listed vehicles, and have more questions, go to www.toyota.com/recall or www.lexus.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987.

Show Press Release

Toyota Announces Intent to Voluntarily Recall Certain Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 Vehicles to Replace a Brake Master Cylinder Seal

TORRANCE, Calif., October 20, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it will conduct a voluntary Safety Recall involving approximately 740,000 – 2005 through 2006 Avalon, 2004 through 2006 Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 vehicles sold in the United States to address the possibility that a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

This action follows an announcement made by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan on October 21, 2010 (Japan).

The Toyota genuine brake fluid used during vehicle assembly for vehicles sold in the United States contains polymers. The polymers act as lubricants for certain brake system components. If during vehicle maintenance, brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers or only small amounts, a part of the internal rubber seal (brake master cylinder cup) located at the end of the brake master cylinder piston may become dry and may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder into the brake booster, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline.

Owners of the involved vehicles will be notified by first class mail beginning in early November 2010. Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed one at no charge to the vehicle owners.

Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall or www.lexus.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987.

by John Suit

Source: Toyota

BMW announces Recall of 198,000 V8 and V12-powered Cars

John Suit — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:28:10 +0000

2005 BMW 750Li

If you own a late-model 5,6, or 7-series BMW or a Rolls-Royce Phantom, your car may be part of a recall being initiated by BMW this week. The recall affects 198,000 cars from model years 2002 to 2010. In the recalled cars, a leak can develop in the power braking system, leading to lessened braking assistance. While this would not cause a full loss of braking ability, the driver of an affected vehicle will have to use more pressure on the brake pedal to bring their car to a full and complete stop. Read on for the press release and complete list of affected vehicles.

While there have been complaints to BMW regarding this issue, there have been no reported accidents or injuries which can be blamed on it. BMW already has an inspection and repair procedure created, and will be distributing replacement parts and recall notices in the coming weeks.

If you are already experiencing a loss in power braking assistance, make a service appointment with your BMW dealer immediately. If you’re just concerned about this issue, go ahead and contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email customer.relations@bmwna.com.

List of affected models:

* 2002-08 BMW 745i/Li, 750i/Li, and 760i/Li
* 2007-08 BMW Alpina B7
* 2004-10 BMW 645i and 650i
* 2004-10 BMW 545i and 550i

* 2003-2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom models (does not include Rolls-Royce Ghost)

Show Press Release

by John Suit

Source: BMW

Nissan taunts Toyota in new commercial

John Suit — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:00:32 +0000

In it’s “Innovation for All” series of commercials, Nissan is underhandedly going after Toyota. Although the automaker says it is not targeting one specific rival, it’s pretty clear to me that they have Toyota in their sights with this one. The commercial shows a Nissan vehicle coming to a stop. On a dime. And the voice-over is telling us all about Nissan’s brake override system, and how they started installing it on cars 6 years ago. Video after the jump.

by John Suit

Source: Nissan

Make: FORD	Model: F-150
Model Year: 2011
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY	Mfr’s Report Date: DEC 05, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V582000	NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Summary: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 AND F-550 HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, THEFT PROTECTION. THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH PROBLEM.
Consequence: THIS WILL ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH FUNCTION AND REPLACE THE SWITCH IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .