Categories: Safety

Subaru has issued a recall of 5,379 Outback and Legacy models built between February 15 and June 15, 2012 all designated as 2013 models. It seems that these cars may be susceptible to having defective inner and outer steering shafts on their steering columns. These shafts may become disengaged from one another, which could cause the operator to lose the ability to steer the car and result in a crash. Subaru has begun contacting owners, but if they have not been contacted yet, they may call Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 to schedule a free repair to the steering column. Read on for the full report...

Honda has announced yet another recall of three of its big time models:  The CR-V (2012-2013), Odyssey (2012-2013), and its higher end Acura RDX (2013 model only). This recall mirrors a recent run on the same issue other car companies have had as well. The mechanism that blocks the automatic gear selector from slipping out of Park may, in fact, be defective. Honda has said that this seems to happen only during sub-freezing temperatures—the selector may not work as quickly as it should, and could let the car shift even without having the brake pedal depressed.

The recall is expected to star the middle of next month. Honda will replace the defective mechanism with one that has been updated to deal with the colder temperatures, free of charge. Owners may conctact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Read on for the full report. 

Chrysler has issued a recall of 4,051 of its Dodge Challengers that were produced with a V6 engine between December 2012 and January 24, 2013. It seems that a short circuit may occur on the positive battery cable at the starter motor. This short could case a vehicle fire and potentially even a crash depending on when the short occurs. Owners of these cars are being told to stop driving their Challengers immediately. They are also being advised to not park their Challengers in or around any structures as this may cause the short. 

Last year, the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety introduced the new Top Safety Pick + award, which encompasses the new small overlap frontal test. It announced the first wave of awardees in late 2012, beginning with the mid-size luxury and mid-size moderately priced categories. 

"To qualify for the 2013 Top Safety Pick+ award, vehicles must earn good ratings for occupant protection in at least 4 of 5 evaluations and no less than acceptable in the fifth test," explains the IIHS. In addition to the small overlap test, those evaluation categories are the moderate overlap frontal crash, side impact, rollover test, and evaluation of seat/head restraints in rear impacts.

Subaru has issued a recall of 47,419 of its vehicles. The recall pertains to 2010-3013 Outback and Legacy models, as well as 2013 Crosstrek models, and 2012-2013 Impreza models. All of the cars in question are equipped with either an automatic transmission or a CVT (continuously variable transmission) and also have been equipped with an Audiovox remote starter. It seems that the remote starter has a propensity to malfunction of dropped causing it to start the car without having the start button actually pressed. 

Hyundai’s hot little hatchback is being recalled over a problem with the optional panoramic glass roof. It seems that an unloading station robot at the factory had a malfunction that caused ‘forced contact’ between the robot’s mechanism, and the glass panel. This apparently caused a weakness in the glass, allowing it to shatter unexpectedly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received 26 complaints, 15 of them alleged that the sunroof shattered while the 2012 Hyundai Veloster was being driven. In some instances, minor cuts and abrasions were attributed to the falling glass.

BMW has announced it will bring back 30,265 X5 models due to a potentially defective brake vacuum pump. Eight-cylinder X5 models built between September 12, 2006 and March 18, 2010 may have a pump that could leak a "small amount" of lubricating oil into the hose, which could lead to a failure in the power brake booster. If the brake booster fails, it could lead to a crash caused by the driver not reacting properly to the failure, or simply due to the increased stopping distance the SUV must travel with no help from the booster.

BMW has said they will fix the vacuum line free of charge, and will begin contacting owners this month. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 with questions or to set up their appointment. Read on for the full report.

Honda has announced a massive recall of two of their most popular models -- the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot SUV. In what seems to be a fairly simple production mistake, at least one of the rivets that holds the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing from the car. The missing rivet may negatively affect the deployment of the airbag in the case of a crash, and result in further injury or even death to the occupant under the wrong circumstances. 

Honda has said it will begin to notify owners starting next month, and will bring in the cars in question to have them inspected and serviced for free if rivets are in fact, missing. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 with questions or to set up an appointment. Read on for the full report.

In yet another recall, GM has decided to call back 12 different models from three different companies under its umbrella totaling a massive 54,686 cars in all. It was only a few weeks ago that GM issued a similar recall for several of its non-SUV models, and now the bigger trucks are suffering from the same issue. It seems that Chevy Avalanche, Express, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Savanna, Sierra, Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade models may have a faulty park lock cable or a defective steering column gear that could result in the vehicle shifting out of Park with little or no warning, even when the car is not running or the brake is not depressed.  This could result in a very bad day for the driver, passengers, surrounding pedestrians, or all of the above.

GM has said they will bring the defective models back and replace any defective parts for free. Owners will begin to begin to be notified this month. Read on for the full report.

Subaru has issued a massive recall of 633,842 vehicles spanning six years and four of their well-known models. Certain Tribeca models from 2006 through 2012, as well Legacy and Outback from 2010 through 2012, and Forester models from 2009 through 2012 have all been recalled due to faulty puddle lights located under the doors of the vehicles. Subaru says that up to 53,999 of these vehicles could have been equipped with these lights, which are susceptible to a short circuit if they are exposed to certain road conditions (such as salt and water resulting from wintery conditions). A short circuit in these conditions could result in the plastic panels these lights are mounted in to melt or even catch fire.

Subaru said it will contact owners to begin bringing cars in next month for a free fix.  Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Read on for the full report.

Hyundai has issued two recalls this month that may make owners a little less confident driving around their rage-against-the-norm three door Velosters. The first applies to 13,500 Veloster models built between November 1, 2011 and April 17, 2012 that have the optional panoramic sunroof. It seems that the sunroof may have been weakened during its production and thus may actually break while the car is in use which would not make for a good day for any driver. 

The second recall affects 4,490 models built between July 2, 2011 and February 12, 2012. It seems that on these models, the parking brake components are susceptible to road debris and moisture which could interfere with its effectiveness and inadvertently cause the brake not to function. Obviously a non-functioning parking brake could cause a host of issues for drivers and pedestrians alike.

Owners can contact Hyundai at 1-888-327-4236 to schedule a free fix beginning in January of the new year.

Read on for the full reports.