Monthly Archives: March 2010

GM issues recall of 1.3 million Chevy and Pontiac models

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Posted in Chevrolet, Pontiac - DO NOT USE

On Tuesday, General Motors announced that it is recalling approximately 1.3 million compact cars in North American due to a problem with the power steering system.

The recall was initiated after U.S. safety officials received more than 1,100 customer complaints. The safety initiative will cover 2005-10 Chevrolet Cobalt models and 2007-10 Pontiac G5s in the U.S as well as the 2005-06 Pontiac Pursuit in Canada and the 2005-06 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico.

General Motors has reported that vehicles affected by the recall can still be safely controlled, but the issue may make the steering feel heavier, especially at speeds below 15 miles per hour.

“When the condition occurs, both a chime will sound and a ‘power steering’ message will be displayed,” said GM vice president of quality Jamie Hresko.

The American automaker has said that it is currently working on a remedy to fix the issue and will notify customers when a plan has been put in place, according to Auto News Magazine.

GM customers have reported 14 crashes and one injury related to the steering problem.

Auto website offers $1 million prize for the cause of Toyota’s accelerator problems

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Posted in General Auto News

With the congressional hearings concerning Toyota‘s safety recalls now completed, an automotive website has issued a challenge to car junkies and auto mechanics everywhere: Decipher the cause of the Japanese automaker’s unintended acceleration problem and win $1 million.

On Tuesday, Edmunds.com identified unintended acceleration as a chronic issue that has been “festering” for 20 years. They believe that the error may not necessarily be related to the recent recalls.

According to officials with the website, the $1 million cash prize will go to a person who can “demonstrate in a controlled environment a repeatable factor that will cause an unmodified new vehicle to accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly.”

Edmunds is hoping to attract the brightest minds in the automotive world to help figure out what is really causing sudden unexpected acceleration in brand-new vehicles.

Meanwhile, the auto website also blasted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for not accomplishing what Edmunds hopes to.

“Many incidents are not fully addressed by recalls,” said the website. “NHTSA is responding to the challenge with more of what they have already done: additional investigations. Isn’t it time to try a different approach?”

Edmunds is currently drafting rules for the prize, and will announce them later this month.

Danica Patrick crashes in her final spring NASCAR race

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Chevrolet, Dodge - DO NOT USE

On Saturday, racing superstar Danica Patrick wrecked in her third and final NASCAR race before she will head back to the IndyCar Series.

Patrick, who has had an unceremonious beginning to her NASCAR career, collided with Michael McDowell on lap 83 of this weekend’s Sam’s Town 300 Nationwide Series race.

After getting fresh tires, Patrick quickly caught up to McDowell’s slowing Dodge that had lost its rear end in a previous accident. Outside of turn one, Patrick tried to pass McDowell on the inside, but he drifted low into her path, causing her number 7 Chevy to wreck. The accident ended the day for both drivers.

“I tried to give the outside, I saw her coming into it and I closed the door,” said McDowell. “It was completely 100 percent my fault. I hate it for everyone at JR Motorsports. Like I said, I take 100 percent responsibility.”

The crash was especially unfortunate for Patrick, who was having her best race of the season and even found herself in third place after a strategic pit stop.

The media darling will now head to the IndyCar Series for four months before coming back to NASCAR for a few races at the end of the summer. Veteran driver Kevin Harvick took the checkered flag on Saturday after leading 83 of the 200 laps.

Toyota’s customer loyalty ratings slip

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Posted in General Auto News, Toyota

Toyota Motor Corporation’s recent safety recalls have apparently taken their toll on their customer base. A recent survey by Consumer Reports found that 60 percent of current Toyota owners said they would most likely remain loyal to the brand when the time comes to purchase a new car, down 10 percentage points from a December 2009 study.

Due to the slippage, Toyota has fallen behind Honda and now sits at second on the customer loyalty rating list.

“The intense publicity surrounding Toyota’s recent recalls seems to be having a pronounced effect on the company’s image among its current customers,” said officials with Consumer Reports, quoted by Auto Week.

However, even with the decline, Toyota remains significant percentage points ahead of Chevrolet and Ford in terms of customer loyalty.

Approximately 50 percent of current Ford and Chevy owners said they would most likely stay with their respective brands.

The most recent survey was conducted before the U.S. Congressional committee hearing last week. Approximately 6.5 million Toyota vehicles have been recalled in the U.S alone over the last six months due to safety concerns.