South Korean manufacturer Kia and NHTSA announced a recall of certain Spectra (Cerato) vehicles sold in the United States, in addition to the Sorento SUVs being recalled. According to a notification posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, the recall affects the Spectra LD models from the 2004 to 2007 model years. This recall will affect around 58,322 Spectra cars over the problems related to fuel straps that may corrode and eventually give away, dropping the gas tank to the ground.

The models in question have straps that hold the fuel tank to the frame of the vehicle, and if exposed to road salt, these can rust. The direct consequence of such a problem is that the tank can fall to the ground, which could cause a leak and a fire.

According to Kia:
There is a possibility that corrosion of the fuel tank straps which hold the tank may occur as a result of prolonged exposure to road salt
As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may separate allowing the fuel tank to contact the ground and possibly disrupt the integrity of the tank
Should a fuel tank fall from the vehicle, it could leak and increase the chances of a fire
Only vehicles operated in states using road salt during winter months are susceptible to the corrosion issue

Specifically, Kia is recalling more than 58,000 Spectra compact cars registered in cold-weather states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The Spectra compact cars manufactured between November 7th 2003 and March 6th 2007 also fall under the recall.

Details on whether the issue had caused any fires or injuries have not been disclosed, but the company confirmed that dealers will replace the fuel tank straps and bracket hardware with zinc-coated parts on all affected vehicles at no cost to owners and the recall is expected to begin in June 2011.
The Sorento SUVs

The Sorento SUVs in question were manufactured till the start of 2011 model year production from May 22, 2010
All the Sorento SUVs affected have two-wheel drive, automatic transmissions and 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine
All the Sorento SUVs have their problem stemmed from a misalignment that took place during assembly between the intermediate shaft and the right-side output gear
The problem in the Sorento SUVs can create excessive wear and noise, eventually leading to damage to the transmission
This recall of the Sorento SUVs marks the second for the 2011 Sorento, following a fire risk recall issued in September 2010. For the latest recall, Kia says it will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft on the affected vehicles.
The Sorento recall will begin this month and the Spectra recall, in June.

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Apr 19, 2011) - A consumer from downstate Bloomington, Illinois received a jury verdict against General Motors, LLC ("GM") for breach of express warranty and breach of implied warranty in connection with her purchase of a defective 2010 Cadillac SRX. Shelly Newman filed a complaint against GM after her attempts to have various defects in her vehicle repaired by an authorized GM dealership failed. Ms. Newman contacted Krohn & Moss, Ltd., a Chicago law firm that has handled over 35,000 cases since its inception in 1995, seeking to enforce her rights as a consumer. Krohn & Moss, initially contacted GM in writing seeking a resolution to Ms. Newman's case without having to seek court intervention. However, efforts to resolve this "lemon law" dispute were unsuccessful and ultimately the case proceeded to trial.

In reaching the verdict, the jury found that GM had been provided a "reasonable number of attempts" to repair Ms. Newman's vehicle but failed to do so. The jury awarded Ms. Newman $7,000.00 in damages representing how much she overpaid for her vehicle due to its defects along with the aggravation of being forced to live with the problems. As a result of the verdict in Ms. Newman's favor, Krohn & Moss, Ltd. was also able to seek and receive payment for its attorneys' fees from GM as is required by various state and federal laws after prevailing in a "lemon law" case. Eric Kaczander of Krohn & Moss, Ltd. who was the lead trial attorney for Ms. Newman in commenting on the jury's verdict stated, "This verdict sends a message to all manufacturers that they need to stand behind their products and the excuse that they are 'working on a fix' for the very product they manufactured and profited from is unacceptable." Mr. Kaczander can be reached by calling Krohn & Moss, Ltd. at (312)578-9428, extension 274 or e-mail Mr. Kaczander directly at ekaczander @ consumerlawcenter . com.

For more information concerning this case, please reference Tazewell County, Circuit Clerk 10^th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, Case No. 10 LM 393.

About
The law firm of Krohn & Moss, Consumer Law Center®, was founded in 1995 by attorneys Adam Krohn and Gregory Moss, providing legal representation to consumers with defective vehicles and products, consumer fraud concentrating in auto fraud claims such as odometer setbacks, auto dealer financing scams and vehicle history misrepresentations, FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) and FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) violations. Visit the Krohn & Moss website at www.yourlemonlawrights.com or you can contact our firm at 888 MY-LEMON (888-695-3666), toll free from anywhere in the US.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/krohn-moss-wins-jury-award-in-defective-cadillac-case-against-general-motors-llc-1504199.htm

Volkswagen of America is recalling about 71,000 2011 Jetta sedans for a wiring problem that could cause the car to turn off when the horn is used.

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Once in a while, when you are behind the wheel in your car, you may see a red light come on and illuminate words like "Check Engine" or "Oil Pressure”.  How do you react to these warning signs? Do you choose to pull to the side of the road and follow the check signals accordingly? Or, will you continue to drive on, without batting an eye lid?

Warning lights are there in a car for a safety purpose. These warning lights keep you informed if something goes wrong with your car. In some cases, ignoring a warning light can quickly result in catastrophic damage to your car's engine and worse to its occupants. It is very important that you know what each warning means and what you should do if it is lit, while driving.

Here are three very important warning lights you may encounter on your car, sooner or later, if they have not done before:

Charging System Light
The charging system light usually appears as a battery symbol, ALT or GEN. It glows when the power by the alternator stops the supply to vehicle's electrical system. A failure of charging system may not result in serious mechanical damage. This warning light gives you an ample chance to react. You can start with cutting down all unnecessary electrical loads, like the radio, heater, air conditioning, etc. Then drive the vehicle to a repair facility for further inspection. You will have a minimum of fifteen minutes of daylight driving time, the non-headlight use before the battery voltage drops for the ignition system and the engine to quit.

Engine Temperature Light

The engine temperature warning light appears as a thermometer or as TEMP. It comes on when the engine temperature exceeds the safe maximum level temperature. High engine temperatures can cause major engine damage and failure. This warning gives you time to deal with the situation unlike the oil pressure warning. Check if there are any signs of a cooling system leak, like the steam or liquid coolant coming from under the hood. Check if there is trailing off behind your vehicle. Pull your vehicle off the road at the earliest and safest opportunity. Switch the engine off and call for assistance. Do not get in contact with boiling coolant to prevent getting scorched. Take extra caution while opening the hood in the presence of steam. Never attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine is still hot.

If there is a visible absence of these signs, it is possible that the overheating is the result of a temporary overload of the cooling system. A temporary overload of the cooling system can sometimes occur in hot weather when the vehicle is heavily loaded or is carrying a trailer with it. In order to lower the engine temperature, first decrease the speed of vehicle. You can turn off the air conditioning. You should also roll the windows down. Since the heater is actually a second radiator that can provide additional cooling for the engine, set the heater to the full hot position and operate the heater fan on its highest setting. Move to the nearest service station for a technician can help you correct the situation.

Oil Pressure Light
The oil pressure light generally appears as a symbol of an oil can or is just shown as "OIL". This oil pressure light illuminates when there is a major drop in engine oil pressure. This is a serious warning. Oil lubricates the vital components of your car's engine. In the absence of a proper lubrication, your car's engine can quickly grind itself to a junk. If you notice the oil pressure light flashing, pull your car off the road immediately. Switch off the engine and call for help. Do not attempt to drive the vehicle any farther than is needed. If you attempt to drive the vehicle any farther than is needed, it will only increase the possibilities of the engine damage. Besides, attempting to drive the vehicle any farther than is needed in such situation will further aggravate the problem. Where you could have done with a minor repair, you will have it blown into a full fledged problem that might need a complete engine replacement.

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The economic repercussions of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami are creating shock waves in the global auto industry. The dual disaster have shuttered many Japanese factories alright, they are also causing worries about the impact on the production shutdowns in North America. While Japan is grappling with the situation created as the after math of the earthquake, auto makers are scrambling to assess the full impact of the twin natural disasters and Japan’s ongoing nuclear crisis.

There are already signs that Japanese auto plant shuttering will interrupt supply chains beyond its borders. It is affecting the auto industry's global supply chain. The auto companies outside Japan keep their fingers crossed and hope that the disruption does not stay long enough to affect the deliveries of the car parts or shipments. Japan’s ravaged northeastern region is a major hub for auto parts suppliers and critical infrastructure. The auto parts suppliers have traditionally ensured the flow of goods to overseas markets earlier before persistent power outages came in. Even though only 7 to 8 per cent of a North-American built car comes from Japan, all it takes is one critical supplier to be out of business and you can’t make vehicles.

Because the industry’s global supply chain is so integrated, it is predicted that short-term disruptions of both vehicle parts and some popular models are imminent:

• Nissan Inc. said some Infiniti models, as well as the GTR and 370Z, could face delayed shipment to Canada and the United States
• The North American supply of fuel-efficient cars such as the Toyota Yaris,  xB and xD models of the Scion, Toyota Prius hybrid and Honda Fit are at risk because those cars are only made in Japan

While Japanese auto makers are grappling with the situation to restart production, the automakers around the world can feel the ripples caused by the twin natural disasters and Japan’s ongoing nuclear crisis, as the following:

• British parts maker GKN Plc (GKN.L) says that it may have to cut the number of components it makes because some of its Japanese customers, which include Mitsubishi (7211.T) and Nissan (7201.T) may be unable to take deliveries
• Shutdowns could affect Toyota Canada Inc. and Honda Canada Inc., who have two assembly plants each in Canada
• French car parts maker Valeo's (VLOF.PA) five factories in Japan, which supply local car makers, are operating but it is too soon to say if they would have to lower the rate of production
• The potential shortage of “high-value” Japanese-made components, such as engines, transmissions and electronics that are used in North American-made cars, is the biggest concern
• Both Nissan Canada and Mazda do not produce in Canada but the fallout from their Japanese shutdowns are still unknown
• Nissan, Honda (7267.T) and Toyota (7203.T) export their luxury cars to China instead of producing locally. Exports to China will suffer now, as the big three have shut their Japan plants
• Nissan who has an engine factory in the region supplying around 12 percent of its global need for engines, might be hardest hit
• European car makers, Renault would be affected, because of its cross-shareholding with Nissan
• Truck makers Daimler and Volvo (VOLVb.ST) with significant production in Japan are also exposed
• Volvo said it had halted production at its Japanese unit UD trucks' four plants until March 21
• Japanese auto makers’ manufacturing facilities in Canada and the US will likely get hit by short-term shutdowns by the end of this week

Auto makers typically keep a 90-day inventory on hand, providing a buffer when production is interrupted. But foreign makers have typically kept less extra supply on hand. Though auto makers are optimistic of resuming production, shutdowns could reoccur. It is still not clear if power supplies will be sufficient to restart entire operations or just the offices.

General Motors Co is recalling its newer Buick Lacrosse and Cadillac SRX vehicles. The recall is over a software defect that could create potential problems with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in the vehicles. In the MY 2011 Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac SRX vehicles,  the software in the electronic climate control (ECC) module may disable the ability to adjust the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system settings. Consequently, the driver will be unable to control the heating, cooling, and ventilation of his/her vehicle.

According to General Motors Co:

• 10,179 vehicles for the model year 2011 were affected by the recall
• These vehicles showed problems resulting from a faulty defrost system
• The faulty defrost prevented clearing the windshield when the defrosters stopped working
• Software in the electronic climate control modules in the said vehicles may prevent the driver from controlling the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• On the road the flaw can hamper visibility and increase the risk of a crash by keeping the defogging and defrosting systems from properly clearing the windshield

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the said vehicles are recalled as they failed to fulfill the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, “windshield defrosting and defogging systems”.

According to the federal regulators:

• The problem in the climate control electronics module would disable control of the whole climate control system
• The disabled control in turn will lead to a possible loss of window defrost/defog capability
• Loss of window defrost/defog capability in a vehicle is a gross violation of federal safety rules on driver visibility

Meanwhile, General Motors has assured that there have been no untoward incidents or accidents arising from the problem so far. Actually, the defect in the climate control electronics module was discovered in an internal test when working on a new version of the software, but not when the vehicle was on the road, by the consumer.
As the potential fault lies with the software and not with the components themselves, dealers will carry out the necessary upgrades and recalibration on the modules with the problem.

The recall is expected to begin on or before the 11th of March. Notifications to owners of the affected vehicles will be sent and technicians at the dealership will reprogram the module free of cost to the consumer.

The average age for cars on US roads is 9.4 years for cars and 7.6 years for trucks. For a car consumer durability and brand loyalty mean the most and they go hand-in-hand to increase the roadworthy years of a car. Reliability and durability are the deciding factors that make an automobile desirable.

A latest vehicle dependability study shows how important reliability is the factor that puts the following car brands sold in the US on the forefront for the greatest general dependability:

• The top most dependable cars: Buick and Jaguar
• Lexus, Toyota and Mercury are in the top five
• Suzuki Volkswagen and Land Rover were the last three brands on the list

To determine the most dependable vehicles on the road today, the first owners of three-year-old cars were asked to report in eight categories, the type of problems the vehicles developed over the previous year for:

• Driving experience
• Engine
• Exterior
• Features/controls
• Heating/ventilating/cooling
• Interior
• Seats
• Audio/entertainment/navigation

Final rankings were based on the problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) score. The lower are the scores the higher is the quality of the vehicle.
The top most dependable cars are as the following:

• According to the senior automotive engineer for Consumer Reports, Lexus is reliable, very luxurious and comfortable, with the latest technology
• Toyota's reputation for both reliability and Eco-mindedness makes it highly valued by consumers, according to the New York-based market research company
• The LS 430 sedan scores 61 PP100, the lowest of any model in the study
• The Lexus SC 430, a $66,805 coupe, scored below 100  and beat the Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette in the premium sporty car category
• Consumer Reports ranked the LS 460 sedan the best overall vehicle of 2009
• GM’s Buick is a routine leader in dependability studies and ranked among the top 10 names since 2003

During the purchase of a car, what really matter is its reliability and ownership cost  making it a 'real world' picture of car ownership. A car that does not let down its owner is important to every motorist.
There are two major factors that influence one's version of reliability:

• How often it goes for repairs
• How much it costs you to fix it

A car could break down five times, but only cost you $50 each time to fix, or it could break down once and cost you $1,000.

Just as the automakers are getting more wary of the safety of the consumers, more recalls are  being announced. Recently there was a spate of auto recalls by Mercedes, Hyundai Sonata and BMW. Now, there is another impending recall by the General Motors for its Chevrolet Impala model cars. The American auto giant, General Motors has announced a recall of 303,100 Chevrolet Impalas over the front seat belt problems in its 2009 and 2010 Chevy Impalas. According to a statement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the front seat-belt webbing in the 2009 and 2010 Chevy Impalas may not have been properly secured to the lap belt anchor which is mounted to the side of the seat close to the door.

The impact of the problem in the 2009 and 2010 Chevrolet Impala sedans are as the following:

• The Chevrolet Impala sedans have a seat belt assembly anchorage that could improperly restrain the front occupants if there were a crash
• In the worst case scenario it can cause injury to the occupant in the front seat

No accidents or injuries have so far been reported but there were 32 reports of complaints relating to the seat-belts that required warranty repairs. However if there were a crash, the seat belt may not restrain the front occupant the way it should which in turn may cause injuries. As an official announcement indicates “The front safety belt webbing may not have been properly secured to the lap belt anchor pretensioner which is mounted to the side of the seat nearest the door. As a result, the safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash”. According to some media reports, this issue has been under investigation since mid-2009.

According to a notice posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) GM is recalling the Chevrolet Impala 2009 and 2010 models “For failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, the Seat-belt assembly anchorages.”

GM is planning to mail the owners of affected vehicles a recall notice around the 25th of October. A total of 192,922 Chevrolet Impalas from the 2009 model-year and another 110,178 from the 2010 model-year are being recalled. In addition, GM is recalling 19,000 Chevrolet Impala 2009 and 2010 model vehicles sold in Canada.
Owners of these vehicles and customers will be requested to take their cars into a local GM dealership where the fixes will be done on any seat-belt that is found not properly anchored. GM fixes the issue in all the said vehicles free of cost, as a convention. Dealers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat-belts for proper anchor installation and reinstall the anchors if needed. The inspection and repair will begin on or before the 26th of October.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as legal advice. Please direct your specific questions to K&M attorneys and know more about your lemon law rights. If you want to pursue your lemon law claim, call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation. Or submit your information online for your free case evaluation.

Toyota launches another massive recall on Thursday over a safety issue of brake fluid leaks. This time Toyota is not alone. Honda keeps it company over the same issue. Toyota, the world's largest car manufacturer is going to recall 1.53 million  2005 to 2007 model year cars globally. Most of the models affected are in the United States and Japan. The recall affects 728,544 cars in the US alone and 599,000 in Japan are affected. According to Toyota Canada nearly 29,000 vehicles get affected in Canada by the voluntary recall.  Thursday's recall affects the 2005-2006 Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX 330, and the 2006 Lexus GS300, IS 250 and IS350 about brake fluid and fuel pump problems. Honda plans today to officially file with regulators its recall of certain 2005-07 Honda Odyssey minivans and Acura RL sedans.

This recall is aimed at fixing an issue with a rubber seal that can degrade and cause brake fluid to leak. This leak can weaken the power of its brake. Toyota feels that  a "possibility" of the brake fluid slowly leaking out of the brake cylinder in the vehicles. Drivers will get an early warning of the problem when the 'low brake fluid' warning light flashes. In its news release Toyota warns that a low fluid level could eventually lead to declining braking performance, Both Toyota and Honda said they have no reports of accidents, although Toyota said it found 14 instances in which the leak occurred. A Toyota spokesmen has admitted that their cars in Japan and elsewhere  have an electrical problem with the fuel pump, which could stall the engine. So far this kind of problem has not been  reported in the US.

Is a wrong kind of brake fluid to blame for the leaks?

In their filing with US regulators both Toyota and Honda automakers stated that

• The problem would not have occur had the owners followed auto maker's recommendations
• The auto maker recommended the use of their branded brake fluid only
• Toyota's brake fluids contain polymers that act as lubricants
• If the wrong kind of brake fluid is added, a rubber seal in the brake's master cylinder  dries out and curls
• The dried and curled rubber seal causes the leak

Japanese regulations

Toyota admits having known the brake fluid leak problem in 2006 itself  through reports about the leaks and brake warning lights. Earlier this year though the tests revealed that the leakage was small it did not corroborate with the Japanese auto regulations. The failure to stand up to the auto specifications In Japan which that do not allow any leaks, prompted a recall in Japan and thereafter Toyota preempted the US recall too.

Toyota has since revised the master-cylinder design so that it holds up to different types of brake fluid present in the market.

The automaker is planning to mail the owners of affected vehicles a recall notice over the next few weeks The owners of the said vehicles can bring them in for repairs at no cost to the owners.

Toyota has recalled more than 10 million cars and trucks worldwide over the past year in 15 recalls. The recalls were over quality problems - faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerators and braking problems in its Prius hybrid. In August, Toyota recalled 1.33 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the US and Canada for their stalling engines. Toyota had recently completed repairs on more than five million vehicles for three major recalls announced in late 2009 and early 2010 in the US involving unintended acceleration and braking issues.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as legal advice. Please direct your specific questions to K&M attorneys and know more about your lemon law rights. If you want to pursue your lemon law claim, call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation. Or submit your information online for your free case evaluation.