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This e-mail service automatically informs you if your vehicle has a lubrication, coolant or brake fluid related defect - so that you can contact the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for corrective action before serious failure occurs. Below is partial listing by Manufacturer or Brand Name of vehicles with known problems that require corrective action(s): To find out about other defect recalls in USA you can contact : National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration or call the Tool Free Auto Safety Hotline or go to www.nhtsa.gov website for more information on recalls and other vehicle safety issues. Our list also includes know defects where NO recalls were ordered by the OEM.
Comment: The number of cars and light trucks recalled in USA rose for a second consecutive year in 2003 even as studies show that overall vehicle and engineering quality has never been better. In 2003, automakers recalled 19.5 million cars and trucks — or 8 percent of all light vehicles in use. The number of recalls issued by automakers also is rising again — reaching 529 in 2003, up from 436 in 2002 and just below the record 541 recalls in 2000, government figures show. In 1990, there were 208 recalls industry-wide. Experts blame the proliferation on a convergence of issues, including tougher federal reporting requirements, wider use of glitch-prone computers, an ongoing shift to electrical controls from mechanical devices, and a proliferation of new model launches.
BUICK
Problem: Dipstick for Motor Oil reads up to two quarts low, when engine oil is at full capacity. Solution: Replace with revised dipstick tube and dipstick (P.N.# 12564961 and 24505407)
Defect 051201 see defect list below
BMW
Ring Gear in the five speed automatic transmission may fail and cause loss of reverse, first, second & third gears. Fix: Replace transmission About 250 vehicles are affected
In early 2004, BMW recalled about 4,000 of its 5-, 6- and 7-series and
X5 off-road vehicles due to engine problems.
CADILLAC
Low coolant light illuminates frequently, engine overheats. GM engineers have traced this problem to a slow leak caused by poor seal at interface between engine coolant and the oil cooler cover at the engine block. Resealing the cover with good quality RTV sealalnt and giving it at leat 15 minutes cure time before re-installation fixes the problem in most cases. However engine damage may have already been caused if the overhat condition existed for prolonged time and the vehicle was operated at high highway speeds.
CHRYSLER
Chrysler group spokeswoman Curtrise Garner said there had been nine reports of underhood fires apparently caused by the problem. "The likelihood of fires is very low," she said, adding that no injuries or deaths had been reported. Other than fire hazard the loss of power steering fluid causes loss of power assist for the steering, making slow speed turns and parking very difficult. 438,391 PT Cruisers from the 2001-2004 model years were affected by the recall For other CHRYSLER defects see this web:http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/
DODGE
Transmission rattle at idle. Replace the clutch disk with upgraded unit part number 52107775AC
For other DODGE defects see this web:http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/
CHEVROLET
Equipped with 4.3 Liter V-6 Gasoline Engine
Equipped with 4.3 Liter V-6 Gasoline Engine Two wheel drive (any engine model)
Defect 051201 see defect list below
Equipped with 4.3 Liter V-6 Gasoline Engine Two wheel drive (any engine model)
Equipped with 4.3 Liter V-6 Gasoline Engine
FERRARI Ferrari North America Models: Oil Filter 111782 Number Involved: 2,790 Dates of Manufacture: May 2000 - May 2001 Defect: The model vehicles these filters can be used on are: Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil filters with a new style of oil filter having a Ferrari part number of 191993, free of charge. The manufacturer has reported that notification began Oct. 12, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact
Ferrari at 1-201-816-2600.
FORD
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 32 Valve Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 3.8 Liter V-6 Engine
with California Emission Package
with 3.8 Liter V-6 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 5.4 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 5.4 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 5.4 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 5.4 Liter V-8 Engine
Problem: Dipstick for Motor Oil reads up to two quarts low, when engine oil is at full capacity. Solution: No OEM cure is offered at this time, therefore we are cautioning customers to do following: Remove the dipstick from the tube and after about a minute re-insert and imediately withdraw the dipstick, reading taken this way will be accurate if the vehicle is parked on a level surface and the engine oil is warm. More than 65,000 vehicles are affected
GMC
Equipped with 4.3 Liter V-6 Gasoline Engine
Defect 051201 see defect list below
Equipped with 4.3 Liter V-6 Gasoline Engine Two wheel drive (any engine model)
Equipped with 4.3 Liter V-6 Gasoline Engine Two wheel drive (any engine model)
HONDA
Flaw in the engine oil seal causes excessive leakage or sudden total loss of motor oil leading to catastrophic engine failure, due to lack of lubricant. Vehicles affected were made in the Ohio, USA plant from July 1993 to September 1995. Honda has already recalled 557,000 cars that were sold in Japan, however no decision has been made to recall cars sold outside Japan.
See above this minivan also carries the seal flaw.
Vehicle is prone to catch fire when engine is restarted imediately after oil change. Cause has been determined to be improperly tightened oil filter, which causes engine oil to leak onto hot exhaust system that is positioned just under the oil filter in back of the engine. 18 cases of fire reported to NHTSA.
HYUNDAI
2.7 Liter V-6 Engine ONLY About 300 engines of estimated 8,000 that were manufactured from March 2000 to November 2000 have defect with cylinder liners that crack. That causes engine failure at highway speeds. The flaw has been "eliminated" in later production engines. Hyundai has been replacing the failed engines under warranty, it is however NOT recalling vehicles or notifying owners of the potential problem of vehicle suddenly stopping on highway. Thicker liners were used in the engines beginning in November 2000.
JEEP
Oil pressure warning light and warning chime come on under heavy braking. First check the oil level in the crankcase, which may be OK, but if not add oil to restore oil level. If problem persists even with proper oil level then problem is caused by software glitch in the oil pressure monitor system of the engine control module which needs to be reprogrammed with new software.
Higher than normal temperature gauge reading Caused by calibration error in CCN module, which needs to have new software installed.
Delayed transmission engagement and harsh downshifts New front pump must be installed to fix this problem (Part Number 05127199AA)
KIA
Problem: Battery cable shorts out on oil dipstick tube, causing a fire.
LEXUS
LINCOLN
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 3.8 Liter V-6 Engine
with 5.4 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
MAZDA
No 5th Gear or Reverse engagement If the 8mm Hex Plug which looks like oil level check plug is removed the crank lever shaft falls into the transmission and the transmission must be removed and disassembled to fix this problem. Not really a defect just very poor design and no warning DO NOT REMOVE on the transmission.
MERCEDES-BENZ
Problem: Motor Oil Leak from front of the engine. Cause:Vibration Damper cutting into the rubber of the crankshaft seal ring. Solution: Instal revised damper and new seal No 271 030 00 03 and 023 997 84 47.
High underhood temperatures that could damage the alternator and cause a fire have
prompted Mercedes-Benz USA LLC to recall SLR McLaren sports cars from the 2005 and 2006
model years.
MERCURY
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 4.6 Liter V-8 Engine
with 3.8 Liter V-6 Engine
with California Emission Package
NISSAN
Reports of excessive oil consumption that could damage the engine or cause a fire. Nissan said it had extended the engine portion of the vehicles' warranty on Altimas and
Sentra SE-Rs built during January to May 2006 to 84 months or 100,000 miles.
OLDSMOBILE
Equipped with 4.3 Liter V-6 Gasoline Engine
Defect 051201 see defect list below
Equipped with 3.8 Liter V-6 Gasoline Engine Missing clip allows heater hose to touch oxygen sensor unit. This leads to hose damage and coolant leak onto hot exhaust system, this in turn can cause engine fire. Fix: Install Missing Clip About 2,700 vehicles are affected
PLYMOUTH
ROVER
Transmission Breather Tube collects water that may freeze in cold weather and this clogs the tube, which in turn causes the transmission fluid to leak through the dipstick tube and contact hot engine parts. Fix: Remove Breather Tube from inner fender and cut a section off the hose to prevent water from collecting. About 26,000 vehicles are affected.
Brakes may briefly apply without driver action due to defective relay. Fix: Replace anti-lock brake relay. About 11,000 vehicles are affected.
SATURN
Brake Fluid leaks from brake pipes with improperly tightened nuts. Fix: Tighten nuts to specifications if too loose or replace brake pipes if overtightened. About 5,400 cars are affected
TOYOTA
See problem 020211 below
VW
If a cooling system component malfunctions and causes a increase in system pressure, the heat exchanger may burst and spill hot coolant into vehicles passenger compartment, burning an occupant's feet or causing steam that impairs driver visibility. Fix: Inspect system components for proper functioning and install pressure relief valve for the heat exchanger. About 6,200 vehicles are affected.
Defect List949500Premature failure of a head gasket(s) on 3.8 Liter V-6 engines causes loss of coolant, engine overheating or in extreme case engine failure. Ford has extended warranty for this defect to seven years or 100,000 miles, which ever comes first. More than 700,000 vehicles are affected.
991000Wrong Transmission Cooler line was installed on some 1999 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable cars with California Emission Package. This causes it to scrape against anti-lock brake module bracket and could in turn cause ATF fluid leak on to exhaust manifold or catalytic converter and cause fire. Fix: Install correct transmission cooler line. About 1,800 cars are affected
991108A cavity machined into the crankshaft's counterweights may have pierced an oil gallery in the crankshaft. This allows oil to run out of the shaft prior reaching the crankshaft bearings. This eventually causes a catastrophic engine failure. On vehicles that are equipped with oil pressure gauge, low oil pressure is noticeable. Approximately 20,000 GMC/Chevy
light trucks and vans equipped with
991109Brake fluid leaks from right side anti-lock brake module feed pipe and/or crossover pipe. Fix: Install new brake pipe union. About 4,000 vehicles are affected
000970Power Steering Noise There is a problem with some 1995 to 1999 Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth cars. When ambient temperatures are low (10ºF and below) excessive noise is generated in the power steering system after the vehicle is started and the colder it gets the more annoying the noise and vibration gets. In extreme situations the power steering pump or the drive belt can be permanently damaged. The problem is the Power Steering OEM Fluid designated as MS-5931. The cure is complete drain of the system and replacement with better quality fluid such as DaimlerChrysler Part Number #05010304AA or better yet the NEW SynLube Lube-4-Life Power Steering Fluid which exceeds even the latest DaimlerChrysler specification MS-9933
More than 7,000 owners have complained to Toyota about vehicles equipped with two of
the automaker's core engine families - the 1MZ V-6 and 5SFE inline 4 Sludge buildup causes engine performance to deteriorate and, in extreme cases, causes engines to seize. But because the problem can be caused from failure to change the oil regularly, Toyota steadfastly has refused to cover it under its five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Toyota has instituted "special adjustment program" In a letter sent to more than 3.3 million owners of vehicles equipped
with the two engines, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. says it will pay repair costs for
sludge damage in cases where customers can provide proof of "reasonable efforts"
to maintain the vehicle. After threat of class action lawsuit TOYOTA has on April 8, 2002 changed its policy of refusing to fix the affected engines. Currently following is offered by TOYOTA: Toyota will pay for sludge-related repairs for eight years from the date of purchase for all 1997-2002 Toyota and Lexus vehicles with the 3.0-liter IMZ V-6 engine and all 1997-2001 Toyota vehicles with the now discontinued 5SFE 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. This adjustment also has following features:
FORD - Head gasket failure
The problem is often though to be a result of a crack in head or a block, since no problems with head gasket is found. In this case however the cause of the leakage is a leaking "core plug". There are two located in the front of the cylinder block. As a result of several possible causes, the defective plug can cause coolant to leak into the motor oil. Neglecting to change the coolant regularly and frequently causes the core plug to rust through from the backside. The 38-mm (1.5") plugs may be replaced while the engine is in the vehicle.
Irritating engine noise while engine idles Carbon buildup in the rear exhaust guides is the cause. New design cylinder head and cam assemblies need to be installed to solve this problem. (Part Number 4L3Z-6049-AA and 4L3z-6049-BA).
Problem: High pitched squeal squeak or whistel coming from front axle. Cause: combination of low temperature below 40 F and most likely due to dry seal at the outboard end of the right axle intermediate shaft housing and /or the left side of the differential carrier. Solution: Replace with revised seal with better lubricity (P.N.# 12479302 and 12471618) Applying SynLube Lube-4-Life Grease to the seal lips will also scilence the noise. |
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