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» Archive for the 'Recalls/TSBs' Category

Microheat files for bankruptcy after GM recall

Thursday, October 16th, 2008 by admin

Microheat Inc., the company responsible for inventing and supplying General Motors with their HotSpot windshield cleaning system, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The technology utilized heated liquid to clean the front glass of debris, ice, and snow. Unfortunately, a short circuit on a printed circuit board could overheat and lead to a fire (removing contaminants from much more than just the front windshield). As a result, GM recalled 944,000 vehicles and dropped Microheat, and their HotSpot product, from the lineup. Even with the system no longer offered on vehicles, things are cooking in court as GM is now seeking $20-25 million in damages to cover the cost of the recall. Without the assets to cover the charges, bankruptcy protection could only be expected. While GM’s HotSpot recall solves the overheating problem with a simple inline fuse, the new filing by Microheat only seems to be fueling the fire.

Posted in Aftermarket, Gadgets, Recalls/TSBs | No Comments »

Kia Rondo recalled for fuel pump issue

Thursday, September 25th, 2008 by admin

2008-’09 Kia Rondos packing four-cylinder engines are being recalled to fix a fuel pump issue that could lead to fuel starvation. Nearly 7,000 Rondos in EX and LX trim are effected, and will get an improved fuel pump to resolve the issue. The NHTSA has warned that the problem is unusually severe, and vehicle behaviors such as poor starting and hesitation could lead to a crash. If you own Kia’s funk-tacular MPV with the 2.4-liter engine, get thee to a dealer, or call Kia at 800-333-4542.

Posted in Kia, Minivans/MPVs, Recalls/TSBs, safety | No Comments »

Toyota halts 2008 Highlander sales as part of recall

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 by admin

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Slightly more than 90,000 Toyota Highlanders are being recalled for a seatbelt problem in the third row. The recalled crossovers are all 2008 models built between May of 2007 and March of this year. The stock belts could prevent secure mounting of a rear-facing child seat in the third row, and dealers will install a redesigned part on affected Highlanders. The problem with the third row belts hasn’t spawned any complaints or injuries, and owners will be notified starting in June. Still, Toyota has put the brakes on Highlander sales until current stock is retrofitted and assembly lines are resupplied with the new part.

[Source: AP via WCVB]

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    • Posted in Crossovers/CUVs, Recalls/TSBs, Toyota, safety | No Comments »

    Honda issues TSB for third-gear issue, fix is free

    Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 by admin

    3 gear, 3Gear, 3rd, 3rd gear, 3rdGear, acura, honda, honda civic si third gear, HondaCivicSiThirdGear, recall, third gear, ThirdGear, tsb

    Honda has finally issued a TSB on the third gear issue that’s been plaguing everything from the Civic Si to the Acura TL. According to affected owners, when the manual transmission was in third gear, it would occasionally pop into neutral and occasionally grind into place. Honda originally didn’t recognize the problem and still isn’t issuing a recall, but they have put out a TSB and are offering to correct the problem free of charge to owners who take their vehicle into a dealership. The documentation for Honda and Acura is now available (PDF warning) and you can hit the jump to see which vehicles are included in the TSB.

    2003-07 Honda Accord V-6 with M/T
    2008 Accord V-6 coupe with M/T
    2006-08 Civic Si coupe
    2007-08 Civic Si sedan
    2003 Acura 3.2CL with M/T
    2002-06 Acura RSX with six-speed
    2004-08 Acura TL with M/T

    [Source: AutomotiveArticles via KickingTires]

    Posted in Honda, Recalls/TSBs, acura | No Comments »