USA RECALL - TOYOTA - The brand is recalling 73,000 Tundra models from 2016-2017.

Toyota Motor North America, Inc, Announced that it is conducting a safety recall of approximately 73,000 Model Year, 2016 and 2017 Toyota Tundra vehicles in the U.S.

The involved vehicles are equipped with resin rear step bumpers and resin reinforcement brackets at each corner.  In the event of an impact to the corner of the bumper, the resin bracket may become damaged but not be noticed.  If a person steps on the corner of the bumper that is damaged, a portion of it may break away, increasing the risk of injury.

Toyota dealers will replace the resin reinforcement brackets with new ones that are made of steel at no cost to customers.  In addition, the rear bumper tread covers will be replaced as part of the remedy.

All known owners of the involved vehicles will receive a notification by first class mail starting in the middle of February.

Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is subject to change over time.  For the most up-to-date Safety Recall information on Lexus, Toyota and Scion customers should check their vehicle’s status by visiting http://www.toyota.com/recall and entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).  Safety Recall inquiry by individual VIN is also available at the NHTSA site: safercar.gov/vin.  For any additional questions, customer support is also available by calling Toyota Customer Service at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Service at 1-800-255-3987.

USA - the NHTSA awards, for the third year running, a brand wide full five star rating for buick.

• Three consecutive years of brand-wide safety leadership for Buick

Buick’s all-new 2017 LaCrosse flagship sedan has earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) highest five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety rating¹, giving Buick a NHTSA five-star sweep across its entire tested lineup of premium vehicles for the third consecutive year. 

Buick was one of only two brands in the industry to earn a five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety ratings on every model with its 2015 product line, and every Buick vehicle tested since has been rated at this highest level.

In 2016, four all-new or significantly enhanced Buick vehicles were launched in the U.S., and each one earned NHTSA’s five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety ratings — including the Cascada, which is the first convertible for 2017 with a five-star Overall Vehicle Score.

“We know safety is top of mind for buyers when shopping for new vehicles, and the recent ratings by NHTSA showcase our brand’s dedication to providing our customers with safe, reliable transportation,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “We’ve launched four new vehicles in 2016 and we are extremely proud to continue to offer a lineup of award-winning vehicles that have NHTSA five-star Overall Vehicle Score ratings across the board.”

On sale since August 2016, the 2017 LaCrosse is longer, lower and wider than the previous generation. The car’s safety, handling and efficiency benefit from its advanced structure, thanks to the use of stronger, lighter press-hardened and high-strength steels. LaCrosse is a perfect blend of sophisticated technologies, advanced safety systems and authentic craftsmanship and continues to be Buick’s flagship sedan.

The Buick lineup offers a host of innovative safety features, including the company’s patented Safety Alert Seat, which provides alerts to the driver using haptic seat vibrations. The 2017 Enclave also offers the segment’s only front-center air bag, delivering enhanced protection to front passengers in side collisions. The all-new LaCrosse is the first Buick to offer Front Pedestrian Braking, helping to provide peace of mind for those inside the car and enhanced safety for those outside of the car.

¹ Regal 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score applies to vehicles without optional rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags and Envision 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score applies to vehicles with all-wheel drive. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).

Buick is an international modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors and thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models in North America and China. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick, on Instagram, or at www.facebook.com/buick

USA - The 2017 Dodge Challenger gains the full five stars from the NHTSA, the fifth time in doing do.

• 2017 Dodge Challenger earns five stars overall, the highest rating in NHTSA’s vehicle-evaluation program
• High-strength steel structure contributes to five-star ratings for both NHTSA side-impact tests – vehicle and pole
• Fifth time Dodge Challenger has been accorded overall score of five stars
• 2017 Challenger boasts more than 70 available safety and security features, including Forward Collision Warning, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection

The 2017 Dodge Challenger has earned a five-star overall safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Five stars is the highest rating in the regulatory agency’s vehicle-evaluation program.

“This proves the 2017 Dodge Challenger is much more than a great-looking car,” says Mike Dahl, Head of Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance, FCA North America. “It reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional occupant safety in every vehicle segment.”

Nearly 60 percent of the sporty Challenger’s body structure consists of high-strength steel. This engineering strategy, combined with the careful integration of side-guard door beams, was critical to the car’s performance in NHTSA’s side-impact testing.

The agency simulated collisions with a pole and with another vehicle at closing speeds of 32 miles per hour and 62 miles per hour, respectively. The Challenger’s rating for each: five stars.

Supplementary restraint systems also contributed the car’s performance. Driver and front-passenger side air bags are standard equipment on all Challenger trim levels, as are front and rear side-curtain air bags.

In its assessment of the new Challenger, NHTSA notes the availability of Forward Collision Warning (FCW), which features forward-facing sensors programmed to detect the potential for certain types of frontal collisions. If a frontal impact with another vehicle appears imminent, the system pre-fills the Challenger’s brakes and transmits audible and visual warnings for the driver to respond.

FCW is among more than 70 available safety and security features on the 2017 Dodge Challenger. Others include Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection.

BSM uses radar sensors to aid the driver when changing lanes, passing or being passed. When another vehicle is detected in the driver’s blind spot, its presence is noted with illuminated icons in the Challenger’s side-view mirrors and a driver-selectable chime.

RCP detection warns drivers of lateral traffic when backing out of parking spaces. It automatically activates whenever the driver puts the Challenger in reverse gear.

Since the modern Dodge Challenger was launched in 2008, NHTSA has included the car in its annual model-year ratings seven times. It achieved five-star scores every time, including five overall five-star ratings – one for each year overall ratings have been awarded.

USA - The 2017 Dodge Charger earns 5 stars overall, the highest single rating in NHTSA’s vehicle-evaluation program

• 2017 Dodge Charger earns five stars overall, the highest single rating in NHTSA’s vehicle-evaluation program
• Five-star rating applies to both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions
• 2017 Dodge Charger features available Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, which benefits from advanced sensor-fusion technology; feature provides alerts, autonomous braking and is capable of bringing vehicle to a full stop
• Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist also among 80+ available safety and security features
• Charger has now achieved five-star overall score 10 times — every year NHTSA included the car in its annual ratings

The 2017 Dodge Charger has earned a five-star overall safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Both versions of the Charger, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, were evaluated for frontal and side impacts, and rollover resistance. The overall result was the same for each: five stars – the highest single rating in NHTSA’s vehicle-evaluation program.

“This further validates the robustness of our safety engineering,” says Mike Dahl, Head of Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance, FCA – North America. “But crashworthiness is only half the story. We are immensely proud of the investment we’ve made in the driver-assist technologies that help enable crash mitigation.”

In its assessment of the 2017 Dodge Charger, which recorded a year-over-year sales increase of 35 percent in September, NHTSA notes the availability of Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus.

The Charger’s crash-mitigation system benefits from advanced sensor-fusion technology. Sensor-fusion leverages the combined attributes of radar and cameras to help deliver greater precision when determining if a frontal impact may be imminent.

If camera and radar agree that a frontal impact with another vehicle appears imminent, the system pre-fills the Charger’s brakes and transmits audible and visual warnings for the driver to react. If there is no driver response, the system triggers a brief brake application as a tactile alert.

If the driver remains unresponsive and frontal collision risk remains, the Charger’s brakes are applied to slow the vehicle before impact. The system may bring the vehicle to full stop if an imminent frontal collision is detected at speeds below 25 mph.

Sensor-fusion technology was once reserved for luxury-segment vehicles. Today, FCA US makes it available across six vehicle segments – from small SUV to minivan.

Sensor-fusion is the Company’s technology of choice for crash mitigation.

“Our commitment to such advancements was made clear when we signed an industry-wide agreement to proliferate this capability across our lineup,” Dahl says. “It is part of our ongoing contribution to the democratization of driver-assist features.”

The 2017 Dodge Charger offers more than 80 available safety and security features, including Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, which uses camera technology to help keep the driver aware of her/his vehicle position on the road. If the Charger veers toward a lane marker in a manner consistent with driver inattention, the system provides alerts and delivers automated steering inputs that help accommodate course correction.

A distinguishing element of Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist is that the level of steering input may be adjusted to suit an individual driver. The menu of choices is accessible through the Charger’s available 8.4-inch Uconnect center-stack touchscreen.

The fourth generation of Uconnect’s celebrated touchscreen makes its debut on the 2017 Dodge Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300.

“The ability to fine tune such a feature helps improve driver comfort and confidence, both of which contribute to safe vehicle operation,” says Adam Chiappetta, Senior Manager – Active Safety and Driver-Assist Technologies at FCA US.

Since its launch in 2005, the Charger has been included in NHTSA’s annual ratings list on 10 occasions. Each time, it earned an overall score of five stars.

USA RECALL #8 - SET Exhaust accessories may cause burns if standing too close to the exhaust of the 4Runner.

RECALL Subject : Accessory Exhaust Tip May Contact and Burn People

Report Receipt Date: AUG 03, 2016 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V577000 

Component(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 425 

Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

SUMMARY:

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind the vehicle.

CONSEQUENCE:

Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.

REMEDY:

SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 15, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16D.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA RECALL #7 - Pagani Automobili SpA is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Huayra vehicles for airbag issues.

RECALL Subject : Driver Frontal Air Bag may not Deploy Properly

Report Receipt Date: AUG 09, 2016
NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V588000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 32 

Manufacturer: Pagani Automobili SpA

SUMMARY:

Pagani Automobili SpA (Pagani) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Huayra vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to July 29, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the driver side frontal air bag may not remain adequately secured to the steering wheel during deployment, and therefore the air bag may deploy improperly.

CONSEQUENCE:

Improper deployment of the driver frontal air bag can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

REMEDY:

Pagani has notified owners, and dealers will change the fasteners on the steering wheel air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2016. Owners may contact Pagani customer service at 1-415-350-7220.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA RECALL #6 - The Chrysler 200 from 2016 model year is to be recalled to check the chassis Fastening joints.

RECALL Subject : Improperly Torqued Fasteners

Report Receipt Date: AUG 10, 2016
NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V589000
Component(s): STEERING , STRUCTURE , SUSPENSION
Potential Number of Units Affected: 191 

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

SUMMARY:

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chrysler 200 vehicles manufactured May 24, 2016, to May 25, 2016. Multiple chassis fastener joints may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the chassis fastener joints are improperly torqued they may loosen and fail or fall out, reducing steering and handling capability and increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the joints and tighten or replace the fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S59.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

USA RECALL #5 - Jeep is recalling the Cherokee models for possible wrong torque tightening to specification.

RECALL Subject : Improper Torque on Seat Fasteners

Report Receipt Date: AUG 10, 2016
NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V590000
Component(s): SEATS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,824 

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

SUMMARY:

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 29, 2013, to February 5, 2016. The seat fasteners on the first or second row seats may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.

CONSEQUENCE:

Loose fasteners may allow the seats to move, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupants in the event of a crash.

REMEDY:

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seats or seat sets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall S63.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.