Car Recalls for Hyundai and Honda: Combined More Than 335,800 Vehicles Recalled for Possible Defects
DETROIT, M.I. Car recalls are multiplying as Honda and Hyundai are both issuing two different recalls. The possible issues range from malfunctioning airbag systems to windshield wiper failure. All problems increase the risk of a crash for drivers or possible fires.
The following describes the possible issues and which models may be affected.
Hyundai
Hyundai is recalling 188,697 Hyundai Elantras, model years 2007-2009, due to possible unneeded deployment of airbags. The weight sensor, which deactivates when there is a passenger of a certain weight, may become contaminated by normal use of the vehicle or even spillage of liquids in the cup holder directly above the sensor. If the sensor becomes contaminated, the front passenger airbag may deploy no matter the weight of the passenger. Also, if the vehicle is in a crash, the airbag may deploy when it does not need to and may cause injury to the passenger. Dealerships will install a protective cover over the weight classification system connector to ensure that the sensor cannot be contaminated.
The second of Hyundai's car recalls includes the same vehicle, the Hyundai Elantra, model years 2007-2008. There are 95,783 vehicles that may be affected by another defect in the airbag system apart from the one already mentioned.
This defect may affect the sensor that runs the length of the driver's seat track. The seat track determines the pressure that is correct for the seating position; so if an airbag does deploy in case of an impact, the airbag will not deploy with more pressure than is needed. The problem lies with the airbag module, which may receive unstable electrical signals that could cause the airbag on the driver's side to deploy with much more pressure than intended. The higher pressure could cause injury to the driver if a crash did occur.
Owners may bring their vehicle to any dealer where they will reprogram the airbag control module at no charge.
Hyundai owners will be made aware of both of these car recalls in April 2011.
Honda
The Honda Civic 2011 is being recalled by Honda due to a possible fuel leakage issue. The rollover valve within the Honda Civic is built into the fuel pump so in the event of a roll over it will prevent fuel from leaking out of the fuel tank. The problem may be that the plastic case that holds the roll over valve was not correctly welded, which may cause the case to break or crack. If this occurs, the rollover valve may fail to work properly which could cause fuel to leak during a rollover incident and potentially cause a fire.
Dealers will inspect the fuel pump and the rollover valve. If needed, the module will be replaced at no charge.
Honda is also recalling 33,341 Honda Odyssey vehicles from 2011 due to possible windshield wiper blade construction. If a front wiper blade freezes to the windshield and then the motor is turned on, one of the extension arms of the wiper blades may bend or break off from the motor. This may occur because the rod is not strong enough. Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper rods for free.
Both of these car recalls will be announced to owners in mid-April.
Hyundai owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 800-633-5151 while Honda owners may reach Honda at 800-999-1009.
MI Auto Times covers all Michigan automotive news all the time, featuring newly released vehicle recall information, relevant Michigan automaker news, vehicle ratings and comparisons, and everything else auto-related Michigan and world readers need to know.

2012 Ford Fiesta -- Why Must Ford Dealers Highlight It
Ford dealers are now selling out more models than ever as the Ford Motors company rallies to produce cars in the subcompact category.
For more than one century now, Ford Motors are innovating and producing high-quality car units and services, as manifested by their newest creation, the Ford Fiesta, which invaded markets for more than a year now.
This is a significant change and improvement for an automaker that started out with just a mere $28,000 capital. Ford has been the vehicle of the working class in America and other parts of the globe for many years now.
With racing-driver beginnings, Ford took a step up in the automotive industry ladder by deciding to manufacture vehicles for public use. Now, it has about 213,000 people hired in over 90 manufacturing sites globally.
Since 2010, the company has been adjudged as no. 8 in the yearly Fortune 500 list, just a little above J.P. Morgan Chase. Since it is essentially a globally competitive manufacturing chain, you can definitely find a ford dealer near you.
At this point, the vehicle that really sells quickly from ford dealership chains is the newly released Ford Fiesta subcompact sedan. For those whoa re a bit unfamiliar with cars, a sedan is a closed and usually compact car that can accommodate four to fiver persons
Besides sedans, Ford also has other line up of vehicle types which continue to fare well in terms of sales. There is the truck group, lead by the Ford Ranger and F-150. Sports Utility Vehicles or SUVs are also a hit for bigger families, and the leading models in this type of vehicle are the Ford Expedition and Ford Escape. These are just samples of the most in-demand automobiles in ford dealers showrooms.
The Ford Fiesta maybe considered as a result of powerful advertising strategy too. If the vehicle received too much media exposure, you can attribute it to the extensive scope of the Ford Fiesta Movement. Besides being n eye candy to most buyers, it is also shockingly inexpensive. A brand new Ford Fiesta can be bought a base price of 13,500 dollars. Despite the cheap price though, it is furthermore praised because of is great performance.
The Can and Driver publication has commended the vehicle for having "frisky handling, precise steering, respectable snort, and all day comfort quotient." The British TV show, Top Gear, has also expressed their delight with this new subcompact roadster saying that the "ride and comfort quotient (of Ford Fiesta) has grown well." It also adds that "it drives so much better than it has any right to."
With a fuel-efficient 30-40 mpg rating, it's really something that a customer can be interested in in every Ford dealership showroom.
The Ford has Company has worked hard to rise its standard and produce quality goods and now, they are reaping the results. With more newer models to feature and more offers to give to both new used car model buyers, Ford continues to rise to the top of the automotive hierarchy. The Ford Fiesta for one, is the company's current best seller that's rapidly invading all parts of the world.
A stylish car with substance. That is the banner being carried by the Ford Fiesta. If you want to to flaunt without burning a hole in your pocket, go to a ford dealer near you today. You can't go wrong with this car.
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The 2011 BMW 535i Sedan
For those who seek turbocharged thrills in a conservative design, we introduce the 2011 5 Series. An enviable combination of performance, comfort and technology, make the 2011 BMW 5 Series the top choice midsize luxury sport sedan. The 2011 BMW 5 Series has been completely redesigned, returning to a more traditional styling, accompanied by a more powerful engine and new technology features.
Few have consistently delivered the levels of excellence attributed to the BMW 5 Series. Standing the test of time, for five generations the 5 has maintained its ranks amongst the top automobiles on the market. From the stepping stones of models passed, generation six has evolved like man from ape in the automotive world in the form of the 2011 BMW 5 Series.
This new 5 is certainly met with the formidable task in regards to styling. The previous generation endured a radical change to the 5 Series previous grand transformation, sporting curves and accompaniments that were both friend and foe of potential buyers. The 2011 5 Series marks the return to a more conservative family resemblance to other BMW sedans. The new 5 Series is a dime piece of a sedan certain to provide all the added kick you can handle.
BMW has sexed up fuel economy and acceleration after introducing a new eight-speed automatic transmission that boosts compared to last year's six-speed auto. Remarkably, a manual transmission is still available on all models.
Mechanically, it shares a number of similarities with the 7 Series and features the 7 series new multilink front suspension and a new electric-assist steering rack. The most recent highly improved iDrive system headline the 5's new features, in addition to an automated parallel parking system, a head-up display, top-view and sideview cameras and a blind-spot monitoring system.
The 2011 BMW 5 Series sedan is offered with three available engines, corresponding to three trim levels: 528i, 535i and 550i. The 535i is offered as xDrive all wheel drive variants that gives you a turbocharged variant of the engine that cranks out 300 hp and 300 lb ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with xDrive all-wheel drive being optional on the 535i and 550i. The automatic 535i recorded acceleration from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy exceeds the average for the class.
The new eight-speed automatic performs majestically with any engine choice, even when performing multi-gear downshifts. It gives us great pleasure that BMW continues to offer a manual transmission.
Standard safety equipment for the 2011 BMW 5 Series includes stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and the BMW Assist emergency communications system. The stability control system integrates several features designed to improve braking performance, such as periodically wiping the brake rotors dry in wet conditions and automatically gripping the brake pads to the rotors when the driver abruptly lifts off the throttle.
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Ford F150 MI Owners: More Air Bag-Related Injuries Plus Pressure from NHTSA Cause Ford to Expand F150 Recall to 1.2 Million
DETROIT, M.I. Ford F150 MI owners should be aware that Ford has increased its initial recall from February to include over a million more Ford trucks.
In November of last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked Ford to recall 1.3 million vehicles. Ford Motor Corp. has said, in a statement filed with the NHTSA, there was no cause for a recall of that size as "the condition does not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety."
[Rewind: Ford F150 MI Owners Worry Driver Side Airbags May Deploy Without Warning; Recall Announced]
Following that statement, Ford only recalled 135,000 F150 trucks from 2005-2006. But, as announced yesterday, the NHTSA disagreed that the problem was only minor and has now pressured Ford to recall the remaining 1.2 million vehicles, which includes Lincoln Mark LT pickups, which the safety organization believed should have been recalled to begin with.
Amount of recalled Ford F150 MI vehicles:
135,000 already recalled Ford F150, 2005-20061.2 million extended recalls for Ford F150, 2004-200616,000 Lincoln Mark LT pickups in the U.S.136,000 Lincoln Mark LT pickups in the Canada and MexicoTotal count comes to 13,000 vehicles shy of 1.5 million vehicles recalled in total.
The problem lies with the airbag wires that can be chafed by a sharp metal edge of the horn plate during normal driving conditions or by the vibrations from the road. If the wire is cut, a short can cause the airbags to deploy without warning. Injuries had totaled 77 in February but have since increased to 98 injuries, which have included chipped teeth, fractured arms and burns.
Once the number of injuries and incidents increased after the much smaller recall by Ford, the NHTSA warned the agency could convene a formal public hearing to compel a recallif Ford didn't cooperate. In the end, Ford gave in and chose to recall all of the vehicles saying it will expand the recall "to reassure customers of Ford's commitment to safety and to eliminate any possible customer confusion."
One of the biggest indications of a defect is the air bag light being on for extended periods of time. Although Ford will begin to notify owners by May, any Ford F150 MI vehicle owner with an air bag light on should visit their MI Ford dealers or a dealership in their local area to have their wires and airbag unit checked for possible issues.
MI Auto Times covers all Michigan automotive news all the time, featuring newly released vehicle recall information, relevant Michigan automaker news, vehicle ratings and comparisons, and everything else auto-related Michigan and world readers need to know.
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