Kia is recalling 70,115 Kia Optima models from the 2006 to 2008 model years, all with automatic transmissions, for an issue with the shift cable. The affected Optima models were made from September 29, 2005 through June 13, 2007, and have a shift cable that might have not been correctly installed...Read More»
Auto recalls are a little like trips to the dentist: time-consuming, frustrating, and even though we know they're food for us, we'd rather avoid them. As such, it's a little unusual to find consumers hankering for a recall, but a growing contingent of Jeep owners are doing just that. The problem...Read More»
It appears that the worst of Toyota's recall woes might not yet be past. The world's largest automaker confirmed plans today to recall nearly 1.7 million vehicles globally, for issues including oil leaks, faulty fuel pumps, and fuel lines. The number includes about 245,000 Lexus IS and GS models in...Read More»
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is coming to next month's 2011 Detroit auto show, and the Accent-based sports coupe has plenty of unusual features brewing for its world debut, with 2+1 doors, a dual-clutch gearbox and 40-mpg-plus fuel economy at the top of the list. It's also likely at this point that...Read More»
Chrysler last week initiated a safety-related recall of 367,350 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans, all from the 2008 model year, for an issue with improper water drainage off the heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system in these vehicles. The issue, which is caused by...Read More»
This might come as a shock if you've spent the last 10 years behind the wheel of a cutesy Mazda Miata or a snuggly Volkswagen New Beetle and thought all cars were like rolling versions of Hello Kitty characters--warm, fuzzy, and somewhat squishable. Now, the wonders of science have studied how cars...Read More»
Aston Martin dealerships might be a little busier over the next few months, as the British sports-car maker, which was long owned by Ford but sold to a Kuwaiti financial services company last year, moves to recall a total of 1,090 cars in the U.S. The recall includes 2007-2008 Aston Martin DB9...Read More»
Reports that Lincoln might be planning a luxury pickup based on the current Ford Super Duty dredged up memories of Blackwood and Mark LT, a pair of vehicles best forgotten. But fortunately for Ford/Lincoln fans and pickup purists everywhere, our source inside Ford says no such thing is happening...Read More»
As you might imagine, we get a lot of questions about buying cars--both new and used. Our friend Scott Mowbray wrote: I'm looking at a 2008 BMW 328 or 335, with about 25,000 to 30,000 miles, from a dealer, warranty remaining one owner etc. Possibly with a six-speed standard transmission. Any...Read More»
Mazda has announced a recall of almost 200,000 cars due to a problem with the steering. A defect in the power-steering systems of 2007-2009 Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 models could cause a sudden loss of steering assist, increasing the likelihood of a crash. The affected models were all built between April...Read More»
Mazda is recalling 2007 through 2009 model-year Mazda3 and Mazda5 models for an issue with the power-steering system. The recall follows an investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), looking into power-steering system failures in the 2007-2009 Mazda3. Altogether...Read More»
Over the past two decades Hyundai has moved from being a manufacturer of budget cars with average quality to become a serious player in the auto industry with world class cars that equal or better more established brands in reliability, performance and price. Yes, Hyundai is definitely the brand...Read More»
Lexus has announced that it will recall about 138,000 of its luxury sedans in the U.S.—including the 2008 model year of its flagship Lexus LS 600h L hybrid—due to a potential engine defect. In some 4.6- or 5.0-liter V-8 engines, along with some 3.5-liter engines, valve springs might be...Read More»
Chrysler has announced a major recall effort today. The recall covers five models which are suffering from various maladies. About 285,000 2008-2009 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan models are being recalled because of a short circuit in the electrical system that could start a...Read More»
The Yugo sure doesn't have a reputation for reliability or durability. But they sure are cheap to repair. Meanwhile, for several Mercedes-Benz AMG models, the cost of parts alone for routine maintenance could leave a much larger hole in your wallet than you might anticipate—even if can afford the...Read More»
Since Haiti was struck by a massive earthquake last Tuesday, there's been an outpouring of support from around the world. Automakers have contributed to the relief efforts with cash and other contributions, like Chrysler's donation of a Chrysler 300, which was signed by over 300 celebrities who...Read More»
Jaguar's transfer to new ownership last year had many, from customers to dealers to industry analysts, worried about what might come of it. But Tata Motors' ownership has so far proven reassuring in its commitment to the Jaguar brand, with the stunning new XJ looking promising and confirmation of a...Read More»
Volkswagen late last week issued a service program covering several Volkswagen and Audi models equipped with Direct Shift Gearboxes (DSG). In a release, Volkswagen Group of America reported that some owners of vehicles with the DSG transmission have reported “performance issues, due to a faulty...Read More»
Many histories of Jaguar have been written, and no doubt there will be many more. In most of them, the sad saga of the Jaguar X-Type sedan is likely to be covered as a misguided diversion--if it's spoken of at all. While the smallest Jaguar sedan was pulled from the US market after the 2008 model...Read More»
