Nissan North America, inc. announced this week that they will be recalling certain models of the 2008 Nissan Xterras due to brake effectiveness. On Certain Sport Utility Vehicles, the antilock brake system/vehicle dynamic control (ABS/VDC) actuator is designed with one ball in the valve section. Some ABS/VDC actuators were manufactured with more than one ball in the valve.

What can happen in ABS/VDC actuators with more than one ball, it is possible that fluid flow could be blocked and cause a reduction in brake force in one or both front wheels or Affect operation of the ABS AND/OR VDC. This could result in a reduction in brake effectiveness without warning increasing the risk of a crash.

This recall covers Xterras with the manufacturer dates of 10-19-07 thru 10-29-07. Dealers will replace the ABS/VDC actuator with a new one. the recall is expected to begin on or about Novembver 17, 2007. Owners may contact NISSAN at 1-800-647-7261.

If you would like immediate updates, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

GM announced they are issuing a recall for the 2007 Pontiac Torrent.  General Motors stated that certain passenger vehicles not equipped with optional roof rail airbags or optional sunroof fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, occupant protection in interior impact. During NHTSA impact tests, the interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard Requirements. The results of this test indicated a possibility of an increased risk of head injury in a crash. This recall covers Equinox’s with the manufacturers dates between 5/01/06 through 3/31/07. Dealers will install an energy absorbing foam piece to each of the A-Pillar trim assemblies free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. Owners may contact CHEVROLET at 1-800-630-2438 or PONTIAC at 1-800-620-7668.

If you would like immediate updates, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

GM announced they are issuing a recall for the 2007 Chevrolet Equinox. General Motors stated that certain passenger vehicles not equipped with optional roof rail airbags or optional sunroof fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, occupant protection in interior impact. During NHTSA impact tests, the interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard Requirements. The results of this test indicated a possibility of an increased risk of head injury in a crash. This recall covers Equinox’s with the manufacturers dates between 5/01/06 through 3/31/07. Dealers will install an energy absorbing foam piece to each of the A-Pillar trim assemblies free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. Owners may contact CHEVROLET at 1-800-630-2438 or PONTIAC at 1-800-620-7668.

If you would like immediate updates, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is recalling a handful of the Saturn cars and SUVStroubled by faulty timing chains.

Federal regulators have concluded that some of the links in the timing chain in the 2001 Saturn L Series equipped with a 2.2 liter 4-cylinder engine can separate causing the timing chain to fail.

“If a timing chain link separates while the engine is running, the engine will stall and will not restart increasing the risk of a crash,” according to federal regulators.

NHTSA reported that 20,514 Saturnvehicles are included in the recall.

Dealers will replace the timing chain free of charge when the recall begins in January of 2008.

But federal safety regulators at NHTSA offer no help for Saturn owners who have already suffered a timing chain failure and paid the price to repair the engine in their Saturn.

In Seymour, Indiana, Terry had to spend $1,200 just before Thanksgiving to repair a broken timing chain and the valves that bent as a result in his 2001 Saturn L200.

The day before, in Arlington, Texas, Susie heard her Saturn Vuebegin to make tapping sounds “which became increasingly louder within a range of about 15 miles before the engine died and would no longer start,” she said.

Susie told us that the “timing chain tensioner screws had backed themselves out and caused the valves to bend in the motor.”

Now Susie says, “I have a blown up motor. I have tried to get Saturn’s customer service department to help me with this however they are unwilling to fully replace what I feel is a lemon motor. Every mechanic that I have talked to concerning this matter has assured me, that this should not have happened. Even Saturn technicians themselves.”

In any event, the Saturn Vue is not covered by the NHTSA recall for faulty timing chains.

On November 11, a Saturn owner in Cheektowaga, New York, said we can add him to the list of people with a broken timing chain and big repair bill.

“I bought a used 2000 L series with just under 60,000 miles in August 2006. Last Friday with no warning, the timing chain broke.”

Kristi faced a similar problem on November 4 with her daughter’s Saturn in Colorado. “We had it towed. The garage said it needed a new timing belt. After $3,400 they said the engine was no good and would replace it for another $3,500. This looks like this same thing has happened to other Saturns.”

Marilyn in La Mesa, California, reports that Saturn mechanics are able to diagnose the timing belt problem but Saturn will take no responsibility for repairing problems caused by a faulty timing belt, even with an extended warranty.

“After fixing the belt tensioner and the serpentine belt, the mechanics found damage to the timing belt and some pistons. They had my okay to take down the engine. What else could I do? The repair for this is going to cost $3,400,” she told us.

“I was relieved when I heard what the problem was because those parts are covered under the warranty. My relief turned to shock when my claim was denied. The warranty company is refusing to pay because they say the damage was caused by the serpentine belt which is not covered,” Marilyn said.

If you would like immediate updates, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Sweden-based automaker Volvo has recalled 56,000 cars globally to avoid problems from faulty airbags and engines.

The company said that 38,000 units of S60, V70, XC70 and XC90 models that were manufactured in 2006 were being recalled due to faulty injector clamps that could result in diesel leaks with the potential of causing smoke or even a fire.

The list of recalled cars also includes 18,000 Volvo V70 and XC70 models from 2008 reported to have a software problem in the side impact airbag system.

The countries impacted by the recall include Britain, US, Germany, Italy and Sweden. The company said that all repairs would be performed free of charge.

If you would like immediate updates, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

ROUSH Performance unveiled the 510-horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque P-51A Mustang automobile Tuesday at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. “I’ve often said that there was never a Mustang built that I didn’t like and that includes both the car and the airplane,” said Jack Roush, an aviation enthusiast who currently owns two P-51 Mustang warbirds. “This is the type of product that ROUSH has wanted to produce for at least 10 years but the right platform, the right technology, and the right timing never intersected until now.”

The ROUSH P-51A is easily the highest horsepower Mustang the company has ever produced and represents the first time internal engine components have been upgraded by ROUSH technicians in its Livonia, Michigan, facility. It was determined that the only way to give the P-51A moniker its due was to completely break into the 4.6L, 3V and rebuild several of the functional internal components, which include a forged steel eight-bolt crankshaft, forged aluminum pistons with increased dish to lower the compression from 9:8 to 8:6, and forged steel H-Beam connecting rods. These upgraded parts were necessary for the stock Ford engine (which comes with 300 horsepower from the factory) to be able to withstand the additional power generated from the newest iteration of the legendary ROUSHcharger supercharger system.

Additional alterations include a custom aluminum upper and lower intake manifold for the high-capacity air-to-water intercooler and ROUSHcharger. ROUSH installs a custom fuel rail and high-flow fuel injectors, a high-flow capacity fuel system, and dual electronic throttle body.

The changes to the ROUSH P-51A don’t end under the hood. A ROUSH aerobody kit will be installed, which includes a front fascia, chin spoiler, hood scoop and rear spoiler. The ROUSH black high-flow grill is added along with cooling side shields to give the car the aggressive look it needs while stalking the streets.

Internally, the car will come with ROUSH sport leather seating and custom floor mats, both with an embroidered P-51A emblem. The white face gauges and billet aluminum pedals will get a lot of use as the driver bangs through the gears with the ROUSH short throw shift lever and retro black ball.

For those who look behind the 18-inch ROUSH forged five-spoke wheels will see the vaunted Stage 3 suspension underneath this vehicle. Designed to handle even the tightest twists and turns, this suspension includes specially-engineered and tuned front struts, rear shocks, front and rear springs, front and rear sway bars, and jounce bumpers. The front brakes are also upgraded with 14-inch front two-piece rotors and four-piston calipers. Each component was specifically engineered so that ride comfort was not compromised at the expense of the tremendous gains in performance.

Pricing for the ROUSH P-51A Mustang has not been set, but will be announced shortly. The vehicle is slated to begin production in the first quarter of 2008 and will be limited to 100 vehicles. As with all ROUSH vehicles, the P-51A will carry a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.

If you would like immediate updates, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!