Auto Defects
Unwary dealers get Katrina cars
Arlena Sawyers
Automotive News
December 18, 2006
Mazda to scrap all cars on board Cougar Ace
Mark Rechtin
Automotive News
December 18, 2006
Statement of Clarence Ditlow on CAS Dynamic Roof Crush Tests
Since 1970, the auto industry has fought efforts by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a dynamic roof crush standard that protects occupants in rollover crashes. During that time, the number of deaths to occupants in rollover crashes climbed from less than 3,000 to over 10,000 each year while total occupant fatalities declined from 43,200 to 33,300.
Acura Tire Valve Cap Replacement – 2004-2005 MDX, 2005-2006 RL
Click here to view the Technical Service Bulletin
Is Ford Covering Up Focus Malfunction?
Consumers Want Recall Issued
November 7, 2006
KGO-TV 7
When something breaks, you get it fixed, right? But what if it breaks again, and again? That’s what hundreds of Bay Area drivers say is happening to a key part in their Ford vehicles. Some accuse Ford of covering up the problem for years
Ford urged to pay cost of fixing paint faults
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Christopher Jensen
Plain Dealer Auto Editor
A consumer advocacy group says Ford should reimburse the owners of 2000 to 2005 model Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys that have had a problem with the paint on aluminum body panels.
In a technical service bulletin sent to dealers, Ford admits that the blistering or bubbling of paint on the aluminum body panels, such as hoods, is the automaker’s fault "due to iron contamination of the aluminum panel."
Ford Service Bulletin Shows Paint Defect on Many 2000-05 Models
Ford Service Bulletin Shows Paint Defect on Many 2000-05 Models Ford has issued a Technical Service Bulletin that shows a major paint defect in many large 2000-05 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars, trucks and SUVs that used aluminum body parts (hoods and fenders) to reduce vehicle weight. Affected models are the 2000-04 Crown Victoria, Taurus, Expedition, F-150, Ranger; Mercury Grand Marquis, Sable; Lincoln LS, Town Car Navigator and the 2000-05 Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer.
2000-2004 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Bubbling & Blistering Paint
Ford Bubbling & Blistering Paint2000-04 Crown Victoria, Taurus, Expedition, F-150, Ranger; Mercury Grand Marquis, Sable; Lincoln LS, Town Car Navigator2000-05 Explorer, Mercury MountaineerIron contamination in aluminum body parts including hoods and fenders cause paint to bubble or blister.
New federal traffic safety chief faces daunting to-do list
Deb Price / Detroit News Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — When Nicole Nason recently took over as chief of the powerful National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, her dad gave her two gifts.
The first was a motorcycle helmet that saved his skull — and probably his life — when he was thrown from the Harley he rode as a Long Island, N.Y., highway cop. The second was a photo of the bashed-in Pontiac Catalina he and Nason’s mom walked away from without serious injuries after being hit by a drunken driver in 1979.