Honda Canada recalls more than 107,000 vehicle with possible airbag problem

By The Canadian Press - Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 1:45 AM - 0 Comments

MARKHAM, Ont. – Honda Canada says it will voluntarily recall more than 107,000 vehicles because of a potential problem with the front passenger side airbag inflator.

The automaker says inflators in affected vehicles may deploy with too much pressure, which may cause the inflator to rupture and cause possible injuries.

Honda says it knows of one crash attributed to the airbag problem, but it is not aware of any injuries or deaths related to this issue.

The recall covers almost 81,000 Honda Civics and about 11,000 Acura 1.7 EL vehicles from the 2001-2003 model years, 6,140 CR-V vehicles from the 2002-2003 model years and almost 10,000 Odysseys from the 2002 model year.

Honda says owners of all affected vehicles are encouraged to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive a recall notification, which will be mailed out starting in late May.

Toyota Prius models recalled in Canada for steering issues; no accidents reported

By The Associated Press - Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 7:15 PM - 0 Comments

TOKYO – Toyota Canada is recalling certain models of its Prius vehicles as part of a broader global action by the Japanese auto giant.

The company says about 14,816 Prius vehicles are being recalled in Canada to inspect the steering intermediate extension shaft. A certain number of those vehicles may also need to have their electric water pumps replaced.

The Canadian portion of the recall does not include any additional Toyota models.

Toyota Motor Corp. announced on Wednesday that it was recalling 2.77 million vehicles around the world for the water pump problem and the steering shaft defect that may result in faulty steering — the latest in a spate of quality woes for Japan’s top automaker.

The company says no accidents have been reported related to these two problems in Canada or elsewhere.

In Canada, Toyota Prius owners affected by the recall will be receiving letters starting in December, notifying them of the issues with the vehicles. Any authorized Toyota dealership will deal with the recall issues at no charge.

Toyota says dealerships will inspect the Prius extension shaft to determine if it needs to be replaced and, if needed, will replace it.

Toyota Canada says about 8,740 of the Prius vehicles affected by the recall will also need to have their electric water pumps replaced for the vehicle’s hybrid system.

The pump circulates coolant through the hybrid components to provide cooling. The company says there is a possibility that the electric motor installed in the water pump may stop functioning. In certain cases, the electric power supply circuit fuse may open, causing the hybrid system to stop while the vehicle is being driven.

Some 1.51 million vehicles are being recalled for the steering defect in Japan and 1.25 million vehicles abroad. Affected models around the world include the Prius hybrid, Corolla, Wish and other models produced from 2000 to 2011 in Japan, and from 2000 to 2009 overseas.

The latest global recalls come on top of a recall last month for 7.43 million vehicles for a faulty power-window switch that could cause fires.

Toyota has been trying to fix its reputation after a series of massive recalls of 14 million vehicles over the last several years, mostly in the U.S., affecting faulty floor mats, braking and gas pedals.

Before that, Toyota had boasted a reputation for pristine quality, centred around its super-lean production methods that empowered workers to hone in on quality control. Toyota executives have acknowledged the escalating recalls were partly caused by the company’s overly ambitious growth goals.

Executives had shrugged off last month’s recalls as coming from products made before stricter quality controls kicked in following the soul-searching that came after the recall scandal in the U.S.

But the latest recall underlines how quality problems continue to dog Toyota, especially as it has gone back to pursuing aggressive growth.

Toyota is now headed to record vehicle sales around the world, offsetting a sales plunge in China with booming demand in emerging markets such as Indonesia, India and Thailand.

2013 Ford Escape 1.6 litre recalled due to risk of engine fire

By macleans.ca - Friday, July 20, 2012 at 9:49 AM - 0 Comments

Ford is telling owners of their 2013 Escape with a 1.6-litre engine to stop driving immediately.

The top-selling SUV in the United States is being recalled due to the risk of engine fire, Reuters reports. Ford recalled approximately 11,500 of these models, 4,800 of which were sold to customers in North America. The risk is so high, that the company is asking owners to call for a loaner vehicle instead of driving the vehicle themselves to a dealership. “It is extremely rare for an automaker to warn drivers to stop driving their vehicles immediately,” the report says.

The four-cylinder engines pose a danger because fuel lines can crack and spill gasoline, which could result in engine fire, writes the CBC.

Only three fires have been reported thus far, and there have been no injuries, according to CNN.

Ford Escapes from previous model years, those from 2013 with different engine types, and other Ford vehicles with 1.6-litre engines are unaffected.