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Ford recalls Explorers, Mountaineers

Dec. 11, 2000 — Ford Motor will recall 110,633 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers to fix a device that limits the top speed of the autos — a problem that was uncovered by tests run in response to the Firestone tire recall. Ford said Monday that model year 1999 and 2000 Explorers and Mountaineers with a 3.27 or 3.55 rear-axle ratio and 15-inch Firestone Wilderness AT tires could reach a top speed at or above the 112 mph rating of the tires.

Subaru recalls Legacy autos

Dec. 8, 2000 — Subaru of America announced Friday the voluntary recall of certain 2001 Subaru Legacy autos. The recall involves the inspection of fuel hoses, right front wheel bearing and rear center seat belt housings on some models, including Legacy L, GT and Outback. The company said layers on the fuel hose may separate, causing it to leak. The hose recall affects 1,456 autos. Subaru will also check 1,977 cars for a casting flaw in the right front bearing housing that could lead to loss of auto control. And the company will also inspect 368 Legacy sedan autos with beige interiors to replace the rear-center seat belt, which may not extend to the full length.

Ford recalls Explorers, Mountaineers

Dec. 1, 2000 — Ford Motor recalls 876,413 Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers to replace faulty parts on the suspension system. The company recalls 1995 through 1997 models of the Explorer and the 1997 Mountaineer because links that attach the front stabilizer bar to the SUVs can fail. The stabilizer bar helps control the pitch of the auto in turns. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officials say the sway bar problem did not cause tread separations on Firestone tires that were used on the Explorer. But some observers point out that the broken links had the potential to increase the severity of an accident during a tire tread loss.

DaimlerChrysler recalls 769,000 minivans

Nov. 30, 2000 — DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler arm recalls 769,000 Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler minivans from the 1993 and 1994 model years to reinforce steering wheels that could separate from their column. The move affects 679,000 autos in the USA, 72,000 in Canada and 18,000 overseas. The automaker received about 70 complaints about the steering wheels, with no injuries or accidents, a spokesman said. The steering-wheel recall covers the Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country models. On Oct. 27, the automaker said it was recalling 1.4 million 1996-2000 minivans because seals on an engine fuel tube could leak.

Ford issues fifth recall on SUV

Nov. 27, 2000 — For the fifth time in a little over a year, Ford Motor told its dealers to stop selling its new Escape sport utility autos while they're checked for safety-related problems. The latest notice to dealers was sent Nov. 18, affecting 51,022 Escapes and about 24,000 Mazda Tributes, which share basic parts with the Escape. Of those, 27,516 Escapes and about 12,500 Tributes have already been sold. A Ford spokesman said dealers were told to check for damaged windshield wiper link ball sockets and replace them if necessary. If the sockets were improperly built, the wipers could stop working.

Isuzu recalls Troopers

Nov. 14, 2000 — Isuzu Motors recalls some 2000 and 2001 model year Troopers after the sport utility auto leaked fuel in crash tests by an insurance industry group. The recall affects 18,460 autos — all 2000 Troopers with four-wheel drive and 2001 models with four-wheel drive that were produced before the problem was discovered this month. The Troopers leaked fuel in two of three front crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Fuel leaks are considered a serious problem because they can result in a fire if ignited.

Parking brake flaw leads to Mustang recall

Nov. 6, 2000 — Ford Motor will recall about 430,000 Ford Mustangs dating to 1994 because of a parking brake problem. The recall will affect model year 1994 to 2001 Mustangs with manual transmissions. A Ford spokesman says the parking brake can sometimes slip, causing the car to move. The company isn't aware of any accidents or injuries connected to the brake, the spokesman says. Ford will send letters to Mustang owners notifying them of the recall and what procedure to follow to get the car repaired in late November. Until then, owners should engage the brake and put the car in first gear when parking it.

Ford issues another recall of Escape SUV

Nov. 2, 2000 — Ford Motor has issued a fourth recall on its Escape, a small sport utility auto that went on sale last summer. The No. 2 automaker is also recalling issued hundreds of thousands of 1997 F-series light duty pickups that could have fuel leaks that may start a fire, according to a government list of recall agreements reached in August. The 709,245 recalled F-series trucks, manufactured from June 1995 to August 1997, have improperly installed mounting brackets that could rub a hole in the front fuel line. The Escape recall affects 800 of the SUVs with speed control cables that may be defective. Mazda recalls 606 Tributes from the 2001 model year with the same problem.

• Ford also recalls 172,770 2000 model year Taurus and Mercury Sable cars with improper tire labels that do not include information on the auto capacity weight and designated seating capacity.

• An additional 7,800 Tauruses and Sables built from May to August 2000 are being recalled for faulty child safety-seat anchor latches. The anchor may not hold the seat in position during an accident, which would increasing the child's risk of injury.

• General Motors also had recalls included on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's list. The automaker recalls 14,276 of the 1998 model year GMC Sonoma, Chevrolet Blazer and Chevrolet S10 with daytime running lights that do not comply with U.S. regulations.

• GM also recalls 580 Chevrolet Monte Carlos and Impalas with faulty air bags that may not deploy in a crash.

DaimlerChrysler recalls 1.4M minivans

Oct. 27, 2000 — DaimlerChrysler recalls 1.4 million minivans to fix problems with a fuel rail seal that could leak — but a fix won't be available until March. This recall covers 1996-99 and some 2000 model year Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country minivans with 3.3- and 3.8-liter V-6 engines. It does not affect "flexible-fuel" autos and 2000 model year minivans built after September 1999. The part in question is a seal on the small pipe that carries fuel to the engine. It can fail in autos repeatedly operated at elevated temperatures over many years. The repair requires a new part that will not be available until March, the company says. It says customers would be notified when parts become available.

Honda to recall 557,000 autos

SEPT. 19, 2000 — Honda Motor says it will recall 556,924 passenger cars sold in Japan for defective audio equipment that could catch fire and a flawed engine oil seal that may cause leaks. The Japanese automaker has not yet decided whether any cars sold outside Japan also need to be recalled. The company says 320,710 cars manufactured from July 1991 to March 1997 are equipped with the audio equipment and are subject to the recall. Honda will also recall 236,214 cars, including 75,291 Accord models made at its Ohio plant from July 1993 to September 1995, to repair a defective oil seal. Models with the flawed seal include the Odyssey minivan and the U.S.-made Accord.

Ford issues 23,500 recalls

SEPT. 12, 2000 — Troubles with new models has forced Ford Motor to recall about 23,500 autos — including the third production problem with the Ford Escape sport utility auto. Ford said it was recalling 1,582 Escapes built without four-wheel drive or antilock brakes. An inspection of some autos before they were sold found that two had been built with wheel hubs used on the four-wheel drive version. That mistake could cause the wheel to come loose. Ford also recalls about 22,000 copies of the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car sedans and Ford Windstar minivans for a flaw that could cause air bags to deploy without a crash.

GM warns of air bag problem

SEPT. 11, 2000 — General Motors has warned owners of 290,000 Buick and Oldsmobile sedans that driver-side air bags could deploy unexpectedly, but a recall will not begin until later this year because GM does not have parts to fix the problem. GM spokesman Terry Rhadigan said 60 injuries, all minor, have been reported from 115 incidents of air bag deployment in the autos. The problem affects 103,000 1995 Buick Regals and 187,000 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supremes from 1995-96 sold in the USA and Canada. The problem is caused by corrosion on a wire linked to the air bag inflator. GM has to find a supply of new air bag inflators, which will take a few months, Rhadigan said. GM hopes to start repairing autos in December. Until autos can be repaired, Rhadigan said GM has advised drivers that while the problem is rare, they should sit a safe distance from the air bag and always wear seat belts. In some cases, the air bag warning light came on and stayed lit before the bag deployed.

Volvo to recall 116,000 S80 sedans

AUG. 24, 2000 — Ford Motor's Volvo unit recalls 116,000 S80 sedans, one of its best-selling models. The ball joints could wear too quickly and are being replaced free by Volvo dealers, the company said. The Swedish carmaker said it discovered the problem while monitoring repair reports. The car is the most expensive of Volvo's three sedan models and the brand's best seller in the USA, where 18,969 S80s were sold this year through July.

Mitsubishi to recall 88,000 autos

AUG. 22, 2000 — Mitsubishi Motors announced recalls Tuesday based on eight defects in 88,000 trucks and cars. Those were in addition to recalls announced last month on 532,000 autos. The recalls will affect about 50,000 autos exported to the United States. Mitsubishi said the U.S. recalls involve leaking brake fluid in the Montero sports-utility auto, a chassis joint that may come loose in the Galant sedan, and an engine shaft that may come loose in the Mirage compact.

Firestone recalls potentially faulty tires

WASHINGTON — Bridgestone/Firestone announced a voluntary safety recall of 6.5 million tires for light trucks and sport utility autos that have been implicated in 46 deaths. The company said the recall involves all size P235/75R15 Firestone radial ATX and radial ATX II tires produced in North America, and Wilderness AT tires produced at the company's Decatur, Ill., plant. The recall follows a yearlong investigation that focused on accident reports involving tire failures, mainly in Southern states.

Ford recalls Escape SUVs for defective nut

AUG. 8, 2000 — Safety defects forced Ford Motor to recall all of its 2001 Escape small sport-utility autos. Ford said the nut holding the steering wheel was improperly manufactured and might crack. It will be replaced on all 1,300 Escapes that had been shipped. In addition, the cruise-control mechanism on V-6 models might jam or corrode, allowing the throttle to stick open. That affects 800 of the 1,300. Ford spokeswoman Jerree Martin says only 14 or 15 Escapes got to customers before the recalls. The Mazda Tribute is also being recalled.

Mitsubishi starts mass recall in Japan

JULY 18, 2000 — Mitsubishi Motors recalls 514,700 autos in Japan and the Japanese government is looking into a possible cover-up after investigators unearthed consumer complaints that were filed with the automaker but never shown to authorities. The complaints relate to defects in engines, brakes, fuel tank caps and other parts in the Japanese automaker's passenger cars, sport utility autos and commercial trucks. Mitsubishi recalls autos that could have the same problems as those involved in the complaints. None of the autos affected by the recall were exported, Mitsubishi said. The government is investigating whether Mitsubishi hid the documents, said Yukikazu Komiyama, the ministry's safety division official.

Audi recalls 51,400 Audi A6 sedans

JUNE 27, 2000 - Audi's U.S. unit recalls about 51,400 Audi A6 Quattro sedans from 1998 through 2000 model years to fix a part that can cause the fuel gauge to read full when it's actually empty. The automaker decided to replace the parts that measure and transmit the fuel level after it found sulfur deposits can form on the sensors, giving faulty readings. Audi of America began sending letters to owners this month and contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last month about the problem, spokeswoman Jennifer Garber said. There has been one reported accident attributed to the faulty fuel-tank sensor, the company said. The company will replace the units at no cost and reimburse out-of-pocket expenses such as towing.

Renault recalls 140,000 Twingo cars

JUNE 14, 2000 - Renault recalls about 140,000 Twingo cars worldwide because of faulty airbags that inflated prematurely. France's second-biggest carmaker said it decided to recall all the Twingo 2 models with front airbags built in the year to Nov. 23. The company couldn't estimate the cost of the recall or the replacement air bags. Car companies generally have several recalls a year and either pay for repairs out of warranty reserves or are insured against the cost of the recalls. General Motors Corp. initiated the world's biggest recall in 1971 by offering to repair a defect in 6.7 million cars.