Volkswagen Routan Subject to the Same Recall as Chrysler Minivans

Given that the Volkswagen Routan is built on the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan platforms in a Chrysler plant, it comes to no surprise that the German model is being subject to the same recall as its American twins. In a filling to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Volkswagen said some vehicles may experience inadvertent ignition key displacement from the run to accessory position while driving causing the engine to shut off.

The affected cars are from the 2010 model year and were manufactured from October 2009 through June 2010. Volkswagen said the potential number of Routan minivans subject to this recall is 12,612 units.

The fix the problem, the company’s dealers will replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during April 2011. Owners who have questions can call Volkswagen at at 1-800-822-8987.

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Kia Recalling 70,115 Optima Sedans Over Transmission Flaw

Kia has issued a recall on 70,115 Optima sedans manufactured from September 29, 2005, through June 13, 2007 because of a problem related to the transmission that can cause the cars to roll even while they are in park. The company said that in some cars, the transmission shift cable may have been installed incorrectly and can become detached from the shifter. If that occurs, the car would stay in the last used gear before detachment, even if the driver moves the shift lever to the park position.

“If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, there is a possibility that the vehicle can roll injure a person in its path or cause a crash,” said Kia In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA].

The South Korean automaker said that there have been no reported injuries related to this condition.

The safety recall for the 2006-2008MY Optima sedan is expected to begin this month.

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Honda Accord was Also Caught Up in the Same Spider Web as the Mazda6

It seems that the petrol-sniffing Yellow Sac spider that forced Mazda to issue a recall on some 52,000 cars in the USA last week has a thing for mid-size Japanese sedans as the eight-legged arthropod also caused problems to Honda in the past. According to reports, Honda posted a Technical Service Bulletin in the summer of 2009 alerting its dealers to check Accords for possible infestation by the Yellow Sac spider, but had not issued a recall then.

“Spider webs are clogging the EVAP canister vent hose or the drain box,” said Honda’s service bulletin with the corrective action being to clean the webs and install a spring in the drain box.

Now, in the wake of the Mazda6 recall, Honda reportedly told its dealers to be on the lookout for the same spider in 2008-2009MY Accords.

But while in the Mazda6 the spider webs could cause air pressure problems in the gas tank potentially leading to a crack and fuel leakage, Honda says that’s not the case with the Accord. "It's just not happening in our cars," Honda spokeswoman Christina Ra told CNN. The company said that in the Accord, the spider webs create blockages with the only visible symptom being a "check engine" light coming on.

Sources: USA Today & CNN

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Software Glitch Causes HVAC Problems on 2011MY Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac SRX Models

In the latest round of safety recalls, General Motors has issued a warning on certain 2011MY Buick LaCrosse sedans and Cadillac SRX crossovers due to a software glitch that may disable the driver’s ability to adjust the settings on the hearing, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

“If this condition affects the defrost system when it is required, it may decrease the driver's visibility, and could result in a crash,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on its website.

GM said that a total of 10,179 vehicles are affected by the recall, but it was not aware of any crashes or injuries connected to the problem.

The safety recall is expected to begin on or before March 11, 2011. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or GM’s owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

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Toyota Recalling SUVs and Pickup Trucks Over Faulty Tire Pressure Monitors

Approximately 22,000 Toyota trucks and SUVs are being recalled due to a faulty calibration of the tire pressure monitoring system that does not activate the low tire-pressure warning light at the required minimum activation pressure. The affected vehicles include the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Tacoma, Sequoia and Tundra from the 2008 through 2011 model year.

The Japanese automaker said dealers will re-initialize the tire pressure monitoring system on the affected models free of charge. Toyota has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for the recall.

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