As if scary fires weren’t enough, it seems Ford is having even more problems with its Escape SUVs. This time the problem is focused on an issue with some models having sticky gas pedals — not quite ideal if you’d like to slow down your car at some point. Ford is now recalling 484,600 Escapes from 2001 to 2004 after discovering the problem. [More]
Transportation & Infrastructure
Chick Fil-A Claims Henson Toy Recall Unrelated To Same-Sex Marriage Controversy
By 7.24.12
As you have probably already heard, the Jim Henson Company announced last Friday that it was severing ties with restaurant chain Chick fil-A because its leadership has recently affirmed its stance against same-sex marriage. Now there is murmuring on the Internet that Chick fil-A pulled its existing inventory of Henson toys from stores, claiming an unrelated safety recall. [More]
Ford Issues Immediate Recall Of 2013 Escape SUV Because Fire Is Scary
By 7.20.12
Fewer than 5,000 model year 2013 Ford Escape SUVs have been delivered to customers so far, including one to our colleagues over at Consumer Reports Cars for testing. But Ford has already announced a recall of the vehicles, ordering dealers to stop selling and offering test drives on the 1.6 liter engine base model. Ford has also asked Escape owners to stop driving their vehicles immediately. Why? The engine compartment fuel line might split and leak. If the engine is started or already running when a leak occurs, the vehicle could catch fire. [More]
Porsche Recall Shows That Even $173,000 Cars Can Sometimes Catch On Fire
By 7.17.12
If you plunk down $173,000 for a car, you would hope that — in addition to all the luxurious finishes — the vehicle wouldn’t have a defect that could cause your pricey plaything to go up in flames while the rest of the world tries to contain its schadenfreude. [More]
TripAdvisor Smacked With $80K Fine For Violating Fare Advertising Rule
By 7.13.12
TripAdvisor has fallen afoul of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s rule about fare advertising, resulting in a fine of $80,000. The rule went into effect in January, and stated that ticket agents and airlines must display fares as the total of what a consumer will pay, taxes and fees included. [More]
July Recall Roundup – Twist’n Explode
By 7.13.12
In this month’s Recall Roundup: electronics short out and catch fire, little girls’ aqua shoes don’t grip as well as one might think, digital camera battery packs bite back, and someone thought that “Twist’n Sparkle” was a good product name. More like “Twist’n Explode.” [More]
Chevrolet Hopes No-Haggle Pricing & 60-Day Return Policy Will Lure Car Buyers
By 7.10.12
General Motors knows July and August will be important months for Chevrolet, as it’s the time when many vehicles make the switch from 2012 models to 2013 models. That’s why the company is rolling out two new plans to try and bring customers to its dealerships, including a no-haggle pricing plan and a 60-day return policy on certain vehicles. [More]
Don’t Try To Sell Your Target Gift Card For Cash Inside The Store
By 7.3.12
When Heather tried to sell her son’s old crib, she learned that it had been recalled and contacted the retailer, Target, to find out how to get a refund. She was told that if she brought the crib to a Target store, she would receive a refund on the spot. What she wasn’t told is that the refund would be in the form of a Target gift card. With the nearest store an hour away, she doesn’t visit regularly and has no use for a gift card. She’s on a tight budget and has more use for cash. She tried to find a fellow customer to buy it from her until store management asked her to stop. From their point of view, she brought in a recalled item without understanding Target’s policies, and was soliciting customers inside the store, attempting to sell her gift card for cash. [More]
DMV Errors Force Drivers To Hit Road Without Registrations
By 6.29.12
Someone needs to have a chat with the IT person for the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Since February, the DMV has had to issue at least 16 public apologies regarding technical difficulties. And for the last week, many drivers have been unable to renew their registrations on the DMV website, forcing people to either go without using their cars or to hit the road illegally in unregistered vehicles. [More]
Ford Developing Technology That Reacts To Calm Stressed Or Distracted Drivers
By 6.28.12
While it’s not the same as having a soothing chat with KITT the talking Trans-Am, the folks at Ford are working on technology that would not only recognize when drivers are distracted or in stressful situations but would also act to cut down on external factors in order to calm things down. [More]
GM Recalls 475K Chevy Cruze Vehicles Over Fire Risk
By 6.22.12
As we mentioned back in April, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration had launched an investigation into the cause of fires in two Chevy Cruze vehicles. Today, General Motors announced a recall of more than 475,000 Cruze cars for safety modifications intended to prevent engine fires. [More]
June Recall Roundup: Mac ‘N’ Cheese ‘N’ Metal Shards
By 6.15.12
Pull up a stepstool, park your kid’s stroller, and let’s sit down with some Trader Joe’s chicken breasts and Walmart mac and cheese, with Sienna Bakery macademia nut cookies: it’s time for the Recall Roundup. Oh. All of those things have been recalled, really? [More]
Safety Regulators Probing Older Jeeps For Potential To Catch Fire In Rear-Impact Crashes
By 6.14.12
A preliminary investigation two years ago by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into whether older model Jeeps are at risk for fires has been recently expanded, prompting a new level in the probe that makes it likely that around 5.1 million vehicles could be recalled soon. [More]
Give Ford Dealership Bad Survey Rating, Get Told ‘You Are No Longer Welcome Here’
By 6.14.12 — Updated: 9.30.15
After Wil’s purchase of a new car didn’t go as smoothly as he expected based on past transactions with Ford, he didn’t give them a great survey rating. The dealership manager’s completely proportionate response? To e-mail Wil and tell him that he is no longer welcome at the dealership, and to never come back. [More]
Saab Hopes To Emerge From Its Own Ashes As Electric Vehicle Brand
By 6.13.12
Once a coveted luxury car brand, Saab has been the hot potato of the automotive world. Today, it was announced that the bankrupt car maker would change hands for the third time in 12 years, this time to a group of Chinese and Japanese investors who intend on using the Saab brand to sell electric vehicles. [More]
Introvale Birth Control Pills Recalled For Shuffled Pill Order
By 6.11.12
The short description on the Food & Drug Administration website says that the contraceptive pill Introvale is being recalled due to a “packaging flaw.” Well, that’s true, but that flaw is that the pills are in the wrong order. A three-month pack contains 84 “active” pills and seven placebo or “hey, it’s time for your period” pills. Some packs have the placebo pills in week 9 instead of week 13. Manufacturer Sandoz is recalling the affected lots, but since the pills are different colors, it’s not hard to tell whether your pills have been scrambled. [More]
Who Put A Used Battery In My New Car?
By 6.8.12
Amanda’s car is pretty new: it’s a 2008 Honda Civic. She’s its first and only owner, and a trusted family member performs all maintenance on it. When the battery died recently, a mechanic changed it out for her. What was supposed to be the car’s original battery….wasn’t. It was a reconditioned battery that had clearly served her well for 4 years, but didn’t belong in a factory-fresh car. So how the heck did she end up with a used, refurbished battery instead of the shiny new one that it clearly deserved? [More]
One In Three Teens Admits To Texting Or E-Mailing While Driving
By 6.7.12
As the evidence piles up showing that teens are still distracted behind the wheel to an unsafe degree, Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has introduced a new initiative aimed at ending the dangerous habits of texting or emailing while driving. [More]
