My Road Safety

Dodge is recalling about 72,000 2008 and 2009 model year Dodge Ram trucks due to a malfunctioning windshield wiper.

A defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains, “The windshield wiper module motor assembly may be susceptible to water intrusion that could result in partial or complete loss of windshield wiping capability.”

Dodge dealers will inspect the vehicles, and if necessary, replace the windshield wiper assembly free of charge. Those who wish to make their own repair arrangements may contact Dodge at 800-853-1403.

The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck from Chrysler LLC’s Dodge brand. The name was first used in 1981 on the redesigned Ram and Power Ram, though it came from the hood ornament used on 1930s and ’40s Dodge vehicles.

Dodge Ram trucks have been named Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year twice: the second-generation Ram won the award in 1994, and the third-generation Ram Heavy Duty won the award in 2003. The truck is in its fourth generation as of the 2009 model year.

The Ram is built at Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico; Saint Louis Assembly North in Fenton, Missouri, United States; and Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan, United States.

Mitsubishi has filed a report to the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China in which it says that it will recall 9,390 imported Outlander EX and Lancer EX cars for testing and maintenance.

The problematic cars include 9,108 2.4L imported Outlander EX produced between November 7, 2007, and December 5, 2008, and 282 imported Lancer EZ produced between October 3, 2008, and November 20, 2008.

It is understood that the brake vacuum servo of the cars could fail to function because of defects in an internal valve.

Outlander, very favorably received in the Japanese and North American markets, is going to go on sale in China in January 2007 with the name Outlander EX.

Outlander EX is the same as the North American market Outlander and will be powered by a new high performance, low emission, low fuel consumption 3-liter V6 MIVEC*2 engine, coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission to deliver outstanding acceleration and high-speed cruising performance. Fully embracing Mitsubishi Motors’ All Wheel Control (AWC) concept, Outlander EX uses Mitsubishi’s electronically controlled 4WD system that continuously distributes front/rear wheel drive torque in an optimal way according to conditions.

Outlander sits on a next-generation platform that features enhanced stiffness and crashworthiness, together with an aluminum roof panel that lowers the center of gravity; this reduces roll inertia, improves steering response and handling, and reduces body roll and stagger without impacting ride quality. Outlander EX boasts a high level of specification, including a split tailgate that enhances convenience and loading ease. A spare tire is fitted as standard for the Chinese market.

The Mitsubishi Lancer is a small family car built by Mitsubishi Motors. It has been known as the Colt Lancer, Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Soueast Lioncel, Mitsubishi Carisma, and Mitsubishi Mirage in various countries at different times, and will be sold as the Galant Fortis in its home market from 2007. It has also been sold as Lancer Fortis in Taiwan with a different facelift compared to Galant Fortis from September 15, 2007.

Since its introduction in 1973 over six million Lancers have been sold.

Recently, GM issued a car recall for Hummer H3T vehicle from the 2009 model year because of a faulty fuel tank front support strap, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The number of the involved Hummer H3T is 1,738.

The strap may fracture, leaving the fuel tank supported by only the rear support strap and stone shield. If stress caused either of those to fail, the fuel tank could fall off the vehicle while it’s in motion — a dangerous situation to be sure.

Mechanical

Engine, 3.7L DOHC 5-cylinder MFI (239 hp [178.2 kW] @ 5800 rpm, 241 lb-ft of torque [325.3 N-m] @ 4600 rpm)
Transmission, 5-speed manual with overdrive, must specify
Rear axle, 4.56 ratio
Transfer case, 2.64:1, 2-speed, button-actuated full-time 4WD
Four wheel drive
Battery, heavy-duty 590 cold-cranking amps, maintenance-free with rundown protection
Alternator, 125 amps
Recovery hooks, 2 front and 1 rear
Skid Plate Package, includes skid plates for front and steering/suspension, transfer case and fuel tank
GVWR, 6001 lbs. (2722 kg)
Suspension, front, independent, heavy-duty with torsion bar
Suspension, rear semi-floating axle with 2-stage multi-leaf springs
Steering, power, rack-and-pinion

Safety

Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc with a unique calibration for 4Lo
OnStar, 1-year of Safe and Sound plan. Includes Automatic Crash Notification, Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, a link to all Emergency Services, Roadside Assistance, Remote Door Unlock, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, Hands-Free Calling and Remote Horn and Lights (OnStar services require vehicle electrical system (including battery), wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly. OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance and Remote Door Unlock success varies with conditions. OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics available on most 2004 MY and newer GM vehicles. Diagnostic capability varies by model. Visit onstar.com or call 1-888-466-7827 for system limitations and details. For a list of vehicles with Automatic Crash Notification visit onstar.com.)
Air bags, frontal, driver and right-front passenger with Passenger Sensing System (Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your child’s age and size. Even in vehicles equipped with air bags and the Passenger Sensing System, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal air bag. See the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.)
Air bags, head curtain side-impact, front and rear outboard seating positions with rollover sensor (Head curtain side air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of head and neck injuries to front and rear seat occupants on the near side of certain side-impact collisions. Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your childs age and size, even in vehicles equipped with air bags. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. See the vehicles Owners Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.)
StabiliTrak, Stability Control System with Traction Control and hill start assist feature
Daytime Running Lamps
Horn, single-note

On Friday, GM recalled 276,729 cars because a faulty parking gear could allow a parked car to roll away. The recall affects 2009 models of the Buick Enclave; Chevrolet’s Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, and Traverse; GMC’s Acadia; Pontiac’s G5 and G6, and Saturn’s Aura and Outlook. GM said a transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not fully engage in the affected models, posing a risk that the vehicle may roll away when in park.

General Motors Corporation (GM), founded in 1908, is the world’s second-largest automaker after Toyota, ranked by 2008 global unit sales. GM was the global sales leader for 77 consecutive calendar years from 1931 to 2008. It manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With global headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, GM employs 252,000 people around the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, 8.35 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling.

In the last week, I reported thar New Mazda 6 is the safest car all around the world, but now Mazda is recalling more than 30,000 CX-9’s for some sort of wiring problems.

The Mazda official recall notice says, “drivers will experience certain functions that are uncontrollable, which will cause seious difficulties in driving increasing the risk of a crash.”

Engine Type
273-hp 3.7L DOHC 24-valve V6 with 6-speed Sport automatic transmission

Drivetrain Options
Front-wheel drive (FWD) or available Active Torque Split All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

Available Features
7-passenger, 3-row seating with available Bose® audio system, heated front seats, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System and DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment system

Safety Features
5-Star government frontal- and side-crash-test rating‡‡‡, standard advanced front air bags, front side-impact air bags, side air curtains‡‡ and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)††