NEWS:   U.S. probes reports of Nissan, Chrysler, GM defects

YAHOO NEWS -- May 4, 2011 – U.S. safety regulators have opened preliminary investigations into consumer complaints about vehicles made by Nissan Motor Co Ltd, Chrysler LLC and General Motors Co that could affect more than 700,000 cars.

A preliminary investigation is the first step in a process that could lead to a recall if regulators determine that a safety issue needs to be addressed by a manufacturer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said its probe into an estimated 440,000 Nissan Altima cars from the 2007 and 2008 model years concerned a possible leak in the brake master cylinder that could reduce the effectiveness of the brakes.

NHTSA said it had received 20 complaints from Altima drivers. Of these, two alleged a reduction in brake effectiveness while 18 reported only illumination of the brake warning light.

The agency said it was also investigating Chrysler's Jeep Wrangler from the 2007 and 2008 model years, potentially affecting 222,500 vehicles, over airbag light illumination indicating an airbag clockspring failure.

A clockspring is a coil under the steering wheel that maintains an electrical connection to the airbag on the driver's side. A broken circuit can mean the airbag will not inflate.

NHTSA said it had received 29 consumer complaints from Jeep drivers. Of these, 23 identified the clockspring wiring assembly as the source of the issue, while the other six only said the airbag light had been illuminated.

Of 14 owners contacted, six said they owned right-hand-drive versions typically used by postal carriers.

A third probe involves GM's 2007 Saturn Aura, potentially affecting 65,105 cars, over a transmission shift cable that could fail, causing the park gear not to fully engage.

The agency said it had received eight complaints alleging that the transmission shift cable had failed, causing the vehicle to roll away, move or accelerate with the shifter in park, or to accelerate in the opposite direction than the driver intended.

NHTSA did not disclose any crashes or injuries in connection with any of the reported problems.

Spokesmen for the three companies said the carmakers were cooperating fully with the investigations

MORE RECALL INFO: 

• 2007-2008:  Nissan Altima
• 2007-2008:  Jeep Wrangler
• 2007:  Saturn Aura

MARCH 2009 -- General Motors is recalling 276,729 MY 2009 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Pontiac G5, G6 and Saturn Aura and Outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, And Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS 114, "Theft Protection and RollawayPrevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fullyengaged. If the clip is not fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. With this condition, the drive could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park". The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning. Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In theevent that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before March 24, 2009.   09V-073

NEWS:    GM recalling vehicles to fix shift lever problem

WASHINGTON (AP) — General Motors Corp. is recalling about 277,000 vehicles because of a potential defect in the shift lever that could cause a vehicle to roll away.

GM says the recall involves 2009 model year versions of the Buick Enclave; Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Malibu and Traverse; GMC Acadia; Pontiac G5 and G6; and the Saturn Aura and Outlook.

A GM spokeswoman says about 75,000 vehicles have been purchased. The rest are at dealerships. No crashes or injuries have been reported.

In some cases, the shift lever and the transmission gear's position may not match, meaning a driver could move the shifter to the park position but the transmission gear may not be in park.

A vehicle could roll away and crash or have problems restarting

MORE RECALL INFORMATION

• Buick Enclave
• Chevrolet Cobalt

• Chevrolet HHR

• Chevrolet Malibu

• Chevrolet Traverse
• GMC Acadia

• Pontiac G5

• Pontiac G6

• Saturn Aura

• Saturn Outlook