What's Going on With The New Maxima?
Nissan’s new Maxima, which went on sale earlier this year, has already had a bumpy road.
Last week, the automaker announced it would be recalling around 6,000 cars for an improperly installed fuel tank 0-ring that could leak and ignite after a crash, according to AutoGuide. Nissan hasn’t identified a fix for the problem yet.
That may be in addition to (or the reason for) a stop-sale on the Maxima in July for an unspecified “quality assurance” problem with the cars. We reached out to Nissan for a comment and have yet to hear back.

Chevrolet To Z06 Owners: Change Your Oil, Stat!
Last time we checked in on the reportedly fussy Corvette Z06 engine, it was leaking vital fluids after Fox News reporter Gary Gastelu took it to the track.
Now it appears that Chevrolet has a fix for at least one of the Z06’s reported engine problems: change the oil, stat.
According to a General Motors spokesman, the catastrophic engine failures all seem to have three things in common: early production builds, oil contamination and low miles (under 2,000).
( Maybe that explains the one that bought the farm at 891 miles.)

Falling Light Poles Have Bay Area People Pissed
Decades of (hopefully) dog urine have sped corrosion at the base of Bay Area light poles and four posts have fallen over in a pee-soaked heap, KTVU is reporting (via Boing Boing). No injuries have been reported due to the terrible tinkle tumbles.
City officials have replaced 160 poles on several streets due to corrosion on the aging poles. One collapsed pole Monday damaged a car.
The massive eroding power of urine, and probably thinner metal — which doesn’t have the alliterative power of pee-pee poles plunging — are to blame.

IIHS: Not All Ford F-150s Are Built Just As Tough
Automotive News is reporting the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety will rate versions of Ford’s F-150 pickup with dramatically different safety ratings after re-testing versions of the pickup, which is a highly unusual move for the safety nonprofit.
The SuperCrew cab version of the F-150 earned the highest marks from the IIHS in its small overlap crash test, earning a Top Safety Pick rating. The re-tested SuperCab registers only a “marginal” rating in the same crash.
The difference, according to Automotive News, are tubular frames called “wheel blockers” installed on the SuperCrew, but missing from the SuperCab and Regular Cab models.

Nissan Halts Sales on Some Maximas for Quality Issues
Nissan has told its dealers to stop selling specific models of the Maxima due to unspecified quality issue, Automotive News is reporting.
The issue involves Maximas with a specific VIN, not a model type. It’s unclear if those cars have been delivered to dealers or customers. According to Automotive News, Nissan hasn’t identified how many models would be affected by the stop-sale, nor how many of the models may have already been sold.
Nissan hasn’t made available details about the VIN number or how to identify the held cars.
A Denver-area Nissan dealer said he wasn’t aware of the stop-sale at all.

Fiat Chrysler Tops Annual 'Total Quality' Survey
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles earned the top spot overall in an annual survey of new car quality.
Strategic Vision, a San Diego-based research firm, ranked FCA No. 1 for the first time since the company began measuring customer satisfaction in 1995. Last year, Kia earned top honors.
FCA had six cars that topped their respective segments, including the Fiat 500 and 500e; Dodge Charger, Challenger and Durango; and, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Volvo Offers Lifetime Warranty on Replacement Parts
Volvo announced today it will warranty any replaced part and labor, not including wear-and-tear items and accessories, for the life of the car. The coverage extends only to service at dealerships.
Volvo owners will pay for the initial replacement parts and labor on vehicles with expired warranties, but Volvo will pay for any additional service on that part for as long as the owner has the car. The parts warranty covers all models from all years and will be honored at all North American Volvo dealerships, according to the automaker.

FCA Defects From Takata, Finds Solace With TRW for Airbag Inflators
FCA, looking a 4.1 million unit recall in the face thanks to defective Takata airbag inflators, will source replacements from a rival, ZF-owned TRW Automotive.
The Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram parent will be the first company to refuse to toe the line.

Report: NHTSA Failed Consumers Over Automotive Safety
Last Friday, the U.S. Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General dropped the sledgehammer on the NHTSA over its failings in automotive safety.

Fatal Accident In Louisiana Could Be Seventh Linked To Takata Airbag Recall
A fatal accident in Louisiana involving a Takata-equipped Honda may be the seventh fatality linked to the supplier’s ongoing airbag crisis.

US Attorney's Office Consider Charging General Motors With Criminal Wire Fraud
Federal prosecutors in New York are considering criminal wire fraud charges against General Motors over its role in the February 2014 ignition recall.

Google Wades Carefully Into Connected-Vehicle Waters With Android Auto
Though Google’s Android OS may be awash with numerous apps, Android Auto goes for a more limited approach in the name of traffic safety.

NHTSA Facing The Music Over Role In 2014 GM Ignition Recall Crisis
A year after General Motors went under the gun for its part of the February 2014 ignition recall crisis, the NHTSA is now facing the music for the rest.

FCA Set To Meet NHTSA Over Recalls Despite Desire To Cancel Hearing
Though FCA insists its compliance with the NHTSA over its recalls no longer merits a hearing, the agency will press forward with its order.

Takata, NHTSA Face Uncertainty Over Safety Of Replacement Airbags
Neither Takata nor the NHTSA can say for certain how many of the 34 million vehicles now under recall for defective airbags need theirs replaced.

Subaru Funding Crash Tests Of Pet Carriers, Crates
As part of its effort to keep pets safe on the road, Subaru is funding crash tests of pet carriers and crates.

Rosekind Will Give Prepared Statement Before Congress Over Funding Concerns
Testifying before Congress Tuesday, NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind will give a statement on his agency’s need for funding to properly function.

Shell Introduces New Nitro+ Premium Fuel Nationwide
Starting Monday, your local Shell station will be offering a new grade of fuel said to increase engine life and boost efficiency, but at a price.

FCA, Ford, Honda Expand Respective Takata Airbag Recalls
FCA, Ford and Honda are adding more models to their recalls involving Takata’s airbags, the first following the supplier’s admission on the issue last week.

FCA US Reducing Powertrain Warranty To 60K Miles For 2016 Models
Those shopping for a new Charger, 300, Wrangler or 1500 because of the powertrain warranty may need to pull the trigger soon due to an upcoming mileage cut.

NHTSA Will Partially Continue GM Safety Oversight
Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was undecided whether it would require GM to continue monthly safety issue disclosure meetings. However, in a letter obtained by The Detroit News, the NHTSA has decided to extend parts of the agreement for another year.

Canada A Low Priority In Takata Airbag Recalls
As nearly 34 million vehicles in the United States go under recall over Takata’s airbag issues, Canada remains a low priority due to cooler climes.

Takata Expands US Airbag Recall Nationwide, Covering 34M Units
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday Takata would expand its airbag recall to cover 33.8 million units in the United States.

Consumer Reports Declares Tesla Model S P85D 'Undrivable' Due To Glitch
The thrill has gone for Consumer Reports‘ review team over the Tesla Model S, declaring the P85D “undrivable” in a new blog post.

Buick Regal Tops Among Those Traded-In After One Year Of Ownership
In a hurry to trade your new Buick Regal for something else? You’re not alone, as the sedan joins a handful of models traded-in after a year of ownership.

NHTSA: No Decision Yet On Extending General Motors' Oversight Decree
A year ago, General Motors was placed under government oversight in the wake of its recall crisis. Whether the NHTSA continues babysitting the automaker is yet to be determined.

US Uber Users Latest Victims In Hacking, Selling Scheme
Uber customers in the United States are the latest victims in a hacking scheme where Uber accounts are sold on the dark web for as little as $1.

Automakers, NHTSA Meet To Discuss Increasing Recall Completion Rates
Despite the numerous recalls over the past year, recall completion rates are not at 100 percent. The NHTSA and automakers hope to change this.

Study: Millennials Love Cars, Not So Much EVs
Per a new study by Continental AG, millennials love cars as much as they love iPhones, so long as their rides aren’t electrified.

Suzuki Recalls 2M Amid Reports Of Smoking Ignitions
Suzuki is recalling a record 2 million vehicles to replace ignition switches amid reports of smoke and fumes being emitted from the part.

Auditor, Others Ordered To Preserve General Motors Ignition Documents
Wednesday, a federal judge in Detroit ordered General Motors’ auditor and other parties to preserve documents related to the February 2014 recall.

Georgia Jury Orders Jeep To Pay $150M For Role In 2012 Fatal Accident
After two weeks of deliberation, a jury in Decatur County, Georgia has found Jeep liable for the 2012 death of a 4-year-old involving a 1999 Grand Cherokee.

NHTSA To Gain Broader Powers Upon Transportation Bill Approval
A transportation bill sent to Congress Monday would grant the NHTSA the authority to stop automakers from selling vehicles with dangerous safety problems.

Report: US New-Diesel Registrations On The Rise
Diesel hasn’t had the best reputation in the United States since the early 1980s. A new report says this attitude has changed as of late.

Mary Barra Among Those To Depose Over GM Ignition Recall
General Motors CEO Mary Barra will be among those called to depose over the automaker’s February 2014 ignition switch recall by lawyers.

Takata Recall Sees More Rapid Response In Japan Than US
While consumers, dealers and automakers in the United States are waiting for replacement airbags from Takata, recalls in Japan are being fulfilled faster.

Report: 'Hundreds' Of Recalled New Vehicles Sold Without Prior Repairs
In an investigative segment on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Thursday, ABC News purchased a vehicle under recall from a dealer who had not repaired it.

Honda Adds Over 100k To 2014 Takata Recall
Over 100,000 Honda vehicles have been added to the ongoing recall linked to Takata airbags.

Newly Revealed Documents Linked To GM Ignition Recall Contradict Valukas Report
Previously confidential documents linked to the General Motors February 2014 ignition recall will give plaintiffs more ammunition for their lawsuits.

General Motors Cutting Back 100K-Mile Powertrain Warranty
Due to lack of interest, General Motors is cutting back its 100,000-mile/five-year powertrain warranty for 2016 Chevrolet and GMC models.

Whistleblower Incentive Legislation Passes US Senate Panel
A whistleblower bill that would grant financial incentives to auto industry employees who expose safety defects won backing by a U.S. Senate panel Thursday.

Lexus Takes Gold In 2015 JD Power Dependability Study
For the fourth consecutive year, Lexus is tops among the brands ranked in JD Power’s annual Vehicle Dependability Study.

NHTSA To Congress: Pull Recalled Used, Rental Vehicles Off The Road
The next vehicle the TTAC Zaibatsu or the B&B rent could be safer if Congress heeds the call of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Ito: Honda Won't Help Takata Sort Its Affairs
Should the day come when Takata asks for financial assistance to remain afloat after its troubles have passed, Honda may not be there to lead the rescue.

Automaker Alliance Seek Kelly For Takata Probe Panel
Concerned with Takata’s ongoing airbag woes, ten automakers are assembling to investigate the supplier, with former NHTSA chief David Kelly likely to helm.

IIHS: US Driver Fatalities Fall One-Third In Three Years
Per a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, driver fatalities in the United States have fallen by a third over the past three years.

NHTSA Seeking Whistleblowers In Takata Airbag Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking whistleblowers who have knowledge “of possible defects or any wrongdoing” about Takata.

Next-Gen Honda Accord Foregoing Takata Airbags
When the next-gen Honda Accord arrives in U.S. showrooms in August 2017, no Takata airbags will be used in the sedan’s safety system.

GM Compensation Fund Adds 104 Claims For Review
Another 104 claims have been added to the pile for examination by Kenneth Feinberg and his staff, who are overseeing the victim compensation fund established by General Motors as a result of the February 2014 ignition switch recall.

Teknikens Vrld: Ford Mondeo Estate 'Dangerously Overweight'
The Ford Mondeo Estate is in trouble with one Swedish automotive publication, thanks to how much it weighs.

NHTSA Ready To Force Nationwide Takata Airbag Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is ready to force Takata and three of its clients into a nationwide recall over the catastrophic failure of the supplier’s airbags.

Portland Sues Uber Over Lack Of Proper Permits
The dream of the Nineties may live on in Portland, Ore., but for Uber, it’s a nightmare that’s just beginning.

Nair: Ford Considering CVTs For Future Applications
Ford is considering giving the B&B’s least favorite transmission type another go for future applications.

GM Replacing Keys In 2014-15 Trucks, SUVs Due To Ignition Issues
Own a new Chevrolet or GMC truck? You might be getting a new set of keys.

T&E: European Test Cycle 'Not Fit For Purpose'
The European test cycle for fuel economy and emissions may need to be taken out back, based on findings by policy group Transport and Environment.

Takata Faces Forced Recall After Defying NHTSA Order
Hours after Takata informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it would not comply with the order to conduct a nationwide airbag recall in the United States, the agency took the supplier to task during Wednesday’s congressional hearing over the matter.

EPA Proposes Stricter Ground-Ozone Level Standards
Six years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency set the acceptable level of ground-level ozone to 75 parts per billion. That level is about to come down.

NHTSA: GM Has Enough Parts To Repair All Affected By February 2014 Ignition Recall
Do you or yours happen to own one of the models affected by the February 2014 General Motors ignition switch recall? The automaker finally has a replacement ready at your convenience.

Uber Hitting E-Class Taxi Roadblock In Germany
Uber is having a hard time breaking into the German livery market, and not just for its business model.

Hearings, Recalls Et Al Darken Takata's Doorstep
Takata and those associated with its airbag recall crisis are heading back into the fire this week, one that could grow into a firestorm soon enough.

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