Archive for the ‘2002’ Category

On Friday, the Center for Auto Safety petitioned NHTSA to initiate a defect investigation that could potentially cover hundreds of thousands of Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs from model years 1993 through 2004.

According to the group, on these older Grand Cherokee models, the plastic fuel tank actually extends below the bumper, so it's more vulnerable to being punctured in an rear-end or rollover accident. The rear sway bar link bolt is just over an inch away from the tank, according to research from the Motor Vehicle Fire Research Institute (MVFRI), and could puncture the tank in a crash.

"The design is so bad that Chrysler frequently settles...

On Friday, the Center for Auto Safety petitioned NHTSA to initiate a defect investigation that could potentially cover hundreds of thousands of Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs from model years 1993 through 2004. According to the group, on these older Grand Cherokee models, the plastic fuel tank actually extends below the bumper, so it's more vulnerable to being punctured in an rear-end or rollover accident. The rear sway bar link bolt is just over an inch away from the tank, according to research from the Motor Vehicle Fire Research Institute (MVFRI), and could puncture the tank in a crash. "The design is so bad that Chrysler frequently settles... Read More

If you own a Honda Accord—and there are plenty of you out there, it being a longtime mid-size sedan favorite—there’s a small chance that your airbag might detonate with an unpleasant bonus: some shrapnel.

In some isolated incidents in specific Hondas and Acuras made earlier this decade, inflators can over-pressurize the airbag, causing the inflator itself to rupture and projecting metal fragments that could puncture the airbag material.

“Metal fragments could pass through the cloth airbag cushion material, possibly causing an injury or fatality,” Honda states in a release.

A Honda spokesman told CNNMoney.com last week that the defect has...

If you own a Honda Accord—and there are plenty of you out there, it being a longtime mid-size sedan favorite—there’s a small chance that your airbag might detonate with an unpleasant bonus: some shrapnel. In some isolated incidents in specific Hondas and Acuras made earlier this decade, inflators can over-pressurize the airbag, causing the inflator itself to rupture and projecting metal fragments that could puncture the airbag material. “Metal fragments could pass through the cloth airbag cushion material, possibly causing an injury or fatality,” Honda states in a release. A Honda spokesman told CNNMoney.com last week that the defect has... Read More

The Interwebs are abuzz with talk of Audi planning a city car along the likes of BMW's Microcar and Benz's Smart fortwo. Unlike the BMW, which will offer both gasoline and electric versions, and the Smart, which offers only gasoline for the moment, we've solely heard of electric propulsion for Audi's city car. WorldCarFans came across the news from the UK's CAR Magazine; the blurbs are interesting but not surprising in this age of unstable fuel prices and, some say, potential worldwide recession. We do know that Audi will be sporting some concept vehicles at the upcoming Paris Auto Show, and perhaps this city car will be one of them. Also, a... The Interwebs are abuzz with talk of Audi planning a city car along the likes of BMW's Microcar and Benz's Smart fortwo. Unlike the BMW, which will offer both gasoline and electric versions, and the Smart, which offers only gasoline for the moment, we've solely heard of electric propulsion for Audi's city car. WorldCarFans came across the news from the UK's CAR Magazine; the blurbs are interesting but not surprising in this age of unstable fuel prices and, some say, potential worldwide recession. We do know that Audi will be sporting some concept vehicles at the upcoming Paris Auto Show, and perhaps this city car will be one of them. Also, a... Read More