Several BMW Models and Rolls Royce Ghost Recalled for Circuit Board that Poses a Fire Risk

With an MSRP of around $250,000, the most affordable model in Rolls-Royce's lineup, the Ghost, costs about four times as much as the top (non-M) BMW 5-Series in the States, the 550i (MSRP: $62,000).

Still, that doesn’t mean you won't find common parts in these two models, and not only, as the BMW Group's latest recall proves.

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Wiper Problem Leads to the Recall of 50,001 Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia SUVs

General Motors has issued a new recall that affects certain 2011-2012 model year Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia crossovers registered in 28 cold-weather states and Washington, D.C over a problem with the windshield wipers. Read more »

Volkswagen Recalls 2012 Passat TDI Over Fuel Leak Risk and 2012 Routan Because Wheel May Separate

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) announced on its website that Volkswagen is recalling two models for different reasons in the United States.

More specifically, the Germany automaker is recalling 153 diesel-powered 2012 Passat sedans built from January 18, 2011, through June 1, 2011, because the diesel fuel filter element may not have been sealed correctly.

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Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge Models Recalled Over Two Separate Issues

The Chrysler Group has issued two separate recalls for some of its 2012 models. The first one affects 1,689 Jeep Patriot and Compass crossovers built from December 17, 2011, through January 2, 2012, because of a potential problem with the fuel tank assembly's roll-over valve. Read more »

More than 140,000 2012MY Ford Focus Sedans and Hatchbacks Recalled Over Wiper Problem

In a posting on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website, Ford said that it is recalling certain Focus cars from the 2012 model year in the States to fix a potential problem with a windshield wiper wiring harness connector.

"Water or other contaminants may accumulate in the connector, resulting in an intermittent or inoperative passenger side wiper motor, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash," Ford said in a statement.

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Honda to Recall 554,000 CR-V and Pilot SUVs in the States Over Headlight Glitch

Honda has just issued a voluntary recall for approximately 554,000 SUVs in the United States to address a potential problem with components of the headlight wiring system.

The recall affects 2002 to 2004 model year CR-V crossovers and 2003 model year Pilot SUVs.

"There is a potential failure with the wiring of the headlight switch which may cause the low beam headlights to become inoperative," the Japanese automaker said in a statement adding that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to this issue.

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BMW Recalling 1.3 Million 5- and 6-Series Models Worldwide Over Electrical Problem

A massive recall for some 1.3 million BMW models worldwide, including approximately 367,000 vehicles sold in the United States and 290,000 in Germany is underway.

The Bavarian automaker said that the recall affects all previous generation 5-Series and 6-Series models built between 2003 and 2010.

According to a statement released by the automaker, in some "remote cases", the battery cable cover inside the boot of the affected models may not have been correctly installed.

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NHTSA Wants to Increase Maximum Car Recall Fines, GOP Disagrees

In 2010 alone, nearly 20 million vehicles were recalled in the U.S. That's not necessarily a bad thing: on the contrary, it shows that car manufacturers are constantly monitoring their product for defects and make sure that they are rectified.

At least in theory because in reality, sometimes manufacturers fail to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of defects in the five-day deadline mandated by U.S. law and try to avoid costly, and image-damaging, recalls.

Imposing a fine is one way to force carmakers to comply with regulations. The US$32 million Toyota had to pay in 2010 in the notorious sudden acceleration cases is the most notorious example.

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Honda Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain 2006 CR-Vs Because they Could Lose Control

Owners of the 2006 model CR-V crossover in the Unites States will soon receive a notification from Honda to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer for inspection.

The reason why Honda issued the voluntary safety recall on 1,316 examples of its model-year 2006 CR-V is a potential problem with the right front lower control arm that could cause the vehicle to go out of control.

Honda will voluntarily recall 1,316 model-year 2006 CR-V vehicles in the United States to inspect and, if necessary, replace the right front lower control arm.

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GM Replacing 120-volt Charging Cords on Most Chevy Volts, but Don't Call it a Recall

All owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and some of the 2012 model will soon be notified by GM to replace their 120-volt charging cords with new ones after certain consumers complained about overheating problems.

GM spokesman Randal Fox told Reuters that he did not know the total number of the vehicles affected, but said it was fewer than the 11,000 or so Volts sold so far in the States. He also made a point to note that this was not a safety recall.

"It's just an effort to offer a more consistent charging experience. It's not a safety recall. It's more of a customer-satisfaction program," Fox said.

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Volvo Recalling Close to 3,000 S60 and XC60 Models Over Undercoatings that Pose a Fire Risk

If you happen to own a 2012 Volvo S60 sedan and/or a XC60 crossover in the States, there's a good chance you'll soon receive a recall letter from the Swedish automaker because of a potential fire risk.

"An incorrect mixture of underbody coating and over-application can result in rigid, icicle-like areas hanging from vehicle’s undercarriage," read Volvo's document posted on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Fisker Whistleblower Claims Karma was Rushed into the Market to Meet DOE Loan Deadlines

It's a time-honored adage: "there's no such thing as bad publicity". However, Henrik Fisker may beg to differ as his company's Karma sedan has been making the headlines for a variety of problems ever since its delayed launch.

Now, a former Fisker employee claims to know the root of the company's issues with the Karma. The unnamed whistleblower told GiGaom that as the project was behind schedule, Fisker decided to roll out the hybrid before it was actually ready in order to meet the deadlines dictated by the Department of Energy-provided US$529 million loan.

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California Judge Says Toyota can’t Force Arbitration in Most Sudden Acceleration Lawsuits

The case of the sudden accelerating Toyotas has entered a new phase as U.S. District Judge James V. Selna in Santa Ana, California, today said that the Japanese carmaker cannot force named plaintiffs seeking group status for a lawsuit to arbitrate rather than going to trial.

Judge Selna has presided over the litigation since 2010 and is the one who reinstated the lawsuit in October 2011, just 10 days after it was initially dismissed due to a lack of jurisdiction.

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