After a recent spate of engine fires, Ferrari has officially issued a recall of the 458 Italia.

According to the automaker, an adhesive used to attach a heat shield under the rear fender can ignite under high temperatures, leading to a larger fire in the engine bay. We’ve seen at least four cases on the internet of flaming 458s like this one, and while we can’t say for certain, it would seem this adhesive is the likely cause.

Ferrari has designed a new heat shield that attaches with rivets, negating the need for the adhesive. Naturally, 458 owners are urged to call a dealer to schedule an appointment for the free fix.

[Source:Autoblog]

When it comes to the 2011 Kia Sportage, there’s a lot to talk about. From where we sit, it’s one of the best-looking compact crossovers on the market, it’s reasonably priced (starting below $20,000) and as we found out in our first drive, it’s a pretty enjoyable steer, too. To add to these selling points, the Sportage was just named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning high marks in frontal, side, rear and rollover crash tests.

Top Safety Picks are nothing new for Kia these days – the Soul, Sorento, and Forte sedan have all been given this seal of approval. Follow the jump to read Kia’s own words about the Sportage’s safety recognition

2011 Kia Sportage Named ‘2010 Top Safety Pick’ By Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

All-New Compact CUV Receives Highest Recognition from IIHS — Sportage receives top ratings for front, side, rollover, and rear impact protection — CUV is fourth new generation Kia vehicle to be named “Top Safety Pick”

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ — Joining the 2010 Forte compact sedan, 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle and 2011 Sorento compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV), the all-new 2011 Sportage CUV has been recognized as a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the small SUV category when built after March 2010. Arriving in Kia showrooms now, Sportage received the organization’s top honor by earning “Good” ratings — the highest achievable — in frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash safety tests. The Sedona minivan was the first Kia vehicle to receive the IIHS “Top Safety Pick,” along with the “Safest Minivan Ever Tested” distinction from IIHS, shortly after its launch in 2006, and again in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

“The Kia brand is committed to providing consumers with the highest levels of passenger safety by providing a comprehensive list of cutting-edge technologies and features for increased crash protection,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). “The 2011 Sportage’s sleek and modern appearance continues Kia’s design-led transformation while staying true to the company’s core philosophy of providing consumers with exciting, fun-to-drive vehicles with high levels of value, quality and safety.”

Ratings from the Institute are based on results from frontal, side and rear impact crash tests, and for 2010 a good performance in a roof strength test — to measure protection in a rollover — also was required to win. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation was based on various measurements specific to each crash angle, and overall impact on crash test dummies inside the vehicle at the time of collision. All vehicles must have electronic stability control available to be eligible.

Like all Kia vehicles, the 2011 Sportage is equipped with a long list of standard safety equipment. Both trims come outfitted with driver and passenger advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and front active headrests, four-wheel Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and a Brake Assist System (BAS), which recognizes an emergency stop and delivers significant braking power. Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) also come standard on all models, the former assisting in preventing the vehicle from rolling backward when trying to pull away from an uphill gradient, while the latter locks the vehicle at a slow speed down steep grades so the driver can focus their attention on steering.

To assist drivers when the vehicle is in reverse, an available back-up warning sensor helps the driver avoid contact with certain objects in the vehicle’s path by triggering an audible warning when the vehicle approaches an obstruction, while an available rear-view back-up camera enables drivers to view certain items behind the vehicle.

The 2011 Sportage, which utilizes a completely redesigned platform, comes standard with a 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), offering more power (176 hp) and better fuel economy (22/31) than the previous 2.7-liter V6 engine. Sportage also comes equipped with impressive standard technology features throughout, including an AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system with SIRIUS® Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service(1). Also standard on both trims are auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting with MP3 players and Bluetooth®(2) wireless technology connectivity with steering wheel-mounted voice activation controls to enable hands-free operation for compatible mobile phones. Available in three trims — Base, LX and EX — pricing for the dynamic compact CUV begins at $18,295(3).

Kia Motors America in 2010

Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand’s continued gains in U.S. market share. With three new vehicle introductions and several other key initiatives planned for 2010, Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and with new technology such as the UVO powered by Microsoft® advanced hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system (expected to be available in select Kia models in the U.S. later this year). The launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be assembled(4) at Kia’s first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup, and is now in dealerships.

[Source:Autoblog]

It stands to reason that drivers who take part in any kind of motorsport are putting their lives at risk in some way. Apparently, though, even being a fan of NASCAR can be hazardous to your health. And it’s not because the cars sometimes find themselves barreling off the track and into the crowds.

According to a recent study, noise levels at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee and the Kentucky Speedway can reach alarming levels – as high as 140 decibels, significantly louder than a jet at takeoff. By way of comparison, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the maximum allowable noise levels over an eight-hour work day at just 85 decibels.

It takes just one minute for drivers and under an hour for workers and spectators to hit OSHA’s maximum allowable noise level for the entire day. Worse yet, it seems that the damage caused by such high noise levels adds up over time and is not reversible. That said, nobody is suggesting that sporting events like NASCAR should be banned. Instead, the study aims to inform people of the risks and urges them to take appropriate action… in other words, ear plugs are your friend.

[Source:Autoblog]

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is investigating older Volvo XC90 models for potential faulty electronics that could cause the headlights and turn signals to fail. So far, the government isn’t aware of any crashes resulting from the fault, but 21 owners have filed a complaint. The defect manifests itself on 2004-2005 XC90 SUVs, and NHTSA says that 93,487 vehicles are potentially impacted by the problem.

Fortunately, should the NHTSA issue a recall, the problem is a relatively easy fix. Regulators say that simply replacing a bad control module is enough to set everything working again. So far, there are no reports of similar problems occurring in any other Volvo models of similar vintage, but you can bet your eyes that the NHTSA will be taking a closer look at the company’s line up from four years ago just to make sure.

[Source: Bloomberg via San Francisco Chronicle]

[Source:Autoblog]

Jaguar’s new 5.0-liter V8 has seen its fair share of praise since its introduction, but even the best petrol mill is worthless without fuel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website indicates that 5,048 of the automaker’s 2010 and 2011 XF and XK models equipped with the 5.0-liter engine are being recalled for a faulty fuel pump relay.

The problem can reportedly occur if the in-tank electronic fuel pump isn’t properly activated when the fuel pump relay is energized at vehicle start-up. When this happens, the engine could receive inadequate amounts of fuel, resulting in the vehicle abruptly stalling with little or no warning, which would potentially result in an unscheduled (is there another kind?) accident.

Beginning August 30 of this year (or possibly earlier) owners of affected vehicles can simply take their faulty cat to the nearest Jaguar store for a free software update that should fix the issue. Hit the jump to read over the NHTSA press release.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
JAGUAR / XF 2010
JAGUAR / XK 2010-2011
Manufacturer: JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, LLC Mfr’s Report Date: JUL 21, 2010

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 5048

Summary:
JAGUAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 JAGUAR XK AND MODEL YEAR 2010 XF V8 5.OL GASOLINE ENGINE VEHICLES. THE IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY NOT BE CORRECTLY ACTIVATED AS THE FUEL PUMP RELAY IS NOT ENERGIZED FOLLOWING A VEHICLE START UP CYCLE. AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE COULD RESULT.

Consequence:
FUEL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE LEADS TO ENGINE STUMBLE FOLLOWED BY ENGINE CUT OUT WITH MINIMAL WARNING AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL DOWNLOAD REVISED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT JAGUAR AT 1-800-452-4827 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-452-4827 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Notes:
JAGUAR SAFETY RECALL NO. J017. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-888-327-4236 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (TTY 1-800-424-9153 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-424-9153 end_of_the_skype_highlighting), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

[Source:Autoblog]

Last month, the Lexus HS250h was the subject of a serious recall involving fuel leakage resulting from rear-end collisions. Now, Nissan faces a similar predicament involving 2009 and 2010 model year Cube hatchbacks, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a full recall, covering 46,000 Cubes built between January 30, 2009 and July 30, 2010.

Much like the HS hybrid, NHSTA cites that the amount of fuel leakage following a rear-moving barrier crash “exceeds the allowable limits,” and that this could result in a fire. While a fuel leak is bad news, it’s important to note that this NHTSA test isn’t simply a case of a simple crash test and resultant fuel leak – the government agency’s methodology includes striking the vehicle from the rear with a deformable barrier at 50 mph with a 70 percent overlap. Post-impact, the vehicle is then spun on its longitudinal axis degree-by-degree for a total of 90 degrees, somewhere along which a fuel leak was detected. While any fuel spillage is a bad thing, we suspect you can put any images of the massively overblown Ford Pinto debacle out of your head right now.

In any case, the full recall is expected to start on or before August 30. To fix the problem, dealers will install a special protector to the gasoline recirculation tube where it meets with the filler neck connector. Naturally, the service will be performed free of charge at any authorized Nissan dealer. The full details are available in NHTSA’s press release after the jump.

Vehicle Make / Model: NISSAN / CUBE
Model Year(s): 2009 / 2010
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Mfr’s Report Date: JUL 21, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V330000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 46000

Summary

NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 NISSAN CUBE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 30, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, “FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.” WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROTATED FOLLOWING A REAR MOVING BARRIER CRASH TEST AS REQUIRED, THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE LIMITS.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SPECIAL PROTECTOR AND ATTACH IT TO THE GASOLINE RECIRCULATION TUBE AT THE LOCATION OF THE FILLER NECK CONNECTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

[Source:Autoblog]

Back in February, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated an investigation of 749,685 2009 and 2010 model year Corolla and Matrix vehicles for a potential steering issue. And while we haven’t heard much from the government agency regarding this issue, the Detroit Free Press reports that Toyota has indicated that the problem is not a safety defect and thus doesn’t warrant a recall. Instead, the automaker will provide a free fix to customers who claim to have an issue.

NHTSA reportedly launched the investigation after 168 reports that Corolla and Matrix electric power steering units were prone to drifting or locking up, with the problem most notable when cruising at highway speeds. Toyota has reportedly told the Free Press that it has collected a total of 437 reports, including 11 injuries and 18 crashes. Further, the automaker has been receiving complaints about this issue since 2008. Spokesperson Brian Lyons reportedly tells the Freep that the majority of issues involve wandering from the dead-ahead steering position and that the company considers the problem a customer satisfaction issue, not a defect.

To address customer concerns, Toyota has sent a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to its dealers advising technicians to check tire pressure and alignment. If that doesn’t fix the problem, the next step is to replace the computer that governs the electric power steering with a new unit that has been re-tuned with a different steering feel.

Not classifying the Corolla/Matrix issues as a safety defect figures to save the Japanese company a lot of cash that would be tied up in a recall. Toyota will also avoid having to update regulators, who were informed of its decision to forgo recall proceedings way back in May. NHTSA hasn’t publicly said anything since the Toyota proclamation and the investigation is reportedly still ongoing. With 11 injuries, 18 crashes and hundreds of reported problems, we’re very interested to see if NHTSA ultimately agrees with Toyota on this one, or if the situation will eventually result in another recall and additional bad publicity for the automaker. Likewise, with General Motors having sold its own Matrix twin, the Pontiac Vibe, it presumably faces the same sort of steering issue. If so, it will be interesting to see if the Detroit automaker chooses to address the issue in the same way.
[Source:Autoblog]

After the big mess that was the Toyota recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is taking quick action when any reports of accelerator pedal entrapment are reported. Case in point: The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are being investigated after NHTSA received only three instances of floor mats hindering the gas pedal’s movement. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

A grand total of 249,301 cars are being investigated over this potential problem with Ford’s all-weather floor mats, and we’ll have more details as they arise. Here’s hoping we don’t have to relive the Toyota debacle all over again.

*UPDATE: We spoke with Said Deep, Ford’s global product communications manager, who points out that NHTSA’s investigation relates to instances where the optional all-weather floor mats have been stacked on top of the factory-installed carpeted mats. Deep further outlines this, saying:

Ford does not recommend stacking floor mats in any vehicle from any automaker. In fact, Ford’s all-weather floor mats have these instructions printed on the top of every driver’s mat. We are not aware of any customer complaints or any accidents related to 2010 Fusions and Milans with properly installed floor mats.

Ford will be fully cooperating with NHTSA on the investigation.

[Source:Autoblog]

Being involved in a car accident is scary stuff. Being involved in a car accident and not having your airbags deploy is even scarier. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, just over 134,000 Infiniti G35 coupes and sedans sold in the mid-2000s are affected by a problem in which wire harnesses for the airbags may wear down to the point of not functioning properly, meaning that the airbags may not deploy in a crash.

Infiniti is recalling 2005-06 model year G35 sedans and 2005-07 model year G35 coupes sold around the world due to this problem. The automaker has not yet notified the Feds of how the faulty wire harnesses will be fixed, but the official recall is now being announced, just two weeks after the potential problem was reported to NHTSA. So far, no crashes or injuries have been reported due to this issue, and Infiniti’s parent company, Nissan, is hard at work developing a solution for this potentially dangerous situation.

[Source:Autoblog]

]Just when we thought China’s automotive industry had made some headway in the quality department, we get word that complaints about new car quality in the country have risen significantly over the past few months. During the first quarter of this year, complains on vehicles purchased within the last six months climbed 15 percent over last year’s figures. Those numbers come courtesy of the China Association for Quality.

Even more surprising, the increase marks a nine-percent jump over the number of complaints filed during the fourth quarter of 2009. By and large, the defects concerned engine issues as well as small parts. A total of 94.6 percent of the complaints were lodged against cars costing less than $44,000.

[Source:Autoblog]