Hertz and safety advocacy group, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, have reached a landmark agreement that calls for Congress to give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) authority over the car rental companies’ recall-related practices as well as prohibit them from renting or selling these recalled vehicles until they have been repaired. According to a news report in USA Today, this historic agreement adds momentum to an amendment with the same provisions backed by Senators Barbara Boxer and Charles Schumer. The amendment is likely to be included in a surface transportation bill, which the Senate is expected to take up later this month.

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Nissan has joined several automakers who have recently issued auto defect recalls in connection with faulty airbags that were made with initiators containing an incorrect mixture of propellants. According to Consumer Reports the 2012 Nissan Altima and Nissan Versa sedans that have been recalled could have issues with their side curtain airbags that may not inflate during a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified similar issues with other vehicle models.

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The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has reached a settlement with BMW regarding their failure to report auto defects, which is required under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. According to a news report in Motorcycle-USA, the February 10, 2012 agreement will result in BMW paying $3 million in civil penalties for failing to provide adequate information quickly and in a forthright manner. NHTSA says that BMW did not report a number of safety defects to the agency, when they issued 16 different recalls in 2010. Under the Safety Act, auto manufacturers have five days to report known safety defects. In many cases, BMW did not report their findings for over 30 days.

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Subaru has issued an auto defect recall for a number of its 2012 Legacys and Outbacks due to potential airbag defects. According to Consumer Reports, the approximately 381 vehicles may have defective side curtain airbags that could fail to deploy during an accident. The vehicles involved in this recall were manufactured this past December with defective side air bag components. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that this auto defect may increase the risk of injury to drivers and passengers involved in a collision. When the recall begins in April, Subaru dealers will replace one or more of the defective side curtain air bag initiators at no cost to consumers.

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Ford has issued an auto defect recall for more than 500 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles because of faulty welds in the head restraint support brackets for the second-row right hand seats. According to a report in Torque News, the automaker is recalling 569 of the 2012 model vehicles, which were manufactured from November 19, 2011 through December 2, 20122.

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BSH Home Appliances has issued a defective product recall for nearly 2 million Tassimo coffeemakers because of potential burn hazards. According to Consumer Reports, the Tassimo Single-Cup Brewers from BSH Home Appliances can burst during brewing and spray hot water and coffee grounds or tea leaves on to consumers. So far, there have been 140 reports of cases where the Tassimo machines have caused serious burn injuries to consumers. In 37 of the incidents victims received second-degree burns. In one case, a 10-year-old Minnesota girl had to be hospitalized after suffering second-degree burns on her face and neck.

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York International is re-announcing a defective product recall involving 226,000 Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T gas furnaces after more than 300 additional incident reports, since the 2004 recall involving these furnaces. According to Consumer Reports, the company has received reports of 393 incidents, including several involving extensive property damage. Also, 366 of those reports were received after the November 2004 recall announcement. So far, no injuries or fatalities have been reported as a result of these defective gas furnaces.

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Toyota is issuing an auto defect recall for more than 400 RAV4 2011 model SUVs because one or both of the vehicles’ side curtain shield airbags may not deploy in the event of a crash. According to Consumer Reports, propellant with the incorrect specification was used in the curtain shield airbags. This could lead to the inflator potentially not performing properly. In the event of a car accident, the airbags may not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries or even fatalities.

The RAV4 vehicles involved in this recall were manufactured between November 24, 2011 and December 19, 2011. When the recall begins in early March, Toyota will notify owners and dealers will inspect the vehicle identification number to identify the defective curtain shield assemblies. The defective ones will be replaced with the new assemblies at no charge to consumers. Toyota owners are asked to contact 1-800-331-4331 for more information about this auto safety recall.

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Honda is issuing an auto defect recall for about 347 Accord sedans and Crosstour hatchbacks due to problems with the airbags in these vehicles. According to a news report in the Chicago Tribune, in certain vehicles, the side curtain airbags for the driver and front passenger may have a faulty inflator. In the event of a car accident, the affected airbags will not deploy. This could increase the risk of injury or death for vehicle occupants. The recall is expected to begin on February 10, 2012. Honda will notify owners when the recall begins and dealers will replace the affected airbags at no charge to consumers. For more information, please call Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

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Mazda has issued an auto defect recall for approximately 52,400 SUVs because of a faulty auto part that may present a fire hazard. According to Consumer Reports, Mazda Tribute SUVs made in 2001 and 2002 have issues with their master cylinder that can result in leaking brake fluid. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that the leaking brake fluid can come into contact with wiring for the anti-lock brake system. If this happens, there is the potential for an engine fire to occur.

Vehicles Involved in the Recall

The recall involves all Mazda Tribute vehicles made between April 20, 2000 and July 19, 2002. Owners of these SUVs are advised to park their vehicles outside until they are able to have their vehicles repaired. Mazda is expected to have started notifying Tribute owners beginning January 30, 2012 about these potential defects. Consumers should contact Mazda directly or the NHTSA for more information. It is unclear from the release if there have been any serious injury car accidents because of this defect.

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