Federal safety regulators have found 16 car accidents and five injuries in an eight-month investigation of transmission control problems with BMW 7-Series luxury cars. According to an Associated Press news report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched the investigation in August. The probe has now been “upgraded” to an engineering analysis, which takes it a step closer to a recall. However, no recalls have been announced yet.

This probe covers approximately 122,000 BMW vehicles from the 2002 to 2008 model years. These cars have a push-button start and electronic transmission controls. In some cases, the car owners may believe that their vehicles are in “park,” when they actually may be in neutral. The cars could roll away unexpectedly and crash. So far, the German automaker and federal investigators have received 50 complaints from consumers about this problem.

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A new study from Carfax shows that choosing to ignore auto defect recalls can seriously jeopardize public safety. According to a news release issued by Carfax, which serves as a vehicle history expert for used cars, in 2011, more than 2.7 million used cars were on sale online with safety issues that were never fixed. Carfax recommends that car owners and sellers can greatly improve public safety by actively checking for open recalls and having their vehicles repaired by franchise dealers. Not doing so is inexcusable because these fixes are always free and finding cars with open recalls is as easy as getting on a computer and checking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s web site.

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A baby girl and her parents were killed in a Long Beach car accident after the Ford Explorer SUV in which they were traveling crashed. The father has been identified by Coroner’s officials as 20-year-old Abel Israel Gutierrez and the infant has been identified as 2-month-old Sophia Gutierrez. The child’s mother, 19, has not yet been identified. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the fatal rollover accident occurred the night of April 16, 2012 on the southbound 710 Freeway near Long Beach Boulevard. California Highway Patrol officials say the Explorer, which was driven by the 19-year-old woman, for an unknown reason, went out of control and overturned. Gutierrez and his daughter were pronounced dead at the scene. The mother was transported to an area trauma center where she too died from her injuries. CHP officials are still looking into what caused this tragic accident.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of these three deceased car accident victims for their tragic and devastating loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  More

Volkswagen has issued two separate auto defect recalls for 2012 Passat and Routan vehicles because of safety issues. According to a news report in the Times Free Press, the German automaker is recalling 153 of the first Passat vehicles made at its Chattanooga plant because of a problem with the diesel filter element that may lead to a risk of fire. Apparently the vehicles were built with a diesel fuel filter element that may not seal correctly.

Over time, these vehicles could leak fuel, which could lead to a fire. When the recall begins in May, VW dealers will replace the diesel filter element on the defective vehicles. The vehicles involved in this recall were manufactured from January 18, 2011 through June 1, 2011. Also, 15 Volkswagen Routans have been recalled because of a problem with the rear suspension that may lead to wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash. So far, no vehicle fires or car accidents have been reported due to these auto defects. Vehicle owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987 if they have any questions or concerns.

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Chrysler Group LLC has issued two auto defect recalls to repair 2012 models for potentially faulty valves that could spark a fire and wheels that could increase the risk of a car accident. According to a report in Detroit News, the automaker is recalling 1,689 2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass SUVs that may have a fuel tank assembly with a damaged roll-over valve that could lead to fuel leaks. So far, no accidents, injuries or fires have been reported in connection with these auto defects.

The other recall is for about 289 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans that may have a faulty right rear hub and bearing assembly. This could cause a wheel to fall off. Again, the automaker says there has been no reports of injuries, crashes or fatalities s a result of these defects. When the recall begins, the company will replace the right rear hub at no cost to consumers. Both of these recalls have been linked to faulty parts produced by suppliers.

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Daimler Trucks North America has issued an auto defect recall for about 9,800 trucks. According to a news report in OverdriveOnline.com, the automaker is recalling select vehicles from three 2012 truck models for two separate defects. The company is recalling 8,747 model year 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 4900 vehicles manufactured from December 22, 2011 through February 23, 2012 because the vehicles may be equipped with driver’s seats with seat bases that may have out-of-specification welds. This could cause the seat to buckle unexpectedly. Such as sudden movement of the seat could affect the driver’s visibility and his or her ability to control the vehicle posing a hazard.

Two Separate Recalls

DTNA is also recalling 1,046 model year 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 and Cascadia vehicles manufactured from January 20, 2012 through February 17, 2012 because the vehicles may have been assembled with a steering wheel nut that “may not provide the clamp load required to fully seat the steering wheel on the steering shaft.” A steering wheel that is not fully seated on the shaft may wobble and make it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle increasing the risk of a car accident. When the recall begins, DTNA will notify the vehicle owners and replacement components will be installed at no charge to the consumer. Concerned vehicle owners are asked to contact the manufacturer at 1-800-547-0712.

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Antonio Malfavon, 56, was fatally injured in a Riverside County car accident after he lost control of his Toyota SUV and crashed. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal SUV rollover accident occurred the night of March 31, 2012 near Rubidoux Boulevard and 24th Street in Jurupa Valley. Officials say the SUV was northbound on Rubidoux when the driver failed to negotiate a turn. The Toyota went into a field where it crashed and rolled. Malfavon was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was in the vehicle. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Antonio Malfavon for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening potential auto defect investigations into engine fires in 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. According to a Detroit News report, the federal auto safety agency has received two complaints of engine compartment fire in 2011 Cruze vehicles. Both complaints involved incidents where the vehicles were fully engulfed in flames. About 177,000 Cruze vehicles are involved in this investigation. The Jeep Wrangler investigation covers approximately 100,000 vehicles.

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Investigators with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have launched a probe into buses made by Motor Coach Industries Inc. over drive shaft issues, which may have led to two fatal bus accidents. According to an Associated Press news report, the buses, which have been manufactured over the last 20 years, have defective drive shafts that can fall out and cause drivers to lose control. The problem reportedly caused two crashes that killed two people and injured 50 others. The investigation covers 4,000 MCI D-Series buses with a steerable rear axle made from 1992 until 2012.

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Honda has issued an auto defect recall for 2006 model-year CR-V crossover vehicles for a flaw in the suspension system, which could potentially cause a crash. According to a news report in The Car Connection, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s bulletin states that that strength of the weld that holds two parts of the CR-V’s suspension in place – the sub-frame brushing collar and the passenger-side front lower arm – are defective.

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