Rolls Royce is recalling quite a few of their models. A fuel hose assembly has been found to have a defect in the material specification of the rubber hose. The hose may degrade and cause fuel leakage which could result in a fire.

1980-1987 BENTLEY / CONTINENTAL
1980-1987 BENTLEY / MULSANNE
1980-1982 BENTLEY / T2
1980-1987 ROLLS-ROYCE / CORNICHE
1980-1982 ROLLS-ROYCE / SILVER SHADOW II
1980-1987 ROLLS-ROYCE / SILVER SPIRIT
1981-1987 ROLLS-ROYCE / SILVER SPUR
1980 ROLLS-ROYCE / SILVER WRAITH II

Dealers have already begun replacements. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BENTLEY AT 1-617-488-8500.

VW is recalling 130 2009 Passat, Passat Wagons and Passat CC cars due to electromechanical steering gear control unit that can malfunction due to a damaged capacitor. This defect can occur immediately after the car start-up when the steering wheel is moved for the first time at speeds less than 5 MPH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

More than a dozen police cruisers in at least five area communities are being recalled because they could lunge into a driving gear when the police officer thinks the transmission is in “park.”

Chrysler told the federal government last week that an estimated 54% of the 20,283 Dodge Chargers may have the defect, which can show the vehicle is in one gear while the transmission is actually in a different gear.

Volkswagen of America is recalling about 130 of its 2009 Passat, Passat Wagon and Passat CC vehicles. Some of the cars may have a steering gear control unit that can malfunction because of a damaged capacitor, possibly affecting the driver’s control of the vehicle.

The problem would occur immediately after start-up when the steering wheel is moved for the first time and at speeds less than 5 miles per hour. Uncontrollable steering? Yikes! The recall is expected to begin on Dec. 5, but if you or a VW owner you know has this issue, contact VW at 1-800-822-8987.

Hyundai Motor Co. is recalling about 150,000 Hyundai Elantra sedans because of potential electrical problems that could prevent air bags from deploying. The recall involves Elantras from the 2001 model year.

If a liquid is spilled near the cupholder, it could drip into the air bag control module electrical connector, contaminate the module, preventing air bags from deploying in a crash. Hyundai is also recalling about air bags Elantras from the 2001 and 2002 model years because of issues with an air bag wiring harness that could prevent the side air bags from deploying.

Spread the word to your Hyundai-driving friends and have them take it into service ASAP.

BMW’s MINI division is recalling 2009 John Cooper Works and JCW Clubman models to resolve a brake system problem.

In a recall notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, MINI explains that, for “vehicles equipped with 16-inch diameter front brake discs rather than 17-inch discs, under conditions of intense brake usage, braking performance would be reduced.” MINI dealers will “inspect the front brake discs and pads” of the cars, and “if necessary, replace them” at no charge to owners. BMW says no accidents or injuries related to the brake issue have been reported.

JCW owners should receive a recall notice in the mail this month. Owners can contact BMW at 1-866-275-6464, or by e-mail at mini.assistance@askminiusa.com, if they would like to make inspection arrangements before the notice arrives.

General Motors Corp. is recalling 48,944 Saturn Vue and Chevrolet Captiva sport-utility vehicles so that the carmaker can set to work at tightening a nut that may allow steering fluid to leak which can lead to a fire.

GM received reports of four fires related to the recalled Saturns. Vue and Captiva owners will be notified beginning Sept. 26 to take their SUVs to a dealership where the nut will be tightened and steering-fluid levels checked.

The recall covers 42,408 Vues, which are all sold in the U.S. and Canada, and with the remainder for Captivas being sold in Mexico.

General Motors is recalling 296,422 Chevrolet HHR cars from the 2006 through 2008 model years after possible failing latches were found on several door storage bins. Owners will receive a replacement reinforced latch that can either be self installed or dealer installed.

Tsk tsk… They JUST had a huge recall on 8 other models last week. Come on, GM! Build us quality.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday issued a second consumer advisory to owners of certain unrepaired Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, vans and passenger cars who have not responded to previous recalls. The recall is to repair a cruise control switch system that has been tied to engine fires.

12 million vehicles have been part of the recall and nearly 5 million still have not been fixed. A similar warning was issued in February (that was 7 months ago, people!) but officials said the rate of the vehicles being repaired has declined.

NHTSA issued a lengthy list of older vehicles covered by the consumer advisory, including 1993-2004 Ford F150 trucks, 1994-2002 F250 through F550 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines, and 1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs, which were among the best-selling vehicles in the nation during those years.

A complete list is available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/. Come on, folks. Warn your buddies. Keep our roads safe.

Here’s the complete list…
1993 - 2004 Ford F150
1993 - 1999 Ford F250 (gasoline engine)
1993 - 1996 Ford Bronco
1994 - 1996 Ford Econoline
1997 - 2002 Ford Expedition
1998 - 2002 Lincoln Navigator
1998 - 2002 Ford Ranger
1992 - 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car
1993 - 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII
1993 - 1995 Ford Taurus SHO with automatic transmission
1994 - Mercury Capri
1998 - 2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
2001 - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac
1992 - 1993 and 1997 - 2003 Ford E-150-350 gasoline or natural gas vehicles
2002 - Ford E-550 gasoline engine vehicles
1996 - 2003 Ford E-450 gasoline or natural gas vehicles
1994 - 2002 Ford F-250 through F-550 super Duty trucks (gasoline engine)
2000 - 2002 Ford Excursion (gasoline engine)
2003 - F250 - F550 Super Duty, Ford Excursion
1995 - 2002 Ford F53 Motor home chassis
2002 - 2003 Lincoln Blackwood

800,050 cars made by General Motors are being recalled. A short circuit is to blame for the potential of the windshield washer fluid system to overheat. If the circuit shorts, you could see smoke and other electrical malfunctions.

The recalled vehicles range from the Chevy Silverado….to Cadillac Escalades. On cold days, the windshield washer fluid can be heated to help melt ice and frost from a windshield. 

2008 Saturn Outlook SUVs.
2006-08 Buick Lucerne sedans
2008 Buick Enclave SUVs.
2006-08 Cadillac DTS sedans
2007-08 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT SUVs.
2007-08 Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado trucks and Suburban and Tahoe SUVs.
2007-08 GMC Acadia, Yukon, and Yukon XL SUVs and Sierra trucks.

Yikes! That’s quite a number of cars. Spread the word to your GM-driving friends and have them take it into service ASAP.