Just one example in a history of horridity!

 

DaimlerChrysler recalls 600,000 SUVs, pickups

 

WASHINGTON - Automaker DaimlerChrysler said Friday it is recalling 600,000 Dodge Durango SUVs and Dakota pickup trucks because of a defect that could cause the wheels to fall off.

 

The recall covers vehicles from the 2000-2003 model years.

Defect could cause wheels to fall off

 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommended the recall following a 16-month investigation.

 

It found that the vehicles' upper ball joints could fail. That in turn can cause the suspension to collapse and the wheel to fall off.

 

Extended warranty

 

DaimlerChrysler is also extending the warranty on upper ball joints for an additional 400,000 Durangos and Dakotas from the same model years.

 

The parts will be covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

 

DaimlerChrysler admitted to the problem with the ball joints on Thursday, after the NHTSA's request for a recall became public.

 

But the company at first insisted that a recall was unnecessary. It said no injuries have been reported as a result of the defect.

 

DaimlerChrysler will repair the affected vehicles for free, beginning in January. It will also reimburse owners who have already paid for the repair.

 

The NHTSA investigation began in July 2003 after 28 complaints of ball joint failure and five crashes caused by the defect.

 

But man those Durangos sure are cool. :finger

Ford recalled a similar number of Escapes earlier this week.

Ford recalled a similar number of Escapes earlier this week.

All Junk.

Big deal, so a tire falls off, does it need all 4-wheel drive? What's wrong with 3-Wheel drive. My Big Wheel drove just fine.

Big deal, so a tire falls off, does it need all 4-wheel drive? What's wrong with 3-Wheel drive. My Big Wheel drove just fine.

big wheels rule

Hey what the hell, an insanely crappily made Asian car.

 

courtesy cbc.ca

 

Kia Spectra gets worst rating in U.S. insurance test

 

Last Updated Mon, 20 Dec 2004 12:08:35 EST

 

WASHINGTON - The Kia Spectra received the U.S. insurance industry's worst safety rating in a frontal crash test, becoming the first vehicle to get the "poor" rating in three years.

 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the four-door sedan the rating following a 65-kilometre-per-hour crash test. The crash test dummy received "injuries" to its head, chest and legs.

Kia Spectra test crash.

 

The last car to get a poor rating in the test was the Chevrolet Cavalier in 2001.

 

Kia "lags behind its competitors" in protecting passengers in frontal crashes, said a spokesperson for the institute.

 

In a statement, Kia Motors America Inc. said it had met with the institute to discuss how to improve the car's performance.

 

The institute uses three ratings in the 65-kilometres-per-hour test: good, acceptable and poor.

 

A good rating means a driver wearing a seatbelt faces a risk of minor injuries in a similar crash; acceptable means there the possibility of more serious injuries, while a poor rating places the driver at risk of severe injury.

 

In the institute's latest round of testing, the Mazda 3 and the Hyundai Elantra earned "good" ratings, while the Suzuki Forenza and the Saturn ION were "acceptable."

 

The ratings are reached based on three criteria:

 

    * The amount the vehicle crumples into the driver's space.

    * Damage to the crash test dummy.

    * Slow-motion analysis of how well the seatbelt worked.

I want a Smart Fortwo. Its a car one half the size of a VW Golf, basically a two person steel cube on wheels.

 

I've never had any problems with my Chevy SUV.

I've never had any problems with my Chevy SUV.

My Chevy Blazer had over 150,000 miles when I sold it to a guy for surf fishing on the island. I also put over 100,000 miles on a Suburban without a repair beyond scheduled maintenance.

My Chevy Blazer had over 150,000 miles when I sold it to a guy for surf fishing on the island. I also put over 100,000 miles on a Suburban without a repair beyond scheduled maintenance.

I've got 135,000 on my '97!

I've got 135,000 on my '97! 

Is Chevy still doing the 100,000 mile club? When I rolled over 100k they gave me a cap and displayed my Blazer's picture in the showroom.

 

Great scam to gather names of people who would be trading in soon

Is Chevy still doing the 100,000 mile club? When I rolled over 100k they gave me a cap and displayed my Blazer's picture in the showroom.

 

Great scam to gather names of people who would be trading in soon 

Never heard of that. But, yes, it IS a great scam.

 

I did get a free hat when I just spent $6500 on a new John Deere this last summer.

Damn, that $6500 gets you a lot of free stuff, doesn't it?

 

Damn, that $6500 gets you a lot of free stuff, doesn't it?

 

Hey! It's a special "Owner's Edition" hat! You can only get it by buying a new JD. Damn well worth every penny!

My car just hit 140,000 miles. And all I got was a bill for 450 dollars in repairs.

 

I'd kick my car in protest, but it might shake the rust off thats holding it together.

 

In fact, after the winter - I'm genuinely afraid to wash the car for that reason.

My car just hit 140,000 miles. And all I got was a bill for 450 dollars in repairs.

 

I'd kick my car in protest, but it might shake the rust off thats holding it together.

 

In fact, after the winter - I'm genuinely afraid to wash the car for that reason.

I used to have a car like that. When people would ask me what color my car is, I'd say, "salt."

Every winter I say, "I just need it for one more winter."

 

but I'm too cheap to get a new car til this one dies.

 

175,000 miles or bust!

28 out of 600,000 cars had a problem? That is like .000046%. There is a higher defect rating for electric knives, boat motors and child car seats.

That's 28 reported problems. I'm guessing there was a history of incidental repairs for similar problems.

I want a Smart Fortwo. Its a car one half the size of a VW Golf, basically a two person steel cube on wheels.

 

LOL! That thing looks like a rolling deathtrap. One good fender bender and you're pushing up the daisies. Once they declare you dead on the scene they can haul you off to the cemetary and bury you in that thing. Meanwhile the SUV that hit you drives off with a scratch in the paint.

Actually, believe it or not, it has a three star crash rating. The thing is a hardened steel cube on wheels, you're more likely to be hurt in your Explorer.

LOL! That thing looks like a rolling deathtrap.  One good fender bender and you're pushing up the daisies.  Once they declare you dead on the scene they can haul you off to the cemetary and bury you in that thing.  Meanwhile the SUV that hit you drives off with a scratch in the paint.

No way. I got into an accident (was rear ended by) a Cadillac Escalade. Her car was totaled, mine needed a new bumper.

 

No thanks, I'll stick with my Taurus...

Every time I see stuff about SUVs, I always think about the expose that showed senior auto industry execs characterize SUV drivers as "insecure and vain... nervous about their marriages... self-centered and self-absorbed, with little interest in their neighbors or communities." The auto industry really holds SUV drivers in contempt with the less than flattering profile of them that they developed.

IMHO SUV drivers can be broken down into two groups. Ones that have business or hobbies that necessitate 4-wheel drive, the room, etc. And those who want the imagine or the perceived safety of a bigger SUV. I bought mine to tow my boat and makes Boy Scout trips insanely easier. My neighbor who bought the Hummer as a rolling advertisement for his practice is probably closer to the above generalization.

LOL! That thing looks like a rolling deathtrap.  One good fender bender and you're pushing up the daisies.  Once they declare you dead on the scene they can haul you off to the cemetary and bury you in that thing.  Meanwhile the SUV that hit you drives off with a scratch in the paint.

LOL! Brian was moving his 69 marauder when the brakes went out. He hit an engine hoist and something else. $1000 in damage in the something else, the hoist wasn't damaged too bad, but damned if it didn't sound like he hit the house when he hit it. Oh, not a scratch or dent on the thing. I couldn't help but laugh my ass off while he was going balistic. It took him a few hours, then he saw the humor in the whole thing.