Lexus LS 430 Sedans Recalled
By Harry Stoffer
Automotive News
WASHINGTON ? Thirteen thousand owners of 2004 Lexus LS 430 sedans are entitled to new transmissions, according to Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.
Toyota said a part in the planetary gear assembly can break during acceleration and disable the parking gear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the defect creates a risk of rollaway crashes.
That was one of two newly announced recalls for the top-of-the-line Lexus sedan, NHTSA records show. Lexus dealers also will replace fuel pumps in about 14,000 2004-model LS 430s.
Alcohol in some fuels ? such as an ethanol additive ? can cause a pump impeller to deform and contact the pump body. This leads to pump failure, the company says.
Another luxury maker, Volvo, is recalling about 105,000 sedans because their gasoline tanks may leak. The move affects 1994-97 Volvo 850 sedans.
Volvo Cars of North America Inc. said new heat-shield mounting bushings will be installed on all affected cars, and fuel tanks will be replaced if they have begun to leak.
Volvo said the problem develops only after the cars have prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
In another case, NHTSA says Kia Motors America Inc. is recalling about 263,000 cars and sport utility vehicles because seat belts are not latching properly.
When the buckle is engaged, it makes a clicking sound that leads users to believe the buckle is fastened, when in fact it is not.
Kia told NHTSA that dealers will replace both front-seat belt buckles in 1999 and 2000 Sephias and Sportages and in 2000 Spectras.
Here are other recalls planned by automakers and reported by NHTSA:
* Honda is recalling 131,000 CR-V SUVs because improper driver airbag wiring increases the risk of injury in some kinds of crashes. The SUVs are from the 2002-04 model years.
* Honda is also recalling 20,000 2000-01 Accord cars because the dimmer control can fail, causing loss of instrument panel illumination.
* Honda is recalling 7,000 2000-model S2000 roadsters because the lenses for side markers and taillight reflects can fade.
* Ford is recalling diesel versions of the 2003 Excursion SUV and heavy-duty F-Series trucks, all with 6.0-liter engines, because a loose electrical attachment creates a fire hazard. The action affects 84,000 vehicles.
* Ford Motor Co. is also recalling 24,000 2004 Ford Taurus, Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Sable cars because an improperly welded power-adjustable seat may not support loads during a crash.
* Ford is recalling 1,400 2004 Ranger pickups because a frame rail could puncture the fuel tank. The company will replace recalled pickups that fail an inspection.
* GM is recalling 2004 models of the Cadillac CRS, SRX and XLR, and Chevrolet Corvette, because a stud in the suspension can disengage, disrupting steering and possibly reducing braking performance. The action affects 42,000 vehicles.
* GM is recalling 2004 models of the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, and Pontiac Grand Prix, because loose front brake calipers interfere with normal steering and braking. The move involves 48,000 cars.
* GM is recalling 30,000 2002-model GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada SUVs with electronic air suspension. An electrical spike from the suspension can disrupt the powertrain control module, which could stall the vehicle and prevent it from restarting.
* GM is recalling 2,900 copies of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic and Pontiac Grand Am because the fuel tank can leak gasoline.
* Subaru is recalling 2,000 2005-model Outback wagons because the side airbag curtains do not deploy fully or quickly enough.
* Chrysler Group is recalling 20,000 copies of the 2005 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum because a loose battery cable can present a fire hazard. The company will also check 12,000 of the vehicles for front shoulder belts that could detach in a crash.
* Jeep is recalling 1,600 2004-model Liberty SUVs with 3.7-liter engines because damage to the wiring can cause a fire.
* Chrysler Group and Mitsubishi are recalling the 2004 Chrysler Sebring Coupe, Dodge Stratus Coupe, Mitsubishi Eclipse and Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder because they can leak gasoline. The recall affects 7,000 cars.
* Mitsubishi is recalling 29,000 2004-model Endeavor SUVs with all-wheel drive because the rear driveshaft can come loose.
* Mitsubishi is recalling 44,000 2002-04 Montero SUVs because gas can leak from the fuel-leveling valve.
* Nissan is recalling 32,000 2004-model Maxima sedans with glass-panel roofs because the glass can shatter.
By Harry Stoffer
Automotive News
WASHINGTON ? Thirteen thousand owners of 2004 Lexus LS 430 sedans are entitled to new transmissions, according to Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.
Toyota said a part in the planetary gear assembly can break during acceleration and disable the parking gear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the defect creates a risk of rollaway crashes.
That was one of two newly announced recalls for the top-of-the-line Lexus sedan, NHTSA records show. Lexus dealers also will replace fuel pumps in about 14,000 2004-model LS 430s.
Alcohol in some fuels ? such as an ethanol additive ? can cause a pump impeller to deform and contact the pump body. This leads to pump failure, the company says.
Another luxury maker, Volvo, is recalling about 105,000 sedans because their gasoline tanks may leak. The move affects 1994-97 Volvo 850 sedans.
Volvo Cars of North America Inc. said new heat-shield mounting bushings will be installed on all affected cars, and fuel tanks will be replaced if they have begun to leak.
Volvo said the problem develops only after the cars have prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
In another case, NHTSA says Kia Motors America Inc. is recalling about 263,000 cars and sport utility vehicles because seat belts are not latching properly.
When the buckle is engaged, it makes a clicking sound that leads users to believe the buckle is fastened, when in fact it is not.
Kia told NHTSA that dealers will replace both front-seat belt buckles in 1999 and 2000 Sephias and Sportages and in 2000 Spectras.
Here are other recalls planned by automakers and reported by NHTSA:
* Honda is recalling 131,000 CR-V SUVs because improper driver airbag wiring increases the risk of injury in some kinds of crashes. The SUVs are from the 2002-04 model years.
* Honda is also recalling 20,000 2000-01 Accord cars because the dimmer control can fail, causing loss of instrument panel illumination.
* Honda is recalling 7,000 2000-model S2000 roadsters because the lenses for side markers and taillight reflects can fade.
* Ford is recalling diesel versions of the 2003 Excursion SUV and heavy-duty F-Series trucks, all with 6.0-liter engines, because a loose electrical attachment creates a fire hazard. The action affects 84,000 vehicles.
* Ford Motor Co. is also recalling 24,000 2004 Ford Taurus, Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Sable cars because an improperly welded power-adjustable seat may not support loads during a crash.
* Ford is recalling 1,400 2004 Ranger pickups because a frame rail could puncture the fuel tank. The company will replace recalled pickups that fail an inspection.
* GM is recalling 2004 models of the Cadillac CRS, SRX and XLR, and Chevrolet Corvette, because a stud in the suspension can disengage, disrupting steering and possibly reducing braking performance. The action affects 42,000 vehicles.
* GM is recalling 2004 models of the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, and Pontiac Grand Prix, because loose front brake calipers interfere with normal steering and braking. The move involves 48,000 cars.
* GM is recalling 30,000 2002-model GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada SUVs with electronic air suspension. An electrical spike from the suspension can disrupt the powertrain control module, which could stall the vehicle and prevent it from restarting.
* GM is recalling 2,900 copies of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic and Pontiac Grand Am because the fuel tank can leak gasoline.
* Subaru is recalling 2,000 2005-model Outback wagons because the side airbag curtains do not deploy fully or quickly enough.
* Chrysler Group is recalling 20,000 copies of the 2005 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum because a loose battery cable can present a fire hazard. The company will also check 12,000 of the vehicles for front shoulder belts that could detach in a crash.
* Jeep is recalling 1,600 2004-model Liberty SUVs with 3.7-liter engines because damage to the wiring can cause a fire.
* Chrysler Group and Mitsubishi are recalling the 2004 Chrysler Sebring Coupe, Dodge Stratus Coupe, Mitsubishi Eclipse and Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder because they can leak gasoline. The recall affects 7,000 cars.
* Mitsubishi is recalling 29,000 2004-model Endeavor SUVs with all-wheel drive because the rear driveshaft can come loose.
* Mitsubishi is recalling 44,000 2002-04 Montero SUVs because gas can leak from the fuel-leveling valve.
* Nissan is recalling 32,000 2004-model Maxima sedans with glass-panel roofs because the glass can shatter.
I think you were just trying to bait me 
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