Weekly NHTSA defects investigations/watch outs

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Nothing reported for this week

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Mazda 2004-2006 RX-8 with manual transmission: clutch pedal trapped behind brake pedal:

NHTSA Action Number : PE09045
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
MAZDA / RX-8 2004-2006

Manufacturer : MAZDA MOTOR CORP
Component :
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/LINKAGE
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Date Investigation Opened : September 23, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED 40 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BRACKET. FIFTEEN OF THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THE BRACKET FAILURE OCCURRED AS THEY WERE DRIVING AND CREATED A VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AS THEY WERE UNABLE TO ENGAGE ANY GEAR. TWO COMPLAINANTS ALSO ALLEGED INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL OCCURRED WHEN APPLYING THE CLUTCH PEDAL AS A RESULT OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET FAILURE. ONE OF THESE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME TRAPPED BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BRACKET.

Ford 2005 F-150: airbag deploys at ignition start:

NHTSA Action Number : PE09046
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
FORD / F-150 2005
FORD / F150 2005

Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component :
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE
Date Investigation Opened : September 24, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
ODI HAS RECEIVED EIGHT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF 2005 FORD F-150 PICKUP VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED DURING IGNITION START OR SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE HAD STARTED. FIVE OF THE EIGHT COMPLAINANTS ALLEGEDLY SUFFERED INJURIES FROM THE INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ONE COMPLAINANT (VOQ 10231591) STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, WHEN SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. BELIEVING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, SHE THEN JUMP OUT OF THE VEHICLE (WHILE STILL IN REVERSE) AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO SOME LANDSCAPE BUSHES RESULTING IN OVER $3,000 IN VEHICLE DAMAGE. OTHER INJURIES RANGED FROM BRUISED CHEST AND NECK TO SKIN ABRASION TO THE ARM REGION. A SERVICING TECHNICIAN TOLD SOME OWNERS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS DUE TO A WIRE CHAFFING ISSUE. INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR INJURIES.

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Thomas Built 2007-2010 EF school buses: accelerator pedal catches on scuff plate:

NHTSA Action Number : PE09047
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
THOMAS BUILT BUSES / EF 2007-2010

Manufacturer : FREIGHTLINER LLC
Component :
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Date Investigation Opened : September 30, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
A FLEET SUPERVISOR SUBMITTED A VOQ ON A MODEL YEAR 2008 THOMAS BUILT "EF" SCHOOL BUS AND REPORTED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL STICK AND WON'T RELEASE. THIS PHENOMENOM OCCURRED ON ONE OF THE FLEET BUSES AND THE DRIVER HAD TO FREE THE PEDAL BY HAND. AN INSPECTION SHOWS THAT THE PEDAL PIVOTS ON AN ARM AND CAN BE PUSHED DOWN FROM THE TOP WHICH WOULD EXTEND THE BOTTOM OF THE PEDAL OUTWARDS TOWARDS THE DRIVER. OR, THE PEDAL CAN BE PUSHED DOWNWARD AT THE BASE WHICH CAUSES THE TOP PORTION OF THE PEDAL TO EXTEND UP. PUSHING AT THE PEDAL'S BASE WILL CAUSE IT TO STICK AT THE METAL SCUFF PLATE (ON THE FLOOR) WITHOUT RELEASING. THIS CAUSES A STUCK THROTTLE AT THE FULL OPEN POSITION. THE REPORTING FLEET CURRENTLY HAS TWELVE MY 2008 AND TWO MY 2010 BUSES, ALL OF WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A STUCK PEDAL. A SECOND FLEET WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON THREE OF THEIR BUSES. THIS INVESTIGATION IS OPENED TO FURTHER EVALUATE THIS ISSUE.

Saab 2005 9-3: front seat belt retractor:

NHTSA Action Number : PE09048
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
SAAB / 9-3 2004

Manufacturer : SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Component :
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Date Investigation Opened : September 30, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
ODI HAS RECEIVED FIVE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS BREAKING ON MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES. THE COMMON SCENARIO INVOLVES THE DRIVER HEARING A NOISE AND THE BELT SUDDENLY LOSING TENSION. A NON-FUNCTIONING SEAT BELT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY AND THE SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. GENERAL MOTORS INITIATED A RECALL IN MAY 2004 (04V226) TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IN 25,355 MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 5,980 MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RETRACTORS MIGHT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE SUPPLIER'S MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THAT RECALL DID NOT COVER ALL MODEL YEAR 2004 9-3 VEHICLES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT PROMPTED THIS NEW INVESTIGATION.

Toyota 2000-2001 Tundra: severe frame corrosion causing loss of spare & broken brake lines:

NHTSA Action Number : PE09049
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
TOYOTA / TUNDRA 2000-2001

Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Component :
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Date Investigation Opened : October 6, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 20 REPORTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT RELATE TO SPARE TIRE SEPARATION AND BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES AS A RESULT OF SEVERE FRAME CORROSION. THERE HAVE BEEN 15 REPORTS ALLEGING THE UNDER BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE REAR CROSSMEMBER AND FIVE REPORTS ALLEGING BROKEN BRAKE LINES AT THE PROPORTIONING VALVE LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE REAR CROSSMEMBER AT THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT.

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Thomas Built 2009-2010 Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses: rear suspension bolts:

NHTSA Action Number : PE09050
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
THOMAS BUILT BUSES / SAF-T-LINER C2 2009-2010

Manufacturer : FREIGHTLINER LLC
Component :
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER/BRACKET
Date Investigation Opened : October 7, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
TWO SCHOOL BUS FLEETS HAVE INFORMED ODI THAT THEY HAVE FOUND LOOSE BOLTS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARMS OF THE AIR RIDE SUSPENSION ON SEVERAL OF THEIR BUSES. ODI HAS VISITED THE LOCAL DEALER AND CONFIRMED THE LOOSE BOLTS. IF THESE BOLTS FAIL AND SEPARATE, THE REAR SUSPENSION CAN SHIFT, ALLOWING THE REAR END HOUSING TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THIS COULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INVESTIGATION IS OPENED TO GAIN A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THIS ISSUE AND POSSIBLE SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS.

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Honda 2007-2008 Odyssey: spongy brakes:

NHTSA Action Number : EA09014
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years: HONDA / ODYSSEY 2007-2008

Manufacturer : HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Component :
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Date Investigation Opened : October 19, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED 62 COMPLAINTS, AND HONDA HAS RECEIVED 574 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS, ALLEGING LOW/SOFT/SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 AND 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVANS. TWENTY-SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS WERE ALSO REPORTED TO HONDA, RESULTING IN A TOTAL COMPLAINT COUNT OF 610. SOME COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE CONDITION RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES, INCLUDING SOME REPORTS OF ROLLING PAST STOP SIGNS OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THERE ARE 10 ALLEGED CRASHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-024, HONDA INDICATED THAT SMALL AMOUNTS OF AIR MAY ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM DURING INITIAL DIAGNOSTICS OF THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) MODULATOR WHILE THE PUMP IS BRIEFLY ACTUATED FOR SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED. THE AMOUNT OF AIR GRADUALLY INCREASES WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE ENGINE START CYCLE, RESULTING IN PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING BRAKE PEDAL STROKE. ACCORDING TO HONDA, THE CONDITION DOES NOT PRESENT A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY BECAUSE "THE PEDAL STROKE GRADUALLY INCREASES, PROVIDING THE DRIVER WITH INFORMATION THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT IS CHANGING AND REQUIRES ATTENTION." HONDA HAS FURTHER INDICATED THAT THERE IS NO DETERIORATION OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE CAUSED BY THE SUBJECT CONDITION, EVEN THOUGH THE PEDAL HEIGHT AND FEEL ARE DIFFERENT, UNTIL PEDAL STROKE HAS REACHED THE END OF TRAVEL AND THE DRIVER CANNOT PRODUCE ANY ADDITIONAL BRAKE LINE PRESSURE. HONDA STATES THAT IT IS UNAWARE OF ANY VEHICLES THAT HAVE REACHED SUCH A CONDITION AND HONDA TESTING USING A LEAKING FIELD RETURN MODULATOR INDICATES THAT IT WOULD TAKE OVER A YEAR BEFORE THE PEDAL TRAVEL WOULD REACH ITS LIMIT DURING HARD STOPS WITH 200 N (45 LBF) OF PEDAL EFFORT - THE NOMINAL FORCE REQUIRED TO REACH ABS BRAKING MODE. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT THE MY 2007-08 ODYSSEY VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATE (0.67%) THAN THE MY 2006 ODYSSEY (0.04%), WHICH HAS A DIFFERENT VSA DIAGNOSTIC PROGRAM THAN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

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Nothing reported for this week

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Honda 2001 Civic, Honda 2001-2002 Accord, Acura 2001 TL: air bag inflator creates dangerous shrapnel on deployment:

NHTSA Action Number : RQ09004
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
ACURA / TL 2002
HONDA / ACCORD 2001-2002
HONDA / CIVIC 2001

Manufacturer : HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Component :
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE
Date Investigation Opened : November 2, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
IN A LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 11, 2008, HONDA REPORTED THAT IT HAD DECIDED (ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008) THAT CERTAIN 2001 MODEL YEAR HONDA ACCORD AND CIVIC VEHICLES WERE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATOR IN THOSE VEHICLES COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE. IN A DEPLOYMENT, THE INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE AND METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG'S CUSHION, STRIKING AND POTENTIALLY INJURING OR KILLING OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS RECALL WAS ASSIGNED THE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 08V-593. IN A LETTER DATED JUNE 30, 2009, HONDA REPORTED THAT IT HAD DECIDED (ON JUNE 23, 2009) THAT ADDITIONAL MY 2001 HONDA AND CIVIC VEHICLES CONTAINED THE SAME DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS RECALL WAS ASSIGNED THE IDENTIFICATION 09V-259. ONE MONTH LATER, HONDA DECIDED THAT MORE VEHICLES CONTAINED THE DEFECT AND EXPANDED THE CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE CERTAIN MY 2002 HONDA ACCORD AND ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE ADDED TO RECALL 09V-259. RMD REQUESTED INFORMATION FROM HONDA CONCERNING THE DETERMINATION OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION FOR BOTH CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY CLAIMS, AND INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE VEHICLES IN EACH CAMPAIGN. ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009, HONDA PROVIDED ITS RESPONSE, INCLUDING AN EXPLANATION THAT THE DEFECT WAS SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE HANDLING OF THE AIR BAG PROPELLANT, AND THEN DUE TO THE PRODUCTION OF THAT PROPELLANT. HONDA EXPLAINED THAT TAKATA, INC. WAS THE SUPPLIER OF THE AIR BAGS, INCLUDING THE INFLATORS AND PROPELLANT. RMD REQUIRES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM HONDA AND TAKATA TO MORE FULLY EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND TIMELINESS OF BOTH RECALLS. ACCORDINGLY, THIS RQ IS OPENED.

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Jeep 1993-2004 Grand Cherokee: fuel tank leaks:

NHTSA Action Number : DP09005
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
JEEP / GRAND CHEROKEE 1993-2004

Manufacturer : CHRYSLER LLC Component :
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Date Investigation Opened : November 6, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
IN A LETTER DATED OCTOBER 2, 2009, THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY (CAS)PETITIONED NHTSA TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION AND RECALL MODEL YEAR 1993-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES. CAS ALLEGES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK STORAGE SYSTEMS THAT PRESENT FIRE HAZARDS IN CRASHES. CAS ALLEGES THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK IS SUBJECT TO DEGRADATION AND RUPTURE. CAS ALLEGES THAT THE TANK'S PLACEMENT BEHIND THE REAR AXLE AND BELOW THE REAR BUMPER, AND THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SHIELDING MAKES IT MORE VULNERABLE DURING CRASHES TO IMPACTS FROM OTHER VEHICLES, VEHICLE COMPONENTS FROM THE GRAND CHEROKEE ITSELF, OR, IN THE CASE OF ROLLOVER CRASHES, FROM OTHER OBJECTS. CAS ALSO ALLEGES THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK TEARS OFF IN CRASHES. ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 12 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQS) FOR MODEL YEAR 1993-2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES REPORTING A VEHICLE CRASH THAT ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED EITHER A FUEL TANK LEAK AND/OR A FIRE POTENTIALLY RELATED TO A FUEL TANK LEAK. OF THE 12 VOQS, 10 INVOLVED FIRES AND TWO INVOLVED FUEL LEAKS WITHOUT FIRE. ODI HAS OPENED A DEFECT PETITION TO ASSESS WHETHER THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT OPENING A SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE ALLEGED DEFECTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

BMW 2009 K1300 GT & K1300 S motorcycles: stalling when preparing to shift:

NHTSA Action Number : PE09052
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BMW / K1300 GT 2009
BMW / K1300 S 2009

Manufacturer : BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Component :
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Date Investigation Opened : November 6, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
OWNERS REPORT MOTORCYCLE STALLING WHILE UNDERWAY, TYPICALLY WHILE ROLLING OFF THE THROTTLE TO SHIFT.

International 2004 CE school buses: fires from battery cable rubbing on parking brake:

NHTSA Action Number : PE09053
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
INTERNATIONAL / CE 2004

Manufacturer : NAVISTAR, INC
Component :
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES
Date Investigation Opened : November 9, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
ODI IS AWARE OF TWO BUS FIRES THAT RESULTED FROM THE BATTERY/STARTER CABLE RUBBING AGAINST THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. ODI HAS VISITED THE FLEET, INSPECTED THE BUSES, AND FOUND OTHER BUSES WITH THE EARLY STAGES OF WIRE/CABLE ABRADING. ODI CONTACTED ANOTHER FLEET WITH SIMILAR BUSES AND THEY ALSO IDENTIFIED ABRADING WIRE/CABLES. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO ONLY AFFECT THE 2004 MODEL DUE TO DESIGN CHANGES IN PRIOR AND POST MODEL YEAR BUSES. THIS PE IS OPENED TO STUDY THE ISSUE FURTHER.

Ford 2005-2005 Freestar & Mercury 2004-2005 Monterey: transmission failures:

NHTSA Action Number : EA09016
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
FORD / FREESTAR 2004-2005
MERCURY / MONTEREY 2004-2005

Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component :
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
Date Investigation Opened : November 10, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
ODI HAS RECEIVED 227 OWNER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER DUE TO AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. OF THOSE COMPLAINTS, 124 CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT SPLINES STRIPPING CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN. THE REMAINING 103 COMPLAINTS EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER BUT THE SPECIFIC INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT KNOWN. ODI IS CONTINUING TO ASSES THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

BMW F650 & F650 GS motorcycles: stalling while underway in rain:
(Sorry, no model year information provided, so your guess is as good as mine as to what model years from the 1993-2008 production of these motorcycles might actually be involved. Research documents not provided, and I will not pay $45.00 an hour and 10 cents per page for the research documents with the information!)

NHTSA Action Number : PE09051
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BMW / F650 9999
BMW / F650GS 9999

Manufacturer : BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Component :
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Date Investigation Opened : November 5, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
OWNERS REPORT SUDDEN ENGINE STALL WHILE UNDERWAY, TYPICALLY DURING HEAVY RAIN.

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Nothing reported for this week.

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Kia 2007-2008 Sorento: airbag software:

NHTSA Action Number : EA09017
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
KIA / SORENTO 2007-2008

Manufacturer : HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC Component :
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
Date Investigation Opened : November 19, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
KIA REPORTS THAT FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE UPDATE OF 11/27/2007, THE VEHICLES CAN IMPROPERLY CLASSIFY AN ADULT AS A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT AND THUS ILLUMINATE THE "AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT AND SUPPRESS THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIRBAG. ON MAY 12, 2009, KIA LAUNCHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB076) CAMPAIGN TO "RE-FLASH" ALL VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE 11/27/2007 PRODUCTION DATE. KIA ALSO BELIEVES THAT OCCUPANT MOVEMENT AND OUT OF POSITION SEATING CONTRIBUTED TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. THERE WAS ONE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT CRASH THAT RESULTED IN 1 MINOR INJURY OF A BELTED ADULT PASSENGER OCCUPANT AS A RESULT OF THE "AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED AND THUS SUPPRESSING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS OPENED TO FURTHER EXAMINE THIS ISSUE.