SEPTEMBER 2011 -- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Impreza, model year 2003-2008 Forester, and model year 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles manufactured from September 5, 2000 through November 26, 2007 originally sold, or currently registered in, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Subaru dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2011.   11V-464

NEWS:   U.S. probes gas gauges in 865,000 GM vehicles

DETROIT FREE PRESS -- April 29,  2011 – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into whether nearly 1 million General Motors vehicles may have faulty gas gauges.

“Consumers have reported incidents of inaccurate and random fuel level reading while driving, resulting in the vehicle running out of fuel and causing vehicle stall with no restart,” NHTSA investigators said in their formal document opening the probe.

GM spokesman ...said the Detroit automaker planned to “work with NHTSA and was cooperating in the investigation.”

The agency estimates 865,000 vehicles could be affected, and NHTSA said it has received “668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.”

Of those complaints, 58 involved stalls, and 43 were stalls where a driver specifically reported that it was “because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank.”

NHTSA said at least one crash allegedly took place when a vehicle ran out of gas, when it “stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.”

The safety agency said the complaints they were receiving showed “an apparent increasing trend” of the problem, with “most complaints received within the past year.”

What NHTSA terms a preliminary evaluation has been opened this week “to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.”

NHTSA spokeswoman...told the Free Press there is “no set timetable” for how long the initial phase of the investigation could take. She said government officials would seek information from GM and ultimately decide whether to elevate the investigation into what’s known as an engineering analysis.

NHTSA spokeswoman declined to provide more specific details on the cases involved.

GM spokesman ...said the Detroit automaker had received NHTSA’s formal notification document about the preliminary probe, but had not yet received detailed questions from the agency about the potential gas gauge problem. He said those would likely be sent to GM by the government within the next couple of weeks.

MORE RECALL INFO:   

• 2005-07 - Chevrolet Trailblazer
• 2005-07 - GMC Envoy
• 2005-07 - Buick Rainier
• 2005-07 - Saab 9-7x

JANUARY 2011 - Saab is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured from June 2010 through December 2010. Certain fuel pumps installed as original equipment may have internal components with incorrect specifications. The subject fuel pumps can seize causing the engine to stall which increases the risk of a crash. Saab will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about February 18, 2011. Owners may contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007. Saab's recall campaign number is 15029. 11V-015

FEBRUARY 2010 -- General Motors is recalling certain model year 2004 SAAB 9-3 sedans. Some of these vehicles were produced with front seat belt retractors that, over time, could fail to retract. Using a seat belt that has not retracted, and in the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury. Dealers will replace the driver side retractor free of charge. If the front passenger retractor were to fail to retract, GM will replace the front passenger retractor free of charge under a special coverage that will be released for the same population for 10 years from new vehicle date of sale. The safety recall is expected to begin during March 2010.  10V-043

APRIL 2008 -- Saab is recalling 57,389 MY 2002-2008 9-5 Series vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact." During compliance testing, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard's requirements. In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur. Dealers will install A-pillar trim with improved energy-absorbing capability free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2008. Owners may contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007. This recall was the subject of an investigation, PE-201-20080328, conducted by the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. 08V-160