We'd wager that the last thing Toyota wants in the midst of the super-important launch of its new third-generation Prius is a negative stigma attached to the previous model. Unfortunately, that's exactly what the Japanese automaker may have on its hands as a number of owners of the 2005-2008 Toyota Prius with the HID headlight option are banding together on online forums, message boards and in possible class action lawsuits against the automaker in relation to failing headlamps.

According to Advertising Age, these HID headlight bulbs and their associated electronics can sometimes cost well over $1,000 to replace after they've gone faulty, and Toyota is unwilling to pick up the tab. At least one lawsuit has reportedly been filed last month by Girard Gibbs in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on behalf of a Putnam County, N.Y., Prius owner. The suit contends that the problem is a "dangerous but undisclosed safety defect" and alleges that "Toyota is concealing the problems from owners" despite having been "long been aware of Prius' HID headlight problem." It's possible that the suit will get class-action status.

The NHTSA has reportedly filed a preliminary investigation into the issue and contacted Toyota on May 13 regarding 338 complaints it has received so far from Prius owners about the HID headlamps. Spokesmen from Toyota have said the automaker is cooperating with the NHTSA investigation, which may or may not end up calling for an official recall.



[Source: Advertising Age]

Some 44,451 Saturn Vue models from the 2008 model year are being recalled, and yours might be a part of the action if it has body-color door handles. What's the deal? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the handles may stick, preventing the door from properly latching.

NHTSA says an unbelted occupant could tumble out of the vehicle as a result of a door that refuses to latch, though one has to figure that you're sort of asking for it by ignoring the safety gear. In any circumstance, doors that pop open aren't acceptable, so the 44,451 vehicles affected will be give chrome door handles by dealers at no charge to customers. The recall goes into full effect by August 18th, plenty of time to get a can of Nevr-Dull to keep those shiny handles looking their best.



[Source: NHTSA]

It shouldn't come as a surprise that a vehicle as innovative as the three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder would face a few teething problems within its first few years on the market. Unfortunately, one particular aspect of the machine's power steering system has reportedly caused at least three injuries, though none have so far been life threatening. To remedy the apparent defect, Can-Am has agreed to voluntarily recall some 12,500 Spyders (9,932 of them sold in the United States) that were manufactured between July 2007 and May 2009.

The recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which can be viewed here, seems a bit ambiguous on the actual cause or effect of the steering problem, saying only that "the operator of an involved vehicle may need to exert a force greater than expected to initiate the turning of the steering handlebar off centre in order to correct vehicle drift from a straight line path." Uh-huh. Company spokeswoman Johanne Denault shed a little more light on the problem when she told The Canadian Press, "The vehicle is not going to start zig zagging, it's only a small drift."

"Small drift" or not, owners of possibly affected units are urged to contact Bombardier Recreational Products at 1-866-767-0707 or see their local dealers for a free inspection and replacement of the affected bits. Kongsberg Inc., suppliers of the Spyder's power steering system, will reportedly pay for repairs. We've reached out to BRP to see if we could obtain a more thorough explanation of the problem or the intended solution, but we've not yet heard back.



[Sources: NHTSA; The Canadian Press]

The 2001-2004 Kia Optima is being recalled in several states for corrosion of the front subframe. The recall covers some 36,538 examples sold in the U.S. in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia – all areas typically noted for being high rust threats due to their difficult winters and use of road salt.

According to the recall, internal corrosion of the front subframe can weaken the mounting points near the lower control arm, leading to everything from irregular tire wear to abnormal stress levels in the system that may contribute to a cras.

The recall begins this month, but neither Kia nor NHTSA have outlined a potential fix in the recall notice posted after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA]

If you own a 2009 Mazda3 with stability control, you may need to schedule some time at the local Mazda store for repairs. Mazda is recalling 7,100 2009 models for a problem with its Dynamic Stability Control system that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says is not in compliance with federal motor safety standards. NHTSA says the issue is that "the yaw rate measured after completion of the sine with dwell steering input exceeded the test standards." Sounds complicated.

Mazda hasn't yet given a timetable for owner notification, but 2009 Mazda3 owners can call 1-800-222-5500 to see if their vehicle is affected by the recall. Any Mazda dealership will be able to inspect and replace the stability control system free of charge. Hit the jump to read the official NHTSA press release.

[Source: NHTSA]

Tesla Motors has announced its first-ever recall, affecting all 345 Roadsters the Silicon Valley automaker produced in 2008. According to the official recall notice from the NHTSA, the rear hub flange bolts on some vehicles may not be torqued to proper specifications, which could lead to "degredation in vehicle handling and a rubbing noise from the rear of the vehicle." That, as you would imagine, would be bad, and if left unresolved could result in a crash.

The problem can be traced back to the Lotus factory in Hethel, England where the Roadster's main chassis is constructed before being shipped to the States to have its electric drivetrain installed. This being the case, Lotus has issued its own matching recall on the 27 Elises and Exiges that have shipped so far in 2009. As always, you are advised to contact the manufacturer as soon as possible if you've yet to be notified of the recall.



[Source: NHTSA - Tesla | Lotus]

When opening a door, one expects to grab the handle and pull without the risk of injury. If you own a 2002 or 2003 Hyundai Sonata with chrome handles, you may not have that luxury, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As a result, Hyundai is recalling 91,000 Sonatas because the chrome plating on the upper edge of the interior handle may wear, "causing cracking or separation between the chrome plating on the inboard and outboard surfaces of the handle." NHTSA says the sharp edge can cause "laceration injuries to anyone using the door handle." Ouch.

Sonata owners can take their vehicle to any Hyundai dealership to have their handles repaired free of charge beginning in June. To find out if your car is eligible for the repair, call 1-800-633-5151. Hit the jump to view the official press release.

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

General Motors may have already buried its Pontiac division, but the brand's recent passing isn't stopping a posthumous recall campaign by the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The action, which covers some 35,038 Pontiac G8 sedans from the 2008 and 2009 model years, stems from two potential issues:

1) The brake pedal position switch may be incorrectly programmed, which NHTSA says could lead to the brake lamps operating in a constant state of illumination, leaving trailing motorists unable to tell whether the G8 driver ahead of them is stepping on the binders or not. The defective taillamps could therefore contribute to an accident.

2) In another programming issue, certain G8s make have tire pressure monitoring systems loaded with incorrect values, which could result in the system failing to identify under-inflated tires, potentially leading to reduced handling abilities and/or tire failure.

According to NHTSA, Pontiac dealers will reprogram the brake position sensor and the remote control door lock receiver to remedy both issues. G8 drivers can expect the recall to begin by June 5, and anxious owners can call GM at 1-800-620-7668 to learn more. Thanks for the tip, Peter!



Live photos copyright ©2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: NHTSA]

Volkswagen has announced that it will recall some 25,594 examples of its 2006-2009 Jetta over a potential driveshaft issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cars with the company's 2.0-liter inline-four may have driveshaft cover plates that weren't manufactured properly, with the consequence that their screws may not be torqued correctly. If the screws back out, drivers may experience a knocking sound while in motion. In the extreme, the driveshaft could conceivably detach from the gearbox, which could cause all kinds of problems that might lead to a crash.

Owners of 2006-2009 Jettas with the 2.0-liter engine should contact their VW dealer for a free inspection and/or replacement of the screws. Affected parties can also contact Volkswagen directly at 1-800-822-8987 to learn more. The recall is set to officially begin on June 19, 2009. The full NHTSA report is after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA]

Nissan has announced that they are recalling some 360,000 first generation Murano CUVs because of an engine stall risk. Apparently, the material they used for their air intake ducts is prematurely aging and shrinking, causing a separation risk in the system. That separation can cause an engine stall, "increasing the risk of a crash." The affected models are the 2003 through 2007 Nissan Muranos.

Anyone with one of those models should contact their Nissan service rep to arrange a free inspection and/or repair. Customers can also call Nissan directly at 1-800-647-7261. The parts for the recall should be available in great enough quantity by July 6, when the recall officially begins. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's full press release is after the jump.

This is just the latest in a string of recalls for the popular first-gen Nissan Murano, following seat belt, fuel tank, and electrical problems. Hat tip to Art!

[Source: NHTSA]