Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Small recall for big suspension issue on 2008 Honda Element]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/small-recall-for-big-issue-with-suspension-of-2008-honda-element/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/small-recall-for-big-issue-with-suspension-of-2008-honda-element/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/19/small-recall-for-big-issue-with-suspension-of-2008-honda-element/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

All owners of 2008 Honda Elements are being asked to stop driving their cars until they have had them inspected at their local Honda dealer. According to a recall issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the front bushing bracket of the left trailing arm of the rear suspension may have been improperly welded. If it fails, it could separate from the trailing arm causing the suspension to release part of the wheel hub, thus leading to a loss of control or crash. Although only 241 Elements are potentially affected (there are specific VIN number ranges during certain production dates), Honda is notifying all owners immediately and will inspect and replace defective parts at no charge. Rather than taking a risk, err on the side of safety and call your Honda dealer if you've got the keys to a 2008 Element in your pocket.

UPDATE: According to Honda spokesman Chris Martin all the affected owners were already notified before this story was published. Approximately half of the affected vehicles were unsold and sitting on dealer lots. Those have already been repaired. If you haven't already heard from Honda than you should be fine.

[Source: NHTSA via Carscoop]

Small recall for big suspension issue on 2008 Honda Element originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20082008 honda element recall2008HondaElementRecallbrokenbushing bracketBushingBracketElementHondaRecallSuspensiontrailing armTrailingArmweldTue, 19 Aug 2008 14:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1288620/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/08/19/small-recall-for-big-issue-with-suspension-of-2008-honda-element/1288620/article-detail.xml 1288620 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/2008_element_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/2008_element_450.jpg <![CDATA[Catalytic Converters: Thieves target the pod of precious metal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/16/catalytic-converters-thieves-target-the-pod-of-precious-metal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/16/catalytic-converters-thieves-target-the-pod-of-precious-metal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/16/catalytic-converters-thieves-target-the-pod-of-precious-metal/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bulging in the exhaust system like a rabbit deep in the belly of a boa, the catalytic converter cleans engine fumes before they are released into the air. To the inexperienced, the oversized metal cylinder looks rather uninteresting. To a thief, it is a pod of precious metal worth nearly $200 on the black market.

Catalytic converters are loaded with small amounts of precious metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium. When combined with hot exhaust gasses, a chemical reaction detoxifies the pollutants (this all happens without any trip to a Malibu clinic). All the average Joe really needs to know is that every car and truck is supposed to have one.

This low-lying fruit for the criminals hangs within easy reach under many sport-utility vehicles. Sitting taller than your average passenger car, their cats are easy to steal, and often don't even require the vehicle to be lifted for access. According to police, the Toyota 4Runner and Kia Sportage are the running favorites.

Unless it is your normal dwelling, there is no need to sleep underneath your vehicle with a shotgun; innovative consumers have found that spot-welding the catalytic converter to the rest of the exhaust system has proven to be an effective deterrent.

[Source: MSNBC via Winding Road]

Catalytic Converters: Thieves target the pod of precious metal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>catalytic converterCatalyticConverterKia SportageKiaSportagestolenthiefToyota 4RunnerToyota4runnerweldSat, 16 Feb 2008 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1116504/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/02/16/catalytic-converters-thieves-target-the-pod-of-precious-metal/1116504/article-detail.xml 1116504 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/converter_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/converter_opt.jpg -1 2