There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters.
We try to boil down it to the most important bits and pieces -- the recalls, service bulletins, and lawsuits that can help you solve you car problems. Interested in getting these quick story bits as an email? Signup over at CarComplaints.com.
But news of another death caused by the defective inflators has the community on edge.
keep reading article "Takata Airbag Death Toll at 9""NHTSA says the death occurred to a teenage boy who was behind the wheel of a 2001 Honda Accord. Early reports suggest the boy was only 13 and had taken the car for an unauthorized joy ride, running off the road and striking a tree."
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, no seriously --- what the heck were you guys thinking?…
keep reading article "VW and Audi Busted by EPA. Again."**Sp
aking in front of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, VW USA CEO, Michael Horn, didn't have much good news to share. Horn said he believes each vehicle will require 5 to 10 hours of work to bring the cars legal according to the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, Mr. Horn said it's possible repairs on the cars could cost more than the value of the cars.
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The suit claims Volkswagen and Audi have violated California's Unfair Competition Law and is particularly upset about the brash "clean diesel" campaign that fooled consumers.…
keep reading article "California Lawsuit Filed Against VW over ‘Clean Diesels'"The company used a "defeat device" to get around EPA emissions standards for air pollution.
"The EPA says the "defeat device" is sophisticated software on VW cars that detects when the car is going through official emissions testing. When the software recognizes an official test is underway, it turns on full emissions controls to make it appear the emission standards are within the rules. Once the official tests are completed, the emission controls are decreased during normal driving."…
keep reading article "Uh Oh. VW (and Audi) Caught Cheating on Diesel Emissions"
If you notice a power steering light illuminate on the instrument panel, prepare for a possible loss of power steering assist. [Audi] says a call should immediately be placed to a dealership to have the SUV inspected. Dealers will check for problems in the steering motor sensor.
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A lawsuit was filed against Audi accusing them of manufacturing engines that chug through pints of oil like a sailor in port. In court, Audi didn't deny the issue but instead argued why it didn't matter.…
keep reading article "Audi Oil Consumption Lawsuit Approved After 3 Years"The investigation lasted 4 years and had VW's full cooperation.
The pumps seemed fine and even came with built-in margins for fuels that were slightly out of specification. What the pumps couldn't handle is owners filling up their diesel engines with gasoline.…
keep reading article "Hey, Stop Putting Gas in Your Diesel Engines"But whenever there's reports of fuel leaking out of cars they start to move like someone lit a fire under their butt. That's because, well ... there might actually be real fires soon.…
keep reading article "Gas Leaks Prompt Recall"It's one of my Uncle's favorites, along with "don't look a gift horse in the mouth." I still don't know what a gift horse is or why I'd look it in the mouth, but I digress. Anyway, it turns out some things you don't know can hurt you and here's one example.…
keep reading article "Leaking Fuel Injectors Recalled"The best way to find out what's wrong with a vehicle is from the people who drive them. Not only do owner complaints help us rank vehicles by reliability, but they're often used to spark class-action lawsuits and warranty extensions. Plus, they're a great way to vent.