Friday, December 30, 2011

Honda Issues a Single Number Recall on 2012MY Odyssey Minivan



If you happen to follow the automaker recall notes, you may notice that quite often they involve a specific batch of models, be that for a parts defect or an error during the assembly of a car.

In Honda's case, the safety recall involves only nine Odyssey minivans from the 2012 model year, built from October 31, 2011, through November 30, 2011.

The reason why the Japanese automaker issued this recall is that the retention nut for the front right lower suspension damper bolt may not have been tightened to the proper torque, which could allow the nut to loosen.

Honda says that if that were to occur, the front hub assembly would only be attached by one bolt, allowing the wheel assembly to shift to an extreme inward angle resulting in a loss of steering – and that's something you don't want to happen on the road…

The Japanese company says it contacted all nine owners by phone on December 19. Nevertheless, if you own one of the affected models and have more questions, you can contact the company directly at 1-800-999-1009.

 

Yay or Nay? Custom Chrysler 300C HEMI V8 Coupe



When you are a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer like Tony Gwynn, you can pretty much afford to get whatever ride you like. In Gwynn's case, at some point he fancied a first-generation Chrysler 300 in a coupe form. And he got his wish.

But now, Gwynn's custom-made Chrysler 300 has popped up for sale at Beverly Hills Motor Cars in San Diego with the dealer asking for US$27,950 (€21,700).

The 2005 Chrysler is powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 matched to an automatic transmission and has only been driven for 7,000 miles (11,263 kilometers).

Aside from transforming the four-door saloon into a coupe, the customizer also chopped the roof and added large Asanti wheels and decorative chrome trim on the outside.

We could be wrong, but judging by the design and the controls for the front seats, they seem to have been lifted off an older BMW, possibly a 3 Series.

Check out the rest of the pictures in our gallery below and have your say in the comments area.

Story References: BH Motors , via Jalopnik

 
PHOTO GALLERY

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2012 Chevrolet Sonic Recalled as Some Cars May be Missing a Brake Pad



General Motors has found itself in a somewhat embarrassing situation as the Detroit-based automaker revealed that some examples of its newly launched 2012 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact model might be missing an inner or outer front brake pad.

The automaker said it became aware of the problem on November 29 when a customer brought a 2012 Sonic into a dealership complaining about noises coming from the brakes. The company noted that here are no known crashes or injuries related to the issue.

GM has now issued a formal recall that involves 4,873 Sonic models built from June 2, 2011, through November 21, 2011, of which 4,296 were sold to U.S. customers and 577 to Canadian buyers.

In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GM said that a missing pad could result in reduced brake system performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

The company will notify owners and have its dealers inspect the front brakes for a missing inner or outer pad.

"If a brake pad is missing, dealers will install new inner and outer pads, a new brake caliper, and a new rotor. This service will be performed free of charge," GM said in a statement.

The safety recall on the 2012 Sonic is expected to begin on or before January 14, 2012.
PHOTO GALLERY

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic with a Z-Spec package2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan and hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic with a Z-Spec package2012 Chevrolet Sonic2012 Chevrolet Sonic with a Z-Spec package2012 Chevrolet Sonic with a Z-Spec package2012 Sonic with Z-Spec accessories2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Sedan2012 Sonic with Z-Spec accessories2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Sedan

New Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Murdered Out by Wald International



Japanese tuning firm Wald International likes to give its customers' rides a sinister look and its take on the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG is no exception.

Even though in stock form the AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's sports saloon comes with its own aero-aids, Wald International has prepared a new and more aggressive styling package named Black Bison.

The carbon-fiber aero kit consists of a restyled front bumper with more angular air vents that house LED strips, a blacked-out front grille, new rocker panels, Wald's own side air outlets, a different rear bumper with additional vents and a prominent rear diffuser plus a discrete roof spoiler and a rear spoiler that wraps around the trunk.

Wald's Black Bison Edition of the CLS 63 AMG also gets a larger set of alloy wheels in a black finish wrapped in high-performance rubber, a D.T.M. sports muffler with quad tail pipes and a lowering module for the suspension.
PHOTO GALLERY

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