Fisker Issues its First Recall on Karma Over Battery Fire Risk

After it was revealed that A123 Systems Inc. discovered a "potential safety issue" in the batteries it supplies to Fisker Automotive, it was only a matter of time before the California-based automaker would issue a recall on the Karma, the first since the car launched onto the market this summer.

The maker of the extended-range plug-in hybrid model said the safety recall concerns a total of 239 2012MY Karma sedans built from July 1, 2011, through November 3, 2011.

In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fisker said that certain hose clamps that are part of the internal cooling system of the car's batteries might have been positioned incorrectly during assembly.

"If positioned incorrectly, the battery compartment cover could interfere with the hose clamps, potentially causing a coolant leak from the cooling hoses. If coolant enters the battery compartment, an electrical short could occur possibly resulting in a fire," Fisker told the NHTSA.

Fisker said that it would replace the high-voltage battery with a new part at no cost to the owner with the safety recall expected to begin during January 2012. Concerned owners can contact the company for more information at 1-855-575-7577, option 2, 6am - 7pm (PST) Monday through Friday.

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Infiniti M45 Sedans over Inaccurate Fuel Gauge Reading

For various reasons, it's not uncommon for drivers to run their cars on empty before filling up at a gas station - which isn't usually a problem if the fuel gauge reading is accurate.

However, for a number of owners of the short-lived Infiniti M45 sedan from the 2003 and 2004 model years, waiting for the low fuel warning light to go up before visiting a service station, can prove to be troublesome.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration [NHTSA] said that it's Office of Defects Investigation has received 43 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading from owners of the aforementioned Infiniti M45 sedans.

NHTSA noted that from the 45 complaints, 26 incidents allegedly resulted in engine stall. "All 26 incidents reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated fuel in the tank when there was none. The complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most received within the past year," said the safety agency.

As a result, NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation into some 8,100 Infiniti M45s from model years 2003 to 2004 to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

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GM to Provide Concerned Volt Owners with a Free Loaner after Fire Probe

General Motors is about to reach the affected customers that their vehicle Volt batteries can ignite under certain circumstances, after a crash, by offering a free loan car until the company fixes the problem.

The first problem arose in May when a Chevy Volt lithium-ion batteries caught fire while the car was parked on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration facilities [NHTSA] WI, three weeks after he was exposed to a side impact test.

The three additional simulated NHTSA side impact tests with different Volts on November 16, 17 and 18, which caused a fire up battery, smoking and emitting sparks when a car came out completely clean.

The Detroit-based automaker said if the company was not aware of these incidents on public roads, it will take all necessary precautions "to ensure customer satisfaction and safety."

"Our customers peace of mind is very important to us that there is any concern or anxiety. This technology should inspire confidence and pride, does not pose any problem or doubt," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America.

"The question is how to handle the battery of days and weeks after a serious accident, so it's not just a matter of interest in V, but we continue to advance our search for the electric vehicle industry," he added.

Maria Barra, senior vice president, Global Product Development, said that GM has already installed a design team to develop more changes to remove any concerns of possible electrical fires after the accident.

"We work with NHTSA and we all have an understanding of these risks and how they can be avoided in the future," said Barra. "It's not just a problem of Volt. We are carrying an electric vehicle jointly with the Society of Automotive Engineers and other automotive companies to address new problems, such as protocol stacks depower after a serious accident."

As for the Volt owners concerned about the safety of their cars, GM has said that the company can contact you and arrange a loan without GM vehicles.

"A vehicle loan program of this nature are by far the standard for a preliminary inquiry, and underlines our commitment to the vehicle and its owners," said Reuss. "These measures are the right person to take into account any immediate impact on our operations."

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Federal Investigation Of Problems In The Cable Transmission Models Of GM At Least Three

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], said Monday that it will increase the pre-trial, which began on 23 complaints about the Saturn Aura sedan in 2007 and 2008 model years, more than the transfer cable to the problem, which may deteriorate over time and fail. If this happens, the shift lever position does not necessarily correspond to the actual machine running.

Security Agency, said he is also looking to see if the same problem occurs in at least two GM models equipped with the corresponding cable systems using high-speed four-speed automatic transmission 2004-2005-2008MY 2008MY Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6.

According to a document filed on its website, NHTSA has received three reports of accidents related to the problem of Saturn Aura is the cable transmission, while GM has received four, with one person being injured.

NHTSA said in an incident, the pilot put the shifter in park, but the transmission remains in the unit causing the vehicle to move suddenly forward and crashed into a building.

In another case that was reported that GM, the driver moved the shift lever in the park, but the transmission remains in the opposite direction. "When the driver came out with the engine running, the vehicle still (accelerated) in the opposite direction and hit a building," said NHTSA.

The injuries in the incident at GM, NHSTA said that "the driver reportedly placed shift lever park, has left the vehicle and the vehicle struck suddenly rolled back."

The safety agency said it is an upgrade of the study to assess the degree of the failure of the cable change, the consequences and the number of vehicles that may be affected by this problem, including models, model years and types of transmissions.

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