Vehicle recalls affect Ford, GM, Hyundai, & Toyota

There have been a few significant recalls announced in the past few weeks affecting Ford, GM, Hyundai, and Toyota. If you own any of the vehicles listed below, you will be contacted by the manufacturer with the information on what you need to do.

2005-2006 Ford F-150 & Lincoln Mark LT

Ford is recalling over 605,000 F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT pickups equipped with the 5.4-liter, 3-valve engines due to a problem with a hose in the braking system, which could swell over time and become detached. Once the hose is detached, the braking system will continue to work with power assist, but eventually the fluid reserve will be depleted.

Owners will be notified by mail or they may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Dealers will begin to replace the hose in early July.

2006-2008 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai is recalling over 393,000 Hyundai Sonatas due to a defect in the passenger air bag. The system is supposed to disable the right-front passenger seat air bag when it detects the presence of a child restraint or child seated there, but a misclassification may cause the air bag to not inflate if a small adult is occupying the seat.

Dealers will verify the malfunction, then remove the right front seat cushion and send it out for evaluation and repair.

The recall will begin around May 26, 2008. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Corolla, and Toyota Matrix

Toyota and GM are recalling over 660,000 Vibe, Corolla, and Matrix models due to a problem with the power windows. Bolts in the driver and front passenger-door may loosen and cause the glass to separate from the window and possibly shatter during operation.

Dealers will replace the door glass bolts with new ones free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371.

2008 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid

Toyota is recalling over 90,000 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs due to a problem with the seatbelt in the third-row seat. When using a rear-facing car seat, the seat belt cannot be properly secured and may spool out during normal driving.

Owners will be notified by mail or they may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Dealers will install a new seat belt component free of charge.

To see if your vehicle has been involved in a recall, check out the National Highway Traffic Safety database at www.safercar.gov.

—Liza Barth

Comments

[Cale]

Interesting stuff. Does Hyundai expect you to drive around without a right front seat cushion while it's out for "evaluation and repair"?

Highlander owners, I guess if an adult was in the third row seat (or possibly second row seat) you might put a child in rear facing seat in the third row. Sounds like the exception to the rule..

Ford, sourcing reliable brake hoses is auto manufacturing 101. This is embarrassing.

Vibe owners, contact Toyota at your own expense...

Good luck owners!

[daniel]

hi i had a 2006 chevy malibu ltz the vehicle was in an accident and it was total it was hit front driver side tire and it was front end also from the impact with the 3 vehicle no airbags came out.the damage on the vehicle was total loss. gm said that the airbags work just fine after the report but i would like to now since i have fron and side air bags why they didin t activate on the contact.thanks