The Associated Press reports that Honda is recalling 81,000 2004 and 2005 Accord sedans for a potential defect in the airbag sensors, and that Toyota is recalling 533,000 2004-2006 Tundras and 2004-2007 Sequoias for a steering flaw.
The Honda recall concerns the housing for the sensor wires that determine the force at which the frontal airbags should deploy. The housing was installed in a way that the sensor wire may break. Without the sensor information, the airbags deploy at full force, which can injure smaller occupants. No injuries have been reported, however.
The Toyota recall concerns a ball joint on the front suspension of the Tundra pickup truck and mechanically related Sequoia SUV. Toyota is concerned that excessive wear on the joint is likely, and that the issue would make the vehicles difficult to steer. Eleven accidents and six injuries have been attributed to the defect, Toyota’s second for front suspension issues on its full-size trucks. The redesigned 2007 Tundra is not affected.
The Toyota recall seems to affect all Tundra and Sequoia models within the stated year range, but the Honda recall does not affect every 2004 and 2005 Accord sedan.
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The Detroit Free Press reports that Toyota has settled a class-action lawsuit brought against it by owners of Toyota and Lexus models who were refused warranty work after a buildup of oil sludge destroyed their engines.
Many owners who suffered sludge-related engine damage under warranty were informed that a lack of proper maintenance had voided them, even if they had followed Toyota’s recommended maintenance schedule. Up to 4 million vehicles from the late 1990s and early 2000s are at risk for sludge buildup, including the Toyota Camry shown at right.
The terms of the settlement include a third-party evaluator to determine what (if any) compensation owners of affected vehicles are entitled to. Toyota is also paying the owners’ legal expenses.
But Toyota refuses to acknowledge any flaw in the design of the sludge-prone engines, even as they admit that frequent maintenance may not prevent sludge buildup.
A Toyota spokesman told the Free Press that reliability is one of the automaker’s “top concerns,” and that customer satisfaction is another.
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Acura demonstrated its desire to play with the likes of BMW, Porsche, and Ferrari with the introduction of a V10 in its ‘Advanced Sports Car Concept.’ Inside Line reports that the mill is rumored to produce well over 500hp. While the car is rumored to be the next generation Acura NSX, its front-mounted V10 differentiates it from Acura’s previous mid-engine hyper car. Judging from early pictures, its not as low slung or as sexy as the NSX, and its design is not as ‘distinctive.’ The NSX’s signature LED popup headlights serve as inspiration for the concept design.
The concept from Honda’s upscale brand is defined by a long, pronounced hood with embossed air vents.
The concept has a 108.8 inch wheelbase and has 19 inch front, and 20 inch rear wheels. Technologically speaking, this supposedly future NSX is a tour de force, with a carbon fiber underbody and integrated rear diffusers. Personally, however, I’d have liked to see Acura draw a tad more heavily on the design of the original NSX. While the ’Advanced Sports Car Concept’ is good looking, it does not invoke memories of the original NSX, the car that set out to beat Ferrari at its own game for half the price.
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