The Honda Motor Company just announced that it expanded a previous recall from late last year and is now adding nearly a half-million—about 440,000—cars that could contain a dangerous and deadly airbag defect, CNN Money reported.

The affected Honda models include the 2001-2002 Honda Accord, the 2001 Civic, and the 2002-2003 Acura TL. According to CNN Money, the potential airbag defect has resulted in six injuries and one death, citing Chris Naughton, Honda spokesman. Acura is Honda’s luxury brand automobile, the Associated Press (AP) pointed out. (more…)

Another Yamaha Rhino rollover accident has sparked a third lawsuit in West Virginia. The complaint was filed by the father of a young girl who was seriously injured when the Yamaha Rhino she was riding in flipped.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) opened an investigation into the Rhino last year. As a result of that probe, in March Yamaha announced a recall of all Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models distributed since fall of 2003. Yamaha offered to repair affected Rhinos free of charge. These repairs include the installation of a spacer on the rear wheels, as well as the removal of the rear anti-sway bar to help reduce the chance of rollover and improve vehicle handling.

Brian Shears’ lawsuit claims his daughter was seriously injured in March 2006 because of the Yamaha Rhino’s faulty design and lack of safety features, such as doors. The lawsuit claims Shears’ daughter suffered emotional injuries, physical impairment, disfigurement, pain, discomfort, disability and anxiety. She also lost wages, according to the complaint. Her father incurred significant medical expenses.

The lawsuit points out that Yamaha knew the Rhino was dangerous, as evidenced by a notice the company issued in September 2006. It warned the vehicle could roll over when driven aggressively or on sloping terrain. It also cautioned owners that in the event of a rollover, they should not stick their arms and legs outside the vehicle, according to the complaint.

Then in 2007, Yamaha issued another notification that some Rhino owners had experienced rollover accidents even on flat surfaces, at slow rates of speed. At that time, the company offered to make free modifications on the Rhino, including the addition of handholds and doors. But Shears’ lawsuit alleges that not all Rhino owners received that notification.

Shears’ lawsuit is seeking unspecified compensatory, special and punitive damages, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Federal regulators have opened a probe into possibly faulty transmissions on Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs. According to The Atlanta Constitution-Journal, some owners of these Ford SUVs have complained that they can unexpectedly slip out of park.

Consumers have filed scores of complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding transmission problems with the Explorer, the Constitution-Journal said. Most involve a delayed engagement of the transmission when the SUV is shifted from park into reverse, or into reverse from another gear. Some complaints indicate problems with the vehicle slipping into gear from park. (more…)

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA has been hit with two lawsuits in West Virginia over the Rhino off-road vehicle. Late last month, Yamaha recalled over 146,000 Rhinos in order to correct defects that made them susceptible to deadly rollover accidents.

While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in one particular type of mishap – rollover accidents. Critics charge that the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers’ legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. (more…)

Bush Hog Off-Road Utility Vehicles (UTV) are being recalled because of a defect that could pose a risk of injury to drivers and passengers. The Bush Hog UTV recall comes just weeks after Yamaha Motor Corp. USA issued a massive recall for dangerous Rhino UTVs.

The Bush Hog UTV recall involves about 850 units. The recall includes the Bush Hog Models TH4400 (Trail Hand) and 4430 4X4 Off-Road Utility Vehicles. “Bush Hog” is printed on the utility vehicle’s cargo bed tail gate and on each side of the cargo bed. Model “TH4400”or “4430” is printed on each side of the hood. The hood color is red, green, or mossy oak. The recalled Bush Hog UTVs were sold at Bush Hog dealerships nationwide from April 2008 to December 2008 for between $8,000 and $10,000. (more…)

In the wake of a humiliating government bailout, its CEO’s forced exit, and talk of a possible bankruptcy, General Motors Corporation is now facing a massive recall. The automotive giant just initiated a recall of nearly 1.5 million defective cars over concerns of possible engine fires, Market Watch reported. The affected cars were manufactured between 1997 and 2003 and include the following model years and makes:

* 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
* 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
* 1997-2003 Buick Regal
* 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo, and Impala (more…)

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents. The high number of accidents linked to the Rhino off-road vehicle was among the reasons U.S. regulators launched an investigation of the popular off-roader last November. That investigation culminated in the recall of more than 145,000 Rhinos announced earlier this week.

While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in one particular type of mishap – rollover accidents. They charge that the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy, and it has tires that are extremely narrow. These design defects make it far more likely that the Yamaha Rhino will tip and rollover while going through a turn, even when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed and is on a flat surface. Furthermore, the Yamaha Rhino is designed in such a way that passengers’ legs are unprotected in the event of a rollover accident. (more…)

Yamaha Motor Corp. faces a Canadian lawsuit over its defective Rhino off-road vehicle. Just yesterday, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA recalled the Rhino and suspended sales after U.S. regulators found the vehicles had been responsible for at least 46 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.

While off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in deadly rollovers. Victims of Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents usually experience broken or crushed legs, ankles or feet. In some cases, victims have been permanently disabled, and have had limbs amputated following a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident. When Yamaha Rhino rollover accidents involve children, the results are often fatal. (more…)

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is recalling 120,000 dangerous Rhino off-road vehicles. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the defective Yamaha Rhino vehicles have been linked to 46 deaths.

Yamaha has announced a free repair program to address safety issues with all Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models. Owners of the deadly Yamaha Rhino are being warned not to use them until the repairs are made. (more…)

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) made by KTM  North America, Inc. have been recalled due to a brake failure problem.  According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), anyone with one of these recalled ATVs should stop using the vehicle immediately and contact their local KTM dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair

The KTM ATV recall involves 2700 vehicles.  According to the recall notice, the rear brake caliper support can crack and the front brake operation can experience a loss of pressure, posing a risk of the rider losing braking and steering control and suffering injuries or death.  The ATVs included in the recall are as follows: (more…)