Stay up-to-date with You Auto Know each week on the latest safety recalls. Below are stories that have been reported on You Auto Know, but for a comprehensive search to see if your vehicle is subject to a recall, check with your dealer or NHTSA for complete details on any recall that may affect your vehicle. The NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline is 1-888-327-4236 (toll free 8:00AM to 10:00PM ET Monday-Friday) and can be accessed on-line at www.nhtsa.gov

Mini Recall (12/27/02)

If you own one of the few BMW Mini Coopers equipped with a continuously variable transmission, your Mini dealer wants to see you. CVT Minis built between August and October 2002 were filled with the wrong transmission fluid, which could cause the trans clutch to slip.

Ford SUV Recall (12/5/02)

Ford Motor Co. is recalling its Lincoln Aviator luxury sport-utility in its first month on sale to fix a faulty transmission part. The recall involves a transmission shift cable that could come loose from its bracket causing the shift indicator to show the wrong gear. The recall affects only 25 vehicles in the United States and 23 in Canada.

Volvo Recall (12/4/02)

Volvo Cars of North America is recalling 65,000 cars because the seat heaters could short circuit and catch fire. The recall involves 1996 models of the Volvo 854 and 855 equipped with seat heaters. Excessive compression of the seat cushion could damage the electrical wiring of the seat heater and cause a short.

Nissan Recall (11/27/02)

Nissan Motor Co. recalled at least 143,000 of its 2001 and 2002 Frontier pickup trucks and Xterra sport-utility vehicles, because of faulty wheel bearings, engine controllers and fuel valves on some models sold in the U.S.

Saab Recall (11/22/02)

Saab Automobile is recalling 55,000 cars worldwide because of a problem with the electronic system controlling the air bags. The problem affects the 1995 version of the Saab 900 model and has caused as many as 30 incidents in which air bags were deployed without provocation. No one was injured in the incidents, most of which happened in tropical climates. The recall includes about 20,000 cars in the United States.

GM Recall (11/15/02)

General Motors Corp. is recalling about 1.5 million cars and minivans to fix a power-steering problem that may have resulted in 15 accidents and three injuries. The action involves 1996-1998 Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire small cars and Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Transport minivans and 1997-98 Pontiac Grand Prix cars. A bearing in the power-steering gear of some of the vehicles may separate, causing a loss of power steering during left turns or an unintended pull to the right.

Chrysler Minivan Recall (11/7/02)

Chrysler Group announced a recall of about half a million minivans and an extended warranty on another 1.3 million because of a problem in the steering wheel. The recall covers some 1996-1998 models of Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country. The problem involves the clockspring, which provides power to some parts in the steering wheel and may have been installed off-center during assembly at plants in St. Louis and Windsor, Ontario. If this occurs, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate and the driver's air bag, horn or cruise control may stop working.

Subaru Recall (11/7/02)

Subaru will recall 163,243 vehicles sold in the United States after tests found that the vehicles could shift out of park and begin rolling without warning. The recalled vehicles, all with automatic transmissions, include some late production 2001 Legacy vehicles, all 2002 Legacy, Outback, Forester and Impreza vehicles and some early production 2003 Legacy, Outback, Baja, Forester and Impreza vehicles.

Ford Focus Recalls (11/4/02)

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 572,795 Focus 2000 and 2001 model year vehicles in two recalls. One involves a bolt in the front suspension assembly that can become loose and cause noise and vibration or, in a small number of cases, lead to separation of the ball joint. The other concern involves Focus vehicles with Zetec engines in which potential problems with the placement of a battery cable could result in smoke, wire melting or under-hood fires.

DaimlerChrysler Minivan Recall (10/15/02)

The Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler AG announced a recall of about 143,500 minivans to check for a fuel leak. The recall covers the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country built at the Windsor, Ontario, Assembly Plant from Sept. 1, 2001, through March 11, 2002. Some of the joints on the fuel tank control valve were not welded properly at a supplier plant, and the joint can separate and cause a fuel leak. The leak could lead to a fire if ignited.

Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable Recall (10/8/02)

Ford Motor Co. recalled 424,164 of its Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable mid-size cars with adjustable pedals because the brake and accelerator pedals on an estimated 10 percent of the models are too close. Simultaneously stepping on the brake and the accelerator pedals could result in unintentionally increasing the vehicle speed or make it more difficult to stop. The recalled vehicles are primarily model year 2000 and 2001 vehicles and a small number of 2002 model year cars.

Daewoo Nubira Recall (10/2/02)

Daewoo Motor has recalled about 40,000 of its 2000 model year Nubira compact cars sold in the United States due to possible cracks and leaks from brake hoses which could result in brake failure.

Toyota Echo Recall (10/1/02)

Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 48,568 Echo minicars, made between July 2001 and April this year because of improperly designed brake pipes that may cause brake oil to leak when driving in snow.

GM SUV Recall (9/24/02)

General Motors Corp. is voluntarily recalling 597,000 model 2000-2002 sport utility vehicles to help protect customers from pinching their fingers in seats. Included in the recall are the Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade and the GMC Yukon and Denali. Not included are Chevrolet Suburbans and Avalanches, Cadillac Escalade EXTs and GMC Yukon XLs.

Firestone Tire Recall (9/10/02)

Firestone is initiating a voluntary recall of 18,912 tires produced at its Wilson, North Carolina plant in order to ensure the recovery of 890 tires manufactured over a four-day period beginning April 12. There are no claims for property damage or injury caused by the recalled tires, or any of the tires in this line and size. The recalled Firestone FR690 tires in size P195/65R15 are identified by DOT no. W2C6T001402 and DOT no. W2C6T001502. Since the affected tires from April 12 through 15 could be marked with serial numbers indicating that they had been manufactured during either the fourteenth or fifteenth week of production in 2002, both serial weeks are being recalled. The recalled tires may have been used on 2003 model year Toyota Corolla S and LE vehicles assembled from mid-April through early September 2002.

Cadillac DeVille Recall (9/10/02)

General Motors Corp. is recalling 280,000 Cadillac DeVilles from model years 2000 to 2002 because of faulty seat belts. During internal testing, GM discovered that some seat belt pretensioners in the front seats that did not perform properly. Pretensioners help safety belts reduce a person's forward movement in a crash. DeVilles built between May 1999 and May 2002 are affected.

Jaquar Recall (9/8/02)

Jaguar North America is recalling 45,000 vehicles that may not meet federal clean air emission standards due to a malfunction of the exhaust recirculation valve. The recall covers 1995-1997 models of the XJ6, XJR and the Van den Plas and the 1995-1996 models of the Jaguar XJS.

Crown Victoria Recall (8/30/02)

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 598 Crown Victoria cars powered by natural gas because fuel could leak and possibly start a fire. Ford says the problem is unrelated to its investigation into gas tank fires and explosions following rear-end collisions in its police car version of the Crown Victoria. The recall involves 2002 model year fleet cars, such as those sold to government, taxi services and law enforcement. At least 81 are police cars, mostly in Phoenix and Mesa, Ariz. More than half of the recalled vehicles were sold in California.

Chrysler, Kia and Rolls Royce Recalls (8/22/02)

DaimlerChrysler Corp. is recalling 88,000 Sebring convertibles because the accelerator can stick. The recall involves 1996 and 1997 models equipped with 2.5-liter V6 engines. The throttle control cable can fray, causing the throttle to bind or stick and increasing the risk of a crash. Kia Motors America Inc. is recalling 25,000 Sephia cars from the 1998 model year that still have less than 36,000 miles. An electrical problem can develop during the first few years of operation that can cause the hazard lights and turn signals to fail. Rolls-Royce Motors Inc. is recalling 2,085 cars and limousines because air can get trapped in the brake fluid line and make it harder to stop the car.

BMW Air Bag Recall (8/21/02)

German luxury automaker BMW AG will recall 20,500 3-Series cars to fix passenger-side air bags that could deploy without a crash -- the second time BMW has issued a recall for the problem. The recall covers BMW 323i and 328i cars built between April and August of 1999. The prior recall covered 34,701 3-Series cars built between June 1998 and March 1999.

GM Air Bag Recalls (8/19/02)

One recall covers about 570,000 full-size Chevrolet and GMC pickups and sport utility vehicles built in model year 2000. The automaker said the vehicles had air bag sensing and diagnostic modules that could interfere with air bag deployment. The modules will be recalibrated by dealers. The other recall covers 150,000 cars, SUVs and minivans built between May and June 2002. GM said about 8,000 of those vehicles have air bag inflator modules that could crack open if the bag dep than fully inflated.

Ford SUV Continental Tire Recall (8/19/02)

Continental Tire North America announced Monday that it is recalling more than half a million tires installed on Ford Motor Co.'s sport utility vehicles after some of the tires lost their tread.

Chrysler PT Cruisers Recalls (8/9/02)

DaimlerChrysler is recalling 464-thousand P-T Cruisers because of a fuel pump leak. The recall involves 2001 and 2002 models.

Toyota Highlander Recall (8/7/02)

Toyota is recalling 154,593 model year 2001 and 2002 Highlanders for a fuel-vapor nozzle that could leak during a front-end collision. If the vehicle rolls over after a high speed front-end collision, the fuel tank could move and a nozzle could break, according to NHTSA. The problem can result in a fuel leak.

Honda and Hyundai Recalls (8/7/02)

Honda is recalling 1 million 1997 through 1999 Honda Prelude, Accord, Odyssey, CR-V and the Acura CL because of problems with the ignition. Reports say that the ignition may cause the cars to suddenly stall without warning and that that could increase the chance of a crash. Hyundai Sonata side impact airbag sensors might be too sensitive. They are supposed to deploy if you're hit on the side, but they may actually deploy from things like slamming the door shut.

NHTSA Investigations (8/6/02)

• 1995-98 Kias for possible seat belt and airbag failures
• 1997 Ford Escorts and Mercury Tracers for electricl shorts, fire & air bags.
• 2001 Nissan Xterra gas fueling problems
• 1996-2000 Buick Lesabre, Park Avenue, Regal; Oldsmobile Eighty Eight; Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix; Chevrolet Impala - all with 3.8-liter engines for engine fires.

BMW Mini Recall (7/30/02)

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that on 3,531 Mini Coopers with manual transmissions, the cable connecting the shift lever to the transmission could detach, leaving the transmission in the last gear selected and increasing the risk of a crash.

Mitsubishi Fuel Leak Recall (7/11/02)

Mitsubishi Motors will recall 674 cars over fear of fuel leakage. The carmaker said there is a possibility of fuel leakage when the fuel tank is full due to the inappropriate configuration of the seal packing. There is no danger to drivers from the defect, a company spokesman said. The recalled units include Galant, Aspire, Legnum and Diamante car models produced between last November and this May.

Volvo, Saab, Audi and Volkswagen Tow Hook Recall (7/4/02)

Volvo, Saab, Audi and Volkswagen are recalling about 40,000 cars because of a faulty towing hook. Most of the affected Volvos were sold in Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium and about 700 in the United States, while the Saabs were spread over European markets, Russia, Australia, Japan and Canada.

Ford Mini-Van and Volvo Recall (6/28/02)

Ford Motor Co. is recalling about a quarter million 1995-1996 model year Windstar minivans because of problem with some brake systems that could lead to longer stopping distances. NHTSA also announced the recall of 145,355 Hyundai 2001 model year XG300 and 1999-2001 model year Sonata passenger cars for a problem with their side-impact air bag systems. On some vehicles the air bag warning light is lit because of motion of the wiring harness and harness connector, which could lead to the side air bag not deploying during a crash.

Nissan Recall (7/2/02)

Nissan is recalling 161,000 cars because of an electrical problem that could start a fire under the hood. The recall involves 1997 models of the Infiniti I30 and Q45 and the Maxima.

Hyundai Recall (6/28/02)

Hyundai is recalling Sonatas built from March 1998 to July 2001. Hyundai said it will fix a loose side air-bag wiring harness that could make the device fail. Failure of the side air bag to inflate could increase the risk of injury.

Ford Thunderbird Recall (6/15/02)

Ford Motor Co. has recalled 16,500 Thunderbirds because of a seat belt safety concern. Ford said it ordered the voluntary recall because the driver seat belt was found to be partially cut after a 2002 Thunderbird was subjected to a 35 mph frontal impact test into a solid barrier.

Dodge Ram Recall (6/7/02)

The Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler AG said Friday it is recalling more than 150,000 Dodge Ram pickups because of axle and engine problems. Chrysler is also recalling 46,000 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 pickups because of a potentially weak weld on a rear axle bracket. The recall affects only four-wheel-drive models built before November 2001.

BMW 7-Series Recall (5/28/02)

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, the No. 2 luxury carmaker, said it's recalling 15,000 of its new 7- series sedans because of a possible flaw with the electronic fuel- pump system.

Nissan Ignition Recall (5/27/02)

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced a voluntary recall of certain Honda and Acura models to replace an ignition switch which may cause the engine to stall. The recall involves about 1.3 million of certain 1997 to 2000 models of the Honda Accord, Civic, Prelude, CR-V and Odyssey. Also included in the recall are some 1999 Acura TL sedans and certain 1997 to 1999 CL coupes. The situation is created by electrical contacts within the ignition switch that wear prematurely causing the switch to malfunction. An affected vehicle will likely experience difficulty in starting for a period of time prior to experiencing any engine stall.

Daewoo Lanos Sedan Recall (5/22/02)

Daewoo Motor Co. is recalling about recalling about 70,000 of its 1998 Lanos sedans because a problem with the front-seat passenger air bag can resulting head injuries in an accident.

Maserati Spyder Recall (5/22/02)

Italian sports car maker Maserati, a unit of Fiat SpA is recalling 352 of its Spyder roadsters in the United States as a precaution against potential engine fires.

Car Seat Recall

About 26,000 infant car seats are being recalled by Dorel Juvenile Group Inc because their handles can be unexpectedly released when they are used as carriers, sending a child tumbling to the ground.

Automotive Charger Recall (5/10/02)

Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. is recalling about 18,000 car chargers because they can overheat when used under low-voltage conditions and cause fires.

GM SUV Recall (5/7/02)

General Motors Corp. is recalling 65,000 sport utility vehicles to repair a possible problem with fuel line fittings.

Consumer Reports Auto Kit (5/7/02)

The kits contain a flashlight that can overheat and melt the case and a tire pressure gauge that gives inaccurate readings, which could lead people to improperly inflate their tires.

Nissan Altima Recall (5/1/02)

Nissan Motor Co. is recalling 165,001 Altima midsize sedans to replace an air-bag sensor that doesn't work as well as expected in some crashes.

GM Recall (4/2/02)

General Motors Corp. is recalling 1.9 million cars because of a possible electrical problem that could cause a steering column fire.

Chrysler Jeep & Minivan and Toyota Corolla & Pontiac Vibe Recalls (4/2/02)

DaimlerChrysler AG will recall 645,000 vehicles, including 545,000 minivans and 95,000 Jeeps, in two separate recalls. General Motors Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. would recall 11,100 brand-new vehicles to fix bolts holding the rear wheel hubs to the axle.

Graco Infant Car Seat Recall (3/29/02)

918,930 SnugRide infant car seats equipped with a base manufactured in the USA between August 31, 1999 and February 28, 2002.

Evenflo Infant Car Seat Recall (3/29/02)

Certain components which act as a link in the internal harness system manufactured by an Evenflo supplier may not meet design specifications, and may not be strong enough to fully secure the occupant in the event of a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in serious injury.

Peg Perego Infant Car Seats Recall (3/26/02)

Peg Perego is recalling several models of infant car seats because the seats may not properly restrain children.

Toyota 4Runner and Land Rover Discovery II Recalls (3/13/02)

Toyota is recalling 273,743 4Runner sport utility vehicles because of a handling problem. Two separate recalls are for the Land Rover Discovery II: he antilock brakes can malfunction and result in a longer braking distance, he accelerator cable strands can break, increasing the risk of a crash.

VW Recall (2/28/02)

Germany's Volkswagen is recalling 130,000 cars worldwide, many of them in the United States, including VW's Golf, New Beetle and Bora, as well as the Audi A3, SEAT Toledo and Skoda Octavia models, after it detected a fault in the braking system.

Grand Cherokee Recall (2/14/02)

DaimlerChrysler AG is recalling 1.6 million 1993-1998 model year Jeep Grand Cherokees in response to consumer claims the vehicle may not be in "park" even though the gear shift is placed in that position.

Ford Mustang, Taurus, Sable Recall, Chrysler Wrangler Recall (2/13/02)

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 640,975 cars because a problem in the engine cooling system can start a fire under the hood. DaimlerChrysler Corp. is recalling 316,148 Jeep Wranglers because the parking brake can self-release and allow the vehicle to roll away.

Toyota-Japan Recall (2/5/02)

Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's third-largest automaker, will recall 57,947 vehicles in Japan to repair faulty seat belts.

Goodyear Tire Replacement Offer (2/2/02)

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is offering to replace 200,000 light-truck tires that are the same model involved in accidents that killed 11 people. The 16-inch Goodyear Load Range E tires are used on 15-passenger vans and ambulances from model years 1996 to 2000. They were sold under more than 50 labels, including private store brands.

Honda-Japan Recall (2/1/02)

Honda Motor Co. will recall 382,152 of its Life sedan models at a cost of 1.4 billion yen ($11 million) to fix faulty seat belts and a defect in an interior light.

Hyundai, Nissan, BMW Recall (2/1/02)

Extensive recall, read for details.

Nissan Sentra Recall (1/31/02)

Nissan Motor Co. recalled 103,000 2000 and 2001 model year Sentra sedans because a faulty sensor may cause the engine to stop while the car is being driven.

Mitsubishi Recall (1/29/02)

This recall affects three different models of trucks and buses, mostly in Japan, but a handful in the U.S. are affected.

Mercedes Recall (1/25/02)

Mercedes-Benz USA is recalling 65,000 cars after owners complained of exploding batteries.

GM SUV Recall (1/25/02)

General Motors is recalling 546,000 sport utility vehicles because the brake and hazard lights can fail.

GM 4WD Recall (1/25/02)

General Motors’ 2002 midsize sport/utility vehicles are being recalled to fix a 4wd transfer case control module problem. About 78,000 Chevrolet TrailBlazers and GMC Envoys are affected by the problem, which can result in the vehicle rolling while in park.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall (1/18/02)

DaimlerChrysler AG is recalling about 76,000 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokees because of a problem with the vehicle's on-board refueling vapor recovery system.

DaimlerChrysler Vans Recall (1/18/02)

DaimlerChrysler's first phase of the recall of fire-prone vans will start on Jan. 25. The initial phase of the repairs will be limited to 1996-model Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth minivans, with newer models to follow.

VW Recall (1/11/02)

Volkswagen is recalling about 324,000 Golf, Jetta and New Beetle automobiles sold in the United States for faulty exhaust systems in the four-cylinder, two-liter gasoline engine vehicles from the 1999, 2000 and 2001 model years. EPA tests showed the 1999 models' emissions were elevated because of malfunctioning oxygen sensors.

Saab Recall (1/3/02)

Saab is recalling 6,351 of its 2002 model 9-5 cars to inspect the front-wheel suspension because of a defect that could affect the steering.

Child Safety Seat Recall (1/2/02)

NHTSA announced a safety recall of Britax Child Safety, Inc., 4,959 Advantage convertible child restraints, Model E9022. The tether brackets may allow one of the tether attachments to separate from the seat shell in a vehicle crash.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1-888-327-4236 (toll free)

This federal agency provides extensive information on recalls and safety issues on a wide range of automobiles, trucks, buses and safety devices you rely on.

Firestone Tire Recall

NHTSA's information on Firestone tire recalls.

NHTSA Service Bulletins Database

See what technical service bulletins have been issued for your vehicle direct from NHTSA. Please note that documents, which are summarized for free on these database searches, may be ordered from NHTSA Technical Information Services. Fees are involved in providing these documents.