Its Shop Time Mondays: Hyundai And Mercedes-Benz Are Recalling Newer Model Crossovers

Tow Hitch Harness Fire While Parked or Driving

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V181000

Manufacturer Hyundai Motor America

Components TRAILER HITCHES

Potential Number of Units Affected 567,912

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy 2.5-T AWD: The Brand’s Midsize Crossover

Highlight: The Santa Fe is available as a plug-in.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $45,255 (Base SE Model: $31,235)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features (Calligraphy): airbags; ABS; child safety locks; a stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a parking collision assist with distance warning; a blind spot warning system; a  rear cross traffic collision assist system; remote start parking assist; lane keeping assist; smart cruise control; a driver attention warning system; safe exit assist; lane following assist; an anti-theft system; and a rear view monitor; a tire mobility kit; and a 360-degree camera

Its Shop Time Mondays: Kia K5s and Toyota Tundras Are Recalled

Side Curtain Air Bags May Not Deploy Properly

Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V149000

Manufacturer Kia America, Inc.

Components AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected 188,912

SiriusXM's 'Auto Trends' Honors Women's History Month Highlighting Diversity And Equity Advocates

As we honor Women’s History Month, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com highlights Kathy Gilbert and Cheryl Thompson. Both have blazed phenomenal trails while being recognized as champions of diversity in the automotive industry.

According to a 2022 article by CNBC, women currently control approximately $10 trillion in U.S. financial assets. However, when analyzing the automotive industry, this group has been underrepresented historically.

The latest stats by Catalyst.org reveal that women only hold 26 percent of the jobs in the motor vehicle manufacturing field despite accounting for between 40 to 51 percent of registered new vehicle sales when based on ethnicity and traditional household data, according to S & P Global Mobility.

2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Premier: A Subcompact Electric Utility Vehicle

Highlight:  Our vehicle was equipped with GM’s handsfree steering system.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $37,885 (Base Model: $28,796)

Seating Capacity:  4 to 5 (depending on size of adults)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; automatic emergency braking; lane keep assist with lane departure warning; a forward collision alert system; a rear camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; OnStar concierge service; and a pedestrian sound indicator

Standard Equipment (Base): 17-inch wheels; a push button starter system; a 10-inch infotainment system; a single zone automatic climate control system; cargo cover; manual operated front seats; wireless charging; a luggage rack; DC Fast Charger capabilities; and a one driving pedal system

Its Shop Time Mondays: Nissan Is Recalling Over 712,000 Nissan Rogues For Safety Concerns

 Ignition Key May Collapse and Shut Off Vehicle

Driver contact with a key in the collapsed position could inadvertently shut off the vehicle while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V093000

Manufacturer Nissan North America, Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 712,458

'Auto Trends' Talks One-On-One With One Of The Leading Black Voices In The EV Battery Lane

 

While the world is familiar with Elon Musk and his line of mass produced, all-electric Teslas that achieves just over 200 miles on a battery charge, Denise Gray, who's a much quieter player in the hybrid and electric battery field, is one of the pioneers revolutionizing the industry, too.

Gray and her team are directly responsible for designing and developing battery packs to fuel, no pun intended, such vehicles as GM's new Tesla fighter, the mass-produced Chevy Bolt. Like the California built Teslas, the all-electric Bolt also has a driving range that surpasses 200 miles on a full battery charge. Conversely, unlike the pricey Teslas, the Bolt is currently one of a handful affordable EV alternatives on the market today to Musk’s luxury electric vehicles.

2023 Buick Envision Essence: The Brand’s Compact Crossover

Highlight: Buick’s stylish Envision was imported from China.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $40,695 (Base Preferred FWD Model: $34,795)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features:  airbags with passenger sensors; automatic emergency braking; forward Collision Alert; a Tire Pressure Monitoring System; a following distance indicator; Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning; a Tool Kit; Intelligent High Beams; a Rear Cross Traffic Alert System; a teen driver system; and HD backup camera

Standard Equipment (Base Preferred FWD): 18-inch wheels with  a Light Charcoal Metallic finish; 9-Speed automatic transmission; noise canceling technology; deep tinted windows; LED Head, Tail, and Daytime Lamps; Single Zone Air Conditioning; an 8-inch infotainment screen; cloth trimmed seating; rear and center armrests; carpeted floor mats; keyless start; interior ambient lighting; a leather wrapped steering wheel; a silver roof rack with cross rails; manual liftgate; heated power adjustable exterior mirrors; and Body Color Door Handles with Chrome Stripe

Its Shop Time Mondays: Genesis And Ram Are Recalling Over 174,000 Newer Model Vehicles

 

Rearview Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111

A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V059000

Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Components BACK OVER PREVENTION

Potential Number of Units Affected 68,809

Its Shop Times Mondays: Ford, Nissan And Tesla Are Recalling Their Vehicles For Safety Concerns

Driver's Side Air Bag Cover Emblem May Detach

A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000

Manufacturer Nissan North America, Inc.

Components AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected 404,690

'Auto Trends' Talks To Minority Automotive Dealer Historian Damon Lester (Two Shows)

As Auto Trends with JeffCars.com wraps up Black History Month, Damon Lester, the current owner of the Maryland-based Nissan of Bowie and the former president of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), joins us over the next two weeks to discuss the highs and lows he encountered during his 16-year tenure at the helm the organization. 

Since its founding in 1980, NAMAD has collaborated with policy makers and auto manufacturers to establish fair and sustainable business practices for minority dealers in America.

Currently, ethnic dealers account for approximately 8 percent of total U.S. dealerships. When Lester became president of the dealer advocacy organization in 2006, the total minority dealership count was just short of its an all-time high at 1,756, according to NAMAD data stats. However, when the subprime mortgage crisis crippled the economy a few years later, 54 percent of the ethnic dealerships were forced to close their doors, bottoming out in 2010 with only 811 stores still standing.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited: The Brand’s Subcompact Crossover

Highlight: The Kona EV has a driving range of 258 miles.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $43,840 (Base SE Model: $35,490)

Seating Capacity: 5-seat capacity

Standard Safety Features (Limited): airbags; ABS; a stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a blind-spot collision warning system; a rear cross-traffic collision warning system; a forward collision assist system with pedestrian protection; a lane following assist system; a lane keeping assist system; a highway driving assist system; a Blue Link connected car service and a tire mobility kit

Kia's Super Bowl Ad

 

Its Shop Time Mondays: Porsche Is Recalling Approximately 24,000 Panameras

External Coolant Pump May Short Circuit

An electrical short circuit increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V033000

Manufacturer Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 24,467