Its Shop Time Mondays: Acura, Ford, Hyundai, Kia And Nissan Are In The Hot Seat

1. Unexpected Transmission Downshift

Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

New York Int'l Auto Show: Nissan Altima

The 2019 Altima now wears the face of the brand. The vehicle will now be able to detect stationary objects, when backing up.

The Altima joins the Subaru Legacy, becoming the only two cars in the midsize segment to offer all-wheel drive.

The Altima follows the Mazda6, offering a standalone infotainment screen.  The vehicle goes on sale this fall.  And like the all-electric LEAF, the Altima will be a self-driving tool ProPilot Assist.

2015 Nissan Altima SL: Continues To Be A Standout In The Ultra-Competitive Midsize Segment

Highlights: Up until recently, the Altima was available as coupe, too! The last remaining coupe in the segment is now the Honda Accord.

Test vehicle’s MSRP: $31,060 (base model $23,125)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; a traction control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a rearview camera; and a vehicle stability control system

Standard Equipment (SL model): 17-inch tires; leather seats; power front seats; heated front seats; a dual zone automatic temperature control system; a push-button ignition starter system; dual visor vanity mirrors; automatic headlights;  heated outside mirrors; a navigation system; and chrome exhaust finishers; and automatic dimming mirrors

Nissan Recalls 20,000 New Altimas for Steering Concerns

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): NISSAN / ALTIMA 2011-2012

Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Component: SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected: 20,000

Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 25, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011 AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT. THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.

Consequence: IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLTS AND NUTS AND TIGHTEN THEM TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. Notes:

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO http://www.safercar.gov/ .

2010 Nissan Altima SR: A Well-Equipped, Smooth-Riding Family Sedan

What’s New:

Although the Altima sedan was last reworked in 2007, Nissan’s best-selling vehicle gets a mild makeover for 2010, with a restyled hood, grille, front-bumper and new 16-inch and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheel designs to further differentiate it from the Altima coupe. Also for the 2010 model year, Nissan drops the top of the line SE model in the Altima, replacing it with the SR model, which we reviewed. 

Must Have Goodies:

If you’re in the market for this midsize family sedan, it’s available in three trim levels: the 2.5-liter base, the 2.5-liter SE and the all-new 3.5-liter SR model.

Depending on how one decides to accessorize their Altima, as long as its not the base 2.5-liter, the sedan can be equipped with Nissan’s optional Convenience Package (or the Convenience Package Plus), which could include an 8-way power driver's seat, automatic headlights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power sliding glass moonroof, XM Satellite Radio, heated front driver and passenger seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control outside mirrors with integrated turning lights and rear-passenger air conditioning vents.

For the techies, a Technology Package is offered with the 2.5 S and 3.5 SR models. This high-tech package includes a hard drive navigation system with a 6.5-inch color monitor and a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, which provides audio/video input jacks, DVD playback capability, a streaming audio and a restaurant guide. The package also included the latest traffic and weather updates, too. 

And, for those opting for the zippier model, the 3.5-liter SR model is available; the midsize sedan can be outfitted with Nissan’s optional, Premium Package and/or Sport Package.

With the Premium Package, the upgraded Altima will include leather-appointed seats, a leather-wrapped gearshift knob, power driver lumbar support, heated front seats, a Bose AM/FM audio system with 9 speakers, 4.3-inch color display, a Back-up Monitor, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, a USB port with iPod connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback compatibility, and a Radio Data System. (By the way, the 2.5 S model is also available with the Bose 9-speaker high-end audio system, too.)
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Moreover, opting for the Sport Package on the 3.5 SR adds dual-zone a/c, power sliding moonroof, High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights and a sporty rear spoiler.

4-Cylinder Engines Are the Latest Buying Fad

For the seventh month in row, American drivers are racking up less miles on the road says the Federal Highway Adminstration. This continues a seven-month trend that amounts to 40.5 billion fewer miles traveled between November 2007 and May 2008 than the same period a year before, according to FHA officials. Adding to consumers putting the brakes on driving, they are also shifting away from gas-guzzling 8-cylinder trucks, SUVs and cars, automakers can’t seem to build enough fuel-efficient vehicles.

Last month, Power Information Network, a data mining company tracking new car sales, reported 51 percent of new cars and light trucks sold in June were equipped with fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines. Since Power Information Network has been tracking new vehicle sales, this is the first time 4-cylinder engines have captured more than half of new vehicle sales in the U. S. Automakers are scrambling to keep up with consumer demand, readjusting their production mix. Four-cylinder engines typically produce better gas mileage than the larger engines. For instance, a 2008 4-cylinder Nissan Altima with an automatic transmission achieves a combined 26 miles per gallon, whereas a comparable 6-cylinder Altima only registers 22 miles per gallon, according to the EPA. Not only does the mileage increase when comparing a 4-cylinder engine to a larger engine, you'll save thousands of dollars purchasing a vehicle with a smaller engine. To find out how many miles per gallon your vehicle is capable of producing, click here.