Honda Element Sc Sport Utility 4-door on 2040-cars

Auto blog

The cars that won't live to see 2015 [w/video]

Every year in the fast-paced automotive industry brings new models, but it also spells the end for some that have been less successful. This year will be no exception.
Japan's automakers make up the bulk of the list of discontinued models for the 2015 model year: Acura is replacing the TL and TSX with the new TLX sedan, Honda is bidding farewell to the Fit EV as the new Fit hatchback takes its place, and Nissan is saying goodbye to both the Cube and Murano CrossCabriolet. Both the Nissan Maxima and Mazda2 exit stage left before their upcoming replacements arrive, while Toyota is terminating the RAV4 EV and FJ Cruiser as well as the Scion xD, and Lexus IS C and IS F that are being effectively replaced by the new RC. Meanwhile Infiniti is finally discontinuing the G37 that was already replaced by the newer Q50.
From our own domestic automakers, Cadillac discontinues the CTS-V sedan and wagon as the new CTS rolls in, Chevy is canceling the mild-hybrid Eco versions of the Malibu and Impala sedans, and Chrysler is killing off the 200 convertible as the new 200 sedan arrives.

Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Nissan recall 3.4 million vehicles for faulty airbags

Most vehicle recalls that take place these days are a result of some problem that happens during the manufacturing process by the automaker, but as we see here, parts suppliers can also factor in to problematic safety issues. Automotive News is reporting that a total of 3.4 million vehicles produced by Japanese automakers between 2000 and 2004 are being recalled globally due to faulty airbags produced by an outside supplier, Takata Corp.
According to the report, vehicles from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda are being recalled because of passenger front airbags that do not inflate properly. Globally, Toyota is said to be recalling around 1.73 million cars including 510,000 in the US composed of Toyota Corolla, Matrix, Sequoia and Tundra as well as the Lexus SC430 for the 2001 through 2003 model years; this is the second time this year the 2003 Corolla and Matrix have been recalled for an airbag problem. Honda is recalling 1.14 million models, Nissan another 480,000 and Mazda 45,463. The article says that Takata supplied faulty airbags to non-Japanese automakers, but it did not specify which ones.
Honda and Toyota have released information on their own websites about the recall, while Nissan and Mazda have not yet commented. Read official press releases from Honda and Toyota, below, and look for updates as we have word from the others.

Honda Accord under investigation due to airbag failures

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening a preliminary evaluation into the possibility of airbags not deploying in the 2008 Honda Accord. The agency has received 19 reports, including one injury, of the airbag control module failing, and the part is on an estimated 384,000 of the vehicles in the US. "For vehicles with a failed SRS module, some or all of the airbags may be unavailable in a crash warranting deployment," NHTSA's investigation says. Drivers are warned when the part stops working by a light on the instrument panel, but several of these reports indicate the module is unable to show diagnostic trouble codes when being inspected. The only way to fix the issue is to replace the whole component, and the Detroit News reports that can cost $500 or more. NHTSA's preliminary evaluations investigate "the scope, frequency, and consequence" of a problem and don't necessarily mean a recall is warranted. INVESTIGATION Subject : SRS Module Failure Date Investigation Opened: AUG 18, 2015 Date Investigation Closed: Open NHTSA Action Number: PE15029 Component(s): AIR BAGS All Products Associated with this Investigation close Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) HONDA ACCORD 2008 Details Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) SUMMARY: ODI has identified 19 VOQ reports alleging failure of the air bag SRS control module. One of the reports involved a frontal crash event where the frontal air bags did not deploy. The crash resulted in an injury to the driver and lone occupant, and the vehicle was subsequently inspected by the agency. According to the reports, the failure of the SRS module is indicated by the air bag readiness indicator lamp illuminating on the instrument panel. Consumers report the SRS control module had to be replaced to correct the condition. Several reports indicated that the SRS module was unable to communicate thus preventing diagnostic trouble codes from being retrieved. An inability of the SRS unit to communicate raises concern about the readiness of the entire supplemental restraints system. As a result, for vehicles with a failed SRS module, some or all of the air bags may be unavailable in a crash warranting deployment. ODI is opening this investigation to further evaluate the scope, frequency, and consequence of the alleged SRS module failures.