2000 Toyota Avalon Xls Sedan 4-door 3.0l on 2040-cars

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US expands probe into ZF-TRW airbag failure-to-deploy to 12.3 million vehicles

DETROIT — U.S. auto safety regulators have expanded an investigation into malfunctioning airbag controls to include 12.3 million vehicles because the bags may not inflate in a crash. The problem could be responsible for as many as eight deaths. Vehicles made by Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Fiat Chrysler from the 2010 through 2019 model years are included in the probe, which was revealed Tuesday in documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It involves airbag control units made by ZF-TRW that were installed in the vehicles. The control units can fail in a crash, possibly because of unwanted electrical signals produced by the crash itself that can disable an air bag control circuit housed in the passenger compartment, according to NHTSA documents. The electrical signals can damage the control circuit, the documents say. ZF, a German auto parts maker which acquired TRW Automotive in 2015, said in a statement that it's committed to safety and is cooperating with NHTSA and automakers in the investigation. The case is another in a long list of problems with auto industry airbags, including faulty and potentially deadly Takata airbag inflators. At least 24 people have been killed worldwide and more than 200 injured by the inflators, which can explode with too much force and hurl dangerous shrapnel into the passenger cabin. The inflators touched off the largest series of automotive recalls in U.S. history involving with as many as 70 million inflators to be recalled by the end of next year. About 100 million inflators are to be recalled worldwide. On April 19, NHTSA upgraded the ZF-TRW probe from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis, which is a step closer toward seeking recalls. So far, only Hyundai and Kia and Fiat Chrysler have issued recalls in the case. Four deaths that may have been caused by the problem were reported in Hyundai-Kia vehicles and three in Fiat Chrysler automobiles. NHTSA opened an investigation in March of 2017 involving the TRW parts in Hyundais and Kias. The upgrade came after investigators found two recent serious crashes involving 2018 and 2019 Toyota Corollas in which the airbags did not inflate. One person was killed. Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit consumer group, said the ZF-TRW case shows the auto industry thus far has learned very little from Takata.

Most reliable cars in America

For many people, the absolute worst thing they could experience with a car is for it to break or have a problem. The good news is there are cars that will ease the anxiety of their owners with infrequent trips to the shop. According to Consumer Reports, using data from its annual survey of subscribers, the following ten vehicles are the most reliable in the country, and are ordered from most to least reliable. Any of these vehicles should be a solid choice if the most important consideration in your car-buying decision is predicted reliability. That said, they aren't all vehicles that Autoblog's editors would recommend as fun to drive. We've provided links to our own driving impressions on these vehicles where possible. Also, if you care more about overall brand reliability than individual nameplates, check out the list of most reliable car brands. 10. Mazda CX-9 This three-row Mazda straddles the line where luxury begins and ends. It’s also pretty fun to drive for a family hauler. The fact that itÂ’s reliable to boot makes this an easy SUV to recommend. 9. Subaru Crosstrek Few vehicles define a segment quite like the Subaru Crosstrek. ItÂ’s a good buy, with class-leading ground clearance, tall seating position and good visibility, a surprisingly spacious cargo area, and multiple driving modes geared toward inclement weather and dirt roads. According to CR, it also sees fewer trips to the shop. 8. Toyota Highlander It wouldnÂ’t be a reliability list without at least one Toyota on it, and indeed the Highlander isnÂ’t the sole Toyota here. We especially like the Hybrid for its excellent fuel economy, but CR didnÂ’t break out its reliability list by powertrain. 7. Honda Insight The Honda Insight is a handsome, comfortable and affordable hybrid sedan. ItÂ’s also quite safe, and, according to CRÂ’s data, reliable. 6. Mazda MX-5 Miata Any Autoblog editor will happily profess their love for this Mazda MX-5 Miata. ItÂ’s an incredibly engaging roadster — at least when equipped with a manual transmission — that behaves a lot like the classic British and Italian roadsters of yesteryear. Thankfully, it doesnÂ’t share its European forebearsÂ’ penchant for breaking. 5. Cadillac XT5 One of the newer nameplates on this list, the Cadillac XT5 is also a hot seller for the American luxury brand. ItÂ’s also CadillacÂ’s most reliable vehicle. 4. Toyota Prius The Prius has been the face of Toyota efficiency for years now.

2015 Toyota Camry priced at $22,970*, Hybrid at $26,790*

We last saw the heavily revised 2015 Toyota Camry at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. Now, it's finally time for the best-selling car in the US to hit the roads in late September, and Toyota is announcing how much the updated model actually costs.
The basic Camry LE rings up for $22,970 (*not including a $825 delivery, processing and handling fee). That's up slightly from the base price of $22,425 for the 2014.5 LE, but the updated sedan has some 2,000 new parts, while also being 1.8 inches longer and boasting a 0.4-inch wider track. The rest of the trim levels include the SE for $23,840, sporty new XSE for $26,150 and XLE at $26,150. Opting for the V6 is the XSE and XLE bumps pricing to $31,370.
Separately, the Camry Hybrid gets its own LE, SE and XLE trims. The LE starts at $26,790 with a standard, power driver's seat and 4.2-inch information display. The SE for $27,995 gets an improved interior and the XLE at $29,980 has leather, heated front seats, LED running lights and more.