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NHTSA upgrades probe into 1.7 million GM vehicles over wiper failures

WASHINGTON — The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Tuesday it is upgrading an investigation into 1.7 million General Motors vehicles for windshield wiper failures. The auto safety agency opened the probe in November 2018 to see if GM needed to expand a 2016 recall of 2013 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs to cover additional vehicles. The engineering analysis probe covers 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. NHTSA could demand a recall after it completes the probe. NHTSA said it has reviewed 1,900 complaints and reports related to the issue in the 1.7 million vehicles. NHTSA said it has seen elevated failure rates in the 1.7 million vehicles, even though GM said the recalled vehicles have "double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate." GM said it will "fully cooperate to support their investigation. We do not believe these windshield washer systems are defective." The wiper failures that prompted the 2016 recall were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the ball joint. GM said it was installing an improved windshield wiper motor and transmission assembly and relocating a drain hole at the base of the windshield. Related Video:

2016 Chevrolet Equinox gets styling tweaks, not much else

The current Chevy Equinox debuted over five years ago, in late 2009. Since then, the midsize crossover segment has become increasingly important, with brand-new entries meeting substantially overhauled versions of existing nameplates. But the Equinox carried on, largely unchanged. And while Chevy is using its Chicago Auto Show stage to debut the freshened, 2016 Equinox, it appears there isn't a whole lot to talk about. Take a look at the updated Equinox's exterior and you're pretty much going to see all that's new for 2016. Sure, the Chevy still boasts a handsome, inoffensive design, and it's now upgraded with things like LED running lamps on top-level trims, as well as new 17- and 18-inch wheel designs, projector beam headlamps, and revised taillamp styling. Moving inside, Chevy has added a standard seven-inch color touchscreen to all models, which includes a backup camera. New-to-Equinox safety features like side cross traffic alert and side blind zone alert are also available for 2016. And really, that's about it. Powertrain options carry over from last year. On the base end, there's a 2.4-liter inline-four that's good for up to 32 miles per gallon on the highway (with front-wheel drive). Buyers can also opt for a 301-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 that allows the Equinox to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Will this be enough to keep the Equinox fresh in its highly competitive class? In 2014, the Equinox did outsell lower-volume competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester, but was bested by fresher offerings like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4. Have a look at all there is to know about the 2016 Equinox in the press blast below. We'll have live images and more impressions direct from the Chicago show floor, soon. Fresh Face: Chevrolet Introduces Restyled 2016 Equinox Premium cues, new safety features enhance Chevy's record-selling compact SUV CHICAGO – Chevrolet today introduced the 2016 Equinox – a contemporized version of the popular compact SUV. Updates include new styling with premium accents, new wheel designs and new available safety features, as well as a larger color touchscreen radio and a standard rear-vision camera for entry-level models.

Europeans ask Chevy to bring Volt back to Europe

A group of French fans is asking for a jolt of support from General Motors to get the 2016 Chevrolet Volt across the pond. The Association Amperistes et Amis des Vehicules Rechargeables is running a Change.org petition that currently has 383 signatures out of a goal of 500. While the attempt is admirable, it's probably going to take a lot more than several hundred people for the model to make a return to the continent after the poor showing of the Opel Ampera – first-gen Volt's European cousin. The group's major argument for bringing a version of the second-gen Volt to Europe is that consumers need "an intermediate choice between expensive or range-limited pure electric cars and plug-in hybrids with a miserable electric range." Furthermore, such a vehicle would prod the competition to produce similarly efficient electrified models. They also lavish praise on the abilities of the Ampera for its long EV driving range. The supporters aren't entirely kind to GM in the petition, though, and claim the company excluded the original car from marketing efforts there. The Ampera actually enjoyed a strong European launch with more orders than initially expected and briefly topped the best-sellers list among EVs there. It was even named 2012 European Car of the Year. Those halcyon days didn't last long, and by 2014 sales fell off to a trickle. The waning reception caused GM's decision not to introduce a version of the new 2016 Volt there or in Australia. Related Video: