2002 Gmc Sonoma Sls Crew Cab 4x4 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

NHTSA investigates 1.7 million GM SUVs for windshield wiper failures

WASHINGTON - The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Tuesday it is investigating whether General Motors should recall an additional 1.7 million sport utility vehicles due to an issue with windshield wiper failures. GM in August 2016 recalled 367,800 2013 GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox SUVs in the United States to address the problem. But after receiving 249 complaints about similar problems, the federal agency said it is probing whether the recall should be expanded to include an additional 1.7 million vehicles from the 2010-2016 model years. The automaker said it is cooperating with the NHTSA review. GM said it recalled the 2013 GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox SUVs "because warranty data showed a higher-than-expected failure rate," adding it has continued to monitor field data on other model years of those vehicles. GM noted that no crashes or injuries related to the issue have been reported. The Detroit-based automaker said the recalls were prompted after a GM Canada brand quality manager reported a potential safety issue relating to reports of windshield wiper failures in Canada through GM's "Speak Up For Safety," program in late 2015. The data showed significantly higher field incidents in parts of Canada, which prompted a June 2016 recall there. Over the next two months, a higher number of U.S. reports prompted a U.S. recall, the company added. In the 2016 recall, GM said the front-wiper module would be replaced with a module that has a water deflector and, if needed, dealers would fill the water management hole and drill a new small hole in a different location.(Reporting by David Shepardson, editing by G Crosse)Related Video: Government/Legal Recalls Chevrolet GM GMC SUV

Hot air balloons caught in high winds drag fullsize SUV

A sudden storm front whipped up enough wind to send some hot air balloons flying into the air in Wisconsin over the weekend. One ballon proved so energetic that it was able to drag a fullsize SUV across a field and into a stand of tents. The freak accident occurred at Balloonfest in Waterford, Wisconsin. Spectators were horrified as balloons dragged handlers to the ground and launched with terrified pilots clinging to their baskets. Organizers had started packing up the colorful balloons due to ominous storm clouds when the wind kicked up. "Happened just like that; it was crazy," Nathan Fricke, crew member, told Fox 6. Winds were clocked at 40 to 50 miles per hour. A balloon caught in the wind dragged a large SUV (we think a Suburban or Yukon XL) hundreds of feet and into a cluster of tents on the edge of the staging area where balloons were on display for festival goers. Considering that the SUV surely weighs well over 5,000 pounds, it's lucky that no one was injured in the incident. News Source: Fox6Now Weird Car News Chevrolet GM GMC SUV

Chauffeur attacks motorist in road rage incident

A California man was the victim of an intense and violent road rage attack on the 405 freeway on Tuesday, but when the police were called they told the driver to shake it off. Shahnam Asbaghi told KTLA that the altercation began when a GMC Yukon private car began tailgating him. "This limousine Yukon driver was just tailgating me the whole time since when I got onto the 405 North," Asbaghi told reporters. "It was so bad I actually got scared and nervous so I exited early." When Asbaghi exited the freeway, the Yukon followed and rear ended him at the bottom of the ramp. "He just rammed me with his car at probably 25, 30 miles per hour," said Asbaghi. "When he hit me he got out of his car, came around to the driver's side and punched my window four or five times. Then he ran back to his car, got in his car, and drove away." Startled, Asbaghi followed his assailant in an attempt to get the Yukon's license plate number. After a quick chase, the Yukon stopped near Sepulveda Boulevard and Sherman Way where the driver got out of the truck, retrieved a long, unidentified item from the rear cargo area, and attacked Asbaghi's car again. Video shot by Asbaghi shows the chauffeur striking the driver's side window with the object, tossing it back in the Yukon, then leaving the scene. Asbaghi called 911, but the police weren't impressed. "Because my head wasn't smashed, because the window wasn't smashed, no harm no foul is what they told me," Asbaghi told KTLA. The cops did make the drivers exchange information, but no arrests were made. The Los Angeles Police Department is now looking into the incident to make sure they handled the situation correctly. The day after the attack, L.A. Private Car announced via Twitter that they fired the angry Chauffeur after reviewing the footage. News Source: KTLA Government/Legal Weird Car News GMC Driving Safety Crossover SUV Commercial Vehicles road rage 405 freeway chauffeur