In essence Honda has issued a recall for the above-mentioned vehicles because of an automatic transmission software problem. The issue is not a life-threatening situation such as the Toyota sticking  pedal. It’s more of a preventative recall.

With the current software, the quick transition from reverse to neutral to drive and back again (you know, the type of shifting you do if you’re stuck in mud or stuck in the snow), may lead to bearing damage. The damage may cause the engine to stall or make it difficult to shift the gear into Park.

What to Do Next

Honda is sending out a notice to its customers. They will start sending the notices out on August 31, 2011. However, if you’re the impatient type, visit Honda’s Automobile Recall Information website. Armed with your vehicle identification number you can find up-to-date information on outstanding recalls specific to your vehicle.

Keep in mind that this is a voluntary recall and that many of the vehicles may not actually need the updated software. However, Honda decided to err on the side of safety and issued the recall anyway.

It sounds like folk who enjoy driving off road and/or who live in areas with seasonal snow, are the ones who are most affected.

On the outside, the car looked good. Black car with black leather interior, sun roof and of course those “to die for” Bose speakers. I think the Bose speakers and the sun roof were a major draw for him.

Usual Wear and Tear

Of course, when you purchase a 15 year old car Nissan Maxima, you expect for it to have some wear and tear. It has about 100,000 miles on it and needs a tune up, brakes, oil change and the usual. What he didn’t take into consideration was that the car was driven in the “salt belt.” Old cars and salt belt spell rust and corrosion.

Not so Usual Wear and Tear

After purchasing the car (yes, I said after), he had a mechanic friend gave it a once over. He discovered that the bottom of the car is rusting out. There’s excessive corrosion on the underside to the point where it needs to be reinforced so it won’t lose its integrity.

As an ex-football player, he’s not a little guy. Driving around in a car where the bottom is about to fall out isn’t a good thing. The seller of the car (who took the money and ran), must have known the condition of the car. A CARFAX report after the fact is pretty much useless.

School of Hard Knocks

Here’s another car lesson learned via the school of hard knocks. Get the CARFAX and the vehicle inspection before handing over the cash!

Since we submitted the information on March 11th, two weeks later would mean March 25th. Not wanting to be a pest, I allowed a few extra days for mailing before I followed up on the reimbursement check.

Called the Ford Dealership

Today, March 31st I called the dealership to inquire about my recall reimbursement check. The service department checked their records to confirm the amount and date of the reimbursement request. He had to investigate it and get back to me.

When he called me back he said that “they were credited for the reimbursement.” In other words, the Ford home office releases the funds to the local Ford dealership. Unfortunately, the local dealership did not bother to notify me of the reimbursement.

I was told to call them on Monday (today is Thursday) and ask for their bookkeeper. She will then issue the check and I can get my reimbursement. Can you say insult to injury?

Getting My Recall Reimbursement Check from Ford

Not only did I have to go through the time and expense of replacing an unsafe condition in my Ford Windstar, but now I’ve got to chase down the reimbursement.

Take it from me. Don’t let Ford sit there with your funds gaining interest in their account. If the dealership says the reimbursement will be issued in two weeks. Call them and follow up 1 minute after the two weeks are up.

If you haven’t already called your local Ford dealer to schedule an appointment to have the sub frame replaced, stop reading this blog post and call them now.

Reimbursement of Sub Frame

What about folks like me who couldn’t wait for Ford to stop dragging their feet to issue a recall? Safety had to come first and some owners had to replace the subframe or mechanical failure that could be deadly.

If you have already replaced the sub frame, I hope you documented your expenditures. Gather all of your receipts (make sure to keep a copy of everything), and call the local Ford dealership. They have to inspect the replaced subframe to make sure it is up to their standards.

Once the inspection is done and you give them copies of your receipts, they will process your reimbursement check. We just took our Windstar in for inspection and gave the dealership the receipts. We were told that it takes two weeks to process. We should receive our check in two weeks.

Additional Recalls

While our Windstar was at the dealership for the sub frame inspection, Ford ordered the parts for the rear axle recall . Once the parts come in, they’ll call us to replace it. In addition to the rear axle, there was another recall involving the speed control which they were able to replace during this inspection.

So, as it stands now, we’re waiting for the parts for the rear axle replacement and our check for the cost of the subframe. I’ll post an update as things progress.

Ford is now issuing a recall on the rusted subframe problem!  For more information, check out the National Transit and Highway Administration’s Recall Campaign # 11V030000

In other words, Ford has to fix the defective subframe problem, free of charge to you (and reimburse those of us who spent a fortune replacing their subframe).

There are some car owners who can forgo the maintenance expense of owning a car by using public transportation. However, not all car owners have that option. For those individuals living in areas where public transpiration is not feasible, finding ways to save money on the day to day expenses of owning and maintaining a car is important.

Car owners with internet access and the willingness to think out of the box can cut some of the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining a car. Below are three ways in which individuals can save money on car ownership.

Purchasing a Pre-Owned Car

Buying a used car is a smart money saving alternative to purchasing a new one. When looking for a used car, consumers must perform their due diligence in getting a used car history report before signing on the dotted line. Not doing so can be the difference in wasting time and money trying to return a lemon (using the lemon law), and finding the perfect car to suit a consumer’s financial and transportation needs.

Before reaching into the pocket to pay for a used car history report, consumers should be aware that there are several ways to obtain free information on a used car. It calls for a little “out of the box” thinking but it can be done. Check out the article Free Car History Reports: How to Obtain Free Information before Buying a Used Car for practical tips on how to get the free information.

Free Oil Changes

After ensuring the used car is worth the investment, consumers have to maintain their new purchase. Performing routine maintenance such as oil changes and tune ups extend the life of the car, but the costs can add up. While the routine maintenance may put a slight dent in your pocket, it pales in comparison to neglecting the maintenance and having to pay for a major repair.

To help with the cost of the regularly scheduled oil change, consumers should access the Your Free Oil Change website to see if they qualify for a free oil change. Any service that helps to prolong the life of a car that has a zero dollar price tag is a win-win situation.

Qualify to Receive Free Gas

When it comes to the daily gas consumption, consumers can check to see if they qualify to receive free gas monthly. Car owners that drive at least 1,000 miles per month may qualify to receive free gas. The website Free Gas Help.com offers a program to drivers willing to trade a bit of vehicle real estate for gas. In other words, drivers willing to place ads on the outside of the car may qualify to receive free gas. The amount of free gas a car owner receives depends on the size and location of the advertisement. Free Gas Help offers programs ranging from $17 to $200 per month.

In today’s tough economic times, consumers have to think out of the box to make ends meet.

Many car buyers understand the importance of obtaining a CARFAX history report (learn how to get a CARFAX report for free) on a vehicle prior to purchase, however, a CARFAX report is only necessary when the final decision is about to be made. Before potential car buyers get to the decision phase, there are preliminary phases they must go through first.

While in the preliminary shopping phase, car buyers are faced with a plethora of purchase options. Most shoppers usually have a good idea of the budgetary limitations and whether or not to buy a private passenger car or a sports utility vehicle, but that doesn’t narrow the playing field very much. Whether the consumer decides to go with a used car or pre-owned sports utility vehicle, the choices are many.

Pre-Owned Vehicle Reputation

A used car’s reputation is one way to help narrow the playing field. Anyone old enough to have lived through or had owned a Ford Pinto can vouch for how a car’s reputation can affect the way shoppers view a car’s reliability. The Ford Pinto won the dubious honor of being included in Time.com’s list of the Worst 50 Cars of All Time. Hardly a vehicle buyers would flock to.

CARFAX Free Safety and Reliability Ratings

Consumers can now avoid purchasing car models with a known history of safety defects and poor reliability. By visiting the CARFAX Safety and Reliability service, car buyers can narrow their used car selection.

The CARFAX service offers safety and reliability ratings for vehicles manufactured from 1991 to current year. The benefit of this service is that car buyers can narrow the pre owned auto playing field. For example, if Suzie happens to browse the morning paper and finds a seemingly great deal on a particular car, she can access the CARFAX safety and reliability ratings to see if that model car has any known safety or reliability problems.

She doesn’t have to wait until she obtains the vehicle identification number before she starts her preliminary auto research. Suzie can go to the CARFAX site, select the year, make and model of the car to find out a host of information to help to her narrow her car selection choices.

Free Used Car Reliability Information

Once a car buyer locates the vehicle in CARFAX’s safety and reliability service, the buyer will gain access to the following reports specific to the auto:

Safety reports from:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Results
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Crash Test Results
• IIHS Low Speed Damage Repair
• Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) Injury, Collision and Theft Indicators
• NHTSA Safety Recalls

Reliability reports from:

• J.D. Power and Associate Ratings
• Identifix Reliability Ratings
• Intellichoice Cost of Ownership & Value Rating
• Original Manufacturer Warranty
• New Car Test Drive Automotive Review
• Vehicle Awards

The vehicle reports are extensive and potential car buyers should allow ample time to review all of the information provided. Depending on the data found in the reports, the consumer can either take it to the next step or go back to the drawing board to find a different car.

Ford Windstar Sub Frame Investigation Upgrade

When I received a response from the NHTSA, I was happy to hear that the investigation had been upgraded to an “Engineering Analysis.”  This means they’re doing “a more detailed examination into the character and scope of the alleged defect.”  Those are words taken from the email I received.

Keep Up-to-Date with the Windstar’s SubFrame Investigation

You can see the latest developments by going to the NHTSA website.  Insert the year, make and model of the vehicle to find the latest investigations and recalls.  The Engineering Analysis for the subframe is NHTSA Action # EA10007 opened on December 20, 2010.

If you read the information, you will see that the original action (PE10026) which involved 87 complaints has grown in number to 346 complaints (334 in the “salt belt” states).  It seems that people are stepping up and voicing their concerns about the Ford Windstar sub frame problem.  By the way, it’s not too late to file a complaint.  The more people that provide their information, the better the chances of having this unsafe condition recalled.

If you want to read the nitty-gritty details of the Investigation, read the ODI (Office of Defects Investigation) Resume.  It provides detailed information about the defect and the statistical data of the folks who have filed complaints.

Will the Ford Windstar Subframe be Recalled?

It looks like the NHTSA is heading in the right direction. We won’t know until the investigation is completed.  I’d sure like to recoup my expenses for replacing my Windstar’s sub frame, wouldn’t you?

Hey, did I mention that it’s not too late to file your complaint if you haven’t done so already?  No, I’m not suffering from dementia.  I know I mentioned it earlier, but I just wanted to drive the point home.  If you didn’t file a complaint as yet and you have a defective sub frame, please file your complaint now.

Ford Windstar Subframe Updates:

Subframe Finally Recalled
Getting Reimbursed for Subframe Expenditures

New Car vs. Old Car

If you’re buying a used or older car that only costs $500 or $1,000 and you have the money saved up in your account, you can purchase the car out right. In such situations you don’t need a job to buy the car, you just need to have the money to purchase it.

Similarly, if you’re purchasing a new or more expensive car, if you have the money to pay for it, you don’t need to have a job. However, if you need financing in order to purchase the car, you had better have a job.

Banks and other lending institutions do not like lending money to people who don’t have the means to pay them back. They usually like to see that you not only have a job but a good credit rating that will make them feel comfortable enough to lend you the money to purchase the car. If you have poor credit and no job, it will be tough to finance a car purchase.

Car Related Expenses

No matter what type of vehicle you buy, whether new or used, there are car related expenses. You may not need a job to buy the car but it costs money to register and insurance the car.

If you have someone funding your expenses such as a parent or spuse, then no, you don’t need the job to buy or maintain your car. Unfortunately, most of us are not so lucky. We have to work to pay the bills that are associated with car ownership.

With the rising gas prices, you bet that you’ll need a job to pay for gas, oil changes, regular maintenance and the monthly or annual insurance bills.

To sum it up: It’s not absolutely necessary to have a job in order to buy a car as long as you have the financial wherewithal to cover all of your expenses. If you don’t, then you need to have a job.

I happened to be on the site because I was checking the latest investigation on another potential recall and found out that the 2003 Jeep Liberty that I own, has been the subject of a couple of recalls.  What concerns me is that in the time that I’ve owned the Jeep, I was never notified of the recalls.

Two Recent Jeep Liberty Recalls

The most recent recall in 2009 involves the front control arm upper ball joint.   This recall involves Jeep Liberty model years 2002 and 2003.  According to the NHTSA website, this recall is to “remedy a defect that can result in upper ball joint separation while driving (09V-119).”

Prior to that, in 2006 there was another recall  for the front control arm: lower ball joint.  This recall affects Jeep Liberty model years 2002 through 2006.  The defect can result in a separation from the steering knuckle.

You don’t have to be a mechanic to understand that these are two serious conditions and if you have a Jeep Liberty that is affected by this condition you should call your local Jeep dealer and have a ball joints replaced.

Chrysler Recall Notification Process

I am not familiar with the notification process that Chrysler uses to alert their car owners to recalls, but I know for a fact that we were not notified.  If it weren’t for my snooping around on the Internet researching other recalls, I wouldn’t have known that I’ve been driving around in a vehicle with defective parts that could lead to a tragic situation.

Words of Advice

Whether you have a brand-new or a used car, every once in awhile go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website to see what’s cooking with your vehicle.