Recalls

GM Recalls Chevrolet Sonics to Check Brake Pads

General Motors Co. is recalling more than 4,000 of its 2012 Chevrolet Sonic subcompact cars to check for missing brake pads.

Some Sonics could be missing an inner or outer brake pad, which could increase stopping distance. GM said there are no known crashes or injuries related to the issue.

The recall involves 4,296 of GM’s 2012 Sonics sold in the United States. Affected models are from the Orion Township, Mich., assembly plant, which makes Sonics for the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Dealers will inspect front brakes on Sonics for missing inner or outer pads and install new pads, if necessary. Customers affected by the recall started receiving dealer letters on January 14. — Associated Press

Ford Recalls Fusion, Mercury Milan Sedans

Ford Motor Co. recalled nearly 129,000 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans in the United States, citing a risk that the wheels may fall off, U.S. safety regulators said.

The cars, from the model year 2010 and 2011, are equipped with 17-inch steel wheels. Ford said the wheel studs may fracture, causing the car to shake. If ignored, the wheels may fall off while the car is moving, according to a posting on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site.

The problems may be caused by steel wheel mounting pads or rear brake discs that have been incorrectly built and cannot properly support the wheel, Ford said.

Ford found one case when the front wheel fell off and five cases where the rear wheel dropped off that are possibly due to these problems.

Cars with alloy wheels are not affected.

Ford said 128,616 cars are affected by the recall. — Reuters

Nebraska Company Recalls Ground Beef Over E.coli Concern

A Nebraska meatpacker recalled more than 40,000 pounds of ground beef products distributed in 16 states after a test confirmed the presence of E.coli.

The products were shipped to institutions and distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. of Dakota City, Neb., recalled 10-pound chubs of chuck fine ground beef 80/20, packed in cases containing eight chubs.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said in a statement that the problem was discovered through routine monitoring that confirmed a positive result for E.coli. No reports of illness have been received.

E.coli is a bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and, in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, elderly and those with weak immune systems are the most susceptible. — Associated Press

Johnson & Johnson Pulls 12 Million Motrin Bottles Off Shelves

Johnson & Johnson, plagued by product recalls in the past two years, said it is voluntarily asking retailers to remove about 12 million bottles of Motrin pain relievers from store shelves.

The coated caplets may not dissolve as quickly as intended when they near their expiration dates, the company found when testing product samples.

The company is not asking consumers to return the caplets. The bottles were distributed in the United States, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Fiji, Belize, St. Lucia and Jamaica.

Three McNeil manufacturing plants have been under stepped-up U.S. government supervision since last March, following a rash of consumer product recalls. — Associated Press

Smucker Recalls Jars of Chunky Peanut Butter

J.M. Smucker Co. is recalling thousands of 16-ounce jars of its Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter Chunky because of possible salmonella contamination.

The Ohio-based company says the jars covered in the recall would have been purchased in early November. They have “Best if Used By” dates of Aug. 3, 2012, and Aug. 4, 2012, plus the production codes 1307004 and 1308004.

Smucker says 3,000 jars were recalled from stores. Another 16,000 had never left warehouses.

Smucker says no illnesses have been reported.

The product was distributed in: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. — Associated Press

Harley-Davidson to Recall Over 300,000 Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson Inc. will recall some 308,474 motorcycles worldwide due to problems with the rear brake light switch.

Certain 2009-2012 Touring and Trike models are being recalled because the rear brake light switch may be exposed to excessive heat from the exhaust system.

The excessive heat may cause the switch to not activate the brake lamp or activate the brake lamp when no brake is applied. It may also cause a fluid leak at the brake light switch, Harley-Davidson said in notice to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration.

The company is recalling about 250,000 units in the United States and about 50,000 outside. Harley shipped 210,494 motorcycles internationally and shipped an average of 306,000 motorcycles each month from 2000 to 2010.

The company has issued other smaller recalls in recent years, including one for 142,000 motorcycles in November 2009 for an issue related to fuel tank mounts.

A spokesman noted that Harley-Davidson voluntarily issued the recall to ensure customer safety. — Reuters

Nissan Recall Two Vehicles Because of Engine Stalling

Nissan is recalling nearly 34,000 Sentra compact cars because of a battery cable problem that could cause the engines to stall.

Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say that a zinc coating on the cable bolts could be too thick. That can cause a voltage drop that can damage the engine control computer. The documents say the cars can stall while moving, and it may not be possible to restart them, increasing the risk of a crash.

The problem affects some 2010 and 2011 Sentras equipped with MR-20 engines.

Nissan says it will replace the positive battery cables free of charge.

Nissan also is recalling more than 28,000 Juke small crossover SUVs from the 2011 model year. A turbocharger bracket problem can cause engine stalling. — Associated Press

Toyota Recalls 550,000 Vehicles on Steering Issue

Toyota Motor Co is recalling 550,000 vehicles worldwide, including more than 420,000 in the United States, to replace an engine component that could hamper steering.

Models involved include the Toyota-branded Camry sedan, Solara coupe, Highlander SUV, and Sienna minivan for the 2004 and 2005 model years.

The recall also covers the 2004 Toyota Avalon sedan and 2006 Highlander HV. Toyota luxury brand Lexus models recalled were the 2006 Lexus RX 400H SUV as well as the 2004 and 2005 ES330 sedan and RX330 crossover.

The recall is the latest in a reputation-damaging series that began in the fall of 2009, mainly involving complaints of unintended acceleration linked to defective floor mats and gas pedals.

This recall affects 283,200 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles in the United States, bringing the total recalls in 2011 to an estimated 3.3 million vehicles.

Toyota will replace the crankshaft pulley on the six-cylinder engines of the models.

The company said the outer ring of the pulley may not be aligned with the inner ring. If the condition were not fixed, a component of the power steering pump could be detached from the pulley and force the driver to put in more effort to steer.

About 27,000 vehicles were recalled in Canada and 38,000 recalled in Japan, a Toyota spokesman said. — Reuters