Nissan Recall: Brake, Fuel Gauge Problems on 540,000 Vehicles

Another day, another huge recall from a major manufacturer. Today’s bad news comes from Nissan, who is recalling 540,000 vehicles for issues related to a faulty brake pedal pin assembly and fuel gauge accuracy concerns. In three cases, the brake pedal pin worked loose, causing loss of braking ability.

The fuel gauge issue is unrelated to the brake pedal recall, and effects “high mileage” vehicles only. Over time, the accuracy of the fuel gauge declines, which may cause drivers to run out of fuel unexpectedly. Details on the models included after the jump.

Vehicles impacted by today’s brake recall are:

2008 to 2010 Nissan Titan
2008 to 2010 Nissan Armada
2008 to 2010 Infiniti QX56
2008 to 2010 Nissan Quest

Vehicles impacted by today’s fuel gauge recall are:
2005 to 2008 Nissan Armada
2005 to 2008 Nissan Titan
2005 to 2008 Infiniti QX56

Nissan Frontier produced between 1/06 and 3/06 or 10/07 and 1/08
Nissan Pathfinder produced between 1/06 and 3/06 or 10/07 and 1/08
Nissan Xterra produced between 1/06 and 3/06 or 10/07 and 1/08

Both problems have been reported in some 2008 Titan, Armada and QX56 models

GM to Recall 1.3 Million Cars Due to Steering Issue

General Motors Co. is expected to recall approximately 1.3 million small vehicles in North America to repair a power-steering problem that may have caused 14 craches and 1 injury, the company said on Tuesday.

The problem affects 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5s, Pontiac Pursuits sold in Canada, and Pontiac G4s sold in Mexico, reports said. GM began the voluntary recall after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received more than 1,100 complaints related to the issue.

GM’s recall follows in the footsteps of Toyota’s highly publicized global recall of more than 8 million vehicles due to issues including brakes, unintended acceleration, and floor mats. Toyota—which was known for its quality—has seen its reputation tank among potential auto buyers due to the massive recalls.

“They want to avoid the negative press that Toyota has received,” said Fitch Ratings director Jeong Min Pak in an interview with Bloomberg. “A lot of carmakers are coming out with recalls as they want to show that they are being strict about quality.”

GM’s last recall affected 857,735 vehicles in August 2008, involving faulty gearshift assembly that could cause the car to shift out of the “park” position.

“Recalling these vehicles is the right thing to do for our customers’ peace of mind,” said GM Vice President of Quality Jamie Hresko in a company statement.

GM Triples Opel Investment

On Tuesday, GM announced that it would triple funding to its European Opel / Vauxhall division, hoping to persuade European governments to grant loans and financial guarantees to the automaker.

In a revised plan released on Mar. 2, GM will contribute 1.9 billion euros (US$2.6 billion), more than tripling its previous commitment, to its Opel operations in Germany and Vauxhall brand in the U.K.

The commitment “is the right course of action for Opel/Vauxhall and should clearly signal our determination to fix our business,” said GM Europe CEO Nick Reilly. “We have shared this decision with the European Commission as well as the national and state governments involved.”

GM Chairman Ed Whitacre said in a statement that it is vital that GM’s headquarters “demonstrate our commitment” for the European operations to instill “renewed trust and confidence” in Opel/Vauxhall.

GM almost sold its European operations to Canada’s Magna International, but pulled out of an agreed-upon deal after the company decided that its European operations were central to the company’s core business.

The Russelsheim, Germany-based Opel employs 48,000 people in Europe, with half of the workers in Germany.

The Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons says he is not taking any bribes or kickbacks, nor did he fooled around ever on his wife.

Gibbons was to respond to the questions of a personal nature in the very deposition taken earlier this month.

He was questioned by the lawyer for the Las Vegas woman claimed that Gibbons groped and assaulted her in the parking garage after a night of drinking.

Mr. Gibbons finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place legal, with a federal civil suit on one side, and the battle long divorce from the other. Governor has a lot of important issues in store in Carson City, but can not overcome their legal problems.

Read the full deposition of the Governor
(Graphic language warning)

Lawyers in each of those actions have been asked whether Gibbons is immoral and reprobate. Questions raised in both cases have focused heavily on personal matters, which extended to the Governor by public life.

In October 2006, then-gubernatorial candidate Jim Gibbons appeared in a news conference, accompanied by his wife, Dawn, told reporters that he was a happily married man. The event was held so that Gibbons can respond to the allegations that he had groped and assaulted a cocktail waitress Chrissie Mazzeo hours after drinking at a restaurant in Las Vegas.

Criminal charges were never pursued Gibbons was elected governor of days after the press conference. But Mazzeo in the civil suit in federal court is still alive.

Mazzeo and her attorney Bob Kossack think the governor is lying, and not only about events in the night, but in the question about his personal life.

In the February 5, 2010, Gibbons was questioned, under oath, for four hours, and provided, in the opinion Kossack, contradictory versions of events, including the status of his marriage.

In his statement under oath, asked if Gibbons was, in fact, a happily married man in 2006, and I answered yes. But in other parts of the certificate, said Gibbons Kossack his marriage to Dawn was “tense”.

When asked about his sex life, Gibbons said there was no close relationship with his wife or any other woman since 1995, adding the comment “I’m living proof you can survive without sex for a long time.”

Gibbons testified that he had never been unfaithful to his wife, and specifically denied the existence of sexual relations with two women linked to him in the media accounts – Leslie Sferraza Durant, a former Playboy model, who accompanied Gibbons to the Reno Rodeo, and was seen with him in restaurants different and Kathy Karrasch, and married women as the exchange of hundreds of messages in the late night text with Gibbons.

Both Karrasch says Durant friendships with Gibbons has Platonism.

Las Vegan Wendy Mazaros says it has direct knowledge of Gibbons romance with Leslie Durant. Mazaros given under oath in a private Gibbons case of divorce, and says she was in the room with Leslie on 90 and that Leslie is expected to marry one Gibbons.

“It was a big role in love,” she said.

Under oath, Mazaros also said Leslie accompanied on several trips out of state, see Leslie picked up packets of cash from the business to be delivered to Gibbons, who was not in the office during that time period.

In a statement, Gibbons emphatically denied ever accept any kind of bribery or extortion, and denied ever lived in an apartment in Reno, Mazaros referred to as the “love the apartment,” or visit the apartment in San Diego, and denied ever accept any amount of money in a restaurant in Reno.

Mazzeo’s lawyer, Bob Kossack declined to be interviewed on camera, but says that the deposition of the governor did not agree with the statements made originally to the police and the media.

During the deposition, Kossack Gibbons Mazzeo showed pictures taken in the night of the alleged incident. Gibbons said he did not recognize her.

When asked whether he had told flirty or naughty jokes on / off while having cocktails with Mazzeo and others, Gibbons said he was not a good joke teller and said he did not know the meaning of the term “pun.”

Denied playing footsie under the table because Mazzeo said he was wearing cowboy boots

Kossack says that other witnesses under oath that there is flirtatious behavior and that Gibbons had his arms all over the Mazzeo once and two others from abroad.

Gibbons says the only time he touched Mazzeo was when I stumbled as he helped her find a vehicle.

He told police Mazzeo suddenly turned away from it without explanation, and it went directly to his room. In the deposition, however, said in a long story about the loss of the key to his chamber, which may be responsible for the existence of a difference based on the time exactly happened to his room.

Gibbons lawyer Pat Lundvall says her client has done a “wonderful” during the deposition. Says he was open and honest and answered all questions, even in the afternoon session when he joined them lawyers Chrissie Mazzeo.

Kossack lawyer, Bob says he has not yet decided whether to seek depositions from Leslie Durant and Kathy Karrasch.

Governor and sedimentation, which filled nearly 200 pages when you copy them, and provides an explicit profile to other aspects of his life, including employment history and education.

The fellow flier with whom Mitt Romney had a physical alteration on an airplane turns out to be a hip hop star – and he claims in the 2008 GOP presidential hopeful got physical first.

“He grabbed my shoulder, and I was like boom get off of me,” the artist says. “The man assaulted me. I was protecting myself."

Romney and his wife, Ann, were heading to Los Angeles on Monday - and flying economy class - after attending the Olympic Games in Vancouver when they encountered the musician.

According to Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom, the artist "became physically violent" when Romney asked him to move his seat upright before takeoff.

"Gov. Romney did not retaliate but instead let the airline crew respond to the incident," Fehrnstrom said.

Neither Romney nor his wife was hurt.

A spokesman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Air Canada Flight AC552 was returned to the gate and Sky Blu was taken into custody. He claims he wasn’t arrested.

"The alleged victim did not wish to press charges," said Cpl. Jennifer Pound of the mounted police. "The male that was arrested and released caught a later flight."

“I have no hard feelings toward him, Sky Blu said in the video. “I’m sure he’s a good dude. It was just an unfortunate situation”

Sign of spring? Single-game Phils tix go on sale

The field is covered with snow at the Citizens Bank Park, and so are many of the seats fans covet, especially along the first base line.

But at 5 a.m. cousins Rob and Chuck Milrath of Ridley - emerging from their dens like groundhogs as harbingers of spring - arrived at the ballpark to be the first fans in line to buy single-game tickets for the coming season.

(Sales started at 8 a.m. online and 8:30 at the ticket windows or by phone at 215-463-1000.)

Rob, 18, said he and his cousin were gunning for Opening Night, Fan Appreciation Day, a fireworks game and a dollar-dog day.

At 8:30, the two cousins walked through a tape of blank tickets to make the first purchases.

"Probably will get in troble with the teachers," said Ridley High senior Rob, whose first-in-line status had landed him and his cousin in the media spotlight.

Braving the breezy chill were three ballgirls - with no gloves, hats or heavy jackets.

"There is shivering in baseball, but there's no crying," said ballgirl Victoria Musselman, 22, who's training to become a physician's assistant at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Next in line was Joe Burns, 49, of Tacony, whose list of games focused on teams he wanted to see. The May 7 game against Atlanta, however, he chose not for the competition but to celebrate the anniversary of his "last beer." He wasn't a heavy drinker, he said. He just decided to quit.

Wearing wristband No. 16 was Bill Ward, 56, of Westville, N.J., who has been part of this annual ritual for a decade.

"No reason they can't win it again - the World Series," he said. "100 wins. No problem."

"Maybe 105 if [reliever Brad] Lidge doesn't blow 11 saves," chimed in Kevin Rimkunas, 51, of Bridesburg.

This was his sixth year at the yearly event. He braved the cold for several reasons. "The Internet's a pain. It's tough getting through. Plus I don't like paying a service fee."

Just before 7 a.m., Rob and Chuck were presented with new red caps whose tags touted, among other attributes, "vapor management." Today, in Florida, players will start wearing these "flex fit" caps with "high-tech mesh" all during spring training - and for batting practice during the season, explained Francis Winkey, manager of the Majestic Clubhouse Store.

Then the dozen fans in line were let into the store to be greeted by two ballgirls, sign up for a chance to win Opening Day tickets, take advantage of 15 percent off today, grab a bagel or a doughnut and some coffee, or pose with the 2009 National League championship trophy and the 2008 World Series trophy - provided they brought a camera.

Sales of ticket were for 77 dates for the 2010 season.

Off-limits were four games - Opening Day and three against the Boston Red Sox - because they've available only through season ticket packages, six-game "Six Packs," or an online "ticket purchase opportunity" lottery.

After today, tickets will be sold at the First Base Gate ticket windows from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 to 4 on weekends starting March 6.

Six Packs were already on sale before this morning, allowing fans to pick six games, including only one of the following - Opening Day, a Mets game, a Red Sox game, Father's Day, Mother's Day or a fireworks night.

For more about tickets, giveaways, and the online ticket opportunity, Online drawings end Feb. 24 for Opening Day, March 3 for Sox tickets.

Fat Tuesday, Paczki Day and National Pancake Day: Happy Mardi Gras!

Fat Tuesday, Paczki Day, National Pancake Day, Fastnacht Day and Shrove Tuesday are all names for the last day of the happy Mardi Gras celebrations. Earlier I shared my Fat Tuesday organic pancake recipe before Lent and Ash Wednesday. A recent Happy Mardi Gras tour around Gather taught me about Paczki Day and Happy Mardi Gras traditions around the world including Fastnacht Day!

We are celebrating National Pancake Day with lowfat organic pancakes and yummy ham steaks. Other will be eating delicious Polish Paczki for Paczki Day. On my diet, I wondered about Paczki calories. I discovered they have about 500 calories each!

In Germany, Mardi Gras is called Karneval with Fastnacht Day celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday. Parades are held on Lundi Gras, also called Fat Monday.

Whatever you decide to call the day and however you celebrate it, Happy Mardi Gras!

Here is YouTube video of New Orlean Mardi Gras 2009 and Fat Tuesday in the French Quarter: