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Nissan is recalling about 14,700 of its 2011-12 cars and trucks because they might suddenly lose so much oil that the engine could seize.

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Nissan said some of the bolts connecting the oil filter to the engine could break. Should that occur, Nissan said the engine-oil warning light would turn on and the engine “may become noisy.” If the driver doesn’t heed the warning light and continues to drive, the engine eventually could seize.

The 2011 models covered in the action, all S.U.V.’s, are the Infiniti FX, Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Xterra. The affected 2012 models are the Infiniti M, Nissan Frontier, Nissan NV, Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Xterra.

Nissan’s filing did not distinguish between V-6- and V-8-powered versions of the vehicles. The automaker will send recall notifications to owners in mid-January, it told the safety agency.

Hand Trucks Recalled by Harper Trucks Due to Injury Hazard

A series of Harper hand trucks sold at Home Depot and Sam's Club is being recalled because of a very serious safety hazard. If the hand truck's tires are over-inflated, the tires can explode, separate, and pieces of the wheel hub can eject under high pressure causing serous injury. 19 incidents have been reported and 19 injuries, including broken bones, loss of eye sight, and lacerations. Just under 300,000 of these hand trucks were sold so please read the complete story below.
When the tires are overinflated, they can explode causing the wheel hub to separate or break, ejecting pieces of the hub. This poses an injury hazard to bystanders...

Toyota is recalling about 420,000 of some of its most popular vehicles because an engine issue may cause an unexpected increase in steering effort.

In a news release Wednesday, the automaker said it would replace the crankshaft pulley on the V-6 engine on the 2004 Avalon; 2004-5 Camry, Highlander, Sienna and Solara; 2006 Highlander HV; 2004-5 Lexus ES 350 and RX 330; and the 2006 RX 400h hybrid.

Toyota said a problem with the crankshaft pulley could allow the belt for the power-steering pump to come off of the pulley, causing “a sudden increase in steering effort.”

The automaker was not aware of any accidents relating to the problem.

In a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota said it received its first reports of the problem in 2007 and suspected the cause to be an inadequate use of adhesive on the crankshaft pulley. The automaker “continued to monitor” the issue and confirmed the cause of the problem earlier this month. It then concluded that a recall was necessary.

Toyota described the recall as voluntary, but once a manufacturer knows of a safety problem it has no choice but to inform the safety agency within five working days of its plan for a recall or face civil penalties.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 6, 2011

Release #12-052

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 259-9019

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Nautilus Recalls Schwinn Elliptical Exercise Equipment Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Elliptical Exercise Trainer

Units: About 10,000 units

Distributor: Nautilus Inc. of Vancouver, Wash.

Hazard: The foot plates can detach from the machine during use, posing a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Nautilus has received nine reports of foot plates detaching or breaking during use. One incident resulted in a consumer striking his knee.

Description: Elliptical exercise trainer equipment sold under the model name Schwinn 460. The machine is 73 inches tall and 54 inches long. It is made of gray anodized aluminum with two moving and two fixed handlebars all with black rubberized padding. The fixed handlebars have heart rate sensors on both sides. The machine has a touch-screen console, an adjustable fan and an orange-colored, oversized water bottle holder. A medallion with the Schwinn logo is on the bottom right side of the base of the machine.

Sold at: Nautilus.com, Amazon.com, Dick's Sporting Goods, AAFES, specialty fitness retailers and specialty sporting goods stores nationwide between July 2008 and May 2011 for about $1,000.

Posted by: Flanziglaw.com