Based on new rollover test results, nine vehicles have been named 2010 Top Safety Picks following a new round of tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Based on results from new rollover tests, the 2010 Audi A4 and Audio Q5, 2010 Ford Flex and Ford Fusion, 2010 Hyundai Tucson, Lincoln MKT and Lincoln MKZ, and the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen (Golf Wagon in Canada), all earned the Institute’s highest safety rating.  The ninth vehicle, the 2010 Mercury Milan, is not sold in Canada. To earn a Top Safety Pick, vehicles had to earn a rating of “Good” in the Institute’s 40- mph frontal offset crash test; the 35-mph SUV side-impact test; a rear head restraint configuration analysis, and a new roof-strength test.  IIHS rates vehicles in all four tests on a scale of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. To earn a rating of “Good” in the new roof-strength test, a vehicle must have a strength-to-weight ratio (SWR) of 4:1 or better. Meaning the roof would withstand a force equal to at least four times the vehicle’s weight without deforming more than five inches. The Top Safety Picks achieved the following SWR ratings: 2010 Audi A4: 4.60 2010 Audi Q5: 4.41 2010 Ford Flex: ...

While auto manufactures try to grab bottom line sales by producing appealing consumer products it sometimes takes a third party to insure safety is not forgotten on the factory floor. When incidents happen that impact automobile safety the offending vehicle usually makes it on Transport Canada’s recall list.  The most recent Transport Canada list of vehicle recalls is a long one and includes vehicles from Chrysler, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, Ford, Suzuki, Cadillac, Lexus, BMW and Lamborghini.  Here’s the list and a synopsis on the problems discovered. 2010 Chrysler 300 2010 Dodge Challenger 2010 Dodge Charger 2010 Dodge Ram 2010 Jeep Commander 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee Certain vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may have been built with a Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) module that exhibits binding of the solenoid latch. This may result in a condition where the ignition key can be removed from the WIN module prior to placing the shifter in Park, which could result in unintended vehicle movement. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the WIN module. Vehicles affected: 9,900 2010 Dodge Caliber The vehicle may have been built with an incorrect door lock rod in the right front door, which could unlatch the door when the window is rolled down. Dealers will inspect and, if ...

It goes without saying that when you install a safety item as important as a child seat in you car it should be secure and safe, but also easy to install.  Unfortunately, the easy part is sometimes the hardest to get right. Consumer Report recently attempted fitting child seats into vehicles they test and found that some cars make the job much easier than others.  For car-shopping parents, the list below covers various vehicles that make it the easiest to properly install and securely infant and convertible child seats.  Important factors were vehicle height, as well as interior space.  Minivans and small SUVs are generally the best for height, and easiest on the back. The vehicles listed had average or better reliability, and performed well in government or insurance industry crash tests. Small cars Ford Focus Suzuki SX4 Toyota Corolla Toyota Matrix Hyundai Elantra Nissan Sentra Nissan Versa (hatchback) Family cars Chevrolet Malibu Nissan Altima Toyota Prius Toyota Camry Ford Taurus Honda Accord Upscale & luxury sedans Toyota Avalon Audi A4 Acura RL Acura TL Wagons Toyota Venza Mazda 5 Small SUVs Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Nissan Rogue Midsized and large SUVs Ford Edge Toyota Sequoia Nissan Murano Porsche Cayenne Lexus RX For the best price on any of ...

A day after Chrysler issues a 600,000 vehicle recall GM issues its own for 1.5 million 2007-2009 model cars, trucks and crossovers to address a problem with a heated windshield wiper fluid system that could lead to a fire. Models include the 2006-2009 model year Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; 2008-2009 model year Buick Enclave; Cadillac CTS; 2007-2009 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; Saturn Outlook; and 2009 model year Chevrolet Traverse. Most of the vehicles, 1,365,070, are in the United States; there are 98,794 affected vehicles in Canada; 26,228 in Mexico, and 38,093 exports. The heated washer fluid system was originally recalled in August 2008 for short circuit problems.  The initial government investigation closed in 2008 but in June 2009 a second failure was identified that led to five fires.  To fix the problem dealer service personnel will remove the heated washer fluid module from vehicles and GM will make a voluntary payment of $100 to the owner or lessee of each vehicle for the loss of the feature.   GM customers will begin receiving recall letters this month.

Usually the comment "you drive a hot car" is a good thing but Chrysler’s Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans give it new meaning by revealing there's a potential for interior wiring in both vehicles to come in contact with the sliding power door, which could cause a short circuit leading to a fire. Chrysler also announced it was recalling nearly 288,968 Jeep Wranglers from the 2006 through 2010 model years due to a potential brake fluid leak.  On the Jeeps, the front inner fender liners can rub against the brake fluid tubes and cause a leak. The leak could result in partial loss of brakes.  A total of 288,302 Wranglers are being recalled in the U.S.; 28,976 in Canada; 6,438 in Mexico and 41,016 in the company's international markets.  There are 284,831 minivans being recalled in the U.S.; 15,295 in Canada; 3,994 in Mexico and 14,854 in the international markets. Chrysler, which has been struggling to keep pace with Ford and GM's recovery after the recent economic downturn, also confirmed it is voluntarily recalling 25,000 Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass vehicles to address the risk that accelerator pedals could become stuck and cause unintended acceleration.  The recall comes five ...

Good news and Toyota haven’t been words that show up together in the news together a lot lately, but Toyota did get some very good news recently from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by U.S. auto insurers).  Three Toyota vehicles were given Top Safety Pick Awards by the IIHS.  Both the 2011 Toyota Avalon and 2011 Sienna were awarded the institute's highest ratings in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests.  The Sienna is the first minivan to receive the honor of a Top Safety Pick since the IIHS added rollover data to its list of crash criteria in 2010.  The third vehicle is the 2010 Lexus RX.  In fact, the Lexus RX 350, built in Cambridge, Ontario was awarded the highest honour.  All three vehicles share electronic stability control as standard equipment - another parameter for receiving the award. Safety is critical and for the majority of drivers but so is price and while Toyota and Lexus have proven they can deliver the former, BestPriceExpress.ca has hundreds of customer testimonials to demonstrate they deliver the lowest price on any new car in Canada.  Check it out at BestPriceExpess.ca.