Complain about a product or service

Automotive News (cont'd)

2005 Automotive News Page 1 | 2

GM Aims High-Mileage Cruze At U.S. Market Automaker hopes to cruise to profitability with fuel-stingy compact.

BMW Recalls 200,000 Vehicles for Airbag Failures Extends airbag warranty for some models.

Brake Noise #1 Consumer Complaint in J.D. Power Study Lexus tops the field in dependability.

Nissan Murano, Volkswagen Tiguan Earn Kudos in Consumer Reports' Tests Grand Cherokee and Touareg score poorly in ratings.

Americans Drive 10 Billion Fewer Miles in Last Year Record drop in driving leads to losses in highway funds.

2007 Chevrolet Tahoe Ignites and Burns Other fires reported while government probe underway.

Congress, Feds Crack Down On Oil Speculators Senate passes bill to curb practice while Feds step up investigations.

Small Pickups Mostly Dismal In Side Crash Tests Toyota Tacoma rates highest for passenger protection.

Ford to Focus on Small Cars and HybridsAutomaker continues to lose billions.

Court Upholds Public Access to Crash Data Taxpayer-owned tire safety data has been hidden from the public.

Oil Prices Fall As Storm Misses Rigs Storm misses oil rigs, prices sink.

Ford: Parts Now Available to Fix Faulty Cruise Control Millions of Ford cars and trucks at risk.

GM, Power Companies Study Plug-In Problems Where will all the outlets come from?

Gas Prices Fall Back a Penny Conservationists blame speculators for high prices.

'Run Your Car On Water' Scheme Could Leave Consumers All Wet Scientists debunk 'scammish' gas-from-water claims.

Maryland Warns Of Extended Warranty Scheme Beware of telemarketers selling extended auto warranties.

Feds Study Hyundai Airbag Failures Several Hyundai models the focus of safety probes.

Highway Safety Administrator Plans to Quit Bush appointee's abrupt departure leaves roof strength, fuel economy rules undone.

Congress Starts to Whisper about 55 MPH Speed Limit 'Double nickel' saves fuel, angers drivers.

NY Car Dealer to Pay $150,000 for Fraudulent Practices Five Towns Mitsubishi lured customers with scratch-off cards.

Test Drive: Could a Corolla Be the Answer? We spend a week putting the little econocar through its paces.

Unregulated Energy Trading Blamed for Much of Gas Price Gusher Public Citizen asks Congress for tighter regulation.

Toyota Plans Prius Plant in Mississippi Company can't keep up with surging hybrid demand.

30 Days of Gas Above $4, No End in Sight Feds predict high prices for at least the next year.

Lawyers Rate Allstate as Worst Insurance Company 'Boxing gloves' replace 'good hands,' lawyers charge.

New Cars Get Global Warming Score in California Score tallies production and operation impact of each model.

Feds Plan New Car Crash Tests Female dummies to be used for the first time.

Feds Investigate Suspension Failure in Hyundai Santa Fe Some failures occurred at high speeds.

Questions Raised about MyGallons.com BBB gives prepaid gas-card venture an "F".

Solar Panels to Power Prius Air Conditioning Toyota hopes new option helps it maintain its green image.

$4-Plus Gas Prices Dampen July 4th Holiday Most expensive holiday weekend prices ever.

Kia.com Rated Best Web Site for New-Vehicle Shopping Ford, Mazda also rank well in J.D. Power study.

Feds Delay New Roof-Crush Rule til October Safety agency bows to protests from consumer leaders, safety advocates, Congress.

Consumers Turn to Honda in June GM's Hummer leads the sales nose-dive.

California Motorists Cope With New Hands-Free Law Dialing and texting OK but talking is forbidden.

'Hypermiling' Is Dangerous, Says AAA Extreme fuel-saving measures can put motorists at risk.

Struggling Drivers Blame Washington for High Gas Prices Lack of effective energy policy tops consumers' complaint list.

What’s Really Fueling Those Sky-High Oil Prices There are lots of theories; most of them are right.

Credit Card Fees at the Pump are a 'Hidden Tax' on Consumers Rising oil prices a gusher for card companies.

Gas Price Run-Up Pauses Fewer plan to hit the road this July 4th.

Unexpected Problems Confront Prius Owners Pleasure turns to pain for many purchasers.

Survey: 3 Out of 4 Angry About High Gas Prices Consumers favor far-reaching action on energy, climate issues.

California Court to Rule on Dex-Cool Settlement GM could pay millions in repair claims.

Consumers Favor Hybrid Technologies Premium price less an obstacle than last year at this time.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars Bring Hope, If Not Relief Honda is first out of the gate, closely followed by scam artists.

Bumper Stickers Linked to Road Rage Drivers who display 'territory markers' more prone to aggression.

Acura TSX Luxury Sedan Top Safety Pick 2009 model shows safety improvements.

NHTSA Hears Testimony on Quiet-Running Hybrids Blind pedestrians say hybrids are a hazard.

NY Motorists Face Big Insurance Increase Last-minute deal carries a steep price tag.

$2 A Gallon Gas Possible, Analysts Tell Congress Eliminating 'excessive speculation' could bring back 'good old days.'

NHTSA Probes Saturn Timing Chain Again More than 400,000 L-Series cars could be affected.

Gas Price Jumps 10 Cents in Two Weeks Average tops $4 in 29 states, DC.

Speculators Buy More Oil Contracts Than Oil Companies Bush White House says speculation not a big factor; others not so sure.

Report: NHTSA Seeks More Time for Roof-Crush Rule Safety agency under fire over long-delayed proposal.

Resale Value of Trucks, SUVs Plummets Financing harder to find as lenders pull back.

Saudis to Pump More Oil Skeptics blame speculation for rising prices.

Gas Prices Hold Steady for 4 Days Consumers flee to Mexico for cheaper fill-up.

Ford Delays New F-150 Consumers shunning big trucks, SUVs.

Soccer Rage, Road Rage Are Linked, Experts Say Control-oriented types more likely to take offense.

Senators Seek Delay in New Roof Strength Safety Rules Safety agency's proposed standard said to be too weak.

NHTSA to Hear 'Silent Killer' Complaints Hybrids pose risk to visually impaired.

Limiting Oil Speculators Gains Ground Feds appear ready to clamp down on futures traders.

Highway Lobby Frets as Gas Tax Revenues Fall Consumers driving less, taking more trips on public transit.

Rental Car Companies Gouging Consumers with Refueling Fees Maryland AG fights fill-up costs for rentals.

NHTSA Investigates 2.7 Million GM Trucks, SUVs Fire hazard probed in 21 models.

No Surprise: FCC Chair Decides to OK Sirius-XM Merger Justice Department rubber-stamped the deal in March.

Congress To Probe Oil Price Spike Money gushing into futures markets may be distorting oil prices.

Record Gas Prices Move Higher California moves towards $5.

Oil Market 'Saturated,' Iran Claims Oil-producing countries say price hikes are not related to production.

Pump Price Keeps on Climbing Regular up $1, diesel up almost $2 in one year.

Golf Cart Injuries Increasing Adolescent, elderly males have high injury rates.

Reports of Prius Price Gouging Rise with Gas Prices Premiums of up to $10,000 can be the price of Prius envy.

Kia Owners Awarded $6 Million in Class Action Defective Sephia brakes need frequent replacement.

Feds See No Relief from High Gas Prices Prices likely to climb through at least August.

25 States and DC Now Above $4 a Gallon Today's average price $1 over this time last year.

Toyota Resists Possible Tacoma Recall Feds probing unintended acceleration problems in popular pickup.

High Gas Prices Could Mean Lower Insurance Rates Driving less? Tell your insurer.

J.D. Power Finds Automakers Improving Initial Quality Scores Honda, Ford, General Motors, Toyota score big.

Relentless Gas Price Increase Continues Average price nearly $1 higher than last year at this time.

High Gas Prices Good For Kia, Honda Fuel-sippers slide off lots as gas prices hover around $4.

More Teens Using Cell Phones While Driving NC study finds state law is widely ignored.

Gas Prices Rip Past $4 and Keep Climbing Prices may climb another 30 cents in the next few weeks.

Ford Trucks Burn in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina Truck owners thought danger of fire was remote, ignored recall notices.

California Gas Prices Skyrocket Average U.S. price nears $4.

Senators Question Roof Strength Safety Rules California woman paralyzed in Explorer rollover accident.

Administration, OPEC See Different Causes Of Oil Surge Financial speculation and a weak dollar are the prime suspects.

Hyundai Edges Toyota In Compacts Comparison Chevrolets bring up the rear in Consumer Reports tests.

Ford's F-150 Humbled by Toyota, GM's Hummer on Death Row Rampaging gas prices tear through autodom like bikers through a church picnic.

Prius, Porsche Models Top Most-Satisfied Lists Pickups, SUVs populate least-satisfied list.

$4 Gas Spreads Throughout the Nation Nationwide average could hit $4 by June 1.

Feds Probing Possible Oil Market Manipulation Prices on the oil futures market up 32% this year.

Beware of Fuel Sippers Sipping High-Test Good mileage doesn't always mean big savings.

Gas Price Record Streak Hits 21 Days Price tops $4 in 11 states, DC.

Gas Jumps 10 Cents over Memorial Day Holiday Price tops $4 in 10 states and DC.

Rushing Into a Smaller Car Too Soon May Not Save Money Overall vehicle costs can offset any savings at the pump.

Retailers Respond to High Gas Prices with Discounts, Promotions Kroger launches nationwide fuel discount program.

Gas Prices Gush Up: Five States Top $4 Mark Record prices driven by surging crude oil prices.

Speed Traps Gear Up for Memorial Day Weekend Drive safely but assert your rights if wrongly ticketed.

Three States Above $4 a Gallon 14 straight days of record prices.

Spit Spark Plugs Still Hobble Ford Trucks Used truck buyers beware; problem still not solved.

Feds Probe Ford Windstar for Fire Hazard Two Homes Damaged by Fires.

Gas Prices Rise for 13 Days in a Row National average price may hit $4 before long.

$4 Gas Becoming Commonplace, Diesel Nears $4.50 Statewide average shoots past $4 in Alaska, Connecticut.

Hybrid Sales and Prices Climb in Lockstep with Gas Prices Toyota slashes Prius incentives, jacks up price as demand jumps.

High Gas Prices Expected To Dampen Memorial Day Travel Travel industry feels pinch as consumers pull back.

Smart ForTwo Scores Well in Safety Test But little car has very little crush space.

Consumer Groups Urge FCC to Reject XM-Sirius Merger Justice Department rubber-stamped the deal in March.

Gas Prices Jumped 5 Cents Over the Weekend Six straight days of record prices.

Regular Gas Moving Up, 33 Cents Shy of $4 Prices moving up briskly as short respite ends.

Ford Truck Suspected in North Texas House Fire Family ignored recall notice on their Ford Expedition.

Nader Protests Feds' Roof Crush Plan Bush 'doesn't give a darn about it.'

Treacherous Treads Still Taking Lives Firestone tires on a Ford Explorer can still be a lethal combination.

Toyota Raises Prices, Prius Jumps $400 Company hopes to jack up profits in the U.S.

Gas Prices Headed Up Again Five-day decline ends; national average price hits $3.618.

Truckers Bemoan Burden of High Diesel Costs Higher transport costs get passed on to consumers, truckers warn.

VW Rabbit Tops Affordable Hatchback Tests Subaru Impreza, Toyota Matrix close behind.

Chrysler Offers Gas Subsidy to Unload Guzzlers Three years at $2.99 a gallon.

Gas Prices Biting into Worker Productivity As prices rise, productivity plummets, study finds.

Rising Gas Prices Drive Search for Savings Scams abound, but so do some simple gas-saving measures.

18 Days of Record Gas Prices San Francisco over $4, Block Island at $4.14.

Consumers Turn Away from Trucks, SUVs in April Prius sales jump.

Ford Cruise Control Fire Strikes Florida Car Dealership More fires hit North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

Rusting Hyundai Sonatas Prompt Federal Probe Corrosion can cause suspension to fail, wheels to fall off.

Consumers Warned About Gas-Saving Schemes Few devices or additives work as advertised.

Gas Prices Break Records in All 50 States Average price hits $3.57, up from $2.87 one year ago.

Is Tony Soprano Controlling Gas Prices? Attorney General suggests the Mob may be dabbling in energy markets.

Ford Hopes to Wind Down Recall of Fire-Prone Vehicles 7 million unrepaired cars and trucks still on the road.

Oil & Gas: The New Bubble Prices rise as consumption falls.

California Tops in Car Theft Modesto has highest per capita rate in the nation.

Critics: New Federal Gas Mileage Standard Falls Short California, Public Citizen castigate Bush, Congress.

Caution: $4 Gasoline Ahead Nationwide average shoots past $3.50, climbing fast towards $4.

Hybrid Sales Set Record Toyota Prius remains the undisputed leader with more than half of all sales.

Consumers Feeling Pain of Skyrocketing Gas Prices Survey shows dramatic increase in 'great concern' over gas prices, Middle East imports.

Ford Class Action Settlement Leaves Consumers in the Dust Explorer rollover case among the 'very worst' settlements.

Feds Probe Unintended Acceleration in Toyota Sienna Minivan Missing retainer pin can cause problems.

New Gas Price Record Forecasts Expensive Summer Driving Season Average price up more than 6 cents this week and still climbing.

Midsize Side Impact Tests Show Safety Improvements Seven models get highest rating for occupant protection.

Ford Expedition Suspected in Fatal Ohio Home Fire Is there a time bomb in your garage?

Consumer Reports Picks VW Eos as Best Convertible BMW 328i a close second.

Energy Secretary Predicts $3.50 Gasoline Bodman hoping OPEC comes to the rescue.

Sales of Ethanol-Burning Cars Up 10% Downside: Price of corn rising quickly.

Gas Prices Hit New High ... Again National average price hits $3.303, diesel still over $4.

Should You Buy a Second-Hand Prius? Maintenance costs may outstrip fuel savings.

Feds Have Safety Concerns About Smart Fortwo Minicar Driver door came unlatched in crash test.

Hybrid Parking Perk Under Fire in Los Angeles Growing budget problems prompt closer look at hybrid perks.

No Joke: Gas Prices Climbing Once Again Another record set as April begins.

Feds' Roof Crush Rule Inadequate, Critics Charge More testing needed to protect occupants.

Gas Prices Soar Despite Supply Glut Study points to manipulation of refinery process.

Brief Gas Price Decline Ends Prices jumped half a cent overnight.

'Intelligent' Brake Lights Could Reduce Rear-End Collisions System tells how quickly a car is stopping.

Gas Price Surge Stalls Prices retreat slightly but not much relief in sight.

Survey Finds Extended Car Warranties Often a Bad Deal Missouri cracks down on St. Louis-area warranty companies.

California Orders Allstate to Lower Car Insurance Rates 15% Consumers save $250 million.

High-Speed Steering Shimmy in Ford F-250, F-350 Probed Some big haulers 'out of control.'

Surf's Up: California Gas Prices Top Hawaii's Consumer group praises Hawaii effort to expose profits.

Weekend Gas Prices Inch Up Diesel nears $4, regular at $3.284.

NHTSA Probes Hyundai Air Bag Failure Two deaths reported in Elantra crashes.

Urgent Fire Hazard Prompts Massive Pontiac, Buick Recall Cars can catch fire even when parked and idle, automaker warns. Don't park them in your garage!

Gas Prices Spurt Ever Higher Four price records in four days.

Feds Investigate Fire Hazard in Mitsubishi Galant Automatic locks can trap passengers in burning vehicle.

Three Gas Prices Records in Three Days $4 prices predicted for some states this summer.

New Study: Stronger SUV Roofs Save Lives Insurance industry study refutes automakers' claims.

Gas Price Jumps 2 Cents Overnight New records being set daily; more increases ahead, observers warn.

NHTSA Investigates Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice Braking Probe could eventually lead to recall.

Consumers Pay $3.22 a Gallon as Gas Prices Shoot Up Nationwide average diesel price hits new record.

Ford Loses $82 Million Rollover Verdict Appeal California woman paralyzed in Explorer rollover accident.

Hate Groups End Ford Boycott Gay bashers opposed Ford's equal treatment of gays.

Gas Price Records Shattering As Oil Prices Gush Nationwide average price just 3 cents shy of a record.

Ford Fires Continue Despite Long-Delayed Federal Warning Feds waited years to issue 'urgent' advisory about fire danger.

Consumer Reports Picks 11 Worst Cars of 2008 U.S. SUVs again fill many of the slots, though Toyota gets two picks.

Gas Prices Head to $4 a Gallon Bush surprised by the news.

Feds Warn Some Ford Trucks and Cars Can Erupt in Flames After years of disastrous fires, NHTSA urges Ford owners to act quickly.

Prius Ranked No. 1 Green Car, Miata 'Most Fun' Asians win most top rankings from Consumer Reports.

Tax Credit for Honda Hybrids Dwindles Credit goes away entirely next year.

Nissan Murano Leads SUV Safety Test Jeeps and Kia Sorento earn lowest ratings.

Feds Probe Fire Hazard in Chrysler Pacifica More than 50,000 SUVs may be affected.

Gas Prices Rising Rapidly as Crude Oil Price Jumps Regular self-serve up 20 cents in two weeks.

Ford Fire Lawsuits Spread Ford owners lose vehicles, homes and, sometimes, lives.

National 'Hot Fuel' Lawsuit Moves Forward Federal judge refuses to dismiss suit alleging deceptive sale of gasoline, diesel fuel.

Honda Civic GX Natural Gas Car Tops Greenies' List VW Toureg least eco-friendly.

Bad News for Consumers: Oil Closes Above $100 Gas prices spurt up in response, likely headed for record highs this spring.

OnStar Owners Bristle at Loss of Service Analog version of the popular service now officially defunct.

Feds Step Up Probe of Chevy Aveo Stuck Throttle Ice formation in engine can cause problems.

VW New Beetle Air Bags May Fail Feds step up iinvestigation of sensor problems.

Feds Predict Record Gas Prices for Spring $3 the new $2 per gallon.

GM Cuts Prices for February Automaker increases incentives to move unsold units.

Ford Recalls 57,000 More Trucks, SUVS for Fire Hazard Latest recall unrelated to other fire-related Ford recalls.

Feds Probe Fire Complaints in Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon Fires also reported in Lamborghinis.

Experts Reverse Course on Gas Prices: Predict Decline Increased supplies, recession fears may ease prices.

Ford Fires Strike in Minnesota, California Ford owners at risk as parts shortage slows recall.

Suit Charges Feds Fail to Fight Title-Washing National database would help consumers spot rebuilt vehicles.

Isuzu Surrenders; Will Leave U.S. Company gives up on U.S. market after 28 years.

Ford Plans Another Recall to Fix Fire Hazard Previous recall ineffective in 225,000 vehicles.

Gas Prices to Jump for Summer Exxon Reports Record Profit.

Winter Weather Warning for Prius Drivers Traction control shuts down engine on slippery surface.

Gas Prices Duck Beneath $3 Oil prices climbing again but gas prices dip.

Feds Delay Roof Strength Rule Again Safety advocates say latest proposal is inadequate.

GM Hangs On as No. 1 Automaker Edges out Toyota in 2007; China the battleground for 2008.

D.C. Auto Show Goes Green Automakers hope to take Congress for a ride.

Toyota Extends Sienna Liftgate Warranty Consumers complained of injuries when gate closed unexpectedly.

Ford Fire Hazard Recall Creeps Along Parts shortages delay repairs of fire-prone Fords.

Gas Prices Down 7 Cents for the Week Slowing economy easing pressure on supplies.

Iowa Testing Hybrid School Buses Lots of acceleration, double the gas mileage.

New Group Promotes Buckle-Up Laws for Pets Unrestrained dogs and cats a menace in moving vehicles.

Hybrids Star at Detroit Auto Show Toyota, Honda, GM all have hybrid fever.

NHTSA Probes Ford F150 Brake Failure Power assist can fail, consumers complain.

Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute Continue Ford Fire Tradition The little SUVs can go up in flames with no warning.

How Green Can Your Drive Get? Even 'green' energy has a price. (Want fries with that?)

Toyota Sales for 2007 May Surpass GM GM has been No. 1 worldwide for 76 years.

Prius Again Tops Owner Satisfaction Survey BMW 335i, Porsche Boxster close behind.

$4 Gas Possible by Summer Average price hits $3.10, 72 cents over last year.

Lexus EX35, Cadillac CTS Named Top Safety Picks Insurance Institute picks state-of-the-art vehicles.

Feds Probe Airbag Failures in BMWs Inquiry could lead to a recall.

Gas Prices On the Move Average price up almost $1 over last year.

Prius Helps Toyota Knock Off Ford for #2 Spot GM hangs onto top spot for one more year.

Oil Prices Hit $100, Pump Prices Follow U.S., European economies could be hit hard.

Top Ten Automotive Outrages of 2007 Consumers pay for manufacturers' mistakes, government inaction.

15 States Sue Over Clean Air Decision Suit seeks to overturn EPA's refusal to allow tougher rules.

Ford Fires Kill Pets and Spread Despair as Year Ends Virginia, Florida fires mar holidays for Ford owners.

NHTSA Dismisses Public Citizen Ford Complaints Flex-fuel vehicles prone to stalling, consumer group argues.

$3 Gasoline Rings in New Year Average nationwide price could hit $4 by spring.

Grinch Lurks at Holiday Gas Pumps Holiday prices this year are the highest ever.

New Fuel Economy Standards Signal the End of the V-8 Bush signs bill setting 35-mpg fuel economy standard.

New Corvette Beast from GM, the Last of the Breed New gas-mileage bill may be the end of the muscle car.

Arkansas Researchers Say Chicken Fat Makes Good Fuel Why burn gas with all those chickens fit to be fried?

Nissan Quest Worst Performer in Minivan Bumper Test Quest sustained twice as much damage as the Honda Odyssey.

Senate Passes New Mileage Standards Bill House expected to act next week, Bush on board with bill.

Nationwide Average Gas Price Just Under $3 Unleaded regular was $2.29 last year at this time.

Car Warranty Scams Target Seniors High-pressure tactics used to sign up unwary seniors.

Gas Above $3 for the Winter Average price up 72 cents over last year.

Consumer Reports Snubs Toyota Highlander Magazine withholds its coveted "Recommended" designation.

Jumpin' Jeep Injures Two at Minneapolis Car Wash Jeep owners beware: Jeeps and car washes don't mix.

Hybrid Universe Expanding Rapidly Monetary savings may not be extreme but hybrids are 'greener'.

Japanese Dominate Car Owner Satisfaction Survey Europeans gain slightly, domestics inch upward.

Gas Price Holds Above $3 Canadian pipelines back on line, easing fears of a major price spike.

Pipeline Explosion Sends Oil Prices Surging Gas prices not affected yet but long-term effects still unclear.

Ford Settles Explorer Rollover Lawsuits Consumers will get discounts on new Fords.

ExxonMobil Claims New Hybrid Battery Technology Could be good news for next-generation hybrids.

Feds Probe Ford F-250, F-350, Five Hundred, Freestyle Loss of control plagues trucks, cars have instrument problems.

Honda Hybrid Tax Credit Fades Away Popular hybrids lose tax credits under federal law.

Quality Auditor Charges Toyota Cover-Up Toyota denies safety was compromised.

New GM Sale May Challenge Bargain Hunters Multiple incentives make it hard to find the best price.

Near-Record Gas Prices, Crowds Await Holiday Travelers Consumers starting to feel the pain of rising gas prices.

Court Rejects SUV Mileage Standards Judge: White House 'put a thumb on the scale'.

Top Safety Awards Go to 34 Cars, SUVs and a Pickup Number of top awards more than doubles this year.

Record Gas Prices Just Ahead Feds predict 20-cent rise over next few weeks.

Diesels, Hybrids Top RAND Study Ethanol in last place as alternative to gas-powered engines.

Pump Prices Blast Through $3 Cost of a gallon of regular up 14 cents in one week.

Cadillac Touts Huge Green SUV Machine Escalade Hybrid goes on sale next year.

Tough Fuel Economy Demands from Senator Clinton She joins other candidates in supporting 40 mpg by 2020.

Smart and Sassy: The Smart 42 At last: a car that makes the Prius look big and bulky.

Nationwide Average Gas Price Tops $3 Consumer group warns prices could hit $4 by spring.

$3 Gas Flows in 14 States Prices racing upwards behind crude oil.

Next Generation Prius to Stick with Nickel-Hydride Power Lithium-ion batteries still not ready to hit the road.

Chrysler Drops Four Models, Cuts Jobs Two new hybrid SUVs in the pipeline.

Crown Vic Disappears from Ford Dealer Lots Ford will continue to sell in bulk to police, cab fleets.

Zipcar and Flexcar to Merge Two car-sharing companies will combine their fleets.

Gasoline Heads for $3 a Gallon $90 per barrel oil pushing up gas prices.

Honda Plans Prius-like Hybrid Wedge-shaped car will be a hybrid-only model.

Jumpin' Jeeps Ruin Lives, Destroy Property Years of accidents, reports, complaints yield no action.

GM Hangs on as World's No. 1 Automaker Toyota tussles with environmentalists, loses key Consumer Reports endorsement.

Oil Price Hits Record, Gas Sure to Follow Gas prices up more than 5 cents for the week.

Ford Lacks Parts for Fire Recall Repair Supply problem affects passenger cars; truck supplies adequate.

Buy American? Not Again Spit spark plugs sour one consumer on U.S.-made cars.

Honda Most Reliable in Consumer Reports Survey Toyota drops out of first place.

No Fall Gas Price Dip This Year Gas prices 51 cents higher than last year at this time.

Environmentalists Criticize Toyota Automaker opposes fuel economy measure in Congress.

Midsize SUVs Perform Poorly in Side Impacts Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet TrailBlazer among the worst tested.

OnStar Goes in Pursuit of Bad Guys New service disables stolen cars.

Declining Gas Prices Miss California Price War Hits Cayman Brac.

Hybrid Cop Cars for Aspen Ski capital grows ever greener.

Car and Truck Sales Tumble with Economic Worries Toyota, Ford blame sales drops on weak housing market.

Infiniti Holds Top Spot in Consumer Reports Luxury Vehicle Tests Mercedes E-Class close behind.

NHTSA Probes Pontiac Vibe Windows may shatter when being raised or lowered.

Toyota Recalls Floor Mats, NHTSA Warns Prius Owners Not all Priuis owners buy the floor mat theory.

GM Adds $1,000 Cash Back, Sells Buicks to China Big incentives aimed at moving cars while GM idled by strike.

Summer Driving Ends, Gas Prices Hold at $2.79 National average fell four cents in the last week.

New F150 Erupts in Flames as Ford Truck Fires Rage On More than 10 million vehicles recalled but fires continue

Gas Prices Hold in Face of Oil Price Surge National average is $2.80, up just 4 cents from last month.

Chrysler Plans Hybrid Unit New CEO Nardelli pledges to move fast to develop hybrid Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler vehicles.

U.S. and China Sign Auto Safety Pledge Safety agencies say they'll open new communication pathways.

Lithium Ion Batteries to Power Mercedes Luxury Hybrid Mercedes confident the batteries will be safe.

Feds "Aware Of" Prius Runaway Acceleration Car seems OK after a "reboot" but the problem often recurs later.

Public Citizen Claims Cheney Engineered Mileage Standards Email records show Cheney's influence, group charges.

Gas Price Jumps 4 Cents in 3 Days Hurricane fears make oil traders jittery.

Safety Crusaders Seek Action on Roof Crush Injuries Message in a box: prevent 10,000 deaths per year.

Feds Require Side Curtain Airbags by 2013 Smaller test dummies will provide more protection for petite females.

Chinese-Made Auto Fuses May Cause Fire California auto parts seller recalls 295,000 sets.

Toyota Wary of Lithium Ion Batteries Fire-prone batteries too hazardous for use in cars, automaker decides.

Lemon Award: BMW's Automatic Transmission Readers report expensive problems with automatics in many BMW models.

Hyundai Elantra Outpoints Competitors in Small Sedan Tests Mazdaspeed3 wins top sports car ranking in Consumer Reports testing.

Gas Price Decline Slows, Supplies Scarce California enjoys the lowest prices of the summer.

FTC Clears Oil Industry of 2006 Price Gouging In strong dissent, one commissioner finds "disturbing conduct."

Subprime Mess Hits Car and Truck Sales As credit dries up, dealers see inventories growing.

GM Develops New High-Efficiency Engine HCCI engine sips fuel like a diesel, but without the sooty exhaust.

Honda's Immaculate Airbag Deployment 2006 Honda Civic wins "Lemon of the Week" award.

Feds Explore Interlock to Prevent Drunken Driving But non-drinkers may object to the devices.

New Airbag Rule on the Way Feds set to require side airbags, newspaper reports.

Hurricane Threat to Gas Prices Passes for Now Disruptions to Mexican production seen as temporary.

Red Hot Texas Car-B-Que Ford vehicles continue to burn as massive recall coasts along.

Saturn Astra Named Safest Car Under $25,000 The Astra is Saturn's latest rebadged Opel.

Nader Demands Feds Probe GM for Payola Favors, freebies to talk show hosts in dispute.

Gas Prices Continue Slow Decline National average price for regular self-serve down to $2.76.

BMW 5 Series Performs Poorly in New Impact Test Kia Amanta places above higher-priced models.

NHTSA: Check Your Tire Pressure Under-inflated tires especially dangerous on hot summer highways.

Prius Owners Report More Unintended Acceleration Incidents Toyota denies the problem exists, but consumers say otherwise.

Gas Prices Drop; Only Five States Above $3 Nationwide average for regular self-serve falls to $2.80

Kerry Vows Action to Get Flaming Fords Off the Road Senator: "Unacceptable" that numerous recalls have not solved problem.

Importer Recalls Some Chinese Truck and SUV Tires Company claims lack of funds hampers recall effort.

ExxonMobil Dodges "Hot Fuel" Issue, Group Charges Do new pump labels in California acknowledge a rip-off?

Buick Ties with Lexus in Dependability Rankings Cadillac, Mercury and Honda round out the top five.

Ford CEO Finds 50-Cent Gas Tax Increase "Interesting" Alan Mulally thinks a 50-cent per gallon gasoline tax would help ease dependence on imported oil.

Flaming Ford Scandal Disgraces Ford, Feds NHTSA fails in its mission to protect the public, Ford looks the other way while cars and trucks burn.

Massive Ford Recall to Fix Fire Hazard Despite Earlier Recalls, Fords Have Continued to Burn

Gas Prices Sink As Oil Prices Climb A gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is selling for an average of $2.86, 8 cents less then a week ago, 10 cents less than one month ago and 14 cents less than one year ago.

Hybrids Selling at Record Pace Sales up 35% over last year, with Toyota's Prius still the pacesetter.

Daimler Rids Itself of Chrysler German automaker unloads its ill-fated acquisition. Chrysler plans "celebration."

States Recall Chinese Tires Feds have been unable to force a recall because the tire importer is running low on cash.

Luxury Cars a "Mediocre Lot" in Low-Speed Collisions Low speed, high cost, insurance tests find.

Ethanol Producers Say Rising Food Prices Not Their Fault Push to produce more ethanol is pushing up the price of corn.

Runaway Acceleration Plagues Prius Owners Toyota blames driver error or claims the carpet was on top of the accelerator pedal.

Oil Price Record Headed to Gas Pump? Oil prices hit record high based on high demand and trader speculation.

Summer Heat Means Less Gas at the Pump Activists want states to require a price adjustment on hot days.

Exxon Mobil Reports $10 Billion Profit; Gas Prices Drop Nationwide average falls to $2.94 per gallon.

Gas Prices Dropping after OPEC Pledge Nationwide average falls to $2.95 per gallon. Midwest prices still high.

Toyota Tests Plug-in Hybrid Tests will be conducted on public roads in U.S., Europe and Japan.

NHTSA Probes Cadillac STS and CTS Cars may lose power to the rear wheel.

Honda Civic GX is the Greenest Car in U.S. No domestic models make the top 12 list.

Survey Results Support Higher Mileage Standards More than 90 percent of likely voters want tough new gas mileage standards.

Roof Crush Summit Highlights Safety Shortcomings U.S. automakers reluctant to improve roof strength of cars and SUVs.

Average National Gas Price at $3 Prices continue to slide at the pump.

Study Touts Plug-In Hybrids One thing environmentalists and power companies can agree on.

Are Used Hybrids a Pig in a Poke? Owners complain battery replacement is very expensive.

Safety Agency Wants Tougher Recall Laws Growing prevalence of imported parts causing problems, Congress told.

U.S. Automakers Still Lag in Fuel Economy Report finds consumers increasingly alarmed by high gas prices.

Gas Prices Bite Into Consumer Spending Survey finds consumers cutting back sharply as gas prices remain above $3.

Consumers Take Second Look at Hybrids Interest drops as fuel expectations become more realistic.

Lower Insurance Rates for Some OnStar Customers Onstar checks up on drivers' mileage claims.

Feds Ignore Roof Crush Conference Regulators, automakers shun conference organized by California safety advocate.

Gas Prices Spike Above $3 for Weekend Driving Prices have jumped almost a nickel in just two days.

Gas Price Increases Ahead Average price expected to hit $3.07 in August, as refinery problems continue.

EPA Unveils New Mileage Estimates Hybrids take a beating, gas hogs not much affected.

Toyota Sees All-Hybrid World, Ford Pushes Hydrogen Power Toyota predicts an all-hybrid future, while Ford promotes hydrogen as more efficient, near-zero power source.

Gas Prices Head Up as Supplies Run Low Nationwide average up one penny overnight as refineries feel the pinch.

Ford Predicts Plug-In Hybrids in 5-10 Years Advances in battery technology still needed, says Ford CEO.

Ford Tests Plug-In Hybrids in California Ford teams up Southern California Edison to speed up public use and acceptance of the hybrid technology.

Consumers Face Credit Card Caps at the Pump Many service stations limit credit card purchases to $50 or $75.

Honda Sued Over Hybrid Mileage Claims Ads and Web promotions overstate fuel savings, suit charges.

Gas Prices Steady for July 4th Holiday Gasoline prices are down about 23 cents a gallon since Memorial Day and are holding steady just below $3 on average.

Light Trucks Vulnerable to Whiplash Most pickups and SUVs rated poor or marginal in neck injury tests.

Secret Warranties No Longer Secret In Maryland Only four other states require manufacturers to notify consumers of technical service bulletins.

Saturn Outlook Gets High Marks from Consumer Reports Outlook "easily outpointed competitors" in CR rankings.

New Jersey Sues Over Use Of Gasoline Additive Lawsuits name manufacturers and marketers of the gasoline additive MTBE.

July Gas Price Increase Expected Unexpected fall in inventories likely to push prices back up, analysts warn.

Chinese Tire Importer Heads to Bankruptcy Company faces state and federal probes into its sale of 450,000 recalled tires from China.

Feds Recall Chinese Tires Blamed for Fatal Van Accident Two killed when cargo van crashes in Pennsylvania after alleged tread separation.

Survey Measures Response to Rising Gas Prices Consumers nix alternative transportation, eye fuel-efficient cars.

Summer Car Sales Start to Sizzle Incentives and rebates will be thick as gnats this summer.

Consumer Reports Lists Best New Car Deals New recommendations for Independence Day, a major car-shopping season.

Chinese Tires Blamed for Fatal Van Accident Two killed when cargo van crashes in Pennsylvania after alleged tread separation.

Gas Prices Drop Below $3 Consumers expect a bigger dip in September.

Hybrids Save 5.5 Million Barrels, Feds Figure That's less than half a day's worth of oil per year.

Chrysler Dumps Remaining 2006 Inventory on Used Car Market Unusual tactic is intended to clear backlog of unsold vehicles.

Mexican Truck Program Endangers Motorists, Opponents Charge Poll finds majority of Americans oppose program.

The Pope: Love Thy Fellow Motorists Vatican urges drivers to act like Christians.

The Ten Worst Used Cars and Trucks Our readers tell you which models to avoid ... like the plague.

Gas Prices Drop, But For How Long? Feds warn many factors could interrupt the price slide.

Toyota Delays Third-Generation Prius Safety concerns over new lithium-ion battery delay latest roll-out.

Hyundai Santa Fe SUV Wins Top Safety Pick Twenty-one cars, SUVs, and minivans have won the IIHS top safety pick.

Chinese SUV Headed for U.S. Via Mexico Zhongxing Automobile will build a plant in Tijuana to make SUVs and pickups.

Saturn Targets Toyota, Honda for Side-by-Side Tests Ford also taking on Japanese models.

Gas Prices Decline, So Does Consumer Confidence Gas prices dropping but consumers restive.

Survey: Voters Want Fast Action on Mileage Standards Survey findings at odds with automakers' ad blitz.

Sales Top 1 Million but Some Owners Find Prius Doesn't Age Well Electrical, drivetrain problems plague consumers as cars age.

Ford Scores High with J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey Much-needed shot in the arm for ailing automaker.

Honda Drops Accord Hybrid The Accord was trounced by Toyota's Prius. Honda promises new hybrids are in the works.

NHTSA Probes Jeep Wrangler Stalling Problem Consumers complain the Jeep stalls without warning.

Study: Savings Would Make Up for Cost of Hitting 35 MPG Goal Consumer Federation study finds monthly savings would add up fast for consumers.

Ford's Spit-Out Spark Plugs Hit Mechanics in their Wallets Troubled company stiffing its own mechanics as well as consumers.

Consumers Steady as Gas Prices Linger Above $3 Illinois passes California as most expensive spot to buy a tank of gas.

Saab, Volvo Convertibles Ace Safety Test Pontiac, Ford, BMW, Audi don't do as well.

Camshaft Flaw in New Tundra Pickup Twenty engine failures attributed to the problem so far.

Post-Memorial Day Gas Prices Dip Nationwide average price dips to $3.19 per gallon.

Feds Delay New Roof Strength Rule New standard is intended to reduce deaths from rollovers.

U.S. Highway Deaths Down Slightly Report commends NJ governor, overlooks unbuckled Bush.

Gas Prices Ease but Remain at Record Levels for Holiday Cheapest gas in the USA: New Jersey

Detroit Fights Back Against Higher Mileage Standards Ad campaign targets minivan moms, pick-up and SUV owners.

Americans Alarmed about Dependence on Oil Imports, High Gas Prices Survey finds wide support for tougher fuel economy standards.

Runaway Gas Prices Keep on Spiking Inflation-adjusted prices are highest ever, and climbing fast as Memorial Day approaches.

GM Promises "Star Treatment," Dumps Old OnStar Subscribers Switch to digital leaves Onstar subscribers by the side of the road.

Gas Price Run-Up Continues with Another Record Nationwide average shoots past $3.12 -- six records in six days.

Prius Owners Losing Ground in Traction Battle Toyota says cars are performing as designed but owners can't get up their driveways.

Five Gas Price Records in Five Days Crude oil prices down but refinery problems persist, industry insists.

Demand for Smaller Vehicles Grows as Gas Prices Rise J.D. Power reports long-term movement towards smaller cars, trucks.

New Gas Price Record, New Demand for Congressional Probe Average nationwide price climbing towards $4.

Study Warns of Dangerous Chemicals in Child Car Seats Some seats better than others, environment group finds.

AAA Wants Congressional Probe Of Gas Prices Average nationwide price climbing towards $4.

Feds Warn More Gas Price Hikes Ahead Average price could hit $4 as refineries fall behind in meeting demand.

New Gas Price Record: $3.07 Refinery capacity, not crude oil prices, blamed for skyrocketing prices.

Miami Tops Road Rage Survey NY, Boston, Los Angeles, DC Close Behind

Black Car Buyers Pay Higher Interest Rates Study finds situation has worsened in recent years.

Smart Car Buyers Line Up More than 12,000 consumers put down a $99 deposit for the little two-seater.

Suit Charges Honda Conceals Fire Risk in CR-V, Element Models Company's "double gasket" explanation doesn't wash, lawsuit charges.

Gas Prices Settle in Above $3 No immediate relief in site, feds warn.

Senate Vote on Fuel Economy May Come Soon Measure would require new cars and trucks to average 35 mpg by 2020.

Hybrid Tax Credits Declining Feds cut credits for most popular models.

Katrina's Legacy: A Flood-Damaged Handicap Van Disabled child lacks transportation; Ford refuses to help.

Weekend Sees Record Gas Prices Nationwide average hits $3.07, analyst Trilby Lundberg reports, but prices may ease soon.

Gas Prices Breaking Records Every Day Average price of gas nationwide hits $3.01. California sets new records daily.

Caution: Record Gas Prices Ahead AAA warns prices could hit an all-time high by the end of May.

Feds Probe Jeep Commander, Pontiac G6 Problems Stalling and power steering problems reported by consumers.

High Gas Prices May Be Squeezing Consumers Gas prices could be the wildcard that spoils the party, economist warns.

One Ford the Recall Missed Despite massive recall, Ford trucks continue to burn.

$3 Gas Spreads to 7 States, D.C. AAA disses Bloomberg report that the summer may see $4 gas.

Subprime Auto Loans Hit $50 Billion in 2006 Wall Street worried car loans will wind up like subprime home mortgages.

Toyota Takes Top Spot Worldwide GM reports sales up, but not even to beat Toyota.

Prius Traction Control Complaints on the Rise Toyota can't seem to get a grip on the problem.

Gas Prices Top $3 in Five States Consumers seem to be accepting higher prices as the "new normal."

Gas Prices Straddle $3 Consumers are paying 32 cents more than the average price one month ago.

Nissan Plans Clean Diesel for U.S. Price differential will be similar to competitors' hybrids.

Gas Prices Push Towards New Record Texas hit the hardest as prices continue to push towards $3 in much of the country.

Gas Prices Soar, White House to Require More Ethanol Use Nationwide average price moving towards $3. Californians bracing for $4 per gallon.

Brake Fires Plague Ford Escape, 527,000 Recalled Warning harness can corrode, leading to melting connections and possible fires.

West Coast to Feel the Pain of High Gas Prices Whatever happens elsewhere, Californians looking at $50 tanks of gas this summer.

OnStar Goes Digital, GM to Drop 500,000 Subscribers Nationwide conversion to digital cellular system leaves some OnStar subscribers by the side of the road.

Utility Preps for Electric Cars PG&E all charged up about potential of plug-in cars.

NHTSA Probes Land Rovers, Range Rovers Drive shaft failure can occur when vehicle is in motion.

Gas Prices Sprout Wings for Spring Average price up 13 cents over last year.

Tests Show Rear Crash Protection is Spotty Neck injuries most common traffic injury, yet protection against rear-end accidents lags.

Hybrids and Small Cars Staging a Comeback Prius supply catches up with demand, Ford looks for a better battery.

West Coast Gas Prices Lead the Nation Prices shoot past $3 and just keep climbing.

Online: The Worst Place to Buy a Car "Living room dealers" charge big bucks for flood cars, rust buckets and vehicles that don't even exist.

Chevy Ponders a Minicar GM shows three models at New York Auto Show to gauge consumer reaction.

Gas Prices Push Higher on Iran Worries Fears that Britain may attack Iran cause world oil prices to fluctuate wildly.

Company Sues Feds For Release Of Safety Data Taxpayer-owned information being hidden from the public by federal employees.

Public Citizen Objects to Carfax Settlement Charges settlement does not require Carfax to fully disclose limitations of its vehicle searchers.

Hyundai to Tap U.S. Sport Sedan Market South Korean automaker takes a page from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Spit Spark Plug Ignites Ford Truck Federal safety regulators look the other way. Ford mechanic complains Triton engines are "dropping like flies."

Gas Price Spike Slows Slightly Average price up just three cents for the week.

Ford Stops Sales of Big Super Duty, Recalls 2008 Trucks Tailpipe fires reported in three of the big diesel trucks.

Reception Poor at Senate Sirius-XM Hearing Senators find it hard to take seriously the claim that one satellite station is more competitive than two.

New Tundra Pickup Stumbles in NHTSA Safety Test Toyota pickup doesn't get the coveted five-star rating for frontal crashes.

Honda Recalls 166,000 Vehicles in U.S. Fuel pump problems can cause car to stall and not restart.

NHTSA Probes Mid-Sized GM SUVs Consumers complain of fuel pump corrosion.

XM-Sirius Merger May Encounter Technical Difficulties Companies don't have enough spectrum space to combine programming as they have promised under oath.

Gas Prices Spiraling Upward Prices now above $3 in most of California and climbing fast nationwide.

Carmakers Want to Exclude Public From Tailpipe Standards Trial Auto manufacturers are challenging adoption of California standards by other states.

GM Launches March Sale, Excludes Biggest Sellers Sale includes $1,000 discounts, zero percent financing on slow-moving models.

Automakers Resist Higher Fuel Economy Mandates The problem's not just cars, automakers tell Congress.

Texas Sues "Credit Insurance" Companies Policies supposedly protected news cars' financing. Refunds may total $6 million.

Gas Prices Spike, Consumer Demand Up Perfect storm of high demand, geopolitical tension pushes prices skyward.

Saab, Mercedes Hybrids on the Way But Ferrari vows it will "never" build a smaller, cheaper car.

Gas Jitters Hit California Prices jump above $3 mark in parts of the state; fears of sprintime shortages loom.

Ethanol Driving Up Meat Prices, Congress Told All that corn being turned into ethanol used to be chicken feed.

Gasoline: The Price Keeps Climbing Fears the U.S. will attack Iran driving oil prices up.

Tests Find Mid-Sized Car Bumpers Don't Do Much Insurance Institute finds major damage in low-speed fender benders.

Consumer Reports Finds European Cars Perform Well, Lack Reliability Annual survey dispels the "Japanese Myth," finds improvements in domestic models.

XM-Sirius Merger Encounters Serious Opposition Sirius' Mel Karmazan argues his monopoly would be competitive but Congress skeptical.

Congress Urged to Protect Children from Vehicle Deaths Federal safety regulators and automakers refuse to act, Public Citizen charges.

Hybrid Sales Slow As Gas Prices Rise Even the segment-leading Prius sees its sales slowing.

Gas Prices: Off and Climbing Prices soaring once again, up 21 cents in one month.

New EPA Tests Cut Mileage Claims Prius takes the biggest hit but is still the most fuel-efficient.

New EPA Tests Cut Mileage Claims Prius takes the biggest hit but is still the most fuel-efficient.

Prius Stalls in Snow; Owners Steamed As winter comes to the East Coast, Prius problems mount.

Surprise: Gas Prices Rebound National average is up three cents over one month ago.

Opels Migrate to the U.S., Becoming Saturns The Opel Astra arrives soon, morphing into the new Saturn Ion. Tailgating it is the Antara, the next Vue.

Researcher Says Airbags Pose Threat To Hearing An airbag might save your life in an accident but it could also cost you your hearing.

NHTSA Gives Five Stars to 24 Passenger Vehicles But none earned five stars for front and side impact plus rollover resistance.

GM Throws a One-Week Sale But look out! Read the fine print, as terms vary widely with different models and locations.

SUVs That Stretch Fuel Dollars Ford Escape Hybrid, Saturn Vue Green Line rated best among small, midsized SUVs

Ford Revives the Taurus Struggling automaker hopes renaming the Ford Five Hundred will boost sales.

GM Buys Back 800 Problem Cars and Trucks Fleet vehicles were retrofitted with leather seats, possibly causing airbag sensor problems.

Gas Supply Rises and So Do Prices Prices inching up nationwide, with the average once again above $2 in all 50 states.

2007: the Year of the Import Imports set to overtake domestic automakers in U.S. sales this year.

Nissan Altima Tops Consumer Reports' Ratings for Family Sedans Altima now ranks alongside CR's top-rated Volkswagen Passat, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry.

Carfax Reports Record Amounts of Title "Washing" Flood-damaged cars being sold to unwitting consumers nationwide.

Gasoline Prices Poised to Climb -- But When? Cold snap in the Northeast is driving up the cost of crude oil, with gas prices likely to follow.

2003 Ford Trucks Now Spitting Spark Plugs Problem that has plagued 1997 to 2002 Ford trucks spreads to 2003 model Expeditions and Explorers and pickups.

Senate Opens Debate on Fuel Economy Automakers nervous; only Honda supports higher MPG requirement.

Automakers Kick Off New Campaigns in Super Bowl Ads General Motors promotes its new 100,000-mile warranty, Kia hopes new vocabulary will score with consumers.

Gas Prices Under $2 in Five States President Bush plans to double strategic reserve.

Prius Shuts Down in the Snow, Reader Complains Toyota calls it a safety feature.

Texas Shuts Down Bogus Fuel Pill Scheme BioPerformance used pyramid scheme to promote bogus "secret" fuel pills, state charged.

Big Three Scour D.C. in Search of Taxpayer Subsidies Ford electric/hydrogen hybrid a hit on Capitol Hill.

Kia.com Ranks Highest in Carmaker Web Site Survey HUMMER ranks second in J.D. Power site usability survey.

Gas Prices Tumble 14 Cents Further declines not likely, analysts caution.

Gas Prices Follow Oil Down Pump prices dip below $2 in some areas.

Toyota Recalls 533,000 Trucks for Failed Ball Joints Tundras and Sequoias prone to sudden ball joint failure.

House Bill Would Curb Tax Breaks for Oil Companies Democrats say bill would reduce reliance on foreign oil, Republicans say it would increase it.

CARFAX Settles Class Action Lawsuits Previous customers can get free reports, company agrees to more fully disclose limitations of its data.

Consumer Reports Admits Errors in Its Infant Car Seat Tests Magazine says it will run the tests again using new specifications.

Compact Vehicles Continue to Gain Market Share Compacts' share up from 27.9 percent in 2005 to 31.2 percent in 2006.

GM Wants Federal Support for Alternative Fuels GM's CEO vows to push for Congressional and White House action this year.

Is Oil's Price Drop For Real? Veteran trader says don't bet on it. Prices could turn around quickly.

Gas Prices Finally Follow Crude Oil Prices Down National average price for a gallon of regular unleaded dips to $2.23.

Study: Motorists Often Switch Insurers After Filing a Claim Amica Mutual, Erie, State Farm get best marks in J.D. Power study.

Feds Propose Recorders to Monitor Truckers' Hours Consumer advocates call rule "very weak."

Oil Prices Plunge, Gas Prices Puddle What happened to those market forces that drove prices up when supplies were tight?

Transmission Failures Plague BMW Owners Automaker assumes no responsibility for widespread problems.

Feds Propose New Auto Safety Tests Too many cars getting five stars.

Toyota Agrees to Sludge Settlement for Consumers Class action settlement could benefit up to 3.5 million Toyota, Lexus owners.

Toyota and Ford Top Auto Brands in U.S. Toyota tops four of six categories in auto brand report card study.

Gas Price Roundup Crude oil prices down but gas price remains stable from last week.

Infant Fatalities Illustrate Car Seats' Shortcomings Infants die when car seats fail as predicted in Consumer Reports' testing.

Warm Weather Could Benefit Consumers At The Pump Homeowners using less oil for heating, driving down gas prices.

Child Car Seats Not Up to the Challenge Consumer Reports finds serious safety issues in most seats tested.

Hybrid Sales Drop with Gas Prices But auto executives worldwide believe the Hybrid Age is upon us.

Feds Asked to Reverse Auto Safety "Secrets" Rule Trial lawyers object to NHTSA's "Dirty Little Secrets" rule, which hides public data from the public.

Toyota Says Sweat Detector Stops Drunk Drivers New system uses sweat from driver's hand to analyze blood alcohol content.

GM Exec Slams Higher Mileage Standards Government can mandate higher mileage but it won't change consumer behavior, Bob Lutz charges.

California Gas Prices to Set Record National average closes the year 15 cents above 2005.

Distracted Drivers Cause Big Problems Cell phones, eating, grooming blamed for growing accident rate.

Gas Prices Up 8 Cents This Week Gas prices hitting levels not seen since last September as Iranian situation deteriorates.

Demented Drivers a Growing Traffic Menace Aging population can mean trouble on the road.

Toyota Races for No. 1 Spot Japanese automaker is set to pass GM as world's largest next year.

2006 Gas Costs May Set Record Prices rising as year ends.

Consumers Choosing Tiny Cars Despite Safety Risks Subcompact sales up 42 percent as consumers seek fuel savings.

Mercedes-Benz Fined for Clean Air Act Violation Company failed to notify EPA of defects in 1999-2006 models.

Ford to Fall to No. 3 Ford losing slot it has held since the 1920s to Toyota.

EPA Lowers Prius Mileage Estimate Feds' new estimate of 45 mpg in city driving confirms consumers' complaints.

Portable GPS Systems Becoming More Affordable

IIHS: Bigger is Better in Car Safety Subcompacts do poorly in insurance institute crash tests.

"Hot Fuel" Bilks Consumers, Lawsuit Charges Fuel expands when hot, delivering less energy per gallon, class-action suit alleges.

Whether Zip or Flex, Car Sharing Is On the Rise City dwellers finding hourly rentals convenient, economical.

Record Holiday Travel Predicted Gas prices likely to hold steady during the holidays, despite OPEC rumblings.

Safety Groups Lobby for New Rollover Test Government tests don't simulate real-world conditions, auto safety advocates argue.

New Mileage Estimates to Hit Window Stickers Hybrids likely to be hard hit by new, more realistic estimates.

GM Temporarily Halts Acadia and Outlook Sales Dealers need to drill a drainage hole in engine mounts.

Nissan Makes Cautious Entry into Hybrid Market Altima hybrid will be available only in California and a few other states.

Congress Treads Water on "Flood Car" Bill Republicans plan to toss hot potato to incoming Democrats. Translation: No action til next year.

Toyota Ranks Highest in Retaining Buyers Toyota edges out Lexus, Honda remains in third place, BMW is fourth.

Ford and Chrysler Offer Deep Year-End Discounts Automakers trying to clear out unsold inventory before year's end.

GM to Offer Rollover Airbags, Ford to Strengthen Roofs Automakers moving ahead of safety regulators, consumer advocates note.

Pump Prices Move Up, Cynics Blame Politics Crude oil prices still down but gas prices rising.

Chrysler Beats Ford, First Time in 60 Years Ford slips to #4 in November as GM, Chrysler aggressively move new models.

Ford's Lemons Leave Sour Taste in Consumers' Mouths Company's rebuilding efforts ignore customers embittered by Ford's cavalier response to fires, engine defects.

Gas Prices Rising in Texas, OPEC Hopes It's A Trend Oil prices down but gas prices holding steady and inching up in some states.

GM Boss Promises Plug-in Hybrid Saturn VUE likely to be the first model with overnight charging capability.

Striking Union Questions Goodyear Tire Quality on YouTube Steelworkers use YouTube to raise doubts about tires produced during strike.

Prius Discounts Popping Up in Showrooms Production finally catching up with demand for the little hybrids.

Toyota Camry Named "Car of the Year" Motor Trend gives annual award to the best-selling car in the U.S.

Safety Groups Want Earlier Stability Control Rule Safety device could save 10,000 lives per year, Public Citizen argues.

NHTSA's Dirty Little Secrets At automakers' bidding, federal safety regulators keep consumer complaints secret.

Honda, Subaru Top IIHS' Safety Picks List Less expensive cars beat out more expensive brands this year.

Ford, GM Try to Clear Year-End Inventory Automakers hoping that big discounts, no-interest loans, rebates will move 'em out.

Gas Prices Tick Up a Penny or So as Oil Plunges Mild weather, skepticism over OPEC embargo keep prices stable in most of the country.

New Cars More Affordable Than Anytime Since the 1980s Average consumers spends 26.3 weeks' pay to buy a new car or truck.

Consumers Still Looking for Better Gas Mileage Survey finds U.S. automakers out of step with consumers' preferences.

Feds Find Backup Sensors Ineffective Automakers also claim the devices are expensive and would save few lives.

Car Fire Reports Increasing Feds have conducted only one recall despite more than 520 deaths last year.

GM Plans New Plug-in Hybrid Company trying to live down its image as electric car killer.

Prius Ranks #1 in Owner Satisfaction Prius owners love their little cars, survey finds.

Post-Election Gas Prices on the Rise It's two years til the next election and gas prices are on the rise once more.

Survey: Domestic Cars' Reliability Improving Consumer Reports finds some American models equal or surpass Asian brands; Euro marques slump.

Gas Prices, Car Prices and the New Congress A Democratic Congress is likely to raise fuel and car costs while increasing fuel economy and safety.

Consumers Still Craving Hybrids Despite Gas Prices Survey finds 95 percent of consumers expect gas prices to go up again.

Prices Still Steady as OPEC Threatens Production Cuts But the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline has turned slightly up, breaking a long trend of price declines.

Feds Probe Fires in Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute Antilock braking system's control module suspected in latest rash of Ford fires.

Ford Keeps Cutting Production as Consumers Walk Away Automaker struggles to reduce inventory but sales falling faster than it can cut production.

Coming Soon: A PC for Your Car or Truck The latest driver distraction -- a dashboard computer.

Gasoline Price Drop Stalls Nationwide average up a penny today.

Insurers Want Feds to Move Up Electronic Stability Control Deadline Anti-rollover technology saves too many lives to wait til 2012, insurers argue.

Buying A Car Online Can Be Risky Overseas purchases especially risky, feds warn.

GM Hopes to Hatch New Hybrids Company plans big push to challenge Toyota's lead in fuel-efficient models.

Black Box Rule Ignites Hot Debate Automakers, consumer organizations, privacy advocates object to federal rules governing automotive data recorders.

Gas Prices Hold Steady as Consumer Confidence Rises But oil prices inching up again, possibly a sign of things to come.

Oil Giant Produces Gigantic Profit Exxon Mobil reports second highest profits ever recorded by a U.S. company.

Bush to Meet with Auto Industry Leaders Oft-delayed meeting tentatively set for Nov. 14.

Japanese Auto Sales Surge in September Toyota production up 3.8% in September while Ford and GM lag.

MIT Gas Saver: Ethanol Turbocharger A squirt of ethanol at just the right time could improve gas mileage, MIT engineers say.

Automakers Lobby to Weaken Roof Strength Proposal Safety advocates say proposed rules are already too weak.

Gas Prices Fall Despite OPEC Threat Marketers don't believe OPEC will carry through, analyst says.

Simpler Dashboards Might Make Cars Safer Study finds distracted drivers need simpler instrument panel.

Jousting with Jiffy Lube Consumers' beefs get action, at least sometimes.

Ford Pins Its Hopes on New Crossover Latest turnaround plan still ignores consumers stuck with defective truck engines.

More Consumers Sticking With SUVs, Trucks Yo-yoing gas prices keep auto market in flux.

EPA Finds Prius #1 in Gas Mileage Toyota has no fewer than five of the top ten fuel-efficient cars.

OPEC Cutback May End U.S. Gas Price Slide Eleven weeks of declining gas prices may be about to end.

Software Glitch Slows Some 2007 Camrys Drivers may find car doesn't accelerate when they want it to.

Ford Flex-Fuel Claims Challenged Public Citizen claims Ford's flex-fuel cars won't run on ethanol.

Gas Prices Still Falling, Though More Slowly Nationwide average down penny from three days ago.

Future of Hybrids Depends on U.S. Consumers Sales remain stuck around 1.2 percent, not enough to be profitable.

Is Toyota's Quality Slipping? Survey and consumer complaints suggest quality slips as production rises.

Toyota Delays U.S. Sales of New Corolla to Improve Quality U.S. entry to be delayed one year.

CARFAX: Not Always All the Facts A ConsumerAffairs.com investigation finds serious shortcomings in the popular title search service.

Oil Production Up, Gas Prices Down How long will it last?

Gas Prices Continue to Tumble OPEC threats don't show up at the pump.

OPEC Seeks To Tighten Oil Supplies, Stop Price Slide Oil prices rallied above $60 per barrel on the OPEC report.

New Study: Side and Roof Airbags Save Lives Universal adoption could save thousands of lives yearly, insurance study finds.

Ford Working to Unload Pickups Ford declares October "pickup month" as it tries to move its bloated inventory.

Automakers Team Up to Close Hybrid Gap GM, DaimlerChrysler, BMW form consortium to combat Toyota.

Study: Aggressive Driving Negates Benefits of Safety Devices Researchers find drivers' behavior changes for the worse in cars equipped with the latest safety gear.

Minority Auto Suppliers Critical of Toyota Toyota spends one-fifth as much as GM with minority suppliers.

Gas Price Slide Continues for Now Crude oil prices headed back up, though, so gas prices may be close behind.

Saab Stories Saab Owners Not Impressed by the Company's Aeronautical Heritage

Japanese Automakers Increase Hybrid Lead Toyota, Nissan step up hybrid production, Honda pushes ahead with clean diesel.

Consumers Rejecting Vehicles with Poor Gas Mileage Despite dip in gas prices, J.D. Power finds consumers rejecting gas hogs.

Gas Prices Continue Falling Prices down 49 cents in one month.

Certified Dangerous: Airbags and Used Cars A five-month ConsumerAffairs.com investigation finds widespread fraud by unscrupulous scam artists who rebuild wrecked cars and sell them as "certified."

Gas Price Fall Aids Republicans Survey finds widespread mistrust among consumers.

Ford's Future Rides on New Edge Crossover It's the "single most important launch this year," company executives admit.

Tax Credit for Toyota Hybrids Begins Fade Away October 1 Tax credits begin to disappear after 60,000 sales.

Congressman Wants Loan Guarantees for U.S. Automakers Loans would fund development of fuel-efficient vehicles.

Gas Price Conspiracy Theories "Absurd," Pundit Argues Rising supply, lessening demand account for lower prices, think tank pundit contends.

Full-Size Tundra to Challenge Detroit Trucks Toyota goes after Detroit's last stronghold -- full-sized trucks.

California Sues Automakers Over Global Warming Tailpipe emissions contribute to global warming, suit argues.

Crown Vic Marginal in Crash Test Largest family car on the road only marginal in tests, even with optional side air bags.

Toyota Closing In On GM for No. 1 Title Japanese ramp up as U.S. automakers trim jobs, close plants.

Gasoline Inches Below $2.50 Some analysts look for $2 per gallon prices later this year.

Ford Promises New Products Quickly Massive lay-Offs, plant closings latest stop on the way forward.

Ford to Challenge GM for Single-Year Loss Record Losses could reach $9 billion as second-largest U.S. automaker struggles to gain traction.

Feds Order Electronic Stability Control on All Cars Automakers have until 2012 to comply.

New BMW to Burn Hydrogen and Gasoline Only 100 of the high-end 7-Series cars will be built with the hydrogen option.

Election Looms, Gas Prices Drop; A Tiger in GOP's Tank Did Big Oil panic at prospect of GOP losses in midterm elections?

Ford Makes Stability Control Standard for 2009 Trying to regain its own stability, Ford plans safety upgrades for 2009.

Gas Prices Keep Dropping ... For Now Government report warns of growing demand and tight supplies.

Gridlock Creeps Towards the Country Traffic getting steadily worse in smaller cities.

Gas Price Lowest Since April Pump prices down 36 cents in the last month.

Feds Require Safety Info on New Car Window Stickers Consumers will be easily able to compare safety ratings for different models.

GM Extends Warranty to Five Years, 100,000 Miles Embattled automaker hopes to improve image, sell quality.

Ford's Last Chance Bill Ford's platitudinous "Way Forward" turned out to be a road to nowhere.

NHTSA Refuses to Investigate Ford Explorer Agency denies political influence played a part in its decision.

Gas Price Decline Continues National average price 33 cents lower than last year at this time.

Gloomy Labor Day for U.S. Automakers Toyotas sell themselves but U.S. brands languish on the lots.

B-cars Buzz as Sales Soar Consumers rush to buy small but stylist little fuel-sippers.

Gas Prices Still Falling Regular unleaded gasoline nationwide is selling for $2.79 a gallon.

Study Finds Ethanol Cleaner But Not Cheaper Consumer Reports study concludes that E85 ethanol will cost consumers more money than gasoline.

Safer Cars, Not Safer Drivers, Reducing Highway Deaths While cars have gotten safer, drivers and highways have gotten worse.

Motorcycle, Pedestrian Deaths Rising Lack of helmets blamed for motorcycle deaths, carelessness for pedestrian fatalities.

One Year Later: Why Are Gas Prices So High? Katrina is history. High gas prices aren't. Now why would that be?

GM Owners Still Steaming Over Dex-Cool Coolant blamed for corrosion, engine damage.

Gas Price Retreat Continues Gas prices sink further -- to $2.84 nationwide average for unleaded regular.

Gas Prices in Retreat Prices sink below $3 in much of the nation.

2006 Jeep Commander Named Worst "Blind Zone" Offender Children most frequent victims of "backover" accidents.

With $3 Gas, Hybrids Pay Off Premium price makes sense with gas prices around $3.

Car Buyers Check Mileage First Economy replaces reliability as top consideration, study finds.

Ford Kicks Off Late-Summer Zero Percent Car Sale Automaker hopes to reduce large inventory of unsold models.

FTC Halts Bogus Claims For "Fuel Saving" Device FuelMax did nothing to save fuel or reduce emissions, feds charged.

Prius Tax Credit Set to Decline Tax break diminishes as more cars are sold, thanks to Congress.

Toyota Rules California as Detroit Stumbles Toyota sales greater in California than Ford and GM combined so far this year.

Automakers Must Disclose "Black Boxes" Beginning in 2011, automakers must disclose present of an onboard data recorder.

Mazda Plans Recall of Troubled RX-8 Leaks in the sports car's rotary engine causing a variety of problems.

NY Car Dealers Fined for Deceptive Promotions Fake "scratch-off" prize promotions and other false advertising at issue.

Flaring Fuel Prices Pump Up Motorcycle Sales Sales up 10 percent over last year.

Ford Slashes Production Instead of Prices No late-summer car sales this year.

Hybrid Owners Get Their Own Lobbyists Massachusetts think tank forms organization to lobby for hybrid tax breaks and other benefits.

Gas Price Run-Up Easing Slightly Prices inching downward just as records are reached.

Consumers Choose Toyota then Buick in Michigan Study Ford, Jeep and Kia tied for last place.

Gas Prices Set Record, Some Surveys Say Prices remain relatively stable and may decline as summer driving eases off.

Gas Tops $3 in Majority of States Prices have held steady despite Alaska pipeline shutdown.

GMC Recall Too Late for California Family Yukon XL catches fire while parked in family's attached garage.

Lower-Priced Cars' Dependability Improving Quality gap between luxury and non-luxury brands has been cut in half during the past four years, study finds.

Report Blames White House Inaction for High Gas Prices Governors fret about political and economic impact, think thank calls for more nuclear energy.

BP Closes Alaskan Pipeline, Sending Gas Prices Higher Shutdown could add another 3 to 5 cents to gas prices.

Camry, Rav4 Win High Marks in Crash Test Lincoln Zephyr "not competitive" with others in its class.

Car Dealers Improve Service Performance J.D. Power finds consumers more satisfied with dealer service.

Fewer Americans Like Driving, Survey Finds Congestion, high gas prices take the fun out of driving.

Gasoline Hits $3 in 26 States, DC and Sweetwater, Texas More than half the country now pays $3 or more for gas.

Study Finds Deep Impact From Gas Price Hike Rising gas bills affect not only household budgets but also behavior at work, researcher finds.

Starbucks Sales Losing Steam High gas prices may be cutting into coffee sales.

Feds Wind Up Ford Engine Fire Probe with Massive Recall Latest recall involves 1.2 million trucks still at risk of catching fire while parked.

Court Rejects Curbs on Release of Crash Data Tire industry held up release of public information to the public for years.

Chrysler Renews Discounts as Sales Slump Automaker tries to pull out of worsening sales slump.

Toyota Beats Ford in July Sales First time Toyota has taken the #2 spot in U.S. sales.

Car Thieves Like the Fast, Furious and Blinged Out BMW roadster, Hummers top most-stolen list.

Gas Prices Force Consumers To Cut Other Spending Consumers fear $5 gasoline is not far off.

Gasoline Remains Above $3 Jaw-Dropping Prices in Moose Jaw and elsewhere.

Exxon Mobil Profits, Consumer Gas Prices Near Record Highs As retail gas prices hover around $3, Exxon Mobil's profits exceed $10 billion.

Ethanol Lobbying Disclosures Questioned Public Citizen charges ethanol producers aren't coming clean about their lobbying and influence-peddling.

Test Drive: Toyota's 2007 Camry A week in the Camry wasn't thrilling but it was predictable, comfortable and fairly fuel-efficient.

Nation's Average Gas Price Now $3 a Gallon Highest price recorded was $3.69 in Coronado, California.

Study: Auto Buyers Responding to Low-Interest Loans GM's 72-hour July 4th sale kicked off the summer's low-interest promotion.

Imports Beat Domestic Auto Sales Through May It's the first time imports have outsold domestic brands in the U.S.

A New Gas Price Record, Maybe Then again, maybe not. Comparisons differ but both agree: gasoline remains expensive.

Gasoline A Penny Short of $3.00 Pump price running 14 cents above last month, 68 cents more than last year.

Consumers Wait for Summer Price War as Car Sales Slump Sales weak but manufacturers not dishing out the rebates this year as high gas prices push down sales of profitable models.

Survey: Lexus, Buick, Cadillac Dealers Tops in Customer Satisfaction Volkswagen, Isuzu bring up the rear with worst ratings.

Senators Want Better Fuel Economy Reliance on foreign oil is America's Achilles heel, Sen. Barak Obama argues.

Toyota Looks at Plug-in Hybrid Company is also considering a flex-fuel ethanol-burning vehicle.

Facing Massive Recalls, Toyota Executives Promise to Do Better Executives apologize for errors under barrage of hostile questions at Tokyo press conference.

Insurance Industry Seeks To Block California Rate Reforms Suit seeks to block new rules excluding use of Zip code in setting rates.

Alfa Romeo Sets Sail for U.S. in 2009 Fabled Italian automaker confirms its plans to return to U.S. after a decade-long absence.

Toyota Recalls Near 800,000 for July Problems afflict the Prius and Lexus hybrids as well as other Toyota and Lexus models.

U.S. Fuel Economy Stagnant for 12 Years EPA finds no improvement in overall fuel consumption.

Gas Prices Up 2 Cents Despite Oil Price Drop Big increases analysts had feared haven't materialized.

U.S. Fuel Economy Stagnant for 12 Years EPA finds no improvement in overall fuel consumption.

Gas Prices Remain Steady but Steep Jump Ahead Events in Middle East push crude oil prices to record levels.

Test Drive: 2006 Toyota Prius Three lead feet meet little fuel sipper.

Toyota Tundra Recalled to Disable Front Passenger Airbag Switch NHTSA decision means front passenger seat will never be safe for small children.

MG Reborn in Oklahoma with Chinese Automaker Nanjing Auto will build updated version of legendary British spports car in Oklahoma.

Japanese Probe Recall Delay at Toyota Executives may have downplayer problems with steering on Toyota models in the mid-1990s.

Ethanol Benefits Questioned Corn-fed fuel is no cure-all for high gasoline prices, study warns.

Consumers Fear Gas Prices Will Continue To Rise Gallup Poll finds more than half of Americans expect gas prices to increase between now and the fall.

Gas Prices Pushing $3 Again Pump prices at their highest level of the year in most areas.

Arizona Charges Wal-Mart, AutoZone with Consumer Fraud Stores consistently fail to correct pricing errors, state charges.

Talking Cars May Be More Than a Movie Onboard devices may soon help prevent collisions and warn of other hazards.

Gas Prices Rise Like a 4th of July Rocket Heavy holiday travel helps push prices back up.

Study: Drivers Using Cell Phones As Bad As Drunks Researchers find using both handheld and hands-free cell phones as dangerous as driving drunk.

Gas Prices Jump Prior to Independence Day Prices up an average 3 cents as travelers gas up for the holiday weekend.

Ford Back-Tracks on Hybrid Promise S&P cuts company's rating further into junk status as Ford warns of disappointing results.

Hyundai Takes Top J.D. Power Big-Car Award Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 tied for second.

Federal Court Upholds Regional Auto Recalls Consumer groups had challenged fed regulators' letting automakers pick and choose which vehicles to recall based on geography.

Gas Prices May Have Bottomed Out Analyst Trilby Lundberg warns it won't get much better than this.

Mercedes Smart Car Headed for U.S. Market Little two-seater can get 60 mpg but has a hard time doing 60 mph.

Big Incentives on Full-Size Cars, SUVs May Not Cover Depreciation Losses Consumer Reports warns discounts aren't always a good deal.

Minivans Join SUVs in Slump Detroit getting a smaller percentage of a smaller pie as consumers turn away from not only SUVs but minivans too.

Midsize SUV Sales Show Signs of Weakening Sales continuing to erode as gas prices remain high.

Chrysler Sets Off Summer Car Sales War Employee discounts for all, Chrysler decrees. Automaker may offer 30-day trial of its new cars.

White House Stiffs Automakers Again Big 3 put off by Bush's comment that they should make "relevant" vehicles.

House to Vote on Ethanol Subsidy Gas-hog penalties would pay for E85 pumps around the country.

Gas Prices Slip 4 Cents Prices slip slightly as summer driving season starts to roll.

Toyota Builds More Efficient Gasoline Engine New engines will be cleaner and at least 5% more efficient than current models, Toyota says.

Gas Pill Busted in Texas Texas charges BioPerformance doesn't save gasm, but generates big profits for its promoters.

Chevy Impala, Toyota Avalon Tops in Side Impacts Ford Crown Victoria rated poor without side air bags.

Gas Prices Drip Down A Penny No significant movement as average price hovers just below $3.

More Trouble for Popular Jeep Grand Cherokee Fan blades may fly off possibly injuring bystanders.

Survey Finds Rising Gas Prices Hurting Small Business Business owners see revenue falling as costs rise.

Jeep Grand Cherokee May Suddenly Accelerate Incidents in Connecticut mirror those reported by consumers around the country.

Electronic Stability Control "Should Be Standard" Study finds ESC could prevent 10,000 fatal accidents per year.

Crude Oil Declines but Gas Prices Hold Steady Crude oil drops below $70 a barrel but the pump price hasn't moved in most places.

Some SUV Owners Burning More than Gas High cost of gas fuels arson fires in Southern California and elsewhere.

Former Lobbyist in Driver's Seat at NHTSA Safety advocated underwhelmed by Nicole Nason's credentials.

Toyota Hybrid Tax Credit to Decline as Sales Climb Honda and Ford not even close to selling enough units to exhaust their potential credits.

Bank Of America Offers Hybrid Rebate to Employees Pilot program applies to Los Angeles, Boston and Charlotte, N.C., workers.

Porsche Takes J.D. Power Win Porsche edges Lexus in initial quality survey, Hyundai moves up to third.

Cadillac Escalade Tops With Thieves The humble Ford Taurus station wagon is the least swiped.

TV Comes to the Gas Pump Coming to a service station near you: talking heads, reality shows and commercials.

Chrysler Cancels U.S. Sales of Diesel Jeep Liberty Current engine won't meet next year's emission standards.

Consumer Reports Gives RAV4 Rave Review Subaru Forester edges out Honda CR-V to finish in second place as CR reviews new SUV models.

Gas Prices Moving Up Again It's just a few cents but the trend is heading in the wrong direction.

Must-Have Safety and Convenience Features for New Car Shopping Consumer Reports picks top features, including electronic stability control.

Rising Gas Prices Cutting into Spending, Survey Finds Lower-income families reduce spending most drastically, Quinnipiac University poll reports.

Hummer Sales Up as General Motors Withers Sales fall across the board, except for Hummer, up nearly 60 percent.

Ford Joins Summer Incentives Battle Ford hopes $1,000 worth of gas and zero percent financing will boost lagging sales.

Car Seats Impair Newborns' Breathing Study finds oxygen levels fall, heart rate may slow when infants are left in safety seats.

Gas Prices Subside 2.5 Cents Feds fix miscalculation from previous week.

NHTSA Gives 2006 SUVs High Marks Chevrolet HHR the highest-rated SUV, Nissan Xterra 4x4 the lowest-rated.

Gas Prices Holding Steady Memorial Day comes and goes, prices remain stuck around $3.

Dodge Charger in Hot Pursuit of Ford's Police Interceptor With optional Hemi engine, the police Charger tops out at 150 mph.

Survey: Outlaw Cell Phone Use While Driving Most people would support a state law that makes it illegal to use a cell phone while driving, a University of Michigan study finds.

Gas Prices Ease Slightly for Memorial Day But analysts back off predictions of further declines.

Cell Phones Cleared in Gas Fires Fire officials now doubt cell phones were to blame in much-publicized fires.

GM Buys the Gas for Big Truck Buyers GM offers gas rebate to buyers of SUVs in California and Florida.

Study Blames High Gas Prices on Low Refinery Capacity Western states hit especially hard by limited refining capacity.

Aging Diesel School Buses Put Children at Risk Fumes and soot can cause health problems for children.

California Charges Auto, Homeowner Insurers Making Excess Profits Insurance Commissioner Garamendi schedules July hearings on the issue.

Automakers Warn Against Using E85 in Conventional Vehicles The ethanol-based fuel must be used only in vehicles built to burn it.

One-Third of Consumers Looking at More Fuel-Efficient Cars Dealers report four-cylinder sales accelerating briskly.

Gas Prices Rip Consumers, Bash Roadside Businesses Vacation plans in doubt, smaller cars in demand, roadside businesses hurting.

FTC Finds No Widespread Gas Price Gouging Agency finds only 15 instances of gouging after Hurricane Katrina.

Toyota Aims for Even Better Prius Performance Company eyes North American plant to build its hybrid models.

Consumers Adjusting to Higher Prices at the Pump Result may be cutbacks in spending on other items, less driving, more carpools.

Texas Drains Fake Fuel Pill Scheme BioPerformance pills may actually decrease gas mileage, state charges.

Big Three Look for Help on Capitol Hill Automakers want Congress to help them develop alternative fuel sources.

Alternative Fuel Sources Are No Secret Diesel, biodiesel, E85 available today. Hydrogen may not be far away.

Alternative Fuel Not Hard to Find Researchers point to coal and oil shale, among others.

Congress Considers "Right to Repair" Bill Measure would require automakers to share information with independent repair shops.

Honda Plans New Hybrids and Diesels Hybrid will be "suitable family use" and will cost less than the Civic, company says.

Petition for Cheaper Gas Demands Rebate Meanwhile, Castro hopes to drill for oil off the Florida coast.

GM Scraps Hummer H-1 It's big and brawny ... and that's the problem.

Florida Sues Pandhandle Gas Stations Stations conspired for years to keep gas prices high, state charges.

Survey: Gas Prices Don't Shake SUV Popularity University of Maine study finds SUV owners are loyal, no matter what.

Vehicle History Reports Becoming Essential for Used Car Buyers J.D. Power study also finds growing demand for used hybrids.

Gas Prices Take Toll on Consumers Retailers likely to start feeling the effect soon, study warns.

J.D. Power Gets Tough on Gadgets Back-up cameras, CDs in the glovebox, navigation systems can cause big problems.

Toyota Goes Country to Sell Big Trucks Big pickups the last stronghold of U.S. automakers.

Ford May Build a Plug-In Hybrid High gas prices are a reality and Ford is trying to respond, CEO tells stockholders.

Electronic Stability Control a Lifesaver Reduces risk of fatal SUV rollovers by 73 percent, researchers find.

Public Citizen Wants Higher CAFE Standards Requiring better fuel economy woudl reduce demand for gas, thereby easing prices, Claybrook testifies.

Gas Prices Hold at Just Under $3 a Gallon Short-term prices may trend down but the summer is uncertain.

Gasoline Prices Remain High, Oil Above $70 a Barrel More spikes expected until at least Memorial Day.

Hybrid Sales Doubled in 2005 Majority of new car buyers considered hybrids but rejected them because of the higher cost.

Consumers Blame Bush & Big Oil for Gas Prices Gallup Poll finds voters trust Democrats more than GOP to do something about gas prices.

Researchers: Speed Cameras Make Drivers Slow Down Australian researchers find speed cameras and other automated devices reduce accident rates.

April Auto Buyers Choose Asian and European Makers GM's new line of SUVs the only bright spot for U.S. brands.

Prius Shortage Drags Down Hybrid Sales Toyota can't keep up with the demand in U.S. Ford hybrid sales improve.

California Challenges Bush on Fuel Standards Proposed new rules fail to address the effects on the environment and global warming, state charges.

Gas Prices Cause Panic at the Pump ... and in Congress It's a perfect storm for the oil industry as consumers, Congress and the White House react to sky-high fuel prices.

Texas Town Boycotts Exxon Mobil Beeville hopes to pressure Exxon Mobil into cutting gas prices.

$3 Gas Just Pennies Away Average gas price up 70 cents over last year.

Auto Leaders to Meet with President In May Gas prices, alternative fuels, pensions and health costs on the agenda. No bail-out talk, though.

Chevron Reports Huge Profit Chevron's quarterly earnings rose 49 percent to $4 billion, topping Wall Street expectations.

White House Wants New Fuel Economy Standards It's been 20 years since standards for cars have been upgraded.

Exxon Mobil Reports 14% Increase in Earnings Valero earlier reported 56% growth in earnings.

California Subpoenas Oil Refiners Targets include ChevronTexaco, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Valero, Shell, BP.

Arizona Gas Price Probe Finds No Violations But state's attorney general says the probe shows an "anti-price-gouging" law is needed.

New Taxes Not the Answer to High Gas Prices, Pundit Insists Government should end the federal gas tax, says National Center for Policy Analysis.

Oil Prices Retreat For Third Day Drivers limit purchases, prices fall.

Chrysler to Step Up Flex Fuel Production Flex vehicles will run on either gas or ethanol.

Bush Proposes Lifting Hybrid Tax Credit Limit Tax credits are now phased out after manufacturer sells 60,000 vehicles.

Politicians Feel Heat, Point Finger at Big Oil Fast-approaching election focuses attention of politicians who have ignored the problem for the last 18 months.

Bush Moves to Ease Gas Price Pressures President suspends deposits to strategic petroleum reserve, eases environmental rules, calls for fewer tax breaks for energy companies.

Politicians Alarmed by Rising Gas Prices Excess profits tax is on the table as Congress watches voters' bile rise.

Gas Prices Don't Slow Gas Guzzler Sales About 25 percent of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. are equipped with eight-cylinder engines

Online Car Sale Scams Roll On Scammers ask car buyers to wire money -- which should be a tip-off.

Runaway Prices at the Pump Pawn shops report brisk business in Wisconsin as residents hock their valuables to buy gas.

Cell Phone No. 1 Driver Distraction Study finds distracted drivers three times more likely to have an accident.

Prius Rage Give Rise to Hybrid Haters Carpoolers complain single-occupant hybrids are clogging carpool lanes.

Slowing Hybrid Sales Worry Automakers Prius still zips off dealer lots, but other models linger longer.

$3 Gasoline Not Far Away Nationwide average at $2.80 a gallon as consumers prepare for a return to $3 regular gasoline.

GM Spends $17 Million Per Year on Viagra Automaker is the world's largest private purchaser of the little blue pills.

AAA: No Magic Pill For Gas Price Blues Potions, pills and additives may help a little but are seldom worth the money.

Kia Sedona, Subaru Impreza Ace Crash Tests Prius rated poor without optional side airbags.

Gasoline Pushes $3 a Gallon Gas prices hit levels not seen since the days following Hurricane Katrina.

$50 Fill-Up for Average SUV as Prices Soar Average price of a gallon of gas up 8 cents in 4 days.

Survey: Consumers Want More Auto Safety Technology Consumers say they're willing to pay for safety, communications and diagnostic technology.

Gasoline Prices May Be Leveling Off Supply may by catching up with demand.

Ford Offers Zero Percent on Hybrids Incentives had been offered only in select markets.

Kids Getting Too Fat For Safety Seats, Study Finds Seats need to be redesigned to accommodate bigger kids, study finds.

Gasoline Prices Rocket Up, Supplies Drop and Demand Climbs Springtime driving season oopens as inventories dip, sending prices skyward.

Insurance Institute Modifies Frontal Crash Tests Manufacturers' data to be used for most tests, with occasional verification audits.

Gay Automotive Website Takes on BMW Automaker's ads in gay publications don't make up for its lack of domestic-partner benefits for gay employees, Gaywheels.com charges.

New Fuel Economy Standards Favor U.S. Automakers Lights trucks, SUVs have until 2011 to achieve 24 mpg standard. Environmentalists wanted to raise the bar.

Toyota Undercuts Honda with Camry Hybrid Price Camry hybrid will set for $25,900, about $5,000 less than Honda's Accord hybrid.

Study: Drivers Cause Most Large Truck Crashes First nationwide study finds drivers the most frequent cause of large truck accidents.

New Fuel Economy Rules on the Way The Bush administration plans to announce final fuel economy regulations that will require vehicles average 24 miles per gallon by 2011.

Hot-Selling GM Products No Bargain for Consumers GM hopes to pump up prices of its hot-selling SUVs.

New Government Rules May Fuel Gas Prices Average price for a gallon of gas now exceeds $2.50 nationwide.

Saturn Sky Prices Go Sky High Car dealers, even Saturn dealers, make hay while sun shines.

North Carolina Hopes to Clean Up Car Sales Agreement with one dealer could serve as model, attorney general hopes.

Honda Moves Toward Hydrogen Fuel Cells Honda funds development of home-based hydrogen system.

Who's Mad about March Madness? GM tells dealers its NCAA promotion will actually reduce per-unit incentives.

Consumers Protest Replacement Car Key Prices Key codes do little more than line automakers' pockets, consumer group argues.

A Tale of Two SUVs The Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Escape Hybrid competition takes an unexpected twist.

Hate Groups Boycott Ford Again Gay bashers demand control of Ford marketing policies.

New Federal Rules Drive Up Gas Prices Despite falling crude oil prices, gas prices may rise another 30 cents.

Feds Probe Airbag Problems in Chrysler Minivans Corrosion can cause airbags to fail, or to open improperly.

Sunset Over Detroit Last two U.S. automakers alienate their longtime customer base while perfectionist Japanese win the hearts of Generations X and Y.

Gas Prices Rise While Crude Prices Drop Gas prices could start to drop next week. Then again ...

Detroit Fuming Over Consumer Reports Top Ten Picks Detroit was shut out of the magazine's ratings this year.

Automakers Want More Ethanol Pumps Detroit wants Congress to require oil companies to install many more ethanol service station pumps.

NHTSA Probes Unexplained Stalls in Chrysler Pacifica Dealers can't isolate the problem.

Gas Prices Take Off as Driving Season Nears Prices jumped almost 8 cents a gallon over the last week.

BMW 3 Series, Lexus Ace Crash Tests; Ford Fusion Flunks Focus "not competitive" with other cars in its class.

Consumer Reports Sizes Up Hybrid Costs Savings at the pump don't offset higher purchase price.

Tests: Ford Replacement Tires Still Don't Prevent Rollovers Explorer just as likely to roll over with replacement tires, tests indicate..

NTSA Probes Toyota Sienna Tire Pressure System Tire pressure and regulating system can fail.

NHTSA Investigates Ford Trucks for Stalling Problems The stalling causes diminished steering and braking ability.

Top Consumer Reports Honors All Go to Asia U.S. automakers shut out of "top 10" list for first time.

CFA Finds Wide Variations in Fuel Efficiency Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, VW Golf and Beetle turn in the best performance.

Three States Consider Limits on Black Boxes Insurers, police increasingly see cars' black boxes as evidence.

Illinois Considers Giving Car Buyers More Information Buyers can learn of accidents in other states but not their own.

Gas Prices Headed Up, Analysts Warn Recent price declines won't last, Trily Lundberg cautions.

GM Revives March Madness Sale Automaker swore off incentives but is backsliding as sales fall.

Nader Scolds U.S. Auto Industry Automakers cut costs at expense of innovation in safety and fuel efficiency, consumer crusader charges.

Honolulu Leads in Motorcycle Thefts, NYC in Accidents Bikers beware! Some cities are a lot riskier than others.

Big Brown Goes Hybrid UPS adds 50 electric hybrid trucks to its U.S. fleet.

Toyota Cuts Entry-Level Camry Price, Boosts Luxury Model Best-selling Camry responds to U.S. automakers' price cuts.

Ford Truck Fires Mount as Recall Rolls Slowly In latest incident, no recall notice received, truck burns to the ground.

Honda Plans Econo-Hybrid for U.S. Market Subcompact could get up to 85 miles per gallon.

New Car Sales Down 8% in February GM and Honda outperform the competition, GM gains market share.

Japan's Big Three Take Aim at Gens X and Y Little fuel-sippers threaten to steal the market from U.S. gas guzzlers.

Ethanol Increases Consumers' Fuel Bills Corn-based fuel burns cleaner but costs more and produces less energy.

Study: Speed Cameras Curb Road Deaths Up to 10,000 deaths per year could be prevented, researchers say.

Mazda Plans Gas-Hydrogen Hybrid RX-8 Hydrogen RE will initially be available only in Japan.

GM Regional Truck Recall Stops Short Truck owners irate over recall shortfall.

Feds Want More Kids in Car Booster Seats More than 80% of kids who should be in boosters aren't.

Ford Says It Was No. 1 in 2005 GM stands by its claim that Chevrolet was the top-selling brand.

Toyota Prius Named in Patent Infringement Suit Challenge by Florida company could block Prius imports.

NHTSA Probes Durango Fires Fires reportedly start under the front seat.

Sunoco Agrees to $325,000 NJ Gas-Price Settlement Proceeds will help fund an assistance program for low-income residents.

Auto Safety Nominee Headed for Confirmation Former lobbyist will be enforcing safety standards she once opposed.

GM Boosts Hummer and Buick Warranties Automaker hopes to better compete with other luxury models.

Big 3 Cooked the January Sales Books Fleet sales were jacked up to make numbers look good.

VW Minivan Returning to U.S. It will actually be a Chrysler in VW cladding.

High Gas Prices Wearing Thin Record ExxonMobil profits may force Congress to appear to do something.

Statistics Show Airbags Getting Safer Fewer airbag-related deaths and injuries reported.

Recalled Trucks Burn As Ford Fiddles Slow-moving recall can't catch up with engine fires in Ford trucks.

GM Keeps SUV Focus with New Two-Mode Hybrid System New system provides improved fuel economy at highway speeds, not just in stop-and-go driving.

Lexus GS Gets Top Rating in Side-Impact Test Protection marginal for rear-seat occupants, however.

Water-Damaged Katrina Cars Hit the Market Water-soaked cars being sold throughout the country.

Mercedes Hopes to Buff Its Image Legendary marque launches massive advertising campaign to rebuild its reputation.

NHTSA Probes Saturn Timing Chain Failures Failures can occur at highway speeds.

World Events To Push Gas Prices Much Higher Two world trouble spots, Iran and Nigeria, may curtail crude oil shipments this week.

Higher Gas Prices Could Mean Lower Insurance Rates Driving less? You may qualify for a discount.

Dingel Says Bush Ignores U.S. Automakers "Congressman from GM" wants Bush to pay attention to problems facing auto workers.

Slumping SUV Sales Drive Losses at GM President Bush warns Ford and GM not to expect a bail-out from Washington.

Toyota Dons NASCAR Racing Gear As part of its drive to unseat GM, Toyota heads for the track.

Volvo Recalls 42,000 Trucks Possible fire risk in some models.

U.S. Automakers Talk Up Hybrids at D.C. Auto Show Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda showcase their second-generation production models.

Feds Probe Shattered Cadillac SRX Sun/Moon Roofs Occupants can be cut by glass fragments.

Bill Ford's Secret Turnaround Plan Long on rhetoric, short on promises, Ford's plan ignores consumers stranded by defective products.

Ford Trucks Spit Spark Plugs Ignored by Ford, truck owners face massive repair bills.

Lobbyists Grouse At Nomination of Lobbyist to Safety Agency Does Nicole Nason have previously unknown expertise in auto safety?

Toyota Prius Tops Consumer Reports Mileage Tests The Dodge Ram 1500 SLT with a 5.7-liter engine got the worst mileage: 11 miles per gallon.

Global Pressures Pushing Oil Prices Higher Iran's threat to reduce its oil shipments already having an impact.

Toyota Bumps Ford in Loyalty Rankings GM remains atop overall manufacturer loyalty in R.L. Polk survey.

Lobbyist Named to Run Auto Safety Agency White House nominates Transportation Department lobbyist to run NHTSA.

Nader Blasts U.S. Automakers for Inattention to Safety Federal safety regulators now function as "constulting agency to Detroit," Nader charges.

New Honda Civic Challenges Toyota Prius 2006 Civic promises to bring some competition to the hybrid market.

Gas Stations Settle Gas Pricing Charges in NJ, Illinois Other states still investigating price-gouging allegations.

Gas Price Keeps Inching Up Average price of a gallon of regular up 7 cents over last week.

Illinois Settles Gas-Gouging Complaints New York considers legislation to tighten price-gouging laws.

GM Adds Incentives to Clear Inventory Ailing automaker needs to sell fast-aging cars and trucks.

Group Warns of Polluted Air Inside Cars Flame-retardant chemicals "toxic at any speed," environmental organization claims.

EPA Mileage Tests to be Updated The new tests and standards will begin with the 2008 model year, will more accurately reflect actual driving conditions.

GM Cuts Prices Automaker hopes to boost sales, reduce reliance on incentives.

A Wild Ride in a Prius Michigan man's cruise control switches to runaway mode as car accelerates at full throttle.

Most SUVs, Pickups Flunk Whiplash Test Ads show big, tough vehicles but occupant protection doesn't measure up.

Gas Prices Climbing Steadily Spike in crude oil prices reflected at the pump.

Hybrid Sales Expected to Grow 268 Percent by 2012 J.D. Power predicts sales of 780,000 gas-electric hybrids by 2012.

Hybrid Driving Tips Pointers from a veteran of 85,000 miles behind the wheel of a Honda Insight.

Insurance Break for Hybrid Owners in 2006 Travelers is first major company to offer discounts to hybrids.

GM Beats Ford in '05 But both see sales fall below previous levels.

Auto Execs: SUVs Headed for Extinction Survey finds most auto executives see SUVs going the way of the buffalo.

NHTSA Grants Airbag Exemption to Romanian SUV Company claims it would go out of business if it had to make a safe vehicle.

Study: SUVs No Safer Than Cars Children riding in SUVs have similar injury risks to children who ride in passenger cars, study finds.

New York Taxi Fire Puts Heat on Ford Sen. Schumer wants Ford to provide gas tank shields for Crown Victoria cabs.

2005: The Year of the Hybrid Despite dealer price gouging, questionable mileage, occasional glitches and high repair and insurance cars, hybrids are flying out of showrooms.

Ford Loses Data on 70,000 Workers Computer was stolen last month. Ford buys credit monitoring service for affected workers.

California Dumps Zip Code-Based Auto Insurance Rates State finally implements key provision of Proposition 103, passed by voters in 1988.

Ford Promises to Go Green Automaker pledges to reduce emissions of global warming gases.

Ford Truck Fire Fix Delayed by Parts Shortage Cruise control blamed in fires in F-150 and related models.

Honda Ridgeline Named "Truck of the Year" Second year in a row that Motor Trend picks a Japanese truck.

NHTSA Nixes New Crash Tests Critics find existing tests inadequate, outdated and misleading but NHTSA sees no problems.

Little Chinese Car Headed to Detroit Auto Show The Geely is expected to sell for less than $10,000 whe it goes on sale in a few years.

Gas Prices Head Up Again National average for self-serve regular now $2.21.

Car Prices: How Low Can They Go? Current discounts are good but savvy consumers can do even better.

More Drivers Talking On Cell Phones The number of drivers talking on a cell phone at any given daylight moment continued to increase in 2005, according to the latest research.

Anti-Gay Group Renews Ford Boycott Threat American Family Association reacts to Ford's commitment to renew advertising in gay media.

Ford Settles Class Action Over Plastic Manifolds About 1.8 million motorists eligible for payments and warranty extensions.

Florida Sues Spammer Touting Bogus Fuel Saver Federal Trade Commission filed similar suit last year.

First Chinese Prius Ready to Go Not only the world's fastest-growing auto market, China is also among the most polluted.

Prius Supplies Will Remain Tight Through 2006 Prices will remain high as dealers tack on a few extra thousand.

Ford to Resume, Expand Ads in Gay Media Company says it will advertise all of its brands in gay media in 2006.

Feds Predict Continued High Gas, Oil Prices Hybrid sales spurt, SUVs and light trucks languish.

Temperature Drops, Gas Prices Climb The average price of regular unleaded gasoline is up 2 cents to $2.18 a gallon.

Ford Execs Meet with Gays, Make No Promises Company stands firm on withdrawing ads from gay publications.

Consumer Advocates Challenge Regional Auto Recalls Suit challenges policy that allows automakers to limit recalls involving defects related to regional conditions such as snow or heat.

Lexus Leads in Customer Loyalty Suzuki, though still poor, shows biggest improvement.

GM Drops Two SUVs from Lineup as U.S. Auto Slump Continues Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL get the axe, along with 30,000 workers.

Iowa Legislature Urged To Cap Car Title Loans Title loans drive consumers deeper into debt and may cause them to lose their car.

What Does Detroit Really Want? Automakers in D.C. shopping for tax breaks, regulatory largesse and protection from consumer lawsuits.

Illinois Sues Montell Chevrolet, Montell Pontiac Dealers allegedly failed to pay loan balances due on consumers' traded-in vehicles.

New Jersey Sues Car Dealers Deceptive advertising, withholding information about prior accidents among the charges.

Mazda5 Wins Best Overall Rating Consumer Reports picks Maza5 as best "tall wagon."

White House Rejects Auto Industry Bailout Detroit has little clout in the Bush Administration.

Ford Motor Gives in to Anti-Gay Religionists Ford agrees to stop advertising in gay-themed publications.

GM, Ford Look to Congress for Help Automakers seek a boatload of benefits, but please don't call it a bailout.

NHTSA Probes Windshield Wiper and Headlight Problem in Some GM Models Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV, Saturn Relay and Buick Terraza affected.

Mid-Size Cars Sweep Top Safety Pick Awards Winners are mostly mid- and fill-size sedans. No minivans made the cut.

Ford Strong-Arms Consumer Group Over Roof Strength Standards Public Citizen asks Florida court to make internal Ford documents public.

Gas Prices Bottoming Out? Rate of decline slows; average price remains well above last year.

Consumers Buy Asian in November Consumers continued to buy Toyotas and Hondas as the two Japanese automakers posted sales gains of at least 10 percent making November a record-setting month for both companies.

Martha Stewart to Begin Hawking Buicks GM wants to create "an aura of unique excitement and intelligent suspense."

Prius Owners Still Miffed about Mileage Careful driving helps some consumers get better mileage, but not others.

What Do the New Car Sales Add Up To? Heavily-advertised discounts apply to vehicles that no one much wants to buy.

Hess Settles Price-Gouging Charges Company will pay $370,000 to settle New Jersey charges.

EPA Will Revise Fuel Economy Ratings First major revision since 1985.

New Auto Roof Strength Proposal Inadequate, Public Citizen Charges Rollovers cause one-third of traffic deaths each year.

Prius Owners Question Mileage Claims Does the Prius' onboard computer display correct fuel consumption information?

Ford, Chrysler Jump on Car Sale Bandwagon Ford offers one-price selling, Chrysler a free gas and maintenance plan in response to GM's Red Tag Sale.

States Need Help Fighting Used Car Fraud Flood of salvaged cars headed north from Katrina country heightens fraud risk.

Prius Runs Amok After Stalling, Hits Tow Truck California driver finds stalling incident more frightening than the company's warning led him to expect.

NHTSA Probes Chrysler Minivans, Mercedes Sedans and Hyundai Sonata Sedans Investigations could lead to recalls if problems are documented.

GM Cars and Trucks On Sale ... Again After a horrible October, General Motors tries another sale.

Five Reasons Not To Buy An Extended Warranty Based on the experiences of our readers, we'd have to say extended warranties are a bad idea.

Pump Prices Drift Downward Gas prices down 52 cents over the last month.

Nissan Goes Country Automaker moving its U.S. headquarters from Southern California to Nashville.

Nader Demands Stronger Standards for Vehicle Roofs Rules now let automakers rely on windshields to provide at least 30 percent of roof strength.

Ragtops Get A Pass on New Fed Roof Rules NHTSA decides not to require roll bars on convertibles.

Oil Companies Deny Price-Gouging FTC warns that price controls do "more harm than good."

IRS Certifies Ford Hybrids for Clean-Fuel Deduction Taxman adds 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid and 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid to clean-burning fuel deduction list.

Gas Prices Continue Their Downward Drift Slowly, ever so slowly ...

Honda Tops Most-Stolen Car List Japanese models most coveted by thieves.

Pair Sentenced For Internet Car Sales Scam Duo chiseled $60,000 from victims in four months.

Pennsylvania Suit Challenges State Farm Salvage Title Deal Insurer's settlement with states was a "sweetheart deal," suit charges.

Toyota Boosts Prius Price, Cancels Fleet Sales Base Prius price for 2006 models going up $490.

Toyota, Nissan, Honda Minivans Ace Side-Impact Tests Ford Freestar gets "acceptable" rating with optional side airbags, a "poor" rating without them.

Negative Option: When No Means Yes "Implied consent" sales cost consumers big bucks, often for products or services they never heard of and don't want.

Gas Price Decline Continues Analysts warn prices may begin to rise as winter sets in.

Toyota Continues to Sell Faulty Prius Hybrids Stalling problem can leave motorists stranded on the highway.

Consumers Walk Away from Big SUVs Sales off more than 44 percent last month.

NHTSA Investigating Dodge Dakota and Durango Steering problem can cause loss of control.

Baltimore Cuts Parking Rates for Hybrids Other cities may follow, as governments try to encourage use of low-polluting cars.

Automakers Brace for Ghastly October Sales End of "employee discount" promotions and sinking consumer confidence add up to sinking sales.

Gas Prices Sink Below $2 in Texas, Fall Slowly Elsewhere Edinburg, Texas has lowest price in the nation - $1.95.

Record Oil Profits Prompt Calls for Probe Congress stirs as ExxonMobil reports record profits.

Hyundai Puts Minivan Back On Track Entourage is basically the Kia Sedona.

Audi, Ford, Subaru, VW Midsize Models Ace Front, Side Crash Tests Audi, VW, Subaru models win "double best pick" rating.

Survey Sees Trouble Ahead for Many 2006 Model Cars, SUVs Consumer Reports finds European luxury models and most SUVs trouble-prone.

State Farm's Wrecked Car Owners Feeling Slighted Attorneys general brokered private deal with State Farm, which resold totaled cars without salvage titles.

Senator Proposes Hybrid Quota Sen. Joe Lieberman wants 10 percent of new cars to be hybrids.

Hybrid Tax Deductions Expire December 31 Popular $2,000 deduction to be replaced by complex tax credit.

Greens Call Toyota a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Blue Water Network labels shift to bigger hybrids "business as usual."

Viper vs. Vette as Horsepower Wars Heat Up Don't care about the price of gas? Take one of these beasts out to the track.

Gas Prices Drop Slowly After Record Climb Lower crude oil prices not reflected at the pump.

Poll: Gas Prices Affecting Quality of Life in America Americans say they'll buy smaller cars, travel less this holiday season.

Toyota Recalls Scion tC to Fix Wind Deflector Deflector could shatter if hit by road debris.

Wyoming Most Lethal State for Truck Drivers Federal rules leaving tired drivers on the road too long, consumer groups charge.

As GM Struggles, Toyota Eyes No. 1 Slot Analyst downgrades GM, Ford, stocks tank.

More than Half of U.S. Consumers See a Hybrid in their Future Drivers more concerned with gas prices than with the environment.

New-Car Sales Plunge in Early October Gas prices, end of employee-pricing promotions blamed.

GM Cuts Employee Health Benefits, May Sell GMAC Company's financial performance "very disappointing," CEO tells employees.

Gas Prices Push Consumer Price Index Higher Iindex soared 1.2 percent in September as Gulf Coast hurricanes blew gas prices skyward.

Ford Freestyle Gets Top Rating in Frontal Crash Test New SUV earns insurance institute's "Best Pick" award.

Toyota Warns Prius Owners of Stalling Software glitch can cause gas engine to stall.

Gas Prices Stable as Demand Drops Motorists hold down consumption as stability returns to gas marketplace.

EPA Picks Ten Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles VW takes four of top ten slots.

Bridgestone Settles with Ford Companies settle long-standing suit over Explorer rollovers.

American Workers Pour 2005 Salary Increases Down Gas Tank Compensation experts say rising gas prices eat up most or all of workers' raises.

Hybrid Wars Heat Up, Ford Takes On Toyota GM, Chrysler on sidelines as Ford tries to fight its way into the hybrid sweepstakes.

Delphi Bankruptcy May Cost GM $11 Billion Worst case scenario could wipe out GM's profits for the last five years.

Gas Price Run Up May Be Ending Oil industry analyst Trilby Lundberg now thinks the worst is over.

Native Americans Less Likely to Use Seat Belts Traffic accidents most frequent cause of death on reservations.

Gasoline Prices Steady, Diesel Breaks Record The nationwide average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline is $2.932, up 50.6% from a year ago.

High Gas Prices Here to Stay, Energy Secretary Warns U.S. needs to take conservation seriously. EPA suggets fluorescent lights.

SUV Sales Plummet, Trade-In Values Collapse Consumers suddenly clamor for fuel-efficient cars.

Gasoline Demand Drops As Consumers Balk At High Prices Slackened U.S. consumer demand affects oil markets worldwide.

GM Sells Subaru Stake to Toyota Toyota buys bigger share of key hybrid battery supplier.

Prius Profiteering as Salesmen Squeeze Consumers Mark-ups of $4,000 or more not uncommon as consumers lust for fuel economy.

States Moving to Protect Motorists from Black Boxes Five states join California in restricting use of data from automotive event recorders.

Gas Prices Climb, Demand Drops Diesel fuel at an all-time high.

GM Puts Small Hybrid Premium on Saturn Vue Green GM's first hybrid should hit showrooms next summer.

Florida Accuses Island Food Stores of Gas Price Gouging Price of gas went up 72 cents per gallon during state of emergency.

Feds Urged to Act on Ford Spark Plug Blow-Outs Problem in big truck engines can lead to severe damage.

Rita's Damage to Refineries, Rigs Showing Up at the Pumps Damage to the petroleum industry infrastructure along the Gulf Coast is straining the nation's gasoline supply.

Missouri Charges 10 Gas Stations with Price Gouging Prices changed several times daily at stations in Southeast Missouri.

New Jersey Charges Stations, Oil Companies with Gas Price Gouging Hess, Motiva Shell, Sunoco and several independent companies charged.

NHTSA Plans to Crash Test 77 Models Next Year Agency will also provide rollover ratings for an expanded selection of vehicles.

Ford Offers Retrofit to Prevent Fire in Lincoln Limos Drivers of regular models are on their own.

Democrats Demand Probe of ExxonMobil and FTC Sen. Barbara Boxer: FTC now stands for "Fail the Consumer."

Post-Rita Gas Price Spike On Hold - For Now Energy traders betting supplies run short before refineries come back on line.

Study: Consumers Become Complacent When Gas Prices Fall Drivers look for the best deal when prices are going up, but now when they're coming down.

Higher Gas Prices Lead To More Late Credit Payments Credit card delinquency rates reach record high.

Rita Nudges Gas Prices Up Analysts expect a moderate decline, eventually.

Prius Sales rise with Gas Prices Toyota measures Prius supply in hours, not days.

Ohio Stops Ford Dealer's Deceptive Katrina Ads Dealer falsely claimed to have discounted cars coming from Louisiana.

Gulf Refineries Dodge Rita's Bullet Storm fails to deliver knock-out punch some analysts had feared.

Rita Poised to Dig Deep into Consumer Wallets More than 25 percent of U.S. refinery capacity could be shut down as Rita closes in.

Gasoline Prices "Under Intense Scrutiny," FTC Tells Congress Agency says it will "move aggressively" against violators.

Rising Gas Prices Not Entirely Katrina's Fault, Public Citizen Tells Senate As Senate mulls Katrina, Rita bears down on the Gulf Coast.

Senator Offers "Anti-Profiteering" Gas Price Bill Bill would outlaw any gasoline price increase greater than 15 percent during a natural disaster or other emergency like Hurricane Katrina

Gas Prices Retreat While Waiting for Rita National average now $2.81.

Illinois Sues Chicago Auto Auction City Auto Auction allegedly deceived consumers through advertisements and sales tactics, suit charges.

Most Minvan Headrests Are Inadequate, Tests Find Insurance Institute for Highway Safety finds only Ford Freestyle and Mercury Monterey give adequate protection.

Fire, Ambulance Workers Worry About Hybrids High voltage in hybrid battery packs a potential hazard to rescue workers.

Europeans Rate Mercedes Benz Tops in Overall Quality Fiat rated last. Alfa Romeo best conveys "sense of freedom."

GM Offers OnStar Diagnostic Service by Email Your car can tell you how it's feeling.

Class Action Generates Refunds for NJ Motorists Consumers who dealt with one of 397 dealerships in the last eight years may be in line for a payback.

Gasoline Average Price Down 9 Cents in a Week Like the flood waters in New Orleans, gas prices are receding slowly.

EPA Fuel Economy Ratings Have Shortfalls Of Up To 50 Percent Hybrids some of the most over-rated, but still among the most economical, study finds.

Toyota Doubles Hybrid Production Other manufacturers also rushing to catch up with growing demand for hybrids.

Gas Prices Falling Below $3 Most expensive gas now on New York's Long Island.

Analyst Sees $100 Per Barrel Oil By 2007 Katrina complicates pre-existing problem of rising consumption.

Gas Prices Level Off, Promised Dips Fail to Show at the Pump Washington, D.C., had nation's highest prices in latest survey.

Gas Prices Send IRS Travel Deduction Up Rate jumps 8 cents to 48.5 cents a mile.

States Moving Against Gas Price-Gougers Florida sues accused price-gouger, other states launch investigations, issue warnings.

Honda Puts Airbag on Motorcycle New system works only on big bikes.

After Years of Stonewalling, Ford Recalls 4 Million Trucks to Fix Fire Risk F-150s and other popular trucks at high risk of bursting into flames while unattended.

BMW Joins GM, DaimlerChrysler Hybrid Project Ford, Peugeot working on low-emission diesel engines.

New Jersey Finds 25% Of Gas Stations Overcharging State cites 100 of 400 stations inspected over Labor Day weekend.

Georgia Suspends Gas Tax Post-Katrina Georgia legislators suspended the 7.5 cents-a-gallon gas tax and 4 percent sales tax on gasoline until Oct. 1.

Gasoline Prices Fall Ever So Slightly Post-Labor Day, prices ease down in most of the country.

Title-Washing Scams Follow Katrina Used car market may be flooded with "title-scrubbed" storm-damaged vehicles.

Feds Say Tire Quality Has Improved Nearly 90 tire lines get "A" rating for safety and reliability.

States Probe Gas Price Jumps Attorneys general want to know why gas prices skyrocketed after Katrina.

Major Fuel Pipelines Back On Line, Supplies Seem More Certain Something "a little ghoulish" about extreme price predictions, analysts note.

Gas Prices Highest Ever, Supply Questionable Sporadic shortages reported. Prices hit all-time high in most areas.

Ford Extends Employee Discounts Through Sept. 30 Unlike GM, Ford excludes most 2006 models.

Gas Shortages Reported In Katrina's Wake High prices may be yesterday's headache as gas supplies run short.

Gas Prices Head Up as Consumers Pay for Katrina President Bush taps emergency oil reserve to relieve gasoline shortages and record crude oil prices.

NHTSA Proposes New Child Safety Seat Rules Booster seats for larger children would be more stringently tested.

Auto Union Boss Buys Hybrid Time for the Big Three to wake up, UAW chief warns.

Gasoline Prices to Rise Sharply Following Killer Katrina Retail increases of 10 to 25 cents likely.

Gasoline Prices Spur Talk of Regulation and Price Controls Hawaii enacts price controls, other states may follow suit.

Nader Demands NHTSA Warn Ford Truck Owners of Fire Danger Agency says it hasn't finished its investigation.

Katrina Drives Up Gas Prices Flow of oil disrupted as major hurricane moves through the Gulf.

Listening, Talking, Driving Don't Mix University of Illinois finds listening and talking on cell phone while driving are equally hazardous.

Gas Prices Plateau at Near-Record Levels Hawaii imposes price caps, the first state to do so.

Hyundai Drops Out of Minivan Market Korean automaker finding "market resistance" in U.S.

DaimlerChrysler, GM Plan Joint Hybrid Effort

GM Employee Discount Sputters into September GM sales slumped in August after a busy June and July.

Feds Propose New Fuel Mileage Standards for SUVs, Pickups and Minivans Too little, too late, environmentalists charge.

Gas Prices Set Yet Another Record Nationwide average hits $2.61.

Connecticut Blasts Sale Of Fake Air Bag Covers Consumers may not know there's no air bag behind the cover.

New Working-Hour Rules for Truckers Don't Change Much New rules "a disappointment," says Public Citizen.

Consumers Confounded by Sudden Acceleration Problems Despite 20,000 complaints, feds blame driver error.

Consumers Plan to Drive Less, Look for Smaller Vehicles High gas prices get consumers' attention.

Car Buyers Swoon Over Surround Sound Stability control, run-flat tires take a back seat to high-definition radio, study finds.

Critics Say Proposed Roof Strength Standard Doesn't Go Far Enough Nearly 25 percent of U.S. traffic deaths occur in rollovers.

A Record Week for Gas Price Increases Some drivers paying nearly $3.50 for a gallon of gas.

Illinois Supreme Court Overturns $1 Billion State Farm Judgment It may be a bad omen for other class actions in Illinois, traditionally a consumer-friendly state.

NHTSA Wants Tougher Roofs For the first time, federal rules will apply to large sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks like the Chevrolet Suburban, the Dodge Ram and the Ford Expedition.

Putting Kids in Rear Seat Sharply Reduces Fatalities Front seat fatalities declined by 46 percent during period studied.

Alert Consumer Foils Car Sale Scam It pays to look carefully at online escrow services you've never heard of.

Arkansas Outlaws "Spot Delivery" by Car Dealers New law limits the car dealers' ability to change financing terms after the buyer drives away.

GM Piston Slap Case May Become A Class Action Problem affects V-8 engines in pickup trucks and SUVs sold between 1999 and 2002.

Retail Gas Prices Up Over the Weekend Average prices set a record for the third time this year.

BMW Dealers Settle Price-Fixing Charges Two New York dealers settle anti-trust charges.

DaimlerChrysler Products Top Most-Stolen List Thieves stole 11 of every 1000 of the Dodge Stratus and 10 per 1,000 for the Dodge Intrepid.

Car Buyer Scammers Using Phony Cashier's Checks Sellers should be cautious and wait til check clears.

Record High Gas Prices Greet New Energy Bill Average price of a gallon of unleaded regular up 49 cents from a year ago.

Auto Makers to Resume Leasing in New York New energy bill gets rid of liability issue in New York State.

Florida Motorcycle Deaths Soar After Helmet Law Repeal Fatal accidents up 81 percent, federal study finds.

GM Greens Up Saturn Image with "Mild Hybrids" Changes in VUE should yield 10 percent fuel savings.

Simple Road Improvements Can Yield Big Results Insurance Institute demonstration project shows inexpensive ways to reduce accidents.

GM Extends Employee Discount Program Ford and Chrysler extended their programs yesterday.

Highway Fatalities Down in 2004 Feds say 42,636 people died on the nation�s highways in 2004, down from 42,884 in 2003.

Congress Approves New Tax Credits for Hybrid Buyers Hybrid owners can receive between $1,700 and $3,000 in tax credits beginning January 1, 2006.

Detroit Is Most Expensive Place to Own a Car Philadelphia and Los Angeles close behind. Insurance the biggest variable.

Honda Tops EPA Fuel Efficiency List Ford at the bottom of latest EPA rankings.

Gas Prices May Spell Trouble for US Automakers Report warns of massive losses if Detroit can't adapt to higher fuel prices.

Transportation Bill Carries Wide Ranging Safety Measures Roof strength, anti-rollover measures, child-safe power windows mandated by Congress.

Energy Bill Provides Limited Tax Breaks For Hybrids Hybrid buyers would get a modest one-time tax credit.

Schwarzenegger Signs Used Car Buyer Bill of Rights Gives car buyers new rights, including a two-day cooling off period.

Hybrid Owners Want to Show Off their Environmental Efforts Just like hot rod drivers, hybrid owners want others to know what's under their hood.

GM to Chrysler: Take It Back or Else GM takes issue with Iacocca's claim that Chryslers retain value better.

GM, Ford Try to Block California Emissions Rules Would cost "billions" to meet greenhouse gas limits, automakers claim.

Automakers Must Notify Dealers of Serious Recalls New rule codifies existing practice.

California Tightens Emissions Rules for Big Rigs It's the first such regulation in the United States for heavy-duty trucks.

Gas Prices Retreat from Record Levels Stability in the crude oil markets has helped lower prices.

Auto Safety Measures At Risk in Highway Bill House reluctant to act on measures approved by Senate committee.

Lincoln Takes Top Spot in Customer Satisfaction With Dealer Service Second year in a row Lincoln has finished first, a record for a U.S. manufacturer.

Volvo Asks Drunk Driving Waiver to Test Safety Technology Company is testing a device that would take over cars whose drivers were incapacitated.

GM Posts Unexpected Loss, Blames Health Care Costs Honda predicts explosive growth as it expands fuel-efficient products.

Gas Prices Hold Steady as Crude Oil is Mostly Stable Average price of diesel fuel is highest ever.

Acura Integra Is Most-Stolen Car in America Interest in street racing driving heists of performance models.

Ethanol A Waste, Study Concludes Researchers find it uses too much energy to produce ethanol and biodiesel.

Senate Committee Wants Bitter Antifreeze to Protect Children and Pets Thousands are poisoned each year by the current blend.

NHTSA Planning New Fuel Standards for Light Trucks Would be first major change in truck standard in years.

Car Dealers Shouldering Cost of Employee Discount Deals Edmunds.com analysis finds discounts very expensive for dealers.

Audi, Infinity Models Score Well in Crash Tests Luxury models earned top ratings in both front and side impact crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Auto Safety Chief Quits to Mixed Reviews Runge best known for saying he "wouldn't let my kid" drive a two-star SUV.

DaimlerChrysler Sees Diesel Growth Potential in U.S. U.S. could catch up to Europe when low-sulfur fuel becomes available.

California Cracks Down on Big Truck Emissions On-board computers would pinpoint emission problems.

Shell Stations Targeted in Florida Price-Gouging Probe Attorney General's office "swamped" with complaints after Hurricane Dennis.

NHTSA Probes Ford Explorer and Mountaineer Fifteen consumers complained their throttles stuck.

Crash Risk Four Times Higher When Driver is On the Phone Australian study latest in a mounting body of evidence.

Consumers Taking "Wait and See" Attitude on Hybrids Americans not yet sold on fuel-sipping cars, opinion poll finds.

California Lawsuit Challenges Ford Certified Used Vehicles Suit charges "certified" cars get the same inspection as all the others.

Gas Price Hits Record High Gasoline prices hit a record high of $2.33 a gallon for regular self service in June. Nevertheless, demand remained strong.

Toyota Hikes 2006 Prices, Focuses on Hybrids Chairman denies price hikes are intended to help American manufacturers.

Automakers Denounce Honda's Plan to Provide Safety Info to Consumers Window stickers would contain "too much information," automakers claim.

Poll Finds Motorists Irked At Other Drivers Most admit, however, to the same bad habits that annoy them in others.

GM to Increase '06 Buick Warranty, Cut Prices GM hoping to build premium image for the Buick, long seen as dull but dependable.

Look Out! Not All Cars Are On Sale Popular models are excluded from "employee discount" sales.

Crude Oil Biggest Factor in Gas Prices, FTC Finds Refining capacity, local taxes and "clean fuel" regulations also significant, study finds.

Study: Parked Cars Get Dangerously Hot, Even on Cool Days Study finds even cool days are dangerous to children and pets locked in parked cars.

Ford, Chrysler Join GM in Offering Employee Discounts to Everyone GM scored a 46 percent jump in June sales, its best month since 1986.

Honda Shows Off New Hybrid System More power and mileage for less money, company promises.

Toyota Expands its Hybrid Program Company's goal is to sell 1 million hybrids annually.

GM Extends Employee Discount Program Chrysler launches me-too program while Ford ponders.

Hybrid Highlander Makes IRS Deduction List Seven energy-efficient vehicles now qualify for tax deduction.

Honda Leases First Fuel Cell Car to L.A. Family Family leases $1 million car for $500 per month.

Americans Hit the Road as Gas Prices Set Records As the holiday gets underway, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline stands at $2.21, up 2 cents from last Friday.

GM Survey Finds Americans Want More Efficient Cars Consumers give domestic automakers a failing grade, look to Japan for fuel-efficient cars.

Michelin to Repay Fans for Botched Grand Prix Defect in Michelin tires cut the field to only six cars.

Lexus Leads Dependability Study for 11th Year Ford, GM, Toyota record improved performance. Kia comes in last.

Biggest Holiday Weekend Ever, AAA Predicts More Americans expected to be on the move this July 4 than ever before.

Independent Garages Want Congress to Force Automakers to Share Information Congress asked to pass "Right to Repair" bill.

Hybrids and Diesels Taking Bigger Market Share Alternative powertrains expected to hit 11 percent market share in seven years.

Honda Will Display Safety Ratings on Window Stickers First automaker to voluntarily post crash test ratings.

NHTSA Seeks Safety Improvements in Cars and Trucks Electronic stability control in more models tops agency's agenda.

Gas Prices Continue Up With Summer Driving at Full Throttle Average price up 8 cents per gallon over last weeks.

Gas Prices Following Oil Prices ... Straight Up The average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline has jumped three cents this week as crude oil prices stood near record highs of $60 a barrel.

Supreme Court Ruling Could Cost ExxonMobil $1 Billion Court finds in favor of gas station owners who claimed they were overcharged..

Honda Joins Race for Low Cost Fuel Cell Car Toyota already a few miles down the track.

California Sues AutoZone for Violating Hazardous Waste Laws Stores disposed of hazardous waste improperly, suit charges.

Arizona Sues Over Vehicle Sublease Scheme Subleases illegal in Arizona, attorney general alleges.

Tests Find Vehicles Becoming More Stable The Ford Freestyle was the top-rated SUV in the latest round of government tests; 23 other SUVs also did well.

Cell-Phoning Drivers Get Failing Grade from Johns Hopkins MRI research shows brain can't handle driving and talking on the phone.

Ford Agrees to Settle Plastic Manifold Lawsuit Owners of affected models to be reimbursed at least $735.

Gas Price Spike Likely Crude oil price hits $59 per barrel, likely fueling higher pump prices.

Big Sedans Ace Frontal Crash Tests All five cars tested get a "good" rating -- a first.

Wrongful Death Suit Charges House Fire Started in Ford Pickup Truck Iowa woman died in blaze that allegedly started in her F-150.

GayWheels Reviews Cars from Unique Perspective New site targeted to gay, lesbian consumers.

VW Fined $1.1 Million for Clean Air Violations Defective oxygen sensor caused excessive ozone emissions.

California Gets More Crude Oil Storage Capacity Under Antitrust Agreement It's part of an enforcement settlement that resolves antitrust objections to Valero's $2.8 billion acquisition of Kaneb.

Ford Pays $700,000 to Settle Charges Its Money Market Account Misled Investors Fund was actually unsecured Ford debt, SEC charged.

Jury Finds Ford Not Liable in Crown Vic Fire State trooper was killed when patrol car burst into flames after being rear-ended.

Powered Scooter Study Shows Just 4 in 10 Accident Victims Wore Helmets More than 10,000 injuries in a single year.

Crude Oil Increases Keep Pump Prices Up The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $2.13 Tuesday, an increase of 2 cents from June 7.

Tire Manufacturers Ask Feds for Age Standard Major automakers disagree; rubber companies want government to decide.

Toyota Raising Prices to Help Ailing U.S. Auto Industry The price hikes of 2 percent to 3 percent will likely start in October.

Gas Prices on the Rise Crude oil price tops $55 per barrel, signaling the end of falling prices at the pump.

Feds Say Hands-Free Cell Phone Use Ineffective Study finds it's talking that causes accidents.

Feds Unlikely to Push for Stronger Vehicle Roof Strength Standards Safety agency instead will recommend more airbags and use of seat belts.

DaimlerChrysler Developing Bionic Fuel Sipper Is the BoxFish a future Prius challenger?

Tire Makers Fight NHTSA Standard Consumer groups join tire makers in claiming federal rule is inadequate.

Audi and Chevy Top Insurance Industry Crash Tests The Suzuki Verona once again does poorly.

Front Airbags Risky for Teens Study finds younger teen-agers prone to injury when airbags deploy.

Gas Prices Creeping Back Up The increase in crude oil prices is starting to show at the gasoline pump.

Ohio Sues Extended Warranty Company Arizona company misled Ohio consumers, attorney general charges.

Ford Urges Replacing Tires After Six Years GM the major hold-out as automakers warn that tires break down whether used or not.

Brake Problems Plague Silverado Owners Investigation moves slowly; so do Silverado drivers, who fear their brakes may fail at any time.

Summer Car Sale Season Begins Ford and GM fast off the line with discounts, rebates, cheap financing.

Child Safety Seats Improving, NHTSA Finds Feds find infant seats easier to use, instructions easier to understand.

Feds Open Probe into Prius Stalling Hybrid engine tends to stall at highway speeds.

Arai Motorcycle Helmets Top J.D. Power Survey Helmets with convertible face shields becoming more popular.

Dodge Aggressively Chasing Cop Car Market Says its Dodge Charger police model will be available quickly, offering an alternative to the Ford Crown Vic.

Gas Prices Drift Down for Memorial Day Memorial Day weekend travelers will pay gasoline prices that are only slightly higher than last year.

Ethanol Boondoogle Rolls on in the U.S. Senate A U.S. Senate committee has approved a requirement that refiners use more corn-based ethanol and other renewable fuels in gasoline.

Study Confirms 15-Passenger Van Rollover Risk NHTSA reissues urgent warning to drivers to check tire pressure, make sure passengers buckle up.

Mitsubishi Issues Urgent Stop Sale Notice for '06 Eclipse Problem with vacuum brake booster.

Side Airbags Help Mitsubishi, Toyota, Volvo Sedans Top Crash Test Ratings All newly-tested cars won 4-star rollover rating.

Kia Sedona Recall A problem with the hubcaps could cause a crash, regulators said.

Suzuki Verona Rates Lowest in Government Crash Test Latest government tests again show the value of side airbags.

GM Gives Employee Discount to Anyone Desperate to move cars, GM asks retired executives to recruit new buyers.

Ford Offers Cash Rebate for Five Hundred, Freestyle Automaker tries to move its slow-selling new models.

Vehicle ID Thieves on the Prowl Crooks steal identity numbers to use on stolen cars.

Porsche Announces Hybrid Plans Poor gas mileage hurting sales of current model.

Toyota, GM Top J.D. Power Study Toyota and General Motors captured 15 of the 18 top model segment awards in the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Initial Quality Study.

GM Considers New Brand Strategy to Cut Losses "Focused brands" would not produce a full line of vehicles.

Senate Nixes Requiring Fuel-Efficient SUVs Government shouldn't dictate consumer behavior, opponents contend.

Texas Judge Rules Against Ford, Again Ford's claim that the jury was tainted not enough, judge says.

Prius Problems Traced to Software Glitch Programming error causes occasional shutdowns at highway speeds, company says.

Ford Demands New Texas Rollover Trial Romantic involvement between juror and an attorney is alleged.

Toyota to Build Hybrid Camry in U.S. The Kentucky-built Camry will be the first Toyota hybrid assembled in the U.S.

Toyota Probes Prius Stalling Problem Popular hybrid sometimes stalls at highway speeds, owners report.

GM, Nissan Top Auto Quality Survey Six GM vehicles got top rankings, more than any other automaker.

Hyundai Makes Six Side Curtain Airbags Standard The airbags are in the front and back seats of the 2006 Sonata and Accent sedans.

Feds Want Pickup Truck Occupants to Buckle Up Higher percentage of pickup fatalities didn't wear belts, NHTSA finds.

Toyota And GM Ponder Joint Hydrogen Car Deal The two biggest automakers in the world are talking about forming a joint venture to begin manufacturing hydrogen-powered cars.

Gas Prices: Some Say Up, Some Say Down Prices fall below $2 in some areas but how long will they stay there?

Mitsubishi to Enter Hybrid Market Battered company hopes to reclaim a toehold in the market.

No Federal Bailout for Ailing Automakers Former Treasury Secretary O'Neill latest to warn that automakers are on their own.

Ford Fights Rollover Document Disclosure Documents were used in successful wrongful-death trial in Florida.

Fuel MAX Settles Federal Charges Bogus fuel-saving product's e-mail and Web sites violated federal laws.

Nation's Traffic Troubles Intensify LA, SF, DC, once again lead the way in congestion, lost time.

Ford-Primus Case Back in Court Companies discriminated against minorities in writing auto loans.

Toyota May Bail Out General Motors Toyota appears willing to share its hybrid technology with troubled GM.

Gas Prices Retreat Pump prices off about three centers over the last two weeks.

Chrysler Parking Only DaimlerChrysler plant institutes new parking policy.

Cars that Get You There Forget SUVs and 500-hp beasts. There are still plenty of basic, reliable cars that will get you where you're going.

Lexus Hybrid Certified for Clean-Fuel Vehicle Deduction Six vehicles -- from Ford, Honda, Lexus, Toyota -- now qualify for the deduction.

NHTSA Caves to Ford Demands, Removes Roof-Strength Documents from Web Site Documents were used in Florida trial that ended with $10 million judgment against Ford.

Car Buyers Flee SUVs, Prius Sales Triple Gas prices puncture SUV balloon. Consumers look for fuel-stingy models.

Gas Prices Start Creeping Down The drop in crude oil prices is trickling down ... but the operative work is trickling.

Hyundai to Enter Hybrid Market Korean automaker will introduce small hybrids in U.S. next year.

Study Confirms Children Safer in Back Seat Use of proper restraints also important in reducing fatalities in car crashes, study finds.

NHTSA Tests Understate Rollover, Side Impact Risks, GAO Finds More rigorous testing needed to help consumers make sound choices.

Ford Launches SUV Ads, Hoping to Spur Sales High gas prices have put a big dent in sales.

Pontiac Solstice Delayed til Equinox Fit-and-finish problems delay GM's hot new roadster til after top-down season.

U.S. Automakers Lag in Hybrid Sales Japan captures 96 percent of fast-growing market.

VW's New Jetta Aces Side Impact Crash Test Jetta is the first vehicle to earn the top rating of good in every measurement category.

SUV Deaths Up, Other Highway Deaths Down SUV rollover deaths up 6.9 percent, motorcycle deaths up for seventh straight year.

North Dakota Limits Use of Cars' Black Boxes By Insurers Many motorists don't realize their car may be recording their every actgion.

Your Next Car: Made in China? DaimlerChrysler looking at making cars in China for export to the U.S.

American Auto Industry in Deep Trouble GM's disastrous financial results bring the picture into focus. It's not pretty.

Jury Awards $43 Million in Flaming Lincoln Case Illinois man killed, his wife deformed in fire after rear-end collision.

Poor Timing of Traffic Signals Wastes Time, Money, Fuel U.S. cities get D- grade on effective management of traffic lights.

After Record Highs, Some Relief at the Pump Prices starting to ease around the country.

Feds Probe GM Pick Ups ... Again The Silverado is the target of a federal investigation into tailgate failures that could lead to the second recall of the vehicle in less than a year.

World Oil Price Declines, Pump Prices Remain Firm What does up doesn't always come down. At least, not right away.

BMW, Honda Will Enter U.S. Diesel Market Both companies racing to exploit what they see as a potentially huge diesel market.

Secretary of Speed Powell to Lead Indy 500 Former Secretary of State will drive the Corvette pace car.

Gas Price Up 32 Cents in 30 Days Signs of moderation in California and OPEC plans lend slight encouragement.

St. Prius Turning Profits in Used-Car Market Demand for gas-sipping hybrid drives prices as though the car was made of gas.

Minivans, Trucks Show Improvement in Crash Tests Honda Odyssey and Chevrolet Uplander minivans both rated good.

Tire Pressure Monitors Required on 2006 Models Feds implement safety rule adopted after Ford Explorer rollovers led to Firestone tire recall.

Gas Prices Expected to Peak in May Energy Department estimates that gasoline will peak at an average $2.35 per gallon.

Safety Experts Worry over LATCH Child Car Seat New system of anchors leaves shoulder belts hanging loose; one strangulation reported.

GM Trucks Fare Poorly in Crash Tests The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra had the lowest ratings in crash tests for 2005 pickup trucks.

Gas Prices May Peak at $2.25 Prices continue to climb around the country. Any end in sight?

Older Air Bags and Safety Belts Hazardous for Children The only safe place for kids: the back seat.

Automakers Misled Government About Roof Strength, Report Charges Public Citizen study calls for stronger roofs to prevent injuries in rollovers.

Energy Wars: GM, Toyota Follow Different Strategies GM gets federal subsidy to build hydrogen car, Toyota plans more hybrids.

More Consumers Choosing Diesel Registration of diesels in the U.S. up 56 percent over the last five years.

Chrysler Rolls Out New Dodge Charger Police Car A challenge to Ford, which has strong-armed police complaints about its Crown Vic.

Arkansas Presses Crown Victoria Police Suit State won't back down despite Ford's hardball tactics.

Gas Prices to Rise Through Easter Weekend Oil prices rose more than $1 a barrel before the weekend.

General Motors Denies Plans to Kill Off Pontiac or Buick On the other hand ... it expects strong sales of its new full-size SUVs.

Gas Prices Above $2 in Most of the Country Highest price ever in many locations.

Feds Finally Look for Ford Fire Causes Fed safety agency expands probe to model years other than 2000, already the subject of a recall.

Hyundai Offers Satellite Radio as Standard Automaker throws in three-month trial subscription to XM programming.

Illinois Cops Drop Out of Crown Vic Class Action Ford threatens to stop selling the cars to police departments unless they drop the legal action.

Malibu Hits $3 Mark California leads nationwide gas price run-up.

AAA Survey Reports Driving Costs DeclineAuto club survey finds maintenance, insurance costs down, making up for rising fuel costs.

Gas Prices Spike Over Weekend Nationwide average may hit $2.15 by next weekend.

Drivers Want Better Highway Markings Drivers think wider, brighter highway markings improve safety, survey finds.

VW Diesels Can Run On Beans Volkswagen extends warranty coverage to allow use of biodiesel fuel in diesel models sold in the U.S.

Gas Price Records Fall, Prices Still Climbing Prices may hit $3 per gallon in some states this summer.

Gas Prices Up, Up and Away Average price shoots past $2 nationwide.

Ford Loses Discrimination Class Action Plaintiffs charged black car owners paid higher interest rates.

New Ford Pony Car Burning Up Market Mustang sales fast off the line.

Car Dealers May Offer Walkaway Insurance Policy would cover owners who were "upside down" in their equity.

Korean Automakers Challenge Insurance Safety Study GM also challenges study findings.

Blazer Most Dangerous Vehicle, Insurance Study Finds Mercedes E-Class sedan the safest vehicle in Insurance Institute study.

Gasoline Prices Flying High Record highs predicted across the country, with prices likely to rise at least another 25 cents.

Soaring Gas Prices Hurt SUV and Pickup Sales GM, Ford take huge profit hits as sales dry up.

GM Crushes Electric Car Hopes The EV1 had its ardent fans ... but there just weren't enough of them.

GM to Throw March Rebates at Consumers Company tries to clear cars off dealer lots.

Gas Prices Headed Up Spike in world oil prices hits home.

Motorbike Injuries Among Children On The Rise Bikes intended for off-road use are increasingly ridden on public streets, often without helmets.

Toyota Prius Tops Consumer Satisfaction Survey Ninety-four percent of Consumer Reports readers say they would buy another Prius.

Small Cars Flunk Side Impact Crash Test Fourteen of 16 small cars flunked the latest side impact crash tests.

Congress Eyes Fuel Economy Ratings No one gets the mileage posted on car windows, lawmakers contend.

Texas Jury Rules Against Ford in Explorer Rollover Ford ordered to pay $31 million in compensatory damages.

Study: Eight Percent of Drivers Are On the Phone Up from four percent in 2000, NHTSA finds.

Auto Loan Discrimination Trial Underway Primus Finance accused of hitting African Americans with higher interest rates.

BMW Will Build New Crossover Vehicle in South Carolina The so-far unnamed model will replace the X5.

Fewer 16-Year-Olds Involved in Car Crashes Study finds graduated driver licensing is reducing accident rate.

Alfa Romeo Return to U.S. Likely 2007 is target for return of famed Italian marque.

Ford Flubs Part for GT Super Car GT's control arm could break.

GM Quits Quadrasteer Innovation General Motors is the latest automaker to give up on marketing a four-wheel steering system.

Ford Class Action Moves Ahead in California Court certifies class action seeking damages in Explorer rollovers.

VW Holds Price Line on Passat Volkswagen's redesigned Passat mid-sized sedan will sell for the same price as its predecessor despite receiving a variety of technical advancements, Europe's largest carmaker said on Tuesday.

Fiat Splits Maserati from Ferrari Fiat shook up its car brands today, splitting the Maserati marque from the Ferrari racing unit to link it more closely to its sporty but slow-selling Alfa Romeo.

Honda Jacks Up U.S. Prices Higher costs blamed for price hikes.

Ford Begins Sale of Mustang Ragtop Hopes to prop up lagging sales.

A Better Airbag at GM? GM claims to have the auto industry's first passenger-side front air bag that deploys in different sizes and different pressures.

Ford to Match GM No-Interest Loans Company plagued by slow sales of recall-prone models.

Ford Faces Mountain of Explorer Suits Two dozen trials begin shortly, with hundreds more to follow, in Explorer rollover cases.

SUV Safety Campaign Ready to Roll Rollover education campaign financed by lawsuit against Ford.

Ford Recall Leaves Many Questions Unanswered Many models with similar problem not included in recall.

Houston Lawyers Sue Ford Over F-150 Fires Fires not confined to 2000 model year, attorneys charge.

Ford Recalls Fire-Prone Trucks Automaker finally recalls some F-150, Expedition and Navigator models to fix fire hazard.

National Security Experts Call for Reduced Fuel Consumption Gas guzzlers are funding the enemy and opening the U.S. to catastrophic supply disruptions.

Children Not Using Safety Seats, NHTSA Study Finds Kids 4 to 8 too often unrestrained and at risk of severe injury or death.

Forbes Lists Worst Cars Ford's Lincoln Navigator judged the least reliable.

Ohio Sues Michigan Auto Dealer For Ad Violations Monroe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Superstore faced similar charges in 2003.

Safety Regulators Shifting Focus to Accident Avoidance Crashworthiness standards reach point of diminishing returns, NHTSA head tells automakers.

Alabama Scammers Target Hyundai Job Seekers Would-be employees being victimized by phony recruiters.

Study: Women Less Likely to Research Car Prices Study also finds men are more likely to haggle for a better price.

GM Hit With $1 Million Penalty for Recall Foot-Dragging Federal safety regulators say GM's tardy recall of SUVs with faulty windshield wipers is "of great concern."

State Farm Pays $40 Million to Settle "Branded" Car Title Issue In multi-state agreement, insurer will compensate owners of vehicles that had been wrecked or stolen.

Ohio Sues GMAC For Odometer-Rollback Violations Car dealer and GMAC conspired to roll back odometers when reselling leased vehicles, suit charges.

Tucson Car Dealer to Pay $152,000 Precision Toyota falsely offered "50% off MSRP," attorney general charges.

Kia Spectra Flunks Frontal Crash Test Mazda 3 performs best while Saturn Ion, Hyundai Elantra, Suzuki Forenza are acceptable.

Gas Prices Continue To FallJust in time for holiday travel, gas prices hit slump.

Kentucky Sues J.D. Byrider Attorney General charges local franchisee preys on low-income consumers and violates state and federal laws.

Florida Pursues Anti-Trust Probe Of Gas Prices Amerada Hess target of attorney general's probe.

DaimlerChrysler and GM Announce Hybrid Initiative Companies will work jointly to develop hybrid platforms for GM, Chrysler and Mercedes vehicles.

Dodge Durango, Dakota Models Recalled to Fix Suspension Problems Feds finally act on ball joint problems in Dodge trucks.

Honda Addresses CR-V Engine Fires Sends letter to owners urging them to check with their dealer to ensure first oil change is done properly.

Ohio Charges Online Car Parts Firm With Fraud Speedpeople takes the money but doesn't deliver the goods, state charges.

Consumers Willing to Pay for Fuel Economy, Safety, Survey Finds Harris Interactive poll finds drivers yearning for improved technology in their next car.

NHTSA Issues New Head Restraint Rules New standard expected to reduce whiplash injuries by 17,000 annually.

Lap/Shoulder Belts Required in Rear Center Seats New NHTSA rule should make rear center seat the safest spot for children.

Iowa Gas Station Owner Caught In Shell Game Davenport station put regular in all three pumps.

Supreme Court Weakens Consumer Protection in Car Financing Court rules that $1,000 is the maximum allowable penalty for Truth in Lending Act violations by car dealers.

$105 Million Verdict Against DaimlerChrysler in Minivan Baby Death Front seatback collapsed in rear-end accident, killing baby in middle seat.

Car Bargains Yet to Come New-car buyers can find big savings on "aging" 2004 models.

Saab, Volvo Sweep Head Restraint Tests Most models do poorly in Insurance Institute tests.

GM Debuts Interest Lock-In Program Desperate to sell cars, GM offers low interest rates not only on vehicles sold today but on the next one a consumer buys.

Petition Calls for Tire Dating At least 27 deaths attributed to "aged" tires.

Loyalty to Car Dealers Falls Off After Fourth Year J.D. Powers study finds non-luxury car buyers tend to drift away from dealers as warranties expire.

Feds Sue Bogus Fuel Saver FTC charges FuelMAX and SuperFuelMAX do nothing to save gas.

Missouri Sues Towing Operator for Charging Exorbitant Fees Attorney general received 88 complaints from St. Louis area consumers.

Electronic Stability Control A Lifesaver, Study Finds Widespread use could save 7,000 lives per year, insurance study predicts.

Subaru Outback Tops Crash Tests, Rollover Ratings Ford Focus and Ranger bottom out.

Airbag Fraud Endangers Motorists Accident repairs often include phony airbags.

Congress Closes Car Donation Loophole New rules allow taxpayers to deduct actual proceeds rather than book value.

Lawsuit Claims Infiniti Brake Defect G35 brakes wear out much faster than normal, reducing resale value, suit charges.

Hybrids Again Lead Fuel Economy Ratings Ford's hybrid Escape leads SUV class with 36 mpg in city driving.

Auto Incentives at Record Levels Domestic manufacturers trying to move out unsold 2004 models.

Four Midsize Cars Earn Good Ratings in Side Impact Tests Jaguar marginal, Saab 9-3 a Double Best Pick.

Demand for Gas Soars, As Does the Price Many factors combine to ensure continued rise in gas prices.

Stability Control Makes SUVs Safer, Study Finds Single vehicle crashes were reduced by 67 percent in models with electronic stability control.

Court Extends Deadline to File Claims Against Warranty Gold No new date established for consumers who bought extended warranties on their cars.

Court Upholds Key NY Lemon Law Provisions Vehicle considered a lemon after four repair attempts.

Feds Propose Tire Pressure Monitors Tire manufacturers say system would not provide a timely warning.

Feds Re-Open Honda Fire Probe CR-V engine fires thought to be caused by loose oil filter. But why so many?

New Rule Calls for Safer Power Window Switches U.S. auto manufacturers "cruelly" used unsafe switches, Public Citizen charges.

Bumper Matching a Mish-Mash Difference in bumper height between cars and sport utility vehicles leads to costly accident repairs

VW Admits Sludge Problem Engines in the VW Passat and Audi A4 affected. Meanwhile, a consumer group wants Chrysler to own up to problems in its engines.

U.S. Automakers Slipping in Consumer Satisfaction Survey finds satisfaction with personal computers at four-year high.

Auto Service Companies Settle NY Charges Fast oil change turned into a fast change in prices, Attorney General charges.

Big Brother May Be Your Co-Pilot Feds want to standardize data recorders in cars, trucks.

Feds Won't Share Defective Auto Data Defect information might "confuse" the public, says NHTSA.

Suit Alleges Ford Door Latch Failures Canadian suit seeks class action status.

Gas Prices Keep Climbing ... Or Do They? Crude oil price increases outpacing prices at the pump. Why?

Caution: Windshield Replacement Scams Ahead Scam artists lure consumers into insurance fraud.

Car Buyers Scammed on Warranties, Illinois Charges Consumers should proceed with caution when buying extended warranties.

Ford SUVs Laggards in Rollover Tests Some models of Explorer and Mountaineer SUVs get worst rollover rankings; Chrysler Pacifica gets best ranking among SUVs.

Saturn Vue Suspension Collapses in Government Tests Feds open defect investigation after failures in two test vehicles.

Toyota RAV4 Wins "Double Best Pick" Safety Rating But same model gets a "poor" without side airbags.

St. Louis Woman Gets Jail Term in Car Donation Scheme Defendant failed to tell donors she was not a charity.

New York, Illinois Sue Car Dealers for Deceptive Practices New York dealer sold rental cars to unwitting purchasers, Illinois dealers ran deceptive ads, suits charge.

Most Fuel Savers Don't Do the Job EPA study finds most popular additives and devices do little to cut gas consumption.

Loose Oil Filter Caused Honda CR-V Fires, NHTSA Concludes Most fires occurred in recent models shortly after oil change.

Mitsubishi Troubles Mount Amid Recalls DaimlerChrysler may be ready to dump its share of troubled company.

Free Car-Buying Service Cost $650, Oregon Charges SELCO agrees to refund $120,000 to duped consumers.

Make a Call, Get a Ticket New Jersey, D.C. outlaw handheld cell phones while driving.

Airbag Problems Plague New Hyundais Sensor shuts off passenger seat bags for lighter adults.

States Study Insurers Use of Credit Scores Companies challenge legality of study. Alabama withdraws.

Ford Credit Owes Refund to 150,000 Lease Customers Company and dealers settle suit brought by 38 states.

Ford Escape Inches Up In Crash Test Volvo S40, BMW 5 series, Toyota Titan do well.

Ford Explorer Tips Onto Two Wheels During Rollover Test Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Toyota Tacoma also do poorly.

Jury Awards Ford Explorer Rollover Victim $369 Million First big loss for Ford in series of Explorer rollover trials.

NHTSA Shortchanges Public in Auto Safety Enforcement, Claybrook Testifies Agency's measures "fall far short" of Congress' intent, she tells Congress.

15-Passenger Vans Most Likely to Flip NHTSA study finds vans electronic stability systems only "moderately" effective.

Public Citizen Blows Whistle on Auto Dealer Scams Consumer group sends documentation to state officials in five states.

Hyundai, GM Score Big in Total Quality Index "Amazing" ascent by Hyundai.

Hyundai Offers $85 Million to Settle Horsepower Suit Korean automaker overstated horsepower on 840,000 Hyundai and Kia models.

Cell Phones Blamed in Fires Student burned at Mobil station, oil workers injured in Texas.

Hybrids Don't Always Deliver on Low-Mileage Promise Buyers blame manufacturers, manufacturers blame EPA mileage tests.

Feds Unveil New Side-Impact Standards Proposed rule aims to reduce rising highway death toll.

3 SUVs Get Perfect Crash Test Scores Nissan's Infiniti FX, General Motors' Saturn Vue and Toyota's Highlander get five stars.

Lawsuit Challenges Carfax Claims Vehicle history service doesn't include accident reports from 23 states, lawsuit charges.

Isuzu Fading to Black? Desperation-level incentives and cost-cutting are Isuzu's only hope.

Korean Automakers Race Ahead in Consumer Satisfaction Study Japanese remain in first place but Hyundai spurts ahead of Euro-U.S. brands.

Mid-Sized Cars Do Poorly in Side Impact Tests Toyota Camry, Honda Accord get good rating with optional side airbags, poor without.

Group Wants Better Seat Belts Motorists dying needlessly in rollovers, Public Citizen argues.

U.S. SUVs Lag Europeans in Roof Strength Volvo rooftops routinely exceed American standards while Ford has cut back on rooftop strength, newspaper series reports.

Oil Mergers Blamed for High Gas Prices Public Citizen investigation says excessive consolidation, government inaction spur gas price hikes.

Groups Push for Better Rollover Protection, Other Auto Safety Measures More than 30,000 rollover deaths since Ford/Firestone crisis in 2000.

Suzuki Verona Flubs Crash Test; Five Other Mid-sized Cars Do Well Five other mid-sized cars do well.

Consumer Group Sues For Release of Recall Data Public Citizen charges NHTSA wrongly withholds public information.

Sears Settles Wheel Alignment Case Will pay $625,000 to settle New Jersey charges it charged for work not done.

GM Recalls 4 Million Pickups Tailgates can collapse without warning in full-sized pickups.

California Bill Would Expose Totaled Vehicles 34 other states already make salvage title data available to consumer data bases.

Firestone Class Actions Settled Firestone settles 30 class actions, agrees to upgrade materials used in its tires.

Consumer Groups Challenge Regional Motor Vehicle Recalls Cars should be made safe in all parts of the country, suit argues.

New Jersey Sues Nissan Company failed to warn Maxima owners of headlight theft risk, suit charges.

Feds Probe Sudden Acceleration Surge in Toyota Camry 30 crashes reported so far, including one pedestrian accident.

Paralyzed Girl Wins $47 Million In Ford Suit Defective latch allowed seat to collapse on her in collision.

Dallas to Equip Ford Police Cars with Fire Suppressant Ford's attempt to shore up fuel tanks inadequate, city charges.

Firestone Recalling Tires Used on Ford Excursion Recall of Steeltex tires dwarfs earlier Wilderness recall.

GM Truck Probe Widened Tailgate cable failures implicated in injuries.

GM Resumes Aveo Sales Probe of accidents finds no problems, company says.

GMAC Settles Racial Bias Suit General Motors dealers will be limited to smaller mark-up on interest rates.

Ford Sport Trac Flunks Rollover Test Test vehicle tipped up on two wheels during fishhook maneuver.

Ford Will Pay $23 Million in Rollover Lawsuit 10-year-old case involves Bronco rollover after a sudden swerve.

Airbag Switch-Off Results Mixed, NHTSA Finds Parents too often fail to turn off airbags when small children are in front seat.

Philadelphia Joins Suits Against Ford Police Cars Ford has not done enough to make cars safer, city argues.

Dodge Halts New Durango Sales Throttle can stick in open position.

DaimlerChrysler Recalls 2.7 Million Cars Problem with floor-mounted gear shift.

GM Recalls 824,000 Cars to Fix Power Steering Eight injuries reported so far.

U-Haul Unhitches Ford Explorer Company cites cost of defending against lawsuits.

Four Vans Take Top Scores in Government Crash Ratings Pontiac sedan gets lowest rating.

Nissan Sentra Recall Announced Other recalls involve Nissan FX, Buick Park Avenue, Volve S40 & V40.

Nissan Sentra Recall Announced Other recalls involve Nissan FX, Buick Park Avenue, Volve S40 & V40.

Suzuki Recalling SUVs Grand Vitara, XL-7 accelerator cable will be fixed.

Ford Escape Recall Ford will fix seat belt problem.

GMAC Faces $125 Million Penalty in California Repo Case Company violated California law regarding legal notice to consumers, judge rules.

Report Alleges Massive Fraud in Auto Sales Public Citizen calls for law enforcement crack-down on crooked dealers.

Automakers Vow To Improve Safety 15 manufacturers adopt new safety standards. Not enough, critics charged.

Volvo Recall to Fix Fuel Leak Problem Fuel could leak into engine.

California Study Finds Rampant Fraud in Auto Body Shops Fender benders dispute state's findings.

GM Buys Back Noisy Trucks, SUVs "Hundreds" of Sierras, Silverados, Yukons, etc., repurchased to settle lemon law cases.

Ford Offers New Fuel Module for Focus Models Recall-plagued Focus choking on U.S. fuel, Ford says.

Chrysler recalls 438,000 Jeep Libertys Suspension problem can result in loss of control.

Ford Recalls 2001-2003 Windstar Vans Rear seat can come loose in a crash.

Feds Investigate GM Fuel Leaks Six fires reported in Cadillac and Oldsmobile models.

Ignition Flaw Leads to Honda Recall Car can roll forward even after key is removed.

Nissan Recalls 2.5 Million Units Worldwide Sensor flaw can cause engine to stop running.

Sears to Sell National Tire & Battery TBC Corp. will take over NTB's 226 stores.

Feds Upgrade Honda Ignition Probe Key can sometimes be removed when vehicle is not in park.

Feds to Write New Tire Pressure Rule Court overturns first attempt, calls for tougher standards to give drivers early warning of insufficient tire pressure.

Mazda Offers to Buy Back RX-8 Company misstated horsepower of the 2004-model rotary-engine sports model.

Side Airbags Saving Lives, Study Finds Insurance tests find airbags with head protection cut deaths by almost half.

Illinois Sues Car Dealers Two Chicago-area dealers allegedly took consumers for a ride.

Sears Must Refund NY Battery Overcharges Charged customers $7 recycling fee instead of the $5 allowed by state law.

NYC Cracks Down on Car Ads 19 dealerships cited for violations.

NHTSA Creates New School Bus Category To Discourage Van Use Modified school buses wouldn't be required to have traffic control lights and stop arms.

National Warranty Insurance Company Insolvent "Smart Choice" extended warranties worthless.

Suit Filed in Illinois Van Rollover Two killed, 16 injured when van overturns while taking inmates' families to visit downstate prisons.

Automakers Turn to Banking Ditech.com, GMAC propping up GM, Ford's profits come mostly from Ford Credit.

Feds Probe Durango Steering Problems Upper ball joint in the front suspension could fail, NHTSA says.

Mercedes-Benz Replacing 2,000 E-Class Cars Problems with navigation system in early models blamed.

Daewoo Returns - Incognito GM-owned Daewoo will sell cars with Suzuki badge in U.S.

Domestic Cars Outpace Euros in Reliability Study GM, Ford up, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Audi down.

Auto Leasing Companies Flee New York State law lets accident victims sue leasing companies.

U.S. Carmakers Lead in Consumer Loyalty Domestic brands lead in 12 of 14 categories.

Feds Issue New Tire Safety Standards Light truck tires must meet tougher speed and endurance standards.

Saturn Recalls 254,000 L-Series Cars Exhaust system problem could cause fires.

Most Small SUVs Flunk Side-Impact Test Subaru Forester only model to earn a good rating in both side and front crash tests.

Wheels Cracking on GM Trucks & SUVs NHTSA opens preliminary investigation.

American Products Company Fined Replacement bulbs & lenses don't meet federal highway safety standards.

Firestone Agrees to Settle Tire Class Action Case involves all non-injury claims linked to Wilderness AT, ATX tires.

Continental Tire, Ford Named in Suit by Survivors of Six Killed in Expedition Rollover Tires involved in fatal crash were later recalled by General.

Bridgestone Steeltex Tires Recalled Defect can cause tread separation in the heavy-duty tired used in pickups, SUVs and motor homes.

65 Died After Feds Dropped GM Pickup Probe LA Times wins release of sealed documents showing GM paid $495 million in damages.

Nissan Will Replace Air Bags In 1994-95 Altimas Bags deployed with too much force, causing head and eye injuries.

Hearing Will Examine Rising ATV Death Rate Consumer Product Safety Commission "concerned" about 104% increase in injuries.

NHTSA Watching Windstar Wheels Possibly faulty studs can make wheels fall off.

GM Will Offer Overnight Test Drives Desperate to jumpstart sales, GM will let prospective buyers take cars home overnight, drive them up to 100 miles.

Ford Will Appeal $18 Million Rollover Verdict Texan was killed when his pickup truck roof collapsed in a rollover.

Ford Police Car Flunks Ford's Own Test, Dallas DA Charges Ford making "civilian" models that are safer than police cruisers.

Ford Settles Van Rollover Suit Judge denounced company's alleged withholding of safety data "almost criminal."

Carmakers Sued for Blocking Canadian-U.S. Imports Companies "broke the law" to preserve profits, suit charges.

Sturm und Drang for VW, Chrysler Ignition coil recall and threatened minority boycott bring discord to Germans' U.S. efforts.

VW, Audi Will Finally Replace Defective Ignition Coils Companies squirmed around for more than a year, letting customers twist in the wind.

Safety Official Assails SUVs Rollover fatality rate three times higher than passenger vehicles, NHTSA head observes.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |