Latest NHTSA Investigates '04-'05 MINI Cooper Over Power Steering Issue

After having received 54 complaints from owners of the 2004-2005MY Mini Cooper over an alleged loss of power steering, the National National Highway Traffic Safety Administration decided to take action and open a preliminary investigation into the matter.

Here's what the safety agency said on its website:

"The Office of Defect Investigations has received 54 complaints and a confidential number of field reports alleging an unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving the vehicle. When the power steering assist stops working it requires increased force to steer the vehicle. Some drivers reported experiencing difficulty while trying to steer or control the vehicle. The reports indicate that the loss of power steering assist may be related to a power steering pump failure."

If the government agency's investigation reveals there is indeed a problem with the power steering, then up to 80,000 2004 and 2005 model year Mini Coopers may be affected.

We'll follow up the story and keep you posted as soon as we learn more.

Sneak peek: 2011 Infiniti G25, 348-hp IPL G37

Infiniti will unveil two new model variations of its impressive This series at the 60th-annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this weekend, a more-affordable G25 sedan and higher-performance IPL (Infiniti Performance Line) G37 coupe.

With the G25 Infiniti lines up with every other entry in this category that has a high output V6 and a less powerful version. The G25 serves as a new entry point to the line, starting at $30,950—a couple thousand less than the G37. As the name suggests, this sedan will be powered by a 2.5-liter V6 engine. Output is 218 hp, about 110 hp less than the G37. The G25 comes standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission, and it will be available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. The G25 will have three trims: Base , Journey, and G25x AWD.

Standard features include leather upholstery, power front seats, HID Xenon headlights, and stability control. The Journey line adds a rearview camera, heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, automatic headlights, and dual-zone temperature control.

it has long been at the top of its class in our tests with agile handling and a pleasant ride. It delivers strong performance and reasonable fuel economy at 21 mpg overall. The smaller engine in the G25 should provide adequate power with better fuel economy at a more affordable price. We will have to test to see, after the G25 hits dealerships in September.

Infiniti will also use the exclusive event to debut the Infiniti Performance Line (IPL), its answer to competitors’ performance sub-brands such as BMW’s M, Mercedes-Benz AMG and Cadillac’s V. IPL models promise to have enhanced performance and luxury, beginning with the G37 Coupe.

Upgrades for the IPL G37 include a number of style enhancements including new front and rear bumper/fascia design with integrated fog lights, sculpted side sills, rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, and 19-inch graphite-finish wheels.

Changes under the hood include an additional 18 hp to 348 hp and more torque over the existing G37, and stiffer suspension. The braking and steering gear have also been upgraded.

Standard features include items that would be optional on other G models such as premium audio, navigation, voice recognition, driver’s memory system, rearview camera, and moonroof.

The new IPL G37 will add appeal for those customers looking for a bit more exclusivity and edge, but it does not go to the extremes seen with some competition.

The IPL goes on sale in December. Pricing has not been announced.

Car buying: Is a leftover model a good deal?

Fall has been the traditional time for new car introductions since the mid-1930s, when the practice was begun as a way to promote year-round sales and employment in what had previously been a seasonal industry. Prior to the change, most new cars came out at the start of the calendar year, followed by a round of auto shows. By later in the year, sales had all but dried up. Today, manufacturers introduce new models throughout the year, but autumn remains the official start of the new automotive year. But an age-old question remains: If you’re in the market for a new car, are you better off to wait for new models to come out, or to buy a leftover at the end of the season? The answer is, it depends. Car makers completely redesign models every five years or so, and they normally make updates to mechanicals and styling midway to a full redesign. Waiting for updated or redesigned models means you’ll get the latest safety and convenience features, and updates to engines, transmissions, and technology will likely improve fuel mileage and even performance. On the downside, new models almost always cost more than the ones they replace, and discounts are less likely. Even models that are only slightly revised between redesigns routinely get price hikes every year.

Buying a leftover should save you some money upfront, because dealers are likely to deal to clear old inventory. You’ll still get the full warranty. If you are a long-distance driver, buying a 2010 at year’s end will give you one more model year to spread your miles over, potentially changing your trade-in from a lower-value, high-mileage car to one that is average. Of course, there are some trade offs.

A leftover new car is a year old the moment you drive it off the lot. That doesn’t matter much if you keep your cars a long time, but you’ll lose a bundle on depreciation if you trade every couple of years. And your leftover car is likely to depreciate even faster if it’s been replaced with a redesigned model for the new model year. You also may miss out on new safety features and other equipment.

One final thing to consider is reliability. Our reliability surveys have shown that new models have more problems on average than those that have been on sale for a year or more. The last year of a model’s production is often the most reliable.

With car buying, there are many factors to consider. This time of year, there are even more with the choice from two model years. Remember to do your homework and look long-term in making your decision.

Buckle up: Study shows child booster seat laws effective at reducing injuries

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in young children, but many of these fatalities can be prevented. Research has shown that the use of child safety seats can help reduce injuries and deaths in a crash, and new findings support the use of mandated boosters.

A new study by the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics is the first to look at injury rates before and after a state law on boster seats went into effect. The study looked at the New York State booster seat law that was implemented in March 2005, and it found that injuries in children ages 4 to 6 years old dropped 18 percent. This improvement is largely attributed to the increase in use of boosters after the child restraint law was upgraded, from 29 percent to 50 percent for those children that were involved in accidents.

Additional research also supports the benefits of boosters. A study by the Journal of Pediatrics from 2009 found that children aged 4 through 8 years old who used booster seats were 45 percent less likely to sustain injuries than children who were just using the vehicle’s seat belt.