Steering You Right with Sharon Peters
Q: We’re contemplating getting a 2016 Jeep at the end of this model year — new but discounted because the 2017 models are coming. Our son said we should look into the Summit. We did a Sunday cruise through the dealer lot (to avoid salespeople) and didn’t find anything called a Summit. Is there such a Jeep or did he/we get the name wrong?
A: The Summit is indeed a Grand Cherokee … in the wings. It’ll be rolled out later this year.
Jeep introduced two new Grand Cherokees to the public earlier this year at the New York Auto Show. One was the Summit, which Jeep hyped as the pinnacle of luxury: shiny, 20-inch wheels, LED fog lights, leather interior in tasteful colors; a touch of suede; and a bunch of high-end safety features.
No pricing has been announced.
Q: I finally got the recall notice from Acura that my airbag inflator must be replaced, part of that awful Takata debacle. But the notice says that can’t happen until August, when they finally have the replacement part. This is an outrage. They’ve known for years and are still absent parts?
A: I agree it’s outrageous. And a few weeks ago, Takata agreed to recall yet another 40 million air bag inflators, meaning that not only will the number of recalls double, millions more consumers will wait years to be able to take action to increase their confidence that they’re not riding in deathtraps.
By early May this year, at least 11 deaths and more than 100 injuries — many severe — resulting from bad airbags had been confirmed. Yet only about one-quarter of the originally recalled 29 million vehicles had been repaired. Air bag manufacturers just haven’t been able to produce enough of them fast enough. I’m not excusing this, I’m just repeating the excuse given. Also, carmakers say some car owners who were notified early still haven’t been located, or if they have, they haven’t gotten the work done.
At this point, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that getting all the defective ones taken care of will take years beyond the end of 2017, which was when officials estimated the first-round recalls would have been tended to.
I suggest you get first in line at the service bay once the replacements arrive.
© CTW Features
What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.
