Ford Motor Company is recalling its 2012 Ford Focus sedans due to a fault in the car's windshield wiper system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). More than 140,000 Focus sedans are missing seals in its windshield washer motor wirings, which may result in passenger side wiper motor failures. The reduced visibility can increase the risk of a collision, said NHTSA.

The Chrysler Group is recalling 2012 Jeep Compass and 2012 Jeep Patriot SUVs due to faulty fuel tank valves, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). About 1,700 of the recalled Jeep sport-utility vehicles have damaged roll-over fuel valves, which may leak during collisions or roll-over accidents, increasing the risk of a fire.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched official investigations into engine fires involving 2010 Jeep Wrangler SUVs and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sedans. The safety agency has received several reports of unexpected engine compartment fires completely destroying the vehicles made by Chrysler and General Motors, respectively.

Honda plans to recall 2002-2004 Honda CR-V and 2003 Honda Pilot SUVs next month. According the company, about 554,000 of the Honda sport-utility vehicles have wiring faults that may fail to to turn on the front low beam headlights.

If you live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, or just pass through, make sure you are not using your cell phone behind the wheel for any task--texting, talking hands-free or hand-held, or you can get a ticket. A new law there is the first of its kind to completely ban cell phone use behind the wheel, and it will likely not be the last.

German luxury car maker BMW AG is recalling about 1.3 million BMW 5 Series and BMW 6 Series vehicles worldwide due to an issue with the cars' battery cable covers. The recall affects approximately 367,000 BMW cars in the U.S.

Teenage girls are twice as likely as boys to use cell phones and other electronics behind the wheel, according to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The study used in-car video footage to capture various driver distractions. No surprise: Talking and texting was the leading cause of distraction observed, as seen in seven percent of the video clips.

General Motors is recalling 6,159 2012 Chevrolet Express and Suburban vehicles and GMC Savana and Yukon XL vehicles because the steering gear pitman shaft could fracture.

Honda is recalling 1,316 model year 2006 CR-V vehicles to inspect and, if necessary, replace the right front lower control arm because over time, and with extended use, the arm may break at the weld due to an improper welding job.

A recall of 2011-2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid cars has been issued by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 14,700 of the Hyundai hybrid vehicles have rear center seat belts which fail to meet federal safety standards. However, Hyundai believes it doesn't need to fix the seat belt issue with all Sonata hybrids—or notify all affected Sonata owner, as required by the usual federal safety recall procedures.

Subaru of America is recalling 275,000 Forester vehicles. The 2009 to 2012 model years of the Subaru Forester SUVs have rear center seat belt systems which do not meet federal safety standards and could inhibit the proper installation of child safety seats, said the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About 3,633 of General Motor's 2012 Buick Regal sedans are being recalled for parking lights that fail to activate when drivers turn on the vehicle's headlight switch. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this flaw violates U.S. safety standards and may cause an increased risk of vehicle collisions due to reduced visibility of the Buick car.

Nissan North American is recalling about 8,120 Infiniti M45 luxury sedans, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The safety agency says the 2003-2004 model years of the Infiniti M cars have a flaw that causes the gas gauge to display a higher fuel level than the amount of gas actually in the vehicle's fuel tank.

A federal probe into 2005-06 Ford Taurus sedans has been opened by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after 14 consumer complaints of stuck throttles.

Speeding-related traffic fatalities have not been reduced in almost three decades, according to a new study by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA).