Smart Automotive

08/10/2023

The power is back on!!! We're up and running again. Thanks for understanding.

08/09/2023

There was an accident up the street from us a few minutes ago, and it involved a pole and transformer so we have no power at the shop today. You can communicate with us via Facebook or our website smartautomotive-phoenix.com. Sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully we will be up and running again by tomorrow.

07/31/2023

MONEYWATCH
Ford recalls 870,000 F-150 trucks because of potential parking brake malfunction
moneywatch
BY KHRISTOPHER J. BROOKS

UPDATED ON: JULY 28, 2023 / 12:21 PM / MONEYWATCH

Ford Motor has recalled about 870,000 F-150 pickup trucks because of a faulty parking brake that could turn on by itself, causing the driver to lose control.

The recall includes 2021 to 2023 models of the F-150, according to recall documents posted Friday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Damages in the wiring of some F-150s could activate the truck's parking brake while someone is driving, causing them to lose control of the vehicle and crash.

Drivers of trucks with the brake issue may see a warning light on their vehicle's panel, NHTSA documents show.

The Michigan automaker said it would fix the issue by installing a protective tie strap and tape wrap on the brake wiring as well as replacing the rear axle wiring harness if necessary at Ford and Lincoln dealerships. The repairs will be made free of charge, Ford said. Drivers who have already paid a mechanic to fix the problem can be reimbursed by submitting paperwork to Ford by September 11, 2024.

Ford said it doesn't know of any crashes or injuries caused by the problem.

The recall comes after Ford started investigating the parking brake issue in February, the company said.

"The rear axle wiring harness bundle may contact the rear axle housing which can, in certain circumstances, result in chafing of the wiring harness bundle," Ford said. "Further investigation determined that, over time, the chafing of the rear axle wiring harness assembly can wear through the abrasion resistant tape and circuit insulation, ultimately exposing copper wiring which can result in the grounding of circuits on the rear axle housing."

Ford said in documents that it has 918 warranty claims and three field reports of wire chafing in North America. Of these, 299 indicated unexpected parking brake activation, and 19 of these happened while the trucks were being driven.

Anyone with questions about the F-150 recall can contact Ford at (866) 436-7332 and use reference number 23S35, or NHTSA at (888) 327-4236.

Ford recalled more than 142,000 Lincoln MKCs last month because the SUVs might be prone to spontaneous fires in the engine compartment. The MKC's battery monitor sensor, which is housed under the hood, is susceptible to damage when repairs are made to the vehicle's battery or other electrical parts, Ford said.

07/12/2023

Today we are celebrating the most important person in all our lives....Rob has a birthday today!!!! Can't believe how lucky I am to call him my husband. A big thank you to each of you for supporting him through the years and allowing him to do what he loves to do.

07/02/2023

We will be closed Monday and Tuesday, July 3rd and 4th in observance of Independence Day. Hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July! We will return on Wednesday July 5th at 7:00 am.

03/31/2023

We will be closed from April 6th - April 23rd while Rob has some minor surgery and has time to heal and recover. If your vehicle needs attention, please call 602-788-3669 to make an appointment for next week Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, April 3-5. Thank you for understanding and we hope you all have a blessed Easter Holiday.

12/23/2022

We will be closed December 24th through January 1st and will return to the office on January 2, 2023 while we enjoy the Christmas Season with our families. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! Looking forward to another great year with all of you. Thank you all for your continued loyalty to us and as always the incredible opportunity you give us, to serve our community. We are so thankful for each of you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

10/17/2022

Hyundai and Kia recall 122,000 vehicles over potential gearbox fault
Jonathon Ramsey
Sun, October 16, 2022 at 1:36 PM

See Full Image Gallery >>

No automaker is having a good time dealing with semiconductor chips and circuit boards, but Hyundai and Kia are having an especially hard time. The two brands have recently had to recall four models over two problems with circuit boards in their official tow hitch accessory. Now a potential issue with the circuit board controlling the oil pump in the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission used by Hyundai and Kia is forcing recalls of eight models. A potentially inadequate soldering job could allow a board component to detach, thereby causing a pump malfunction. If that happens, warning lights, a chime, and the directive to "stop safely immediately" alert the driver and the vehicle enters a failsafe mode to prevent further damage. The bigger issue is that the transmission control unit (TCU) gives the driver between 20 and 30 seconds to get parked in a safe spot before disengaging the transmission's clutches. Without clutch actuation, the car won't move.

The affected vehicles are the:

2021-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

2021-2022 Hyundai Sonata

2021-2022 Hyundai Veloster N

2022 Hyundai Elantra N

2022 Hyundai Kona N

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

2021-2023 Kia K5

2021-2022 Kia Sorento

There are 53,142 Hyundais in the U.S. in the total recall population, another 8,719 in Canada. There are 69,038 Kias involved, 65,612 of those Sorentos. The automakers believe no more than one percent of the total population is affected with the problem.

07/29/2022

We will be closed August 1st thru August 5th while on vacation!!!! We will return to the office on Monday, August 8th at 7:00 a.m.

07/18/2022

Good Morning SMART Automotive family, we are in need of an experienced computer repairman. We came into work today to find our main computer not able to startup. We must have had a power surge over the weekend. It is a Dell computer, but the program we run for our invoicing is a dos based program. Need someone who can come out today, if you know anyone, please reply. Thank you.

07/12/2022

Happy Birthday to Rob!!! Thank you for all you do for so many!

05/30/2022

We are closed today, remembering our veterans, their families and the magnitude of sacrifice given for this country. Pretty overwhelming when you stop to think about it. So grateful to all who have served in the name of freedom.

05/19/2022

Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator recalled for fire risk
Jeremy Korzeniewski
Thu, May 19, 2022, 5:31 AM

Owners of some 2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs are being urged to park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures until they can be taken to dealers for repairs. Ford issued a recall covering 39,000 vehicles due to engine fires under their hoods, and it's not certain at this point what's causing the flames to start. According to documents posted on the National Highway Safety Administration's website, "The remedy is still under development."

Ford says it has reports of 16 under-hood fires, with 14 of those happening in vehicles owned by car rental companies. The fires can happen even while the engine isn't running. According to Ford, "Some customers have reported a burning smell and smoke from the front passenger engine compartment while driving." The fires seem to be starting "in the rear of the engine compartment near the passenger side of the vehicle."

Despite the under-hood fire risk, Ford is not at this time recommending that owners stop driving the vehicles. "We are working around the clock to determine the root cause of this issue and subsequent remedy so that customers can continue to enjoy using their vehicles," Jeffrey Marentic, general manager of Ford passenger vehicles, said in a statement.

Ford says the fires appear to be limited to SUVs built from Dec. 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021 and says it has no fire reports from vehicles built before or after those dates.

In a separate recall, Ford is also calling in about 310,000 heavy-duty trucks because the driver's air bag may not inflate in a crash. That recall covers certain 2016 F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks. According to documents posted by NHTSA, dust can get into the airbag wiring in the steering wheel, which can cut electricity to necessary components. To fix the problem, dealers will replace the steering wheel's wiring.

And in a third recall, Ford announced it is bringing in 464 Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs from 2021. A software problem in the electric vehicle can cause unintended acceleration, deceleration or a loss of drive power in all-wheel-drive vehicles. NHTSA documents say that the powertrain control computer may not detect a software error. The problem will be fixed by dealers or by an online software update.

05/02/2022

It's National Small Business Week!!!
Come out and support your FAVORITE Small Business. If you have a vehicle that needs some attention, give us a call at (602) 788-3669 to schedule a convenient appointment today.

04/14/2022

Toyota safety recalls 460,000 vehicles over stability control issue
Maria Jimenez Moya, USA TODAY
Thu, April 14, 2022, 9:18 AM
Toyota is recalling about 460,000 vehicles in the U.S. to fix a software problem that can inadvertently disable the electronic stability control system.

The software error could prevent the "vehicle stability control system" from automatically turning on when the car is restarted, according to a statement by the company. That can disable the system, which uses a computer to individually brake wheels to help drivers keep control.

The recall covers the 2020 to 2022 model years in the U.S. and involves these Toyota brands:

Venza

Mirai

RAV4 Hybrid

RAV4 Prime

Sienna HV

Highlander HV

And these Lexus models:

LS500h

LX600

NX350h

NX450h-plus

02/03/2022

01/14/2022

We installed a new outer gate this week. If you are dropping your vehicle off before or after hours, please call ahead to get the gate code from us. You may also call when you arrive, you will be on camera so we will be able to verify you are a customer. Thank you in advance for helping us keep your vehicle and others safe while on property, by locking the gate behind you.

12/24/2021

We will be closed December 24th thru January 2nd while we enjoy our Christmas celebration with our family. We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We will resume our normal hours on January 3, 2022.

11/23/2021

Thank you to all our wonderful customers, who gave generously to our American Cancer Society fundraiser this year. I received this letter from ACS today and wanted to share with all of you...

American Cancer Society
We're Thankful for You
During this season of thanks, we want you to know how grateful we are for you.

From helping people who need treatment to raising critical funds for research, you are making a difference in the fight against cancer.

We couldn’t pursue our lifesaving mission without dedicated volunteers like you.

For giving your time, for giving your heart, for giving hope.

We thank you!
Your American Cancer Society

07/02/2021

We will be Closed on Vacation the week of July 5th - July 9th. We will return to the office on Monday, July 12th. Please don't leave any unattended vehicles in the parking lot while we are gone. If you would like to make an appointment while we are gone, please call (602) 788-3669 and leave a message which includes the date and time you would like to bring in your vehicle and we will call you back on Monday, July 12th to confirm. Thank you so much.

06/29/2021

We will be closed next week for summer vacation. If your vehicle is in need of attention, don't delay, call today for an appointment. (602) 788-3669 . They are filling up fast, but we still have some days and times available to see your vehicle before we leave.

06/17/2021

We will be closed Friday, June 18th and will return to the office on Monday, June 21st at 7:00 am. Have a good weekend and we will see you all next week.

06/14/2021

Voicemail is working again! Please feel free to call 602-788-3669 for all your automotive needs.

06/10/2021

Our voicemail will be down for a few days, so sorry for the inconvenience. Please try your call again if you get a busy signal. Hopefully all will be back to normal next week. Thanks for understanding.

06/09/2021

We're switching our phones to a new carrier today. They may be out of service for awhile. Please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as we are able to.

02/12/2021

Anyone looking for some extra time to get your vehicle serviced? We WILL be open on President's Day, Monday, February 15th. If you are behind on your regular maintenance (oil change services) or you've had a problem that you've been putting off because you just don't have any extra time, why not take advantage of your day off and get it taken care of. Call today for your convenient appointment at (602) 788-3669.

02/05/2021

We will be closed Friday, February 5th. See you all on Monday the 8th.

01/15/2021

Got a kick out of this one. Oh, the things we get excited about when cars are your love.

01/05/2021

Starting today, we are back to our original hours, Monday thru Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

12/23/2020

We will be closed until January 3rd while we celebrate the Christmas Holiday. We will return to the office on Monday, January 4th at 7:00 am. We hope you all are safe and happy while we are gone and may we all have a great start to the New Year ahead.

12/23/2020

Voicemail is back up and running! Thanks for your patience.

12/22/2020

Our telephone carrier has informed me that our voicemail system is down at the moment. They anticipate a repair time at end of business today. If you have left a voicemail for us in the last 12 hours, please call again as we cannot listen to your message at this time. (602) 788-3669. Thank you.

12/07/2020

2 more reasons we love our customers. We certainly do have some wonderful customers! Thank you for thinking of us.

11/25/2020

We will be closed Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. We will return to the office on Monday, November 30th at 7 am. We hope you are all safe and happy with your loved ones celebrating as well.

11/09/2020

We WILL BE OPEN Wednesday, November 11th in lieu of being closed on Friday the 6th. We know that sometimes the only time you can give your car attention is on the holidays when you are certain to have the day off of work. So if you've been looking for a day off to bring your car in...here it is! We'll be open from 7am-3pm. If you would like to make an appointment please call 602-788-3669.

11/06/2020

We will be closed Friday, November 6th. We will return to the office on Monday, November 9th at 7:00 am. Have a great weekend and we'll see you all next week.

11/02/2020

Look what showed up today. Our customers are so good to us. Thank you Shannon for making my day! They are a beautiful addition to my office. 🌼

10/30/2020

Toyota, Lexus Recall More Vehicles That Could Stall
Keith Barry
Thu, October 29, 2020, 2:04 PM MST·3 mins read

Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.

Toyota and Lexus have again expanded a recall of cars, trucks, and SUVs, this time by 1.5 million, because their fuel pumps could stop working and cause a sudden stall or hesitation while driving.

The recall, first announced in January and expanded in March, now includes more than 3.34 million vehicles, including those added today.

If a fuel pump fails, a driver may notice additional noise and vibration from the engine and warning lights may appear on the dashboard. The engine might not restart if it stalls, which could cause a crash if it happens while the vehicle is in motion.

Toyota says that dealers will replace the faulty fuel pumps on affected vehicles free of charge. A spokesperson for the automaker told Consumer Reports it would “like to refrain from commenting” on whether there have been any crashes, injuries, fatalities, or fires related to the recall issue.

In documents provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in January, the automaker said that although some hybrid vehicles use this same fuel pump, the Lexus LS500h and LC500h are the only hybrids included in this recall. Other hybrid vehicles will enter what Toyota calls a “fail-safe” mode—in which the vehicle can be still driven for short distances but with reduced power—if the pump fails.

The automaker said that because this situation “does not present an unreasonable risk to safety,” hybrid vehicles other than the LS500h and LC500h with faulty fuel pumps will be repaired under a customer satisfaction campaign instead of a recall. You can learn the difference between the two in our guide to technical service bulletins.

The Details
Vehicles Recalled
• 2013-2015 Lexus LS 460 SUVs
• 2013-2015 Lexus GS 350 sedans
• 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUVs and Lexus ISF sedans
• 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus GX 460, and Lexus LX 570 SUVs
• 2014-2015 Lexus IS 350 sedans
• 2015 Lexus NX 200t SUVs and RC 350 coupes
• 2017 Lexus IS 200t and GS200t sedans, and RC 200t coupes
• 2017-2019 Toyota Highlander SUVs and Lexus GS 350 sedans
• 2017-2020 Toyota Sienna minivans and Lexus RX 350 SUVs
• 2017-2020 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks
• 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus GX460, Lexus LX 570, and Lexus NX 300 SUVs
• 2018-2019 Lexus GS 300, IS 300, IS 350, and LS 500h sedans, and RC 300 and RC 350 coupes
• 2018-2020 Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Lexus ES350, and Lexus LS500 sedans, and Lexus LC500 and Lexus LC500h coupes
• 2018-2020 Toyota Sequoia and Lexus RX 350L SUVs, and Toyota Tundra pickup trucks
• 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchbacks and Lexus UX 200 SUVs
• 2019-2020 Toyota RAV4 SUVs

The problem: The fuel pumps installed in these vehicles may stop working if a part inside the pump deforms due to excessive fuel absorption, NHTSA documents say. If the pump fails, it could cause the engine to suddenly stall or hesitate while the car is in motion, which could lead to a crash. The pumps are made by Denso, an automotive supplier that makes parts for many manufacturers.

The fix: Toyota dealers will replace the faulty fuel pumps, free of charge.

How to contact the manufacturer: Toyota says it will contact owners of the latest group of recalled vehicles by late December 2020. Owners can also contact Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331 or Lexus customer service at 800-255-3987.

NHTSA campaign number: NHTSA has not yet released an updated number for the expanded campaign. The previous campaign number is 20V12.

Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.

If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and this recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.

10/23/2020

2020 Toyota Highlander recalled for airbags that might not deploy
Joe Lorio
Fri, October 23, 2020, 1:18 PM MST

The 2020 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid are being recalled due to a fault affecting the side airbags, according to documents the automaker filed with NHTSA.

The issue reportedly affects a total of 3,121 vehicles. In the affected SUVs, an incorrect piece of seat trim was installed on the front passenger's seat. That incorrect part can prevent the seat-mounted side airbag from deploying, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. Toyota says it knows of no accidents or injuries related to the issue.

The company plans to issue recall notifications to owners in mid-December. Owners are asked to bring their Highlanders into the dealership for inspection. Those vehicles found to have the incorrect piece installed will have it replaced with the correct one at no cost.

09/03/2020

We will be closed Monday, September 7th in Observance of the Labor Day Holiday. If you need to have your car serviced before then, please call 602-788-3669 for your convenient appointment.