Automakers have been replacing traditional gear shifts with buttons, knobs and wheels to spruce up vehicle interiors but that is confusing motorists and diminishing safety, Consumer Reports says.
The proposed settlement, with the Federal Trade Commission and owners of about 78,000 cars, includes compensating consumers as much as $16,114 and fixing or buying back affected 3-liter diesel models.
Volkswagen recalling hundreds of thousands of cars and SUVs in the U.S., almost all of them Audi models, to fix two air-bag defects and coolant pumps that may overheat and cause fires.
VW reaches settlement agreement with EPA and Californias Air Resources Board to fix or buy back vehicles with emissions-cheating 3.0-liter diesel engines.
VW has reached an agreement with U.S. environmental regulators to fix or buy back around 80,000 Audi, VW and Porsche vehicles with tainted 3-liter diesel engines.
Chrysler was sued by consumers who said engines in some Dodge trucks were rigged to hide that emissions were as much as 14 times higher than permitted by law.
Volkswagen's plot to cheat emissions tests by installing so-called defeat devices in its vehicles wasnt limited to diesel cars, but also included at least six models of Audi 3.0-liter gasoline engines, according to a consumer lawsuit.
Both Subaru and Honda tumbled from the top group of 'more reliable' brands, with Hondas Civic compact car losing its longstanding recommendation from Consumer Reports.