General Brazilian Stilos losing their rear wheels?

[fiatritmo]

Is anyone familiar with this problem?

Brazil's Justice Ministry said Wednesday it has fined the local Fiat subsidiary for failing to recall Stilo models to fix a wheel problem that may have caused eight deaths since 2004.

The ministry said in a statement posted on its Web site that the Brazilian subsidiary of Fiat SpA was fined 3 million reals ($1.7 million)for not recalling Stilo models made since 2004 because of a problem that may cause the rear wheels to fall off.

Fiat, however, denies that there is a problem.

Read the whole thing at http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9EBUKQG1.htm

 

[NumanR]

Never heard of this problem, and I suspect the cause may be poor torquing of wheel bolts by garages, if indeed the garages torque the bolts up in brazil anyway, who knows?

 

[Steve148]

"A spokeswoman for the National Transit Department said the problem involved "malfunctioning components that secure the wheels to the car." She spoke on condition of anonymity, citing department regulations.

"Fiat was asked to recall the Stilos in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 but the company, claiming there was nothing wrong with the wheels, refused to issue the recall, which is why we have fined Fiat."

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We have fined Fiat because they won't comply with our mob-pleasing panic measures?