2005 Maserati Quattroportes

MASERATI IS RECALLING 7,912 MY 2008 GRAN TURISMO, QUATTROPORTE, AND ALFA ROMEO VEHICLES. INCORRECTLY TORQUED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT NUTS MAY CAUSE THE BALL JOINT NUTS TO LOOSEN.

RiskIN TIME, THIS COULD LEAD TO NOISE, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION, AND FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD RESULTING IN DAMAGE OR SEPARATION OF THE SUSPENSION ARM. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

FixDEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF THE FRONT/REAR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SUSPENSION ARMS AND HUB CARRIER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737.

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A NON-FUNCTIONING BUTTON WITH THE WORDS "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" ETCHED INTO IT. THIS BUTTON IS LOCATED, ALONG WITH AN LED LIGHT, ON A CONSOLE ADJACENT TO THE SUN ROOF. THIS NON-FUNCTIONING BUTTON DOES NOT DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG, NOR IS THE LED LIGHT AN INDICATION THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED. THE BUTTON IS NON-FUNCTIONAL AND CANNOT BE DEPRESSED WHEN PUSHED.

RiskTHE PLACEMENT OF INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IN WHICH THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYS.

FixDEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE WITH ONE WHICH DOES NOT CONTAIN THE NON--FUNCTIONING BUTTON AND LED LIGHT FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS DURING FEBRUARY 2005. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED ON OCTOBER 6, 2005, THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MASERATI AT 1-877.696.2737.

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERNAL WIRING HARNESS OF THE OUTER DOOR HANDLES MAY ACCIDENTALLY SHORT CIRCUIT AND OPEN THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH OF THE DOOR.

RiskTHE DOOR MIGHT OPEN WITHOUT ANY ACTION FROM THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

FixDEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FOUR DOOR HANDLES ON THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737.