NHTSA

Consumer alert: repair car safety recalls now

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced 966 safety recalls in 2019 affecting more than 53 million vehicles and motor vehicle equipment. Its public information media and consumer outreach defines communication efficiency. Still, despite many recall notices and public warnings, some vehicle and quipment recalls are never repaired. It’s why the NHTSA has issued a plea for consumers, particularly in three well-documented areas: * Tens of millions of Takata airbags, the largest recall in U.S. history; * More than 1.7 million Harbor Freight jack stands, which could collapse and injure people around or underneath a vehicle; * More than 2.1 million Denso fuel pumps, which could fail and result in a stall that causes a crash. Safety Recalls: Don’t

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Could pending NHTSA rule mean Elio Motors is doomed?

Elio Motors has faced many obstacles, financing to missed deadlines. But it could now be faced with its toughest adversary — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Elio has touted is three-wheeled, two-seat car and its projected 84 mpg for a few years. But if the NHTSA prevails, the futuristic-looking vehicle won’t be able to be classified as a motorcycle and thus will not circumvent the stricter safety and efficiency regulations that govern cars. As such, Elio would face increased costs and could further delay the expect the first production the vehicle until 2017 — if not indefinitely. Elio Motors had to rely on a “crowdfunding” project last year to help raise the $230 million needed to start production

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Ford Fusion three times isn’t charm in recalls

One recall is bad enough, but 2014 Ford Fusion owners have gotten the unsettling news that three times in the past week their cars have been recalled for steering problems. Adding further worries, Ford has also recalled Lincoln MKZ (2013-2015), Ford Edge (2015), and Ford Fiesta (2013-2015) pushing the manufacturer’s car and truck recall list in the past week to nearly one million units. The largest of the recalls is 520,000 units of the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ from 2013 to 2015 model years, and some 2015 Ford Edges. All of the defective models have a steering gear motor problem that could result in a loss of power steering. Ford said it is not aware of any accidents related

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General Motors slammed with $35 million recall fine

General Motors has been fined a record $35 million in civil penalties for its inadequate handling of a recall of more than two million vehicles with ignition switch problems. The Department of Transportation said GM violated federal safety laws and its decree said GM should change how it handles review of safety issues. The GM recall includes the 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The fine stems from an investigation into the Chevrolet Cobalt and other GM cars that were found to have faulty ignition. The problem can allow an ignition switch to move out of the “run” position. It can cause air bags to fail

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Toyota facing $1 billion fine to end safety probe

Toyota could pay as much as $1 billion in a pending settlement with the Justice Department that wound end a four-year probe into accusations the carmaker made misleading statements about its safety problems. The issues relate to allegations of unintended acceleration in Toyota and its upscale brand Lexus in the late 2000s. In 2009, an off-duty California Highway Patrolman and his family were killed when their borrowed Lexus careened off the highway at around 120 mph. The recording of a passenger’s last minute 911 call captured the driver’s frantic efforts to stop the vehicle. If the settlement is finalized, it would be among the largest fines ever levied against an automaker. It would also allow Toyota to avoid criminal charges.

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General Motors recall lapse could cost carmaker millions

General Motors could face millions of dollars in civil penalties as the aftermath of publicly apologizing for responding quickly enough to a safety issue linked to 13 deaths and 31 accidents. The financial ramifications could occur if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines the automaker neglected to inform regulators. The NHTSA is also facing criticism for not demanding GM act more quickly to recall more than 1.6 million vehicles, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. The recall is linked to the cars’ ignition switches, which GM says can be accidentally turned from the “run” position to the “accessory” position while the car is being driven. When this happens, the engine shuts off and safety systems

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Tesla: Safest car in the world to fiery mass of metal

The Tesla, the high-performance, all-electric sports car, continues its seemingly never-ending spotlight position in the auto industry. In a short time span, it’s has received the highest safest rating in automotive history and it has exploded in a fiery mess on the side of the freeway exit in Kent, Washington. The latest and potentially damaging scenery for the Tesla and its controversial owner Elon Musk occurred in early October in Kent, Wash. A Tesla S caught on fire in an accident when the car’s driver told the police he hit metal debris. The Tesla model S was destroyed and the inferno was filmed by two nearby witnesses on a smartphone whose voices seemed to echo would-be characters on Saturday Night

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Chrysler relents, recalls 2.7 million Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty models

Chrysler has long promoted the Jeep Grand Cherokee as a rugged off-road vehicle with a practical side as a family people mover. But the influence of the NHTSA and public pressure have provided obstacles tougher than the enduring SUV. More than a week after refusing to comply with an NHTSA request to recall 2.7 million vehicles, Chrysler has relented. The carmaker announced a campaign to inspect and repair Jeep Grand Cherokee models from 1993-2004 and Jeep Liberty models from 2002-07. Chrysler Jeep recall dates to 1993 models The recall was prompted following an independent report fuel tanks in the Grand Cherokee can explode in rear-end collisions. The NHTSA requested a recall, but Chrysler refused. Chrysler believes the cars do not

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Ford F-150, country’s best-seller, facing NHTSA scrutiny for power failure

The Ford F-150 pickup truck, the best-selling vehicle in the United States, is under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration scrutiny. The NHTSA has opened preliminary investigation into 400,000 of the perennially popular trunks from 2011-2013 for acceleration problems. The NHTSA has received 95 reports of incidents of reduced engine power during hard accelerations in 2011-2013 Ford F-150 trucks equipped with 3.5-liter gasoline turbocharged direct injection engines. Some complaints allege unexpected sharp reductions in engine power during hard accelerations at highway speeds, such as attempted merging or passing maneuvers. NHTSA said Ford has issued three technical service bulletins related to intermittent stumble/misfire on acceleration from highway cruise in humid or damp conditions in some 2011 and 2012 F-150 vehicles equipped with

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New NHTSA car safety rating system app unveiled

Consumers interested in quick access to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) 5-Star Safety Ratings can now get the information via a new iOS appplication for iPhones and iPod touches. The NHTSA real-time vehicle safety information is available to consumers from SaferCar.gov site. It allows users to search its 5-Star Safety Ratings for vehicles by make and model, locate car seat installation help, file a vehicle safety complaint, find recall information and subscribe to automatic notices about vehicle recalls. NHTSA will also give developers real-time access to the data that powers this app through an Application Programming Interface (API), enabling them to integrate these data into new and existing apps and empowering consumers with important safety information. Millions of

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George Orwell right again? Black boxes in all cars required by 2014?

Another example of the reality of George Orwell’s 1984 will commence in September 2014 if federal regulators get approval to require all new cars to have “black box” data recorders as standard equipment. Although some new cars already have the devices, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes black boxes can help determine the cause of crashes and lead to safer vehicles. The potential requirement has prompted concerns among privacy advocates who believe the prevention of the misuse of the devices should determined first. Although some car models have had recorders since the 1990s, a federal requirement automakers disclose their existence in owner’s manuals began three months ago. Besides the upcoming proposal to put recorders in all new vehicles, the

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Crash Test Dummy mangled in NHTSA faulty air bag video

Counterfeit air bags are being sold to repair shops for discounted prices resulting in more than 20 manufacturers’ vehicles being at risk, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report released by the NHTSA details vehicles which have had an air bag replaced within the past three years by a repair shop not part of a new car dealership may be at risk. The risk is severe enough the NHTSA has a video showing what happens to a crash test dummy when it’s involved the crash of vehicle equipped with a faulty air bag. The 30-second spot below doesn’t have audio and it doesn’t need it. The consumer safety agency become aware of the problem after the

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Hyundai fighting recall of Sonata Hybrid for seatbelt issue

Hyundai continues its increasingly strong position among carmakers, and it now believes it can do well against a more powerful industry leader — the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Hyundai has been ordered to recall and replace center rear seat belts in 14,728 Sonata hybrids from model years 2011 and 2012. But the automaker is seeking a review of the recall and is filing for an exemption. The Korean automaker has fixed the issue believed to be a safety concern for 1,633 Sonata Hybrids in its possession. But Hyundai believes there's no further risk for slightly more than 13,000 other Hyundai hybrids in the public sector. Several auto web sites are reporting the issue in question is whether seatbelts

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Chevy Volt's love-hate relationship: Image issues remain for car of the year

A few days after its production temporarily stopped because of low sales, the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid has been named the 2012 European Car of the Year at the Geneva Auto Show. It shares the award with Opel Ampera, its European sibling. The Volt won North American Car of the Year in 2011 among several other accolades. But the Volt has also been a controversial newcomer to the green car market. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated the vehicle after several odd batteries fires. And although the NHTSA reported the Volt wasn’t defective, sales have not improved. General Motors says it has received about 7,000 orders for the Ampera in Europe already and expected to sell more than

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NHTSA proposes voluntary ban on drivers' use of 'distracting devices'

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed voluntary guidelines for manufacturers that would automatically disable hand-held and factory installed devices in vehicles that distract from driving. The proposal recommends that devices including GPS systems would not functional unless the vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in park. Carmakers will review the guidelines and will have 60-day period to comment, according to a car industry spokeswoman. GPS and other navigation devices that provide directions would also be permitted while driving, but the safety administration is asking that the systems be designed so that drivers can't manually enter a destination unless the car is in park. Other dashboard technologies recommended for automatic disabling include text-messaging, Internet browsing, social media

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General Motors investigated for Saturn shifting woes

Seven crashes involving automatic shift levers on used Saturn Aura model have prompted federal safety regulators to investigate General Motors cars with the inquirty possibly also including the Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6. The investigation began with complaints in the Saturn Aura (2007-2008) affecting about 89,000 vehicles. The Chevrolet Malibu (2004-2008) and Pontiac G6 (2005-2008) have similar shifting systems. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the protective jacket around cables connecting the floor shift lever to the transmission can deteriorate, exposing the cables to the elements. Cables can corrode and weaken, and the shift lever position may not match the car's gear. That means a driver could put the car in park but the transmission could be

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