Category Archives: litigation

NHTSA Blasts FCA Recalls – Big Fines, Maybe Criminal Charges Coming for Italian Automaker? Litigation Ongoing.

Posted on 9 July 2015 by Ken Zino

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, aka ODI, has outlined problems associated with 23 different Fiat Chrysler recalls involving millions of vehicles. These recalls are for serious safety defects and “non-compliances.” Including recalls for fuel systems that can catch fire in rear crashes, defective ignition switches that can disable a vehicle’s air bags and defective air bags that can unexpectedly explode. These defects have caused deaths and serious injuries. Continue reading →

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NASCAR Disavows Racist Confederate Flag

Posted on 3 July 2015 by Ken Zino

“To do that, we are asking our fans and partners to join us in a renewed effort to create an all-inclusive, even more welcoming atmosphere for all who attend our events. This will include the request to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at our facilities and NASCAR events. Continue reading →

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More Ford, Subaru and Lexus Safety Recalls

Posted on 29 June 2015 by Ken Zino

There are now more safety recalls coming from Ford Motor, Subaru of America and Toyota Motor because of defective antilock brakes and pre-collision systems, power steering that suddenly fails and potential vehicle fires as major makers – some with excellent quality records – continue to struggle with supplier procedures and a newly vigilant NHTSA. Continue reading →

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445,000 Takata Airbag Inflators Recalled – Mazda6 and RX8

Posted on 8 June 2015 by Ken Zino

In the event of a crash with deployment of the driver’s frontal air bag, the inflator send metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Changing after Flubbing GM Ignition Switch Recall

Posted on 5 June 2015 by Ken Zino

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today released two internal reports from the Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aka NHTSA, that outline the changes NHTSA has adopted or will make in the wake of its embarrassing delayed handling of what became the deadly General Motors ignition switch recall. Continue reading →

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Takata Takedown – NHTSA to Direct Airbag Inflator Recall

Posted on 21 May 2015 by Ken Zino

The Takata inflators were made with a propellant that can degrade over time and has led to ruptures that have been blamed for at least six deaths worldwide. This expands the number of vehicles to be recalled for defective Takata inflators to nearly 34 million. Continue reading →

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Honda, Toyota, Nissan Expand Takata Airbag Recalls Yet Again

Posted on 14 May 2015 by Ken Zino

NHTSA is fining Takata $14,000 a day for what it says is Takata’s slow response to the deadly problem. Former NHTSA Acting Administrator David Kelly is now serving as project manager for ten automakers that have hired Orbital ATK to conduct independent testing on Takata airbag inflators. Continue reading →

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Recall Mania Continues. Newly Revealed Safety Defects at Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jeep, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen

Posted on 27 April 2015 by Ken Zino

Safety defect recalls are now active for Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Volkswagen in what has become an ongoing industry wide scramble since NHTSA – embarrassed by its lack of regulatory oversight on the Toyota unintended acceleration and GM ignition switch debacles – started enforcing U.S. safety regulations and assessing fines and penalties on automakers. Continue reading →

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Honda Expands Takata Airbag Recall Again to 5.5 Million

Posted on 23 March 2015 by Ken Zino

This is the first time 2008 Pilot models will be repaired because the Takata airbag inflators release shrapnel into passenger compartments. Continue reading →

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Renewable Biodiesel Fuel Scam from Washakie in Utah

Posted on 20 March 2015 by Ken Zino

During 2010, Washakie issued more than 7.2 million Renewable Identification Numbers, aka RINs, and reported to EPA that it produced biodiesel associated with those RINs at its Plymouth, Utah refinery. During that time, Washakie did not produce any biodiesel at the Plymouth facility. Continue reading →

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Lawsuit against Honda,Takata Alleges Airbag Caused Death

Posted on 5 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Solis’s Honda Accord was bought used in 2014 at a Houston area car dealer. The car had been recalled in late 2011, but it had never been repaired. Continue reading →

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Takata Defends its Airbag Inflator Defect Explanation

Posted on 2 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Takata claims that newer inflators and those not exposed to prolonged humidity and heat are safe. Takata also is working with other suppliers to further increase the availability of replacement kits for its automotive customers. Continue reading →

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Federal Railroad Administration Acting on Grade Crossings

Posted on 2 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Under increasing scrutiny caused by two recent deadly commuter rail accidents – one in New York and one in California – the Federal Railroad Administration has launched a campaign that it claims will help address the grade crossing problem. One … Continue reading →

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NHTSA Orders Takata to Preserve Recalled Inflators

Posted on 2 March 2015 by Ken Zino

It was the latest setback for the beleaguered Japanese company whose prospects of survival in the airbag business appear bleak given a growing number of deaths from Takata parts that send shrapnel into a vehicles’ interior. Continue reading →

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Automakers Pick Orbital ATK to Review Takata Airbag Inflators

Posted on 26 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The revolving door of government employees came around this morning with the announcement that former NHTSA Acting Administrator David Kelly will serve as project manager for the ten automakers that have hired Orbital ATK to conduct independent testing on Takata airbag inflators. Continue reading →

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