Category Archives: safety

NHTSA Opens Inquiry on Hyundai Elantra Airbags for Head Cuts

Posted on 14 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrating has opened a preliminary defect evaluation on 2012 Hyundai Elantra side curtain airbags because of a driver’s complaint of cuts to his ear or face. On opening the investigation, NHTSA said it appears that the metal component caused a laceration to the driver’s ear/face. Continue reading →

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Ford Expands Windstar Corrosion Recalls, Adds Axle failures

Posted on 14 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor is once again expanding a corrosion recall on 1998-2003 Windstar minivans because a supplier failed to properly e-coat the suspension components, which makes the vehicles susceptible to sudden failures of the steering, front sub-frame and/or rear axle. In a massive recall announced in January of 2011, more than 425,000 Ford Windstar minivans were recalled because the steering fails because of rusting problems. NHTSA opened an engineering investigation in July of 2010 into the ongoing Windstar rust problem. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Electronic PRNDL for False Position Indication

Posted on 14 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor is recalling Expedition, F-150 Mustang and Lincoln Navigator models because the electronically controlled gearshift indicator does not show the vehicle is in reverse increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading →

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Justice Department Seizes Chinese Counterfeit Sports Jerseys

Posted on 11 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Why the Obama Administration in general, and the State Department under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have not taken stronger actions against ongoing corrupt Chinese business practices is an unanswered issue here. Why Major League baseball and the National Football League, among other sports organizations, remain silent over the widespread counterfeiting of their apparel is a disgrace and mocks their hard-working, law-abiding U.S. fans. Will the multi-millionaire players living off law-abiding fans ever wake up and demand action or are they too rich to care? Continue reading →

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Chrysler Recalls 2012 Ram 1500 Over a Decal

Posted on 10 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The affected vehicles have a spare tire that does not match the specifications listed on the tire placard. These Ram pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110, “tire selection and rims.” Continue reading →

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BMW Recalls New 3 Series. Chrysler Recalls 2012 Minivans

Posted on 8 May 2012 by Ken Zino

In the latest series of safety defect filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW is recalling its best selling 3-Series compact that has been in production since last October and Chrysler is recalling 2012 model minivans. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Recalls 300, Dodge Charger Sedans for Bad Brakes

Posted on 8 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The cars can lose the ABS/ESC system due to an overheated power distribution center, which could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. The problem original arose in a Michigan State Police training vehicle, and Chrysler conducted a limited recall in February of 2012 until subsequent field reports revealed the Yazaki supplied module was failing in other vehicles. Continue reading →

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Ready For a 4-Point Seat Belt? Renault Thinks So

Posted on 7 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Geeks can debate whether this is a 4-point seat belt or 5-point solution. Simply put, there are two seat belt systems in play. This latest seat belt restraint design requires a first step – slipping an arm under a fixed 2-pointseat belt, then grabbing a seat belt the opposite side, the traditional “buckle up” action is needed from the driver or the tandem passenger of the two-seat car. Since Twizy is really an electric motorcycle on four wheels, whether this adds or detracts from the saleability of thus far market challenged EVs remains to be seen. Continue reading →

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EPA Regulates Diesel Fuel Injected Underground for Fracking

Posted on 5 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The law is controversial because in pay-to-play Washington, Congress exempted most fracking fluids from the regulation of fluids injected into the ground required under the Safe Drinking Water Act. In environmental circles, this became known as the Halliburton loophole. Then U.S. vice-president Richard Cheney ran Halliburton – the biggest fracking services company in the country – before he was elected, of course. Continue reading →

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California Drivers Unaware Motorcycle Lane Splitting is Legal

Posted on 3 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The California Office of Traffic Safety today released results of the first-ever survey of California motorists and motorcycle riders on the subject of lane splitting, where motorcycles travel between two lanes with other vehicles travel ling the same direction. Lane … Continue reading →

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PBGC, Bendix Reach Settlement, End Litigation over Pensions

Posted on 2 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Critics of the federal agency say it has been lax and ineffective in protecting pensions. Under today’s settlement, PBGC won’t require Bendix to put up collateral for the remaining $8.4 million in pension liability, provided the company remains financially strong until the end of the year. Continue reading →

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New Laser Speed Detection Tracks Multiple Cars at Same Time

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Ken Zino

A German company called Victronic is successfully selling PoliScanspeed, a new laser technology that can measure the speed of multiple vehicles in several lanes at the same time and document it with photographs, providing digital evidence to law enforcement agencies. The PoliScanspeed system recently nailed two Mad-Max like speeders in Australia who were running side-by-side. They were caught on camera driving at 195 kpm (121 mph) and 207 kph (129 mph) in a 90 kph (56 mph) zone. Continue reading →

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BMW Recalls S 1000 RR Motorcycles for Engine Failures

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Ken Zino

BMW is recalling 2012 S 1000 RR motorcycles because the connecting rod bolts can loosen, leading to sudden engine failures. At least 33 engine failures have been reported globally, BMW said in the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. No injures have been reported, according to BMW. Continue reading →

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Another DENSO Exec Guilty of Price Fixing and Bid Rigging

Posted on 27 April 2012 by Ken Zino

According to the latest charge, Hattori participated in the conspiracy from at least as early as July 2005, until at least July 2008. During the conspiracy, Hattori was an assistant manager in the Toyota Sales Division at DENSO from July 2005 until December 2006, and a manager in the Toyota Sales Division from December 2006 until at least July 2008. Continue reading →

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Distracted Driving is a Growing Business Liability

Posted on 25 April 2012 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimate on-the-job crashes cost employers more than $24,500 per property damage crash. The cost rises to $150,000 per injury and to as much as $3.6 million per fatality. Continue reading →

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