Category Archives: safety

Volvo Recalls XC90 Crossover for ZF Power Steering Defect

Volvo is recalling 2010-2011 model XC90 vehicles manufactured from 29 January 2010, through 16 August 2010. The power steering fluid may leak from the oil pipe connection at the steering gear valve housing from the ZF produced part. Continue reading

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BMW Left Turn Assistant Looks at Oncoming Traffic for You

Left turn assistant is a complicated piece of engineering, which demonstrates the power of electronic sensors and software to do virtually anything. It also begs the question of how much safety via sophisticated devices is enough or too much, depending on your point of view. Continue reading

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Electric Utility Coal Ash Safety Plans Released by EPA

Electric vehicles, the current technology in favor by special interest groups who want their use mandated as well as subsidized by taxpayers, raise many legitimate environmental concerns since half the electricity in the United States is generated by burning coal. Continue reading

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NHTSA Investigating Ford Freestyle Models after 18 Crashes

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Ford Freestyle models after it received hundreds of complaints about engine surging.

At least 18 crashes are alleged after the minivans jumped ahead when the driver’s foot was not firmly on the brake pedal, according to the NHTSA defect investigation that started last week. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Recalls Colorado for Defective Windshield Wipers

Chevrolet is recalling 2011 model Colorado Pickup trucks because the windshield wipers can fail. GMC Canyon pickups are also affected by the recall that is caused by a loose nut in the wiper linkage. Continue reading

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Motorists Want More Laws, Enforcement on Highway Safety

“Despite shrinking federal and state transportation budgets and a public debate over the most appropriate role of government, it’s clear that a majority of Americans want government officials to do more – not less – about highway safety,” claimed AAA President and CEO Bob Darbelnet. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Recalls Cruze for Transmission and Steering Defects

Chevrolet is recalling more than 200,000 Cruze compact cars for two safety related defects caused by improper manufacturing that can result in Cruze models rolling away while in park or the driver losing control of the steering. Continue reading

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Honda Expands Airbag Recall to 833,000 Honda, Acura Models

All automakers typically try to limit the number of vehicles covered in recalls or service actions to cut down on expenses and limit damage to their reputations. However, as investigations proceed the population of affected vehicles sometimes expands due to uncertainties around the root cause or inability to identify exactly how many parts are affected. Continue reading

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Hyundai Recalls Sante Fe SUVs. Follows Kia Sorento Recall

The parts used in the driveline of the Sante Fe are identical to the ones recalled by Kia on the Sorento, which was recalled first. Continue reading

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Kia Recalls Spectra and Sorento Models for Safety Defects

In the first recall, almost 60,000 Spectra cars from model years 2004-2007 are being recalled because of corrosion, which can lead to the fuel tank to fall and contact the road.

The second recall was promoted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into the sudden loss of power on 2011 Sorento 2wd vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4-liter engines, when the intermediate driveshaft failed. Continue reading

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50,000 Died from “Occupational Diseases” and 4,340 Worker Deaths on Job in 2009, Latest AFL-CIO Report Says

Workplace safety has improved in the 40 years since the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed, but many workers remain at risk, according to the AFL-CIO. In a new report, “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect,” the … Continue reading

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Don’t Run a Gas Tank Dry – It Can Cost More than $4 Gallon

It’s a bad strategy, particularly if you run out of gas and get stranded. Here your problems and expenses might just be beginning as costly repair bills can ensue. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls Tundra Pickups for Rear Drive Shaft Failures

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. today announced it will conduct a safety recall on approximately 51,000, 2011 model year Toyota Tundra trucks to inspect the rear drive shaft. The rear drive shaft on Tundra models may include a defective slip … Continue reading

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Nissan Recalls Pathfinder, Infiniti QX4 for Rust, Steering Failure

Nissan Pathfinders from model years 1996-2004, and Infiniti QX4 SUVs from 1997-2003 are affected by regional recalls for vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the following 20 states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Critics of regional recalls for safety defects maintain that they do not address the entire population of defective vehicles. Automakers like them since it cuts the expense by limiting the inspection to fewer vehicles. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls Rav4 and Highlander SUVs for Bad Airbags

Toyota has been aware of the problem since October of 2007, and changed the software in new vehicles in 2008, and yet did not recall the defective vehicles. Previous such coverups resulted in record fines imposed on Toyota by NHTSA in 2010 for failure to act promptly on a safety defect. Continue reading

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