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Category Archives: safety
Mazda Software Recall on Forward Sensing Camera
Mazda North American Operations is recalling 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A software malfunction in the forward sensing camera may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning.
In addition, the headlights will not automatically adjust from high beams to low beams as intended, according to documents released this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recalled Mazda models were built at Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, manufacturing, news analysis, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Exterior Lighting, Forward Collision Avoidance, Ken Zino, Lane Departure, Mazda recall 6824H, NHTSA recall 24V649, X @KenAutoinformed
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Volkswagen Group Recalls 2021-2024 ID.4 Models
The affected vehicles may have been built with door handles that do not meet the factory specifications for protection against water ingress. Water ingress into the printed circuit board can lead to malfunctions causing an “open command” – signaling an open command by the door handle when the handle is not being activated by a person. An open door on a moving vehicle puts occupants at risk of injury, and can cause damage to objects and people who may be outside of the vehicle. If the recall problem is present in the vehicle, occupants may notice an audible clicking noise , similar to the sound of a vehicle door being locked/unlocked by the key fob. The planned recall remedy and series production countermeasures are still under development. It is not corrected yet in production. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 2021-2024 Volkswagen ID.4 recalls, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, NHTSA 23V-213, NHTSA 23V-312, NHTSA recall 24V-651, Volkswagen Group of America recall 57J9, X @KenAutoinformed
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North Carolina Parts Seller Fined for Emission Defeat Devices
North Carolina automotive parts manufacturer and seller, Rudy’s Performance Parts Inc. (Rudy’s), and its owner, Aaron Rudolf, have agreed to pay a total of $10 million in criminal fines and civil penalties for manufacturing, selling and installing devices, commonly known as “defeat devices,” used to remove or disable required emissions controls in motor vehicles, the U.S. Department of justice said today.
“Defeat devices, such as those sold by Rudy’s, can lead to pollution at high levels that pose health risks and harm the environment,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This plea agreement and civil settlement show that we will take strong action to enforce the Clean Air Act and emissions controls requirements for motor vehicles.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, people
Tagged Aaron Rudolf, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, OBD defeat devices, Rudy’s Performance Parts, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden, X @KenAutoinformed
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Global Warming – EPA Issues HFC Enforcement Alert
“After another summer of record-breaking heat, the urgency of the climate crisis continues to accelerate. The Biden-Harris administration is committed to meeting our goals to phase-down HFCs, which contribute dramatically to near-term climate change, so that our children and grandchildren can have a sustainable future,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann, of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
“EPA and its law enforcement partners will police our borders and ports to halt HFC smuggling to protect our nation from the harmful effects of climate super pollutants,” said Ulmann.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, environment, global warming, litigation, news, news analysis, public health
Tagged AIM Act, American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David M. Uhlmann, epa, hfcs, hydrofluorocarbons, Ken Zino, Montreal Protocol, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, X @KenAutoinformed
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Various Ford and Lincoln Recalls for Sudden Engine Failures
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a sudden loss of drive power.
Based on an analysis of returned fractured valves from failed engines, Ford identified that the potential root cause of the failures was engine intake valve failure due to valves that exceeded the designed specification for hardness, were brittle, and more likely to fracture. Ford determined that this was due to the supplier’s grinding processes and the sensitivity of the intake valve material to grinding processes that were not within control specifications. The intake valve material was changed for vehicles produced after 31 October 2021. The new material increased the valve’s robustness to keeper groove grinding processes outside of control specifications. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bronco recalls, Edge recalls, Explorer Recalls, F-150 recalls, Ford Global CCRG, Ford Motor recalls, Ken Zino, Lincoln Aviator recalls, Lincoln Nautilus recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA recall 24V635, X @KenAutoinformed
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Jaguar Again Recalls I-Pace Models for Battery Fires
Jaguar Land Rover is conducting a safety defect recall campaign involving 2019 MY Jaguar I-Pace* vehicles built at the Graz Vehicle Assembly Plant from 9 January 2018 through 14 March 2019. The basis for the recall population is all Jaguar I-Pace 19 model year vehicles not included in the Jaguar H484 safety defect recall. The batteries in question were from LG Energy Solution in Poland. Recalled vehicles will receive a software update that will change the maximum state of charge of the battery to 80%. A permanent remedy is under development.
Owners are advised to park and charge their vehicle outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete and for 30 days after the repair has been completed. As an interim repair, dealers will update the battery energy control module software, free of charge as required by US safety regulations. The final fix is currently under development. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, safety
Tagged 23V369, 23V709, 24V085, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, H44, H459, H47, Jaguar recall H484, Jaguar recall H514, Ken Zino, LG Energy Systems battery recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 23V369, NHTSA 24V633, NHTSA recall 24V183, softwre recalls, Tata Group, X @KenAutoinformed
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MINI Cooper SE 2 Doors Recalled for Battery Fires
BMW of North America is recalling 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Cooper SE vehicles. Faults may occur in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, resulting in a short circuit, according to recall documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“This may lead to an overheating of the high voltage battery and, in rare cases a thermal event [fire] even when the vehicle is not in operation,” BMW said in the required safety defect recall filing. Continue reading
BMW Fire Recalls on More Than 720,000 Vehicles
BMW of North America, LLC. is recalling 720,796 vehicles because of an electrical system safety defect that can cause fires. Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH made the defective water pump that leaks.
“The recalled vehicles have been manufactured with a water pump that, due to insufficient sealing, could, over time, be susceptible to fluid ingress at the electrical plug connector, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle, NHTSA 24V608, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, X @KenAutoinformed
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Six New Ford Motor Recalls on Various Safety Defects
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released today information about six more Ford Motor Company safety defect recalls covering a vast array of design, engineering, manufacturing and software defects.
Problems, some of them life threatening, include power windows, engine fires, windshield wipers, failing rear suspension knuckles, loss of steering, and body as well as powertrain control modules. NHTSA Campaign Numbers include: 24V590, 24V591, 24V593, 24V594, 24V597, 24V598. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 24V591, 24V593, 24V594, 24V597, 24V598, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Motor recalls, Ken Zino, NHTSA Ford Recall Campaign Numbers 24V590, NYSE F, X @KenAutoinformed
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GM Recalls Cadillac LYRIQ AWD EVs
According to documents made public this morning in the required safety recall information filing, “In rare circumstances, during certain braking events on dry surfaces at speeds below 25 mph, the vehicle may exhibit overly sensitive anti-lock braking system (ABS) control. In these conditions, if ABS falsely activates and a specific sequence of wheel movements occurs, the vehicle’s ABS system will continue to release the braking pressure in the vehicle’s service brake system. A release of braking pressure can cause the service brakes to have reduced stopping performance or become inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash.” GM said it is not aware of any injuries or fatalities associated with this condition. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, quality, recalls, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, GM's recallN242453471, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA 24V589 or 24V-589, software recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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CARB Settles Nuisance Odor Case at AB&I Foundry
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) said today that they finalized a settlement with McWane, Inc., doing business as AB&I Foundry, of East Oakland, Calif., to resolve nuisance odors and permit … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, environment, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged AB&I Foundry of East Oakland CA, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BAAQMD, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, California Air Resources Board, carb, Ken Zino, Liane Randolph, McWane Inc, Roots Community Health Center, X @KenAutoinformed
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IIHS On Intelligent Speed Assistance
“ISA systems have been around for several decades. Using GPS devices with speed limit maps, onboard sensors or cameras that “read” signs or both, they can identify the speed limit in the vehicle’s location and detect when the driver exceeds it, but they vary in their response. Unlike the unit I used, which worked by restricting the engine’s output, some systems only provide an audible or visual warning or make the accelerator harder to press. As of July 1, new vehicles sold in Europe are required to have ISA that at least provides a warning, and the California legislature is currently considering a similar mandate for vehicles sold in the state.
“Even without a legal requirement, ISA systems of various types are starting to appear as options on new vehicles in the U.S., and companies such as MAGTEC and Sturdy sell aftermarket ISA systems, primarily targeting fleet operators. Navigation apps also include speed warnings if the user chooses. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, blog, electronics, engineering, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, safety, shows and events, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ian Reagan, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Takata Flack II – Mazda Issues Do Not Drive Alert
Mazda North American Operations today issued an urgent “Do Not Drive” warning about its vehicles equipped with non-desiccated Takata air bags that were recalled, buts still are unrepaired. NHTSA made the documents public. Mazda apparently did not bother to alert media outlets about this life threatening safety defect. Ford Motor to its credit did. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, litigation, news analysis, public health, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Mazda Takata airbag recalls, NHTSA Consumer Alert Do Not Drive, Takata air bag recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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Software Recall on 2024 Porsche Taycans
Porsche Cars North America is recalling 2024 Taycan vehicles. The incorrect headlight control module software may have been installed, according to documents release this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As such, these 2024 Taycans fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
The supplier- ZKW Lichtsysteme in Austria – erroneously adopted the ECE-compliant lighting behavior in the data set. Due to this programming error, affected vehicles were equipped with headlight control module software intended for the EU market that does not comply Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108. Continue reading →