Category Archives: safety

EV Bedfellows – Nissan and Mitsubishi Sign MoU

Posted on 18 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan Motor (7201T. NSANY ADR) and Mitsubishi Corporation (8058.T) have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a new joint initiative in next-generation-mobility and energy-related services using electric vehicles in Japan. The companies said today that Japan as a country has been addressing issues such as driver shortages due to a declining population, and difficulties maintaining public transportation services due to decreasing numbers of users. Nissan and MC have also been undertaking various initiatives to solve these problems.

Joint initiatives of course have potential economies of scale, reducing the intense capital costs required to develop EVs and autonomous vehicles. This is making for what would have previously been unlikely hookups or strange bedfellows. Nissan and Honda, Two of Japan’s Big Three automakers, previously announced that will study sharing automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products. Continue reading →

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Tracker Off Road OX EVs Recalled for Battery Fires

Posted on 16 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling Tracker Off Road OX EV light utility vehicles because the lithium ion battery pack catch on fire. Owners should immediately stop using the Tracker OX EV and contact their authorized Tracker Off Road dealer or service center to schedule a free inspection and repair of the battery module.

Textron advises that until the Tracker Off Road dealer or service center has completed this service, do not charge the recalled vehicle and park the recalled vehicle outdoors at least 15 feet away from any buildings or other vehicles.
Continue reading →

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Cummins Settles California Diesel Emissions Case at $46M

Posted on 15 March 2024 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced a $46 million settlement with engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. The settlement resolves DOJ and CARB’s claims for violations of California engine emissions control and certification requirements. Cummins made undisclosed changes to ~120,000 engines in California after CARB had certified the engines for sale. In addition, ~2000 Cummins engines had undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices that altered the emissions control system and resulted in emissions that exceeded regulatory limits. This case signals CARB’s improving vehicle testing skills and use of technology to catch and correct air quality violations. Continue reading →

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Nissan and Infiniti Recalls for Bad Airbags

Posted on 11 March 2024 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling model-year 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50 and 2023 Rogue vehicles because of bad airbags that might not  protect the driver, according to the required filling that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. Quick action by Nissan limited the scope of the potential safety defect. Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch – EVERCROSS EV5 Hoverboard Fires

Posted on 7 March 2024 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today is warning consumers to immediately stop using EVERCROSS EV5 hoverboards because they pose a risk of fire to consumers. CPSC has received one report of a fire, resulting in substantial property damage to a residential building in New York City in May 2023.* They were sold online on Amazon.com, eBay.com, Likesporting.com, Lowes.com, Newegg.com, Ridefaboard.com and Walmart.com for between $180 and $300 from July 2021 to the present.

“EVERCROSS has not agreed to recall these hoverboards or offer a remedy to consumers,” CPSC said. In AutoInformed’s view, Chinese products remain a problem both in their design, manufacturing quality control and labor employment practices. Continue reading →

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CARB – Yanmar Power Emissions Violation Settled for $16M

Posted on 4 March 2024 by Ken Zino

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said today that it reached a settlement agreement with Yanmar Power of Osaka, Japan for $16,196,120 for violating regulations aimed at reducing nitrogen oxides from off-road compression-ignition engines.

“Nitrogen oxide emissions worsen the health of Californians and increase the risk of respiratory illnesses, making it essential that manufacturers follow air quality laws both accurately and thoroughly,” said CARB Executive Officer Dr. Steven Cliff. “Californians breathe some of the worst air in the nation, and our enforcement efforts that keep companies accountable make it clear that everyone has to do their part to reduce the impacts of air pollution.” Continue reading →

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IIHS Tightens Top Safety Pick Awards Criteria

Posted on 27 February 2024 by Ken Zino

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said today that it is making it harder to earn its Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards in 2024. In a never ending battle in the quest for improved safety going back at least to the landmark 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, IIHS – not without self-interest since it is insurance company funded – wants manufacturers to offer better protection for back seat passengers and to improve their pedestrian crash avoidance systems. The latest changes will improve the prospects for people in vehicles operating in the US. If there is a regulatory debate here, it’s minor and irrelevant in AutoInformed’s view. The preservation and protection of human beings is part of an enlightened society with sound public, corporate and individual policies. The results are indisputable. Despite the more stringent requirements, 71 models qualify for 2024 awards. Of those, 22 earn Top Safety Pick+, and 49 earn Top Safety Pick from IIHS. Continue reading →

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Mercedes USA Recalls 2023-24 Models for Sudden Stalls

Posted on 26 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling ~32,000 models.* The 80-amp fuses used in them may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the fuses to fail. An 80-amp fuse that fails can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

In the required filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Mercedes said that before the failure occurs, the driver “will not receive a warning due to the nature of the failure mechanism.” Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Expeditions, Navigators for Bad Seat Belts

Posted on 26 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles, according to documents made publicly available by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning.

The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend. About 80,000 SUVs are involved in a safety defect that occurs because of rust. Continue reading →

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IIHS Changes Rear Occupant Scoring on Overlap Crashes

Posted on 22 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“Most of these changes are part of a planned transition that we informed automakers we’d be making before we launched the updated test a year ago,” said Jessica Jermakian, IIHS vice president of vehicle research. “The new scoring eliminates an artificial benefit our initial ratings awarded for a high shoulder-belt position. Pressing ahead with a simpler program while we validated the new metric allowed us to start incentivizing vehicle improvements a year earlier,” Jermakian claimed. Continue reading →

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Recalls – Ford E-350, E-450 with Dual Rear Wheels

Posted on 19 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is once again recalling model year 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. A bad connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake-hydro boost unit can cause a sudden loss of power steering fluid, according to documents made public today by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is a modification of a previous recall on the trucks, NHTSA 22V-089, Ford Field Service Action 22S08. These vehicles are often used as buses. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 2023 Explorers for Loose Steering Knuckles

Posted on 19 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling some 2023 Explorer vehicles because the right-front lower fastener connecting the steering knuckle and strut may be loose or missing, according to document made public by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. Lincoln Aviator models made at the same plant, Chicago Assembly, are not affected by this safety defect.

A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Moreover, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking. Either of these circumstances can increase the risk of a crash. Continue reading →

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GM Expands Super Cruise Network in North America Again

Posted on 15 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“GM is all-in on safely deploying Super Cruise as we make the technology available on more vehicles, more roads and for more people to enjoy. A key part of that is expanding the road network, in this case nearly doubling it again, with LiDAR mapped highways. High precision LiDAR mapping gives us an operating domain where we are confident in Super Cruise’s abilities, “said Anantha Kancherla, GM vice president of ADAS. Continue reading →

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Toyota Cleans Daihatsu House Over False Tests

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“President-to-be Inoue has for many years been working on structural reform of Toyota’s Latin American business, including a renewed regional management system involving Brazil and Argentina. Despite the many difficult decisions he has had to make, he is a leader who has moved reforms forward by implementing thorough dialogue with front-line members. Utilizing this experience, he will lead the revitalization of Daihatsu as the person responsible for ‘on-site management,’ Executive Vice President-to-be Kuwata will promote corporate cultural and organizational reform initiatives by leveraging his experience in human resources and on-site management,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Daihatsu Ousted from CJPT for Certification Fraud

Posted on 13 February 2024 by Ken Zino

“CJPT has decided to accept Daihatsu’s request based on the belief that the continued inclusion of Daihatsu in activities will not gain the understanding of the public needed to progress its projects to build the future together,” CJPT said. Continue reading →

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