Category Archives: safety

Kia America Recalls all 2015-19 Soul Hybrids for Software Bug

All owners of 2015-2019 model year Soul hybrids will be notified by first class mail telling them to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer. Dealers will update the Electronic Control Unit software for the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) logic so that the EPB automatically activates when the gear shift lever is in the “P” (Park) position regardless of whether the vehicle is powered ON or OFF. Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred as required by US law. Continue reading

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Toyo Tire Blowout Recalls – Open Country and Extensa Tires

Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas is recalling Open Country and Extensa tires made in Serbia because of blowouts. The tires may have been produced using the wrong mold, which can result in the tread or tire sidewall suddenly detaching. The tires were produced on various dates from December of 2022 through April 2023. Continue reading

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Infrastructure – More DOT Roadway Safety Planning Grants

Whether it’s a dangerous intersection or highway, or a need for better bus and bike lanes, no one can better pinpoint a community’s safety needs than the people who actually live and work there,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “In the past five years, the communities we are awarding these grants to experienced nearly 14,000 roadway deaths. To help change that unacceptable reality, we are proud to deliver this needed funding to help them address their unique safety needs and save lives.” Continue reading

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Honda Autonomous Vehicle Test at Toronto Pearson Airport

“Our Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle has been verified to help improve worksite efficiencies and safety through previous field tests, so we’re ready to move to the next stage of exploring real world applications with airfield operators,” said Jason VanBuren, systems engineering manager at American Honda Motor Company. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls Explorer SUVs for Loss of Power, Rollaways

Ford Motor Company is recalling ~240,000 2020-2022 model year Explorer SUVs because the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. This leads to a sudden loss of power or vehicle roll-away if the parking brake is off. This is an expansion and correction of two previous recalls.* Ford’s previous recall repair was to add a software update that automatically applies the electronic service parking brake to keep the vehicle from rolling away in the event of a driveshaft failure. However, there is no safety remedy addressing the failed rear axle horizontal mounting bolt. Continue reading

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New York Auto Repair Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

If convicted, Strocchia faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Continue reading

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Chrysler Recalls ~273,000 Ram Pickups for Software Glitch

The recalled Ram trucks began  production on 25 June 2021, when the first 2022 MY vehicle was produced, and ended on 2 August 2023, when vehicles were no longer built with an incompatible rear-view camera system and radio combination. Similar vehicles not included in this recall are equipped with a compatible rear-view camera and radio combination or were built after the suspect period. Continue reading

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Nissan Recalls All 2023 Ariya EVs for Sudden Power Loss

Nissan North America is recalling all 2023 Ariya crossover electric vehicles. The inverter software may detect a short circuit and shut down the EV system, resulting in a loss of drive power. The latest programing glitch with EVs was made … Continue reading

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Honda Shows Prototype Electric Autonomous Work Mower

“Our development of the prototype zero-turn Honda Autonomous Work Mower comes at a time when technology is shaping the future of the landscaping industry,” said Hirokazu Hara, vice president of New Business Development, American Honda Motor Company. Continue reading

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Hands-Free Driving Ford Mustangs Now in Spain

BlueCruise uses Ford’s Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC), which can automatically keep pace with traffic within legal speed limits  down to a complete stop. Hands-free mode allows drivers on approved Blue Zone sections of motorways to drive with their hands off the steering wheel if they continue to pay attention to the road ahead. Before transitioning to hands-free driving, BlueCruise-equipped vehicles confirm that lane markings are visible, that the driver has their eyes on the road and that other conditions are appropriate. Continue reading

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SEC Sues Musk for Blatant Refusal of Subpoena

The filing in US Court for the Northern District of California concerns an ongoing investigation by the SEC regarding, among other things, potential violations of various provisions of the federal securities laws in connection with Musk’s 2022 purchases of Twitter stock, and Musk’s 2022 statements and SEC filings relating to Twitter. According to the filing, the SEC seeks Musk’s testimony to obtain information not already in the SEC’s possession that is relevant to its legitimate and lawful investigation. Continue reading

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NHTSA Expands Ford Engine Failure Probe to 700,000 Vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation released today documents that shows it has expanded a preliminary Ford engine failure inquiry to an engineering analysis that covers more than 700,000 vehicles and questions Ford’s previous attempts to fix the safety defect. Explorer, Bronco, Edge Lincoln Nautilus, Aviator SUVs, as well as The F-150 pickup truck from 2021-2022 model years are susceptible to sudden loss of engine power. Continue reading

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NHTSA Fire Alert – Park Your Kia or Hyundai Outside

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America have issued “park outside” recalls for more than 3.3 million vehicles due to the risk of fire. Until these recalled vehicles* have been repaired, the safest place to park them is outside and away … Continue reading

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Woven by Toyota Now a Wholly Owned Toyota Subsidiary

A review of the software development structure in the Toyota Group was announced this month. As a result, the three companies of Toyota, Woven by Toyota, and Denso will now strengthen collaborative efforts and are restructuring their organizations and human resources across all three companies “to enhance the value of mobility through a software-centered approach.” This is part of an ongoing industry trend to enhance competitiveness through services such as recharging and other connected car offerings. Continue reading

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Fraud – SEC Charges Hydrogen Truck Company Hyzon Motors

“Transparency in the form of full, fair, and accurate disclosure is fundamental to the federal securities laws,” said Jason Burt, Regional Director of the SEC’s Denver Regional Office. “The defendants allegedly violated this principle by misleading investors about virtually every aspect of Hyzon’s business. The terms of today’s settlement, if approved by the court, will hold Hyzon and responsible individuals accountable for their misconduct.” Continue reading

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