Category Archives: safety

Power Loss Recall – Genesis G80, GV80, GV70 SUVs

Posted on 25 September 2023 by Ken Zino

“The low-pressure fuel pump assemblies in the recalled vehicles may contain impellers that do not meet current material characteristic specifications, potentially leading to deformation. Deformation of the impeller could cause the impeller to interfere with the fuel pump housing, resulting in a mechanical resistance that could lead to a shutdown of the fuel pump,” Hyundai said. Hyundam Industrial Co. in Korea is the maker of the defective fuel pump module. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IIHS – Minivan Second Row Seating Safety Marginal

Posted on 19 September 2023 by Ken Zino

“Back seat safety is important for all vehicles, but it’s especially vital for those, like minivans, that customers are choosing specifically to transport their families,” said IIHS President David Harkey. “It’s disappointing that automakers haven’t acted faster to apply the best available technology to the second row in this vehicle class.” Continue reading →

Posted in engineering, safety | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Audi E-Tron and Porsche Taycan EVs Recalled for Battery Fires

Posted on 11 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Battery fires pose a public health threat since they cannot be extinguished with conventional first-responder tools. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, public health, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Recalls 2023 Super Duty Pickups for Failing Axles

Posted on 6 September 2023 by Ken Zino

Personnel at the axle shaft supplier Mid-West Forge Corp. in Ohio entered an incorrect process parameter into one of the two machines that perform electromagnetic induction heat treatment of the recalled left rear axle shafts. The axle shafts did not meet Ford’s torsional yield and case depth design specifications in the fractured area. Returned parts had fractured at ~44 mm from the flange, indicating an area of incomplete induction heat treatment. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Automated Driving – BMW to use Amazon and Qualcomm

Posted on 5 September 2023 by Ken Zino

“In the next decade, consumer habits and expectations will drive more changes in the automotive industry than we’ve seen over the past 30 years,” said Dr. Nicolai Martin, senior vice president of Driving Experience at BMW Group. “This is just the beginning of a new era of highly automated driving, fueled by innovations in technology and engineering. By collaborating with AWS, the BMW Group, along with our partner, Qualcomm Technologies, is building our new automated driving platform.” automated driving and parking functions.” Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, electronics, mobility company | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tadano Group Fined for Selling Dirty Diesel Engines

Posted on 31 August 2023 by Ken Zino

As part of the proposed consent decree now residing at the United States District Court for The Southern District Of Texas Houston Division, Tadano Group will also contribute $3.2 million towards a project to mitigate harm caused by excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from its non-compliant crane engines. The project will retire a 1975 tugboat and christen a new, cleaner tugboat to service ships in the Port of Port Arthur, Texas. Continue reading →

Posted in environment, litigation, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unintended Acceleration Recalls on Elantra Hybrids

Posted on 28 August 2023 by Ken Zino

The motor control unit (“MCU”) software may detect a transmission/drive motor synchronization fault while driving triggering a “fail-safe” condition that temporarily results in slow, unintended acceleration after release of the brake pedal. Service brake functionality is unaffected and remains fully operational. Continue reading →

Posted in electronics, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Iowa, Nebraska Sue EPA to Sell E-15 Year Round

Posted on 23 August 2023 by Ken Zino

“The EPA’s ongoing failure to act following our E15 notification more than two years ago is nothing more than a thinly veiled disguise of their disdain towards clean, renewable, American-produced ethanol. The EPA disfavors anything that doesn’t have the word ‘electric’ in its name,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. She has a point. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, customer satisfaction, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Circus Time – Cruise AV Collision with San Francisco Fire Truck

Posted on 23 August 2023 by Ken Zino

“First and foremost, our primary concern remains with our passenger and their well-being. We have been in contact to offer support and will remain in touch. In terms of what occurred around the scene of the collision there are many aspects that looked typical from the AV’s perspective and several factors that added complexity to this specific incident,” Greg Dietrerich Cruise General Manager, San Francisco Market said on 18 August. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, customer satisfaction, milestones, public health, safety, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NHTSA Proposes Rule Expanding Seat Belt Use Warnings

Posted on 22 August 2023 by Ken Zino

In 2019, NHTSA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a variety of issues related to potential rear seat belt warning requirements. The feedback from the 45 comments received years ago was incorporated [Finally? Slowly?] into the development of the newly issued NPRM. Continue reading →

Posted in insurance, milestones, public health, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NHTSA Investigating Ford For Mach-E Recall Glitches

Posted on 21 August 2023 by Ken Zino

According to a story by Reuters published today, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now investigating Ford to see if the recall was mishandled and did not full address the problem because of continuing owner complaints that the vehicles suddenly stopped. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple Software Veteran Peter Stern Joins Ford Motor

Posted on 14 August 2023 by Ken Zino

Ford and other former members of the old-style auto blacksmithing business – cast it, stamp it, weld it, machine it and put it together –  has been confronted with the need to cost effectively deal with so-called connected vehicles. The traditional way of pitting suppliers against one another and buying at lowest cost has failed since the software of the many individual computer modules on current vehicles isn’t always compatible with other computerized systems – creating in effect an electronic Tower of Babble. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, mobility company, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hyundai Fire Recalls – Palisade, Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, Kona; Kia Soul, Sportage, Seltos

Posted on 7 August 2023 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling 2023-2024 Palisade, 2023 Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The recall also includes 2023 Kia Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat, according to the require recalls documents released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Owners of the ~98,000 defective vehicles are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kia Hybrid Fire Recalls on Niro and Niro Plug-ins

Posted on 7 August 2023 by Ken Zino

Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire. More than ~121,000 Kia hybrids are affected. Illumination of the HEV warning light is an indicator.

Kia will instruct dealers to inspect the HCA and replace, if necessary. Kia will also install a new HCA fuse with one of a higher capacity to mitigate the potential risk of fire caused by an electrical short circuit. Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred. Continue reading →

Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, quality, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Parts Maker Sinister Diesel to Pay $1 Million After Guilty Plea

Posted on 2 August 2023 by Ken Zino

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced in the criminal case by US District Court Judge John A. Mendez for the Eastern District of California on 14 November 2023. Although Sinister Diesel agreed to pay a $500,000 criminal fine under its plea agreement, the company faces – for each count – a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense. Its sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of all applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider a number of variables. Continue reading →

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment