Category Archives: safety

Failing IPs – Huge Toyota and Lexus Software Recall

Posted on 22 September 2025 by Ken Zino

In the mandatory recall filing [49 CFR § 573] made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today Toyota said, “The subject vehicles are equipped with a combination meter system where various information is displayed (telltale and indicator lights, vehicle gauges, messages, etc.) in a 12.3-inch display monitor in the instrument panel. Due to improper programming of the combination meter, unnecessary data is repeatedly written to a memory device in the combination meter when the combination meter operates, causing the memory device to deteriorate earlier than intended.”

“If this occurs, the 12.3-in monitor will not be displayed at ignition on and will remain in this state. If the vehicle is driven without a working 12.3-in monitor and certain malfunctions occur during that drive, there is a possibility that indicators, such as brake system or tire pressure warning system, for those malfunctions could be missed if the driver does not notice the redundant notification on the center multimedia screen. Depending on the malfunction, continuous driving could lead to an increased risk of a crash or an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Bad Defrosters – Toyota Motor Recalls Lexus and Subaru SUVs

Posted on 15 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling ~94,000 2023-2025 model-year bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra SUVs. During certain Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system problems (HVAC), such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative because of a software problem in the Denso supplied ECU software. Apparently, Transport Canada originally identified the safety hazard. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Recalls 1.5M Vehicles for Bad Rear-View Cameras

Posted on 15 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is model-year  2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse. The latest of seemingly endless recalls were made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is an expansion of a previous recall involving a Magna produced part. Continue reading →

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Nissan Testing Cooperative Congestion Management

Posted on 10 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Nissan said today that a trial with UC Berkeley and Contra Costa Transportation Authority showed how connected vehicles can help reduce congestion. Nissan’s Cooperative Congestion Management (CCM) trial resulted in 85% fewer hard-braking events and 70% less time stopped in traffic during 600 miles of testing. It’s the latest example of how connected vehicles can yield safety benefits, although there are still huge, unanswered questions about privacy rights and the lack of regulations with the impending monitoring by State and the Federal government entities. Continue reading →

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IIHS Safety Award to Use Risky Driver Behavior Tech

Posted on 9 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Vehicle technology that can detect certain types of risky driver behavior will soon be added to the requirements for a safety award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Institute’s president, David Harkey, announced today during a roundtable on impaired driving organized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

“As part of our 30×30 vision to cut U.S. road deaths 30% by 2030, we are committed to addressing the risky – and often illegal – behavior that underlies most fatalities today,” Harkey said. “One way we plan to do that is to leverage our ratings and award programs to encourage automakers to adopt this new class of safety technology, just as we got them to improve vehicle structures, airbags and collision avoidance systems.” Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch – Makita Grease Guns, Hoses

Posted on 9 September 2025 by Ken Zino

The Consumer Products Safety Commission https://www.saferproducts.gov/SaferProducts.gov says that there is s recall for ~63,000 Chinese-made Makita Professional Cordless Grease Guns with model numbers XPG01S1, XPG01SR1 and XPG01Z, and Makita Grease Gun Hoses with model numbers 191A79-9, 191A80-4, 191W59-7 and 191W58-9.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Makita Cordless Grease Guns and Makita Grease Gun Hoses and contact Makita for a free replacement hose,” CPSC said. Continue reading →

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BMW North America Recalls X5 PHEVs, X5 and X7 SUVs

Posted on 8 September 2025 by Ken Zino

“If the windshield was not sealed according to specifications, then it could be possible for water to ingress at the right-hand A-pillar. If water traveled down the A-pillar, it could contact a power distribution box and an electronic control unit. Moisture exposure of the electrical components can lead to functional failures, such as headlights or door closing functions. In rare cases, this could lead to a short-circuit and, in an extreme case, could cause a thermal event [defect speak for FIRE – AutoCrat], even when the ignition is off, which could increase the risk of injury,” BMW told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in mandatory safety defect recall documents (49 CFR § 573) released today by the agency. Continue reading →

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Numerous Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Plymouth Recalls

Posted on 8 September 2025 by Ken Zino

FCA US ( part of Stellantis now) is recalling ~93,000 vehicles for various defects, including air bags, vehicle rollaways, incorrect cross car beams, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle software errors, according mandatory safety defect recall filings made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The largest recall by far covers model year 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. A software error within the hybrid control processor may result in a loss of drive power. Continue reading →

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CARB Files Comments on DOE Climate Misinformation

Posted on 3 September 2025 by Ken Zino

“This DOE document relies on the old tobacco industry strategy of undermining established science, spreading doubt about established reality and carelessly endangering fellow human beings,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “If the endangerment finding is rolled back, it will clearly establish that the federal government is further stamping its approval on a proposal that puts profits before the health of the people the administration claims to represent.” Continue reading →

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More Ford Motor Recalls – Air Bags, Brakes, Instrument Panels, Tail Lights, Trailer Lights

Posted on 1 September 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) is recalling ~1,592,809 vehicles for a variety of safety defects on Lincoln MKX and Aviator, Ford Edge, Explorer and Mustang models, according to documents made public by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Labor Day. During the first half of 2025 Ford Motor booked a $1.3 billion loss from repairs of vehicles under warranty, cancellation of plans to build an electric sport utility vehicle and other one-time costs. Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its handing of recalls. The largest current recall covers leaking brake hoses made in Mexico. Continue reading →

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Jeep Wrangler Recall for Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Posted on 25 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Chrysler (FCA US, now Stellantis) is recalling ~78,989 2024-2025 model-year Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The remote start antenna cable may be pinched, which can cause the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light not to illuminate as intended. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138 “Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems,” according to documents released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“This recall is not related to a part defect but rather an assembly issue where the remote start antenna cable can become pinched under the seat belt bracket. The remedy is to inspect if the remote start antenna cable is pinched by the seat belt bracket and replace if so,” Chrysler told NHTSA in the mandatory safety defect recall filing, Continue reading →

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No Steering – Mercedes-Benz Recalls EQE and GLC Models

Posted on 25 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling ~3749 model year 2023-2026 vehicles, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall involves a flat head screw and a hexagon nut.

“The steering coupling bolt may have been improperly tightened, allowing the steering coupling to loosen from the steering rack,” MBUSA told NHTSA in the required safety defect recall filing. “In this case, the connection between the steering coupling and steering rack might loosen over time. Such an occurrence could result in a loss of steering control and may increase the risk of crash,” Mercedes said. Continue reading →

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Ram Recall for Wrong Instrument Panel

Posted on 25 August 2025 by Ken Zino

Chrysler (FCA US or Stellantis) is recalling ~2885 model-year 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, Control and Displays. Vehicles built with instrument panels that display the incorrect brake system warning light may cause the driver to not understand that a brake system problem potentially exists, which may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.

“Some 2026 vehicles may have been built with the incorrect 3.5-inch Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) which displays the ISO symbol brake system warning light instead of “BRAKE” light,” Chrysler said in the mandatory filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. The panels were built by Marelli North America. Continue reading →

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Environmental Pillage Agency attacks California

Posted on 25 August 2025 by Ken Zino

This proposed disapproval comes after two complaints filed by the U.S. Department of Justice in federal courts against the California Air Resources Board (CARB) about the State’s enforcement of emissions standards through its so-called “Clean Truck Partnership” with heavy-duty truck and engine manufacturers. This politicization of the Justice Department – long attacked previously by President Trump as a misuse of power and directly opposed to the Republican party’s long-standing support of States’ rights, is yet another baffling move by the Trump mis-administration. A better name for the agency given its actions under Trump 2.0 is the Environmental Pillage Agency in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading →

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Volvo Car USA to Offer Insurance

Posted on 20 August 2025 by Ken Zino

“By launching Volvo Car Insurance Services, we are extending Volvo Cars’ commitment to safety and simplicity well beyond the vehicle,” said Tony Nicolosi, President & CEO, Volvo Car Financial Services. “This expanded offering combines a seamless digital experience with flexible, personalized coverage options, supported by licensed insurance agents who provide expert, transparent guidance, creating a new standard for what customers should expect from automotive insurance.” Continue reading →

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