Category Archives: safety

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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

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 , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

X Marks Labor Sore Spot – IndustriALL Against Musk, Trump

“Elon Musk’s business model is one that is designed to avoid respecting human rights. We must defend workers and the rights that they have fought so long for. We stand with the UAW in their fight.” This conflict is not just about Tesla and its workers – it is a symbol of the broader battle for labor rights and the critical importance of the freedom to organize and strike. Without these rights, workers around the world remain vulnerable to exploitation and injustice. The right to strike is not just a tool—it is a crucial defense that ensures workers can stand up for themselves and each other, said IndustriALL  general secretary, Atle Høie yesterday, citing UAW federal labor charges filed against ex US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, fools 'n frauds, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UAW Files Labor Charges Against Donald Trump And Elon Musk for Attempting to Intimidate and Threaten Workers

“When we say Donald Trump is a scab, this is what we mean. When we say Trump stands against everything our union stands for, this is what we mean,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Donald Trump will always side against workers standing up for themselves, and he will always side with billionaires like Elon Musk, who is contributing $45 million a month to a Super PAC to get him elected. Both Trump and Musk want working class people to sit down and shut up, and they laugh about it openly. It’s disgusting, illegal, and totally predictable from these two clowns.” Continue reading

Posted in auto news, fools 'n frauds, litigation, milestones, news analysis, people, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More Takata Flack – Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Advisory

Ford Motor today issued a “do-not-drive advisory for owners of vehicles who have not yet had their vehicles repaired under three past Takata airbag safety recalls. These previously announced recalls are Ford recalls 15S21, 17S42, and 19S01. The first issued in 2015, involve several vehicle lines equipped with Takata non-desiccated airbag inflators. This do-not-drive advisory is the second Takata related do-not-drive recall advisory issued by Ford and it is intended to encourage owners to complete the recall repairs immediately. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BMW Recalls More than 100,000 SUVs, Cars for Software Glitch

“In certain cases in which the engine starter has some mechanical damage, the engine may not be able to be started. If the driver repeatedly attempts to start the engine using excessively long starting attempts, this may cause an electrical overload of the starter. If the engine acoustic protection material is contaminated by, e.g. oil, then in an extreme case, the proximity of the starter to the acoustic protection material could lead to a thermal event,” BMW said in the required filing which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. “Thermal event” is a fire in recall speak. Continue reading

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

Nissan Recalling More 2023 Ariya EV models for Power Loss

Nissan North America is recalling  more 2023 Ariya hybrid EV models because the inverter software may misdiagnose an error, which can shut down the EV system, resulting in a loss of drive power, according to documents made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“All of these Ariya have been previously recalled under Recall 23V-657 (Nissan Ariya Inverter). Nissan Ariya vehicles that have received the reprogramming remedy for Recall 23V-657 no longer contain the issue and are not included in this recall,” Nissan claimed in the required NHTSA filing. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, electronics, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety, software defined vehicles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tesla Recalls More 1.8M EVs with Chinese Hood Latches

Tesla is recalling more than 1.8 million 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The Magna Chinese-made hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood after the hood has been opened, according to documents made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading

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

More Fines for Tampering with Emissions Control Systems

“The defendants knowingly and repeatedly flouted Clean Air Act regulations even after being told that this conduct was against the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We are committed to enforcing the law and holding individuals and businesses accountable.” Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, electronics, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment