Category Archives: safety

Off the Roof Rails – Ford Recalls 616,967 Explorer SUVs

This by AutoInformed’s count is the 22nd Ford Motor recall this year in the U.S. Ford said it is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this safety defect, perhaps the reason Ford took it’s time, according to the Chronology below. Continue reading

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Audi Recalls 36 Models for Rear Axle Corrosion, Failure

In the required NHTSA filing Audi said: “ It cannot be ruled out that the rear axle could suddenly and uncontrollably move in the wrong direction at higher speeds. This can lead to a loss of vehicle control and a crash without warning… Due to stress corrosion on the lock nuts of these particular production batches, the nut of the excentric (sic) bolt on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break which may cause alterations in the wheel alignment of the rear axle. The driver may notice a steering wheel misalignment when driving straight ahead or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking or accelerating.” Continue reading

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CARB Fines Plasti Dip International for Air Quality Violations

Plasti Dip International has been developing and manufacturing specialty coatings and adhesives since 1972. It started with its most popular product, Plasti Dip. The air-dry rubber coating began as a “grip solution” for tool handles and has become a DIY commodity for crafters, handymen and automotive enthusiasts. Continue reading

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Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu, Toyota and Mazda form JV on Technical Specs for Next-Gen Vehicle Communications Devices

Within the field of CASE (connected, autonomous/automated, shared, and electric), which is bringing about major alterations in the auto industry, advances are being made in the connected domain. These include the communications and data aspects of technology and business such as cloud services, IoT, big data, and AI. These are the basic functions of the connected car. Regulators thus far appear to be oblivious to the anti-trust and monopoly or cartel implications of such consolidations and their possible negative effects on customer pricing. The industry views connected cars as a major new source of revenue. Therefore, more is better. Continue reading

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Gaming Technology for Autonomous Vehicles at Porsche?

This – in theory – shortens development times, saves costs and makes mobility safer, according to Porsche. Furthermore, in the nascent Porsche Car Configurator, Game Engines are intended to help the customer in the configuration of her vehicle in retail. In the future, customers in Porsche Centers will see an “almost photo-realistic, three-dimensional simulation of their configured vehicle” via a gaming PC with connected VR glasses. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls 280,000 Venza Models for Defective Side Airbags

The Venza models  are equipped with an airbag sensor installed in the driver- side front door. The sensor is connected to the Supplemental Restraint System Electronic Control Unit by a pair of twisted wires in a Yazaki North America supplied harness routed from the door to the vehicle body through a grommet. Because of a larger difference between the wire harness length and grommet length, there is a tighter bending radius for the wire harness inside the grommet. Continue reading

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Subaru Recalls More than 870,000 Vehicles for Safety Defects

The first recall is to check and/or update the engine control module (ECM) programming and to replace all ignition coils which could, over time, degrade and cause starting or dangerous stalling issues. This safety recall covers 466,205 vehicles comprising 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek models. No accidents or injuries have been reported due to this issue, according to Subaru. Continue reading

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Honda, Acura Recall 628,000 Vehicles for Fuel Pump Failures

Affected vehicles – now all 628,000 – may be equipped with a fuel pump module manufactured with low density impellers from the supplier Denso. If the surface of a lower density impeller is exposed to production solvent drying for longer periods of time, higher levels of surface cracking may occur. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls 2020-21 Lincoln Aviators for Bad Software

The image processing module may be intermittently unable to provide a video feed to the display screen. This could result in a loss of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is in reverse. Continue reading

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CARB Fines Walmart for Selling Harmful Hair Spray

VOCs react in the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, an extremely harmful component of smog. Walmart pulled all cans immediately from California store shelves and was cooperative with the investigation. The affected cans were from the “Equate” brand line and included the Firm, Mega Firm, and Extra Firm Hold Hair Spray.   Continue reading

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2020-21 GMC Savana, Chevrolet Express Recalled for Fire Risk

NHTSA immediately issued a critical Recall Safety Alert given the grave nature of this safety defect. NHTSA said, “Until these recalled vehicles have been repaired, the safest place to park them is outside and away from homes and other structures.” Continue reading

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NHTSA Warns Hyundai, Genesis Owners to Park Outside Away from Buildings Because of Computer Module Fires

The anti-lock brake system modules could malfunction internally and cause an electrical short over time, potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. “Until these recalled vehicles have been repaired, the safest place to park them is outside and away from homes and other structures,” NHTSA said. Continue reading

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Wheels Falling Off New Nissan Rogues

The safety defect was caused by an equipment programming error. Rogue vehicles may have been manufactured with the incorrect wheel nuts. The correct wheel nuts used on the Rogue are the conical nut type. The incorrect wheel nuts that may be installed are the flat washer type. Continue reading

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Nissan Recalls 80,376 Sentra Cars for Failed Brake Lights

The stop lamp switch may become contaminated with off-gassing from silicon- based grease used in surrounding components (HVAC and brake booster clevis pin) in close proximity. Oxidation may occur at the switch contact surface due to electric arcing, resulting in silicon dioxide build-up. This build-up may lead open circuits and an inoperative stop lamp switch. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls Millions More Takata Airbags after NHTSA Denies Petition. Separately, Continental Tires Also Recalled

In the affected Takata vehicles, the driver-side front airbag inflators were installed as original equipment and contain a calcium sulfate desiccant, which differed in design from the earlier recalled Takata airbag inflators that spewed shrapnel into a vehicle’s interior. Takata determined that desiccated propellant in these inflators may also degrade after long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature cycling, which could cause an inflator to rupture during airbag deployment. Continue reading

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