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Category Archives: safety
Battery Fire Recalls – ~320,065 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4Xe Models
Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling more than 320,000 2020-2025 model year Jeep Wrangler 4Xe and model year 2022-2026 Grand Cherokee 4Xe plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving. Samsung SDI America supplied the defective batteries.
In the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffics Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chrysler said “In rare circumstances, a battery pack may contain cells with separator damage. Separator damage, combined with other complex interactions within the cells, may lead to a vehicle fire.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHTSA Recall 25V741 or 25V-741, NHTSA Recalls 24V720 or 24V-720 and 23V787 or 23V-787, Samsung SDI America battery fire recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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Air Bag Deployments – NHTSA Investigating Honda Odysseys
Late last week in spite of the Republican led government shutdown, The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) at DOT opened an engineering analysis into inadvertent air bag deployments on 2018-2022 model year Honda Odyssey minivans manufactured by American Honda Motor Company. More than 440,000 vehicles are involved. Most government workers are doing their jobs without pay. House Republicans aren’t working of course, but receiving full pay and benefits.*
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 18 complaints, and some Early Warning Reporting (EWR) and death & injury reports alleging inadvertent air bag deployment. These inadvertent deployments relate to the side curtain and/or side thorax air bags used in model year 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey models. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news, news analysis, people, public health, recalls, safety, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, House Republican government shutdown, inadvertent air bag deployments on 2018-2022 model year Honda Odyssey minivans, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nhtsa, NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, X @KenAutoinformed
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Distracted Driving – Cell Phone Manipulation Persists
An Arizona law making it illegal to hold a cellphone while driving cut handheld conversations, but other problems remain, according to a study published today by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In Arizona, the number of warnings issued by state police fell by about a quarter and the number of citations fell by a third between 2021 and 2024.*
“These results are a bit of a reality check. ‘No holding’ laws are a positive step, but it will take more than better-worded legislation alone to combat cellphone distraction,” said IIHS President David Harkey. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, connected vehicles, distracted driving, electronics, insurance, news analysis, public health, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cellphones and Crash risk, COVID-19, David Harkey, Ian Reagan, iihs, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, safe-driving apps, Telematics data, X @KenAutoinformed
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Possible Fires – Hyundai Recalls 2024-2025 Santa Fe SUVs
Hyundai Motor America is recalling ~135,386 model year 2024-2025 Santa Fe SUVs. The B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor assembly may be improperly installed, which can cause contact with the cooling fan assembly, potentially causing an electrical short, which can increase the risk of an electrical fire. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama made the vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety administration discovered the potential safety problems when conducted a New Car Assessment Program (“NCAP”) front barrier crash test on a 2024 model year Sante Fe during November of 2024. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 2024-2025 Santa Fe SUV fire recall, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama recalls, Hyundai recall 285, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHTSA recall 25V659 or 25V-659, Recalls on 2024-2025 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs, X @KenAutoinformed
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Milestones – Good Jobs First Violation Tracker at Ten Years
“Our aim has been to make Violation Tracker the definitive resource on corporate wrongdoing of all kinds,” said Philip Mattera, who created the database and leads its growth and maintenance. “We hope it serves a valuable role both for those researching corporate abuses and those working to end them.” Continue reading
Posted in blog, financial results, fools 'n frauds, litigation, milestones, news, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bauman Foundation, Charlie Cray, Communications Workers of America, Good Jobs First Violation Tracker, Greenpeace, Greg LeRoy, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Nell Geiser, Philip Mattera, Public Citizen, Reva & David Logan Foundation, Rick Claypool, Surdna Foundation, X @KenAutoinformed
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Safety – League of American Bicyclists and IIHS
The safety wish list of the League of American Bicyclists** includes many priorities that fit into an IIHS program, the nonprofit’s policy director said in a video recorded at the IIHS Vehicle Research Center. Those goals align with the Institute’s 30×30 initiative, which outlines a vision for reducing road deaths 30% by 2030 with the help of policymakers, transportation engineers, vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, distracted driving, insurance, news, safety, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, IIHS 30x30, IIHS Vehicle Research Center, Joe Young, Ken McLeod, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, League of American Bicyclists, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota Tacoma Recall for Bad Driveshafts
“The subject vehicles are equipped with front driveshaft assemblies that include a constant-velocity joint (CV joint), which uses a ball cage in a bearing sub-assembly. A specific supplier [GKN Driveline Mexico – AutoCrat] used incorrect material during a specific production period that did not meet the specification for the ball cage. Under normal driving conditions, the ball cage could deform or break,” Toyota said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged 2025 Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid recall 25TB11and 25TA11, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHTSA Tacoma Recall Number 25V656 or 25V-656, X @KenAutoinformed
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Fires – BMW Recall for Starter Motor Overheating
BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling 145,102 model-year 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the DENSO Europe supplied starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload. (This is a recall of a previous recall – AutoCrat. Read BMW Recalls More than 100,000 SUVs, Cars for Software Glitch)
“This safety recall involves the engine starter. In certain cases, the engine starter may not start the vehicle properly. These improper starting attempts could result in local overheating of the engine starter,” BMW said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electronics, engineering, news analysis, public health, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BMW Fire recalls, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHTSA BMW recall 24V576 or 24V-576, NHTSA BMW Recall ID 25V644 or 25V-644, X @KenAutoinformed
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Nissan Leaf Recall for Fires While Charging
Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling 19,077 model year 2021-2022 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging via the so-called CHAdeMO connector. There is no prior warning to the customer that a battery fire can happen.
“While the vehicle is Level 3 quick charging, the increased electrical resistance could result in rapid heating of the battery. If quick charging continues, a battery fire may occur increasing the risk of injury. Owners are advised not to use Level 3 quick charging until the remedy is completed,” Nissan said in required safety recall defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, electronics, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls, safety, software recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, NHTSA Leaf recall 25V655 or 25V-655, Nissan Leaf fire recall R25C8, Nissan North America recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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Lawsuit Filed Against Trump-Vance National Data Banks
“This country was founded on the principle that government has no business arbitrarily intruding in our private affairs,” said John Davisson, Director of Litigation for the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). “Yet this administration is trampling on our privacy at the grandest scale, illegally hoarding our sensitive personal information and threatening our most cherished rights. The law is clear: no national data bank. Together we’ll put a stop to this in court.” Continue reading
Posted in fools 'n frauds, litigation, news, news analysis, people, Privacy, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, Electronic Privacy Information Center, John Davisson, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, League of Women Voters v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, X @KenAutoinformed
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Mercedes-Benz Opens Robotic Lighting Test Center
Mercedes-Benz said today that it has opened Europe’s most advanced light-testing center with robots at the wheel at its Global Proving Ground in Immendingen in Baden-Württemberg. The Immendingen site is a one-hour drive from the Group headquarters in Stuttgart. It has 53 miles of road amid its 1285 acres.
“The Immendingen Test and Technology Center is the first digitized Mercedes-Benz proving ground – here, real and virtual vehicle testing merge seamlessly. By digitally mapping the proving ground, using automated test programs and employing state-of-the-art sensor technology, we are making vehicle development more efficient, faster and more sustainable than ever before,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous cars, connected vehicles, electronics, engineering, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, road test, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Heide Durability Circuit, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com writing as AutoCrat, Light Testing Center, Markus Schäfer, Mercedes-Benz Immendingen Test and Technology Center, X @KenAutoinformed
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Fires – Ford Recalls Expeditions and Navigators
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~4632 model year 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. An electrical short may develop in the battery junction box’s printed circuit board that is capable of an electrical current load sufficient to overheat the printed circuit board A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
“Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed,” Ford said in the required safety defect recall documents made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford fire recalls 22S36 and 22S48, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, NHTSA recall ID number 25V628 or 25V628, X @KenAutoinformed
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Steering Loss – Ford Recalls F-Series Trucks
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~116,000 model-year 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control. HL Mando made the part in Korea. 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 steering column upper shaft hard slider does not satisfy anti-pull apart load specifications,” Ford said in the required safety defect recall documents made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, manufacturing, quality, recalls
Tagged auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, F-250 F-350 F-450 recalls, Ford F-Series safety recalls, Ford recall 25S94, HL Mando steering column recall, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, NHTSA Recall ID 25V626 or 25V-626, X @KenAutoinformed
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Facing Road Rage? You’re Not Alone as It Grows
A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released today shows that an astounding 96% of drivers admit to engaging in aggressive driving behaviors during the past year. The study also found that the more drivers are exposed to aggressive behavior on the road, the more likely they are to drive aggressively themselves. This non-virtuous upward cycle of aggressive driving and road rage is energizing a culture where impatience and hostility are becoming the norm behind the wheel.
“Driving can be a stressful experience due to behaviors of others on the road and how you respond to various situations. Our study finds that experiencing various forms of aggressive driving behaviors is common for almost all motorists and many drive aggressively,” said Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “This work also concludes that road etiquette and manners can be a protective factor against aggressive driving. Let’s change our driving culture so we can achieve the safe mobility vision for all road users.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, people, public health, safety, transportation
Tagged AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, aggressive driving behaviors, auto industry commentary, AutoInformed news, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dr. David Yang, Dr. Jose Torres, Ken Zino of AutoInformed, X @KenAutoinformed
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Rear Camera INOP – Toyota Recalls More than 1M Vehicles
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling ~ 1,024,407 model year 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, Rear Visibility.
“This issue only affects the vehicles listed above which are equipped with the Parking Assist ECU containing specific software logic from a specific supplier,” Toyota said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. [Denso Corporation is the Tier One supplier of the ECU – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →