Category Archives: safety

Recalls from Nissan, Toyota, GM, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz

Posted on 10 May 2016 by Ken Zino

There are recalls for bad chemistry in an airbag inflator, weak welds, corrosion and the increasingly problematic software programming that renders airbags inoperative. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Expands Takata Airbag Inflator Recall by 40 Million

Posted on 4 May 2016 by Ken Zino

This is the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history. Under the Coordinated Remedy Program, NHTSA and manufacturers have committed to seek a 100 percent recall completion rate. Continue reading →

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Nissan Recalls 3.2 Million Vehicles for Airbag Failures

Posted on 2 May 2016 by Ken Zino

It’s just the latest example of how software is an increasing problem in late-model vehicles – an issue that the entire auto industry and its suppliers are struggling with. Continue reading →

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Distracted Driving Enabler – FCA Uconnect Adds Apple Siri

Posted on 2 May 2016 by Ken Zino

The FCA announcement comes as the latest data show that in 2014 alone 3129 people were killedand 431,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers. Continue reading →

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More Compliance and Safety Recalls at Ford Motor

Posted on 29 April 2016 by Ken Zino

At least four accidents and one injury are known at this time. Continue reading →

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GM Seat Belt Recall on All 2014-15 Silverado, Sierra Pickups

Posted on 25 April 2016 by Ken Zino

Simply getting into the driver’s seat is enough to cause the safety defect in some of GM’s most popular – 895,232 are recalled – and profitable vehicles. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Group Earnings Devastated by Diesel Emissions

Posted on 23 April 2016 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group set a breathtaking loss of -$4.6 billion (-€4.1B) during 2015 because of the ongoing – and soon to get even more expensive – diesel emissions cheating scandal. Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch: Rollerblade Helmets Recalled

Posted on 14 April 2016 by Ken Zino

Rollerblade helmets made in China are recalled because the helmet’s plastic shell can crack where the straps attach. Continue reading →

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Wabash National has ‘Safer’ Under Ride Rear Guard for Trailers

Posted on 28 March 2016 by Ken Zino

Wabash National Corporation (NYSE: WNC) is making a new rear impact guard design ed to mitigate car under ride optional on its 53-foot dry van trailers. The so-called RIG-16 Guard System is engineered to prevent under ride in multiple offset, … Continue reading →

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Toyota Expands Autonomous Vehicle Program with Jaybridge Robotics Software People for Crash-Free Driving

Posted on 14 March 2016 by Ken Zino

First announced in November 2015, TRI is a research and development enterprise designed eliminate the chasm between fundamental research and product development, particularly to address the 1.25 million traffic fatalities each year, worldwide. Continue reading →

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Global Safety Recalls Grow as Economies of Scale Often Aren’t

Posted on 11 March 2016 by Ken Zino

The pandemic in safety recalls continues unabated. Several factors are in play. First and foremost is competition among automakers is forcing a concentrated search for scale for the obvious financial benefits of reduced piece cost. However, this is not without risk. Increased scale, simply put, amplifies problems and reduces the margin for error since the numbers are are so large. Continue reading →

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VW America CEO Michael Horn Out in Dirty Diesel Scandal

Posted on 10 March 2016 by Ken Zino

Thus the history of sudden death departures at VW in North America continues. When sales previously slumped, Horn became CEO after the abrupt resignation of Jonathan Browning when VW brand sales fell in 2013. The decade before VW said it would triple sales here in 10 years. The lack of trucks and SUVs doomed the plan from the start. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Investigating F-150 Brake Failures

Posted on 7 March 2016 by Ken Zino

This is potentially a huge brake failure recall for Ford Motor on its flagship vehicle because there are an estimated 420,000 units sold in the United States representing ~36% of 2013-2014 F-150 sales Continue reading →

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Ford Joins Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition

Posted on 24 February 2016 by Ken Zino

The electronics industry has had myriad problems with manufacturing conditions, exploitation of workers and suicides in offshore plants. Whether any significant changes occur in worker rights in an industry driven almost entirely by cost cutting remains to be seen. Continue reading →

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Rotten Apple! Big Public Support for FBI, Justice on Unlocking San Bernardino Terrorist’s iPhone – Little Partisan Differences

Posted on 24 February 2016 by Ken Zino

The ongoing contentious terrorism issue has huge implications for the auto industry, which is rushing headlong into the connected car. Security versus privacy is now a concern as web connectivity and smartphone links spread across the virtually all vehicle line offerings. Continue reading →

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