Category Archives: safety

Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango Recalls for Stalling

Posted on 9 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Chrysler, aka FCA US, recalls covering 340,000 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango models – some of its best sellers – because they stall without warning. Continue reading →

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Lawsuit against Honda,Takata Alleges Airbag Caused Death

Posted on 5 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Solis’s Honda Accord was bought used in 2014 at a Houston area car dealer. The car had been recalled in late 2011, but it had never been repaired. Continue reading →

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Takata Defends its Airbag Inflator Defect Explanation

Posted on 2 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Takata claims that newer inflators and those not exposed to prolonged humidity and heat are safe. Takata also is working with other suppliers to further increase the availability of replacement kits for its automotive customers. Continue reading →

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Federal Railroad Administration Acting on Grade Crossings

Posted on 2 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Under increasing scrutiny caused by two recent deadly commuter rail accidents – one in New York and one in California – the Federal Railroad Administration has launched a campaign that it claims will help address the grade crossing problem. One … Continue reading →

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NHTSA Orders Takata to Preserve Recalled Inflators

Posted on 2 March 2015 by Ken Zino

It was the latest setback for the beleaguered Japanese company whose prospects of survival in the airbag business appear bleak given a growing number of deaths from Takata parts that send shrapnel into a vehicles’ interior. Continue reading →

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Automakers Pick Orbital ATK to Review Takata Airbag Inflators

Posted on 26 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The revolving door of government employees came around this morning with the announcement that former NHTSA Acting Administrator David Kelly will serve as project manager for the ten automakers that have hired Orbital ATK to conduct independent testing on Takata airbag inflators. Continue reading →

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Chinese Junk Watch – Cosco Hand Trucks Recall

Posted on 26 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Cosco has received 10 reports of wheel hubs separating or breaking and ejecting pieces including four reports of bruises and lacerations. Continue reading →

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Cyber Insecurity – Your Car and You as Targets

Posted on 19 February 2015 by Ken Zino

The connected car is linking you to criminals with virtually no safeguards in place to protect your personal data or even to prevent the bad guys from taking over control of the car. That is the summary from a recent series and studies and forums in the U.S. and Europe.

The good news, if there is any for connected car, Bluetooth, OnStar and Smartphone aficionados is that you are likely not the primary target. Instead, hackers want to get to the treasure trove of car company databases and private networks that contain millions of bits of confidential data. Other privacy problems arise from the use of navigation computers that record and send location or driving history information to third party providers who resell it without your knowledge, let alone consent. Continue reading →

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Volvo Delivers Autonomous Driving XC90 in 2017

Posted on 19 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Volvo’s web presentation of the project this morning had technical problems with an invalid embed code, thereby demonstrating how complex the computer programing is for even relatively well-known technologies. Cyber security issues also will need to be resolved. Continue reading →

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56 Dead from GM Ignition Switches

Posted on 18 February 2015 by Ken Zino

However, 1,388 more cases are under review, and 1,198 were submitted without documentation to back the claim, according Feinberg’s latest update on his website. Continue reading →

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Wireless Technologies Leave Vehicles Vulnerable to Hackers

Posted on 9 February 2015 by Ken Zino

New standards are needed to close security gaps from hackers and privacy problems in vehicles, according to a report released today. Continue reading →

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GM Stops Sale of 2015 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia for Bad Tires supplied by Goodyear

Posted on 9 February 2015 by Ken Zino

GM has told its dealers to stop the sale of 2015 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia models because the original equipment Goodyear tires may crack treads, loose air and fail. Continue reading →

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New Kia, Toyota and Nissan Safety Recalls

Posted on 27 January 2015 by Ken Zino

The expanding list of safety recalls now includes vehicles from Kia, Nissan and Toyota. The largest affecting 87,000 2014 Kia Forte models results from a melting cooling fan resistor can overheat and cause a fire. Continue reading →

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More than 46 Million Open Safety Recalls

Posted on 27 January 2015 by Ken Zino

Counter-intuitively, people driving or buying family vehicles, minivans and SUVs, are most at risk. One in three minivans and one in five SUVs has an unfixed recall, according to Carfax the source of the data. Continue reading →

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GM Ignition Switch Deaths now at 49

Posted on 20 January 2015 by Ken Zino

General Motors ignition switch program has now ruled that 49 deaths, seven severe injuries and 65 other injuries are eligible for settlement offers. Continue reading →

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