Category Archives: safety

Hyundai, Kia Fined Record Amount for Fuel Economy Cheating

Posted on 3 November 2014 by Ken Zino

The Korean scofflaws Hyundai and Kia will pay a record $100 million penalty for selling vehicles that emit more greenhouse gases because of false fuel economy ratings. Continue reading →

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Millikin Out as GM General Counsel in Ignition Switch Snafu

Posted on 21 October 2014 by Ken Zino

In a terse statement, General Motors says that General Counsel Michael Millikin “informed the company of his decision to retire in early 2015.” Millikin was taken to task for his role in covering up – he claims he didn’t know – the deadly ignition switch debacle at the second Senate hearing on the sordid safety defect matter. Continue reading →

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GM Sued for $10 billion over Defective Ignition Switches

Posted on 17 October 2014 by Ken Zino

The complaints seek money for violations of state consumer protection laws, breach of implied warranties, fraud by concealment, unjust enrichment and violation of the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. A similar attempt to sue Ford over the loss of value on Explorer models because of defective Firestone ATX tires failed. Continue reading →

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AAA Blasts Automakers for Enabling Distracted Driving

Posted on 15 October 2014 by Ken Zino

The largest motoring organization in North America, AAA, is saying that hands-free technology now in widespread vehicle use is not safe and contributes to the Distracted Driving epidemic because of the cognitive distraction it causes. While 47 states have banned texting, it turns out that cellphone use is the equivalent of drunken driving. Continue reading →

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GM Ignition Switch Death Toll Rises to 27

Posted on 14 October 2014 by Ken Zino

In the latest posting on the GM Ignition Switch Claims website, 27 deaths are now listed as eligible for compensation as long as the recipient forfeits the right to further litigation. Continue reading →

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Change of Season – Time to Check Tire Pressure

Posted on 13 October 2014 by Ken Zino

As the temperature decreases this fall so does your tire pressure. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Probes Electric Power Steering Failures on 925k Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan Cars

Posted on 6 October 2014 by Ken Zino

Automotive electronics and specifically the software needed to run them are giving “the old drill a hole in cast iron” automakers fits. The customer is now often performing troubleshooting and the final stages of product development after purchasing the vehicle, in effect becoming a release engineer. Continue reading →

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More, Still More, GM Recalls Including Ignition Switches

Posted on 6 October 2014 by Ken Zino

Call it a black weekend for GM CEO Mary Barra and the employees and dealers of GM as the latest round of recalls were revealed in NHTSA filings, including more ignition switch safety defects Continue reading →

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Say It Ain’t So! GM Recalls 500,000 Cadillac, Chevy, Saabs

Posted on 3 October 2014 by Ken Zino

GM CEO Mary Barra’s claim that GM recalls are behind it was mocked today by two more recalls covering half a million vehicles including 2015 Cadillac SRX models. Continue reading →

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More GM Safety Recalls Active on Current Production Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC Models

Posted on 2 October 2014 by Ken Zino

The Mary Barra excuse that GM’s ignition switch recalls are on non-production models from the distant past looks a little then now given the ongoing safety defect problems at the automaker. Continue reading →

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Huge Toyota Tacoma Pickup Corrosion Recall

Posted on 30 September 2014 by Ken Zino

Toyota claimed it is not aware of any fires, crashes, injuries or fatalities associated with its latest safety defect that it has told NHTSA about in its required legal filing. However, NHTSA has several hair-raising complaints from Tacoma owners about incidents. Continue reading →

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Giant Safety Recall at Ford for Bad Airbags

Posted on 27 September 2014 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling 850,050 2013-14 model C-MAX, Fusion, Escape and Lincoln MKZ vehicles in North America because the airbags may not deploy. The so-called restraints control module may have a short circuit. If a short circuit occurs, the airbag warning indicator will illuminate. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Recalls Ignition Keys for Switch Defect

Posted on 26 September 2014 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group is recalling 349,442 vehicles because ignition keys become stuck or “inadvertently move” thereby disabling critical safety equipment, including the windshield wipers, defroster per steering, brake booster and the airbags.

Continue reading →

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GM Woes Continue with New Recalls and Legal Actions

Posted on 22 September 2014 by Ken Zino

Troubles for GM and its shareholders continue because of new legal and product quality developments. Late last Friday a U.S. Judge in New York ruled that plaintiffs could request documents related to accidents, injuries and lost vehicle value associated with … Continue reading →

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Honda heads list of Most Popular Stolen Vehicles

Posted on 17 September 2014 by Ken Zino

The Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, F-Series pickup truck, Toyota Corolla, and Chevrolet Impala headed the list of the most oft stolen 2013 model-year vehicles. Continue reading →

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