Category Archives: safety

While Under NHTSA Investigation, Three New GM Recalls

Already enmeshed in safety investigations and employee resignations over failing to recall defective ignition switches, there are now three new GM recalls. Continue reading

Posted in litigation, recalls | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Japanese Auto Parts Maker Showa Guilty of Price Fixing

Showa Corp., an automotive parts manufacturer based in Saitama, Japan, will plead guilty and pay a $19.9 million criminal fine for its role in a price fixing conspiracy. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bridgestone Exec to Plead Guilty For Price Fixing U.S. Car Parts

The Japanese auto parts price fixing scandal continues to grow with more indictments and prison time likely coming. To date, 33 people have been charged in the government’s ongoing investigation of the auto parts industry. Additionally, 26 companies have pleaded guilty or agreed to plead guilty and have agreed to pay a total of more than $2.29 billion in fines. Continue reading

Posted in fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

GM to Replace Lock Cylinders as Ignition Switch Recall Expands

General Motors has told NHTSA that it is adding ignition lock cylinders to its safety recall of 2.2 million cars in the United States. The defective cylinders from former in-house supplier Delphi can allow removal of the ignition key while the engine is running, leading to a possible rollaway, crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries. Continue reading

Posted in litigation, safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Q1 Recall Charge at GM for Ignition Switches Now at $1.3 Billion. More Shareholder Earnings Nicks Will be Coming

GM said today that it expects to take a charge of about$1.3 billion in Q1 for the cost of safety recall related repairs announced – thus far – in the 2014 calendar year. This amount includes the $750 million charge previously announced on 31 March. Continue reading

Posted in litigation, safety | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Two Mexican Illegals Charged in Wisconsin for Odometer Fraud

The indictment alleges that from late 2009 through February 2014, the defendants rolled back the odometers on at least 146 vehicles. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Kerr-McGee $5.15 Billion Cleanup Settlement Largest in History

“If you are responsible for 85 years of poisoning the earth, then you are responsible for cleaning it up,” said U.S. Attorney Bharara. “That’s why this case was brought.” Continue reading

Posted in environment, fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

GM Ignition Switch Hearings and More on Car Concerns Radio

Hear a discussion about a simple question – asked in various ways repeatedly at the GM U.S. Congressional hearings with no answers – why did it take a decade to recall what GM now admits was a defective Delphi ignition switch whose failure caused cars to stall suddenly while the airbags were disabled. And much more. Continue reading

Posted in auto news, litigation, safety | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Asleep at the Switch! Head of NHTSA Friedman, GM CEO Barra Duck Tough Questions at House Hearing

The ‘we’re still looking at it’ excuse was particularly lame in front of grandstanding Congresspersons, many of whom were clearly ignorant of the technicalities surrounding the issue. Lost in the hype is the fact that people die from airbag deployment if they are not wearing a seatbelt and as a result are moving forward during the explosion. Continue reading

Posted in litigation, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

GM Recalls 1.3 Million Cars for Bad Electric Power Steering

The list of the vehicles involved is daunting, and some were recalled. previously. The largest U.S. automaker said in a statement that it would take a $750 million charge in Q1 to cover the cost of GM recalls so far this year. Given the growing number of lawsuits lawsuits and a new scrutiny of safety issues at GM, both inside and out, more charges are likely. Continue reading

Posted in safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bad Software Causes Million-Vehicle Nissan Airbag Recall

The safety defect is caused by software that thinks the passenger seat is empty when it is occupied. Failure of the airbag to deploy during a crash of sufficient intensity could increase the risk of injury to the passenger. It is the latest example of how computer programming of electronics is a growing problem in not only safety matters but also hurting customer satisfaction ratings. Continue reading

Posted in recalls | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Milestones – 100 Million Bosch Stability Control Systems

Technically, ESC intervenes to keep vehicles on course and prevent skidding accidents by using differential braking to adjust the yaw axis of a vehicle helping to prevent oversteer and understeer. Continue reading

Posted in milestones, safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Audi and AT&T Price 4G LTE Connectivity at $499

What this does for the deadly distracted driving problem remains to be seen and depends whether the driver or passengers are surfing the web. There is also risk involved; electronics in automobiles are now the largest single source of customer dissatisfaction if there are glitches, dropped voice commands, screen crashes or problems connecting portable devices. Continue reading

Posted in distracted driving, marketing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Odometer Fraud and Carfax Scam in New York Uncovered

Capicchioni also took steps to hide his odometer fraud scheme. He checked the Carfax public database to see if it included a mileage entry that was higher than the false, lower mileage to which he reset the odometer. When Carfax included a higher mileage, Capicchioni submitted to Carfax fraudulent documentation in the name of the vehicle’s prior owner, in order to have the higher mileage reading removed. Continue reading

Posted in fools 'n frauds, litigation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Snow Melts – Revealing Huge Roadway Potholes

As winter slowly fades, drivers are now confronted with huge potholes that are causing untold tire, wheel and suspension damage. Due to the severe winter, the bankrupt highway trust fund and states refusal to repair roads during the Great Recession, the potholes are a nationwide plague. Continue reading

Posted in safety | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment