The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today in a Consumer Alert that Kia America has issued a “park outside” recall for 462,869 model year 2020-2024 Telluride vehicle. There is a risk of fire while parked or driving in the vehicles. Kia is advising owners to park their vehicles outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair has been completed.
The front power seat motor on the affected vehicles could overheat because of a stuck power seat slide knob, potentially resulting in a fire and increasing the risk of injury. To fix the issue, dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs. Continue reading
NHTSA Eases CAFE Regs For 2027-2031 Model Years
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today issued new vehicle fuel economy standards that it projects will save Americans more than $23 billion in fuel costs while reducing pollution. The agency also projects the standards will prevent more than 710 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, reduce air pollution, and reduce the country’s dependence on oil. It does ease light truck standards to the same as cars with 2% per year increase but only in the 2029-31 model years, in effect giving American heavy duty pickup truck makers a slight break in the rate of increase in a segment they dominate.*
“Not only will these new standards save Americans money at the pump every time they fill up, they will also decrease harmful pollution and make America less reliant on foreign oil,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “These standards will save car owners more than $600 in gasoline costs over the lifetime of their vehicle.” Continue reading →