Tag Archives: National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act

NHTSA Fines Ford $165M for Flouting Recall Law

Posted on 14 November 2024 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced a consent order with Ford Motor Company for failing to comply with federal recall requirements. The consent order includes a civil penalty of $165 million, the second-largest civil penalty in NHTSA’s history after the Takata airbag fiasco and the Takata airbag consent order.

“Timely and accurate recalls are critical to keeping everyone safe on our roads,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said. “NHTSA is committed to ensuring manufacturers comply with the laws designed to keep our roads safe. When manufacturers fail to prioritize the safety of the American public and meet their obligations under federal law, NHTSA will hold them accountable.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, electronics, engineering, milestones, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IIHS Tightens Top Safety Pick Awards Criteria

Posted on 27 February 2024 by Ken Zino

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said today that it is making it harder to earn its Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards in 2024. In a never ending battle in the quest for improved safety going back at least to the landmark 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, IIHS – not without self-interest since it is insurance company funded – wants manufacturers to offer better protection for back seat passengers and to improve their pedestrian crash avoidance systems. The latest changes will improve the prospects for people in vehicles operating in the US. If there is a regulatory debate here, it’s minor and irrelevant in AutoInformed’s view. The preservation and protection of human beings is part of an enlightened society with sound public, corporate and individual policies. The results are indisputable. Despite the more stringent requirements, 71 models qualify for 2024 awards. Of those, 22 earn Top Safety Pick+, and 49 earn Top Safety Pick from IIHS. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, awards, blog, news analysis, people, public health, safety, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VW Recalls 261,257 Audi and VW Models for Possible Fires

Posted on 26 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America (Volkswagen) is recalling ~261,257 front-wheel drive 2015-2020 model year Audi and Volkswagen vehicles for leaking fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.* Vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy for the safety defect completed. The latest recall appears to have been prompted by NHTSA’s monitoring of the previous one.

In the required filing released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration VW said that a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister. Customers could experience refueling issues such as early stopping fuel nozzles or spillback when fuel has accumulated in the EVAP system. A fuel odor may also be noticed by the driver/vehicle occupants. Continue reading →

Posted in news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mercedes USA Recalls 2023-24 Models for Sudden Stalls

Posted on 26 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling ~32,000 models.* The 80-amp fuses used in them may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the fuses to fail. An 80-amp fuse that fails can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

In the required filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Mercedes said that before the failure occurs, the driver “will not receive a warning due to the nature of the failure mechanism.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, mobility company, news analysis, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford Recalls Expeditions, Navigators for Bad Seat Belts

Posted on 26 February 2024 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles, according to documents made publicly available by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning.

The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend. About 80,000 SUVs are involved in a safety defect that occurs because of rust. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment