Tag Archives: nhtsa

Ford Recalls 2023 Super Duty Pickups for Failing Axles

Personnel at the axle shaft supplier Mid-West Forge Corp. in Ohio entered an incorrect process parameter into one of the two machines that perform electromagnetic induction heat treatment of the recalled left rear axle shafts. The axle shafts did not meet Ford’s torsional yield and case depth design specifications in the fractured area. Returned parts had fractured at ~44 mm from the flange, indicating an area of incomplete induction heat treatment. Continue reading

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NHTSA Proposes Rule Expanding Seat Belt Use Warnings

In 2019, NHTSA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a variety of issues related to potential rear seat belt warning requirements. The feedback from the 45 comments received years ago was incorporated [Finally? Slowly?] into the development of the newly issued NPRM. Continue reading

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USDOT Proposes 58 MPG Fuel Economy Standard

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today issued a proposal to update fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The “preferred alternative” among several in NHTSA’s proposal includes a 2% per year improvement in fuel efficiency for passenger cars and a 4% per year improvement for light trucks beginning in model year 2027. This increases through model year 2032, potentially reaching an average fleet fuel economy of 58 miles per gallon by 2032. However, NHTSA notes that real word fuel economy is ~20-30% lower than estimated CAFE fuel economy.* Continue reading

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Ford, Chrysler and BMW Top 2023 Recall List

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released today the latest safety defect recall list by manufacturer for the 2023 year-to-date. Ford Motor Company with 31 recalls of more than 4,100,000 vehicles – 15% of all recalls – clearly led the list. Chrysler (aka FCA) with 27 recalls of more than 1.7 million vehicles (13%) was second. BMW was third with 19 recalls of 157,000 vehicles (9%). Forest River and Navistar rounded out the terrible top five. Continue reading

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NHTSA – Do Not Drive Recalled 2003 Dodge Rams

“The older a defective Takata air bag inflator gets, the more dangerous it becomes. Please, get your air bag replaced now for your sake, and for the sake of those who love you,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson. “Don’t put yourself or someone you love at risk of dying or being seriously injured because of a defective, recalled Takata air bag. These repairs are absolutely free and could save your life.” Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls – Restraints, Lightning on I Million Vehicles

Ford Motor Company is Recalling ~1 million vehicles for safety defects according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the largest recall, dealers have been told by Ford “DO NOT DEMONSTRATE OR DELIVER any new in-stock vehicles involved in this safety recall. A complete Dealer Bulletin will be provided to dealers 4th quarter, 2023 when it is anticipated that parts ordering information and repair instructions will be available to support this safety recall.” Continue reading

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IIHS – NHTSA Misjudges Value of Truck Side-Underride Guards

“Requiring side underride guards could save more than 10 times as many lives as NHTSA projects,” said IIHS Senior Research Engineer Matthew Brumbelow. In 2021, there were 488 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in crashes involving the side of a tractor-trailer. Continue reading

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Drive Safely by Securing Your Load

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked us today to urge drivers to properly secure transported objects. Items not properly secured pose a safety risk on our nation’s roadways. Objects or debris can fall from vehicles and can collide with other vehicles or pedestrians, causing serious injuries or fatalities. Continue reading

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Marijuana – Feel Different Then You Drive Different

“High, stoned, or wasted, zonked – doesn’t matter what term you use, if you are impaired, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle,” suggests AutoInformed. “We are asking our readers to use decent judgement, obey the law, and above all make safe choices before your get behind the wheel of any type of vehicle.” Continue reading

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NHTSA Prompts Expansion of Hyundai, Kia Fire Recall

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America have issued expanded recalls for unexpected fires on more than 570,000 vehicles. The Korean companies are urging owners to park their vehicles outside and away from homes and other structures until the recall fix is applied, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today in a rare “critical recall alert,” the second one for this life-threatening safety defect. This safety recall is a direct result of NHTSA’s monitoring of recall NHTSA 22V-633, NHTSA said. Continue reading

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Ford Recalls Steering on Bronco Wildtrak, Bronco Raptor

Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a recall on 3 March 2023. There have been no reports of accident or injury associated with this safety defect.However, owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 27 March 2023. Nexteer Automotive in Auburn Hills Michigan is the supplier of the steering gear. Continue reading

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Ford Axle Recalls on 2023 F-150, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator

The driver may hear a loud noise when the pinion breaks or as the drive shaft and flange hit the frame cross member and stability bar after pinion fracture. The failure mode could occur at any time in 4×4 application but is expected to occur primarily while in reverse as the pinion is subject to higher loads. Continue reading

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Ford Motor Recalls 2023 Model Year F-150 Air Bags

The “non-conforming instrument panel toppers” were built by Faurecia Interior Systems in Michigan with either an injection molded substrate that was manufactured with contaminated resin or with a skin cover extruded with contaminated colorant material. Continue reading

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Ram 2021-23 Pickups and Cab Chassis Recalled for Fires

FCA USA is recalling 2021-2023 model year Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine because an electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off. More than 300,00 Ram pickup are involved and they all have the safety defect, according to a filing just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading

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Another Tesla Self-Driving Recall

The recall is a result of long standing investigations at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the controversial auto pilot system. Tesla, what seems to us arrogantly, did not agree with the NHTSA analysis but went ahead with the recall anyway. It is the latest pr disaster from the firm that no doubt will have social media, uh, all atwitter. Continue reading

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