Tag Archives: nhtsa

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

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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

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GM Files $750 Million Q1 Earnings Charge with SEC

The three-quarters of a billion dollar expense to stockholders includes yesterday’s safety recall of electric power steering assist affecting approximately 1.3 million vehicles and other safety recalls announced in the three months ending 31 March 2014. Continue reading

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GM Expands Ignition Switch Recall Yet Again

This is the third expansion of a safety recall the GM initially denied a problem existed, then recalled some cars, then recalled more cars, and now recalls even more. In baseball, three strikes means you’re out. Whether GM is out remains to be seen. Continue reading

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GM Recalls More Vehicles, Some for Airbag Failures

GM did not provide a timeline explaining how long it has known about the latest safety defects. U.S. regulations only give a manufacturer five days after it discovers a safety problem to submit a recall plan to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, something GM did not do in the now notorious ignition switch recall which saw GM first deny a safety defect existed, and then issue a recall as well as an apology, and then expand the recall to cover more cars. Continue reading

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CAS Says GM Ignition Switch Airbag Failure Caused 303 Deaths

These explosive allegations from an organization that is funded by product liability lawyers is the latest negative development in the ongoing GM ignition switch controversy, which has seen GM first deny a safety defect existed, and then issue a recall, as well as an apology, and then expand the recall to cover more cars. Continue reading

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NHTSA Opens Investigation into GM Ignition Switch Recall Delay. 13 Deaths Attributed to Defective Design So Far

At least 13 deaths and 31 wrecks are alleged from the safety defect that GM has known about since 2004, even as it refused to recall the vehicles, according to a timeline GM released early this week. GM knew of 10 accidents where Cobalts were in front-end crashes but the air bags did not inflate in 2007. GM even went so far as to approve a redesign of the switch in 2005, but never put a revised version into production for reasons that remain uncertain. Continue reading

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CounterFeit Chinese Pedal Causes Aston Martin Global Recall of All 2007 and Later Sports Cars

Aston specified a certain DuPont plastic, but got counterfeit parts from China instead. Testing conducted by Aston Martin has now revealed multiple failures and that includes cars already repaired with the bogus gas pedal. Aston now says it is bringing the molding back to the UK as soon as possible. Continue reading

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NHTSA Probe Forces Ford Focus EV Recall for Stalling

Once again, sloppy computer programming is responsible. The powertrain control module simply shuts off the Focus EV, just like a Microsoft operating system locking up your computer, but with potentially far dire consequences. Continue reading

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NHTSA Opens Tesla Model S Battery Fire Probe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today officially opened a preliminary investigation into 2013 Tesla Model S battery fires. The probe safety affects more than 13,000 of the $70,000 to +$100,000 Tesla EVs sold in the U.S. Continue reading

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Accidents, Injuries prompt 1.2 Million Ram Truck Recall

Chrysler Group is now in the process of organizing three Ram truck recalls affecting 1.2 million vehicles after six accidents and two injuries involving model-year 2008-2012 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. Continue reading

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Mazda6 Recall Underway for Doors Opening Suddenly

More than 161,400 Mazda6 sedans built by the UAW in Flat Rock, Michigan are affected, it was revealed before the Republicans shut down the U.S.safety agency NHTSA along with the rest of the government. Continue reading

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Infiniti Recalls on M35, M45 for Sudden Engine Stalling

More than 98,000 Infiniti models are affected in the U.S. Japanese authorities are also investigating the safety defect. Other Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are not affected because the design of the Aisin-supplied accelerator pedal assembly is unique to these models, according to a required filing with NHTSA that was made publicly available just before Tea Party Republicans pulled the plug on the world’s largest and arguably the most effective safety agency. Further safety recall information from NHTSA will not be available until the Federal Government reopens. Continue reading

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IIHS issues First Crash Avoidance Ratings

IIHS is now rating the performance of front-crash prevention systems. The insurance industry funded group wants to “encourage” automakers to increase adoption of the expensive technology at $1,000 or more per vehicle. Continue reading

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Smart Phones for Dummies – a Modest Proposal

Smart phones may have Mensa-level brilliance, but they have spawned legions of dummies. So I have a brilliant solution: Bring back John Wayne. Why? Because the Duke, in numerous memorable films, insisted that anyone entering his town check their guns or face jail time – or worse, his every ready Colt. Continue reading

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