Tag Archives: nhtsa

NHTSA Jeep Fire Probe Prompts Wrangler Recall

Posted on 21 May 2012 by Ken Zino

A preliminary national Highway Traffic Safety Administration evaluation of Jeep Wrangler fires opened in March has resulted in the recall of 70,000 2010 Wrangler trucks that were sold with automatic transmissions. The skid plate directly under the catalytic converter traps debris, which the hot converter then ignites. Continue reading →

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Acura Recalls TL Sedans for a Bad Power Steering Hose

Posted on 17 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Acura will recall 52,615 model-year 2007-2008 TL sedans in the United States to replace the power steering hose. The power steering hose form an unidentified supplier may deteriorate and develop a fluid leak. Leaking power steering fluid could lead to loss of power steering assistance or, if it leaks onto a catalytic converter, it can result in smoke, or in the worst case, a fire. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Wants Stability Control on Large Trucks and Buses

Posted on 17 May 2012 by Ken Zino

NHTSA estimates that a standard requiring ESC on the nation’s large trucks and large buses would prevent up to 2,329 crashes, eliminate an estimated 649 to 858 injuries, and prevent between 49 and 60 fatalities annually. Many of these vehicles are now offered with ESC, a computerized system that uses automatic application of individual or multiple wheel brakes to correct for oversteer or understeer. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Opens Inquiry on Hyundai Elantra Airbags for Head Cuts

Posted on 14 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrating has opened a preliminary defect evaluation on 2012 Hyundai Elantra side curtain airbags because of a driver’s complaint of cuts to his ear or face. On opening the investigation, NHTSA said it appears that the metal component caused a laceration to the driver’s ear/face. Continue reading →

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Ford Expands Windstar Corrosion Recalls, Adds Axle failures

Posted on 14 May 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor is once again expanding a corrosion recall on 1998-2003 Windstar minivans because a supplier failed to properly e-coat the suspension components, which makes the vehicles susceptible to sudden failures of the steering, front sub-frame and/or rear axle. In a massive recall announced in January of 2011, more than 425,000 Ford Windstar minivans were recalled because the steering fails because of rusting problems. NHTSA opened an engineering investigation in July of 2010 into the ongoing Windstar rust problem. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Recalls 2012 Ram 1500 Over a Decal

Posted on 10 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The affected vehicles have a spare tire that does not match the specifications listed on the tire placard. These Ram pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110, “tire selection and rims.” Continue reading →

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BMW Recalls New 3 Series. Chrysler Recalls 2012 Minivans

Posted on 8 May 2012 by Ken Zino

In the latest series of safety defect filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW is recalling its best selling 3-Series compact that has been in production since last October and Chrysler is recalling 2012 model minivans. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Recalls 300, Dodge Charger Sedans for Bad Brakes

Posted on 8 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The cars can lose the ABS/ESC system due to an overheated power distribution center, which could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. The problem original arose in a Michigan State Police training vehicle, and Chrysler conducted a limited recall in February of 2012 until subsequent field reports revealed the Yazaki supplied module was failing in other vehicles. Continue reading →

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Michelin Recalls Bus Tires Because Retreads Can Blow Out

Posted on 21 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Both original equipment and aftermarket bus tires – either new or retreaded – are affected. These tires have a casing that may experience a loss of integrity and, in some cases, have “rapid air loss.” Continue reading →

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NHTSA Upgrades BMW 7 Series Rollaway Investigation to Engineering Analysis. Recall Likely Next for Electronic Shifter

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Ken Zino

This alleged safety defect could result in the recall of more than 121,000 BMW 7-series cars. At least 14 accidents and five injuries have been reported over the operation of the push button start/stop “shift by wire” electronic system in BMWs. Continue reading →

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Younger Passengers Least Likely to Protest Distracted Driving

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Young drivers are nearly three times as likely to report having been reading or sending a text or e-mail when such an incident occurred as compared to drivers age 25 and higher. In addition, drivers younger than 25 are two to three times more likely to drive while sending or reading a text message or email. Reports of texting while driving drop sharply as age increases. Continue reading →

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NSC Says Much Work Needs to be done on Distracted Driving. Again Urges Total ban on all Cell Phone Use

Posted on 13 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Determining the scope of the cell phone distracted driving problem remains a challenge. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NSC claim the actual number of crashes involving cell phone distracted driving is higher, likely much higher, than reported figures. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls Focus for Defective Windshield Wipers

Posted on 10 April 2012 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 140,000 Focus compact cars because the windshield wipers can fail. Model year 2012 Focus cars were built at the Michigan Assembly Plant without a proper seal on the wiring harness for the passenger-side windshield wiper motor. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Investigating Chevrolet Cruze and Jeep Wrangler Fires

Posted on 4 April 2012 by Ken Zino

There are three steps in the NHTSA recall process. P.E. – Preliminary Evaluation, E.A. – Engineering Analysis – and then a so-called ‘voluntary’ recall or rarely a NHTSA forced recall. Continue reading →

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Honda Recalls 554,000 CR-V and Pilot SUVs for Bad Headlights

Posted on 30 March 2012 by Ken Zino

This headlight recall apparently mirrors an earlier Honda headlight recall on 143,083 model year 2007 and 2008 Fit vehicles because of a bad headlight switch, which caused the low-beams to fail and possibly start a fire. Continue reading →

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