Tag Archives: nhtsa

General Motors to Debut World’s First Center Airbag in 2013

A GM analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System database (FARS) found that far-side impact crashes accounted for 11% of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover impacts between 2004 and 2009. Also implied in the data GM looked at is that much more work remains to be done on interior design, including seat belts that don’t hold an occupant laterally, the now ubiquitous center consoles that are causing serious and fatal injuries, and the seat itself, which allows deadly movement. With intense engineering, some of these problems could be dealt with by passive solutions, which could be far less expensive than adding another airbag to every new vehicle. Continue reading

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Hyundai Recall Active on Veracruz and Santa Fe SUV Airbags

The recall appears to have been prompted by a request for an explanation about a high number of warranty claims by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continue reading

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Volkswagen Recall Active on Jetta Sedans for Burning People

A Volkswagen Recall is now underway in the United States on almost 3,000 Jetta sedans because the stainless steal exhaust tips extended too far, resulting in complaints from customers that they are being burned. These port-installed exhaust tips extend beyond the original length of the factory installed exhaust system. Continue reading

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NTSB Wants Cell Phone Ban for Commercial Drivers

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended banning the use of all types of cell phones by commercial drivers except in emergencies. The Safety Board said cell phone use by the driver of an 18-wheel semi truck was the … Continue reading

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Honda Recalls 310,000 Pilot SUVs for Defective Seat Belts

The latest quality gaff from the Japanese maker once known for its quality follows Honda recalls announced over the Labor Day weekend for fires on more than a million vehicles globally. During the past year or so, Honda has issued more than 22 public statements about various safety defects and recalls in the U.S. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls a Million Vehicles for Fires, Software Problems

The latest Honda recalls are part of much larger global quality problems that affect almost one million Honda vehicles with potential fatal safety defects, including the Honda Fit, which was already recalled in the U.S. Worse, Honda recalls during the last year show that Honda’s once vaunted reputation for manufacturing and design quality is in shambles. Continue reading

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U.S. DOT Proposes Elimination of 46 Traffic Sign Regulations

In the regulatory areas that AutoInformed covers, little reduction has resulted at DOT, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) thus far. Continue reading

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Porsche Recalls 911, Boxster, Cayman Models for Seat Belts

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Porsche said the mounting holes in the seat belt anchor plates are too small and the anchor plate may not be able to rotate about the fastening bolt as designed. If this happens, the seat belt may not fit properly around the occupant, or may potentially loosen increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Continue reading

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General Motors Recalling TRW ESC Because it Can Run Wild

This seemingly benign electronic programming glitch can have severe consequences because it can result in the ESC activating at high speeds without warning resulting in “sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, particularly at higher speeds, which may cause the driver difficulty in maintaining the vehicle’s desired path of travel and desired vehicle speed, and could result in a crash without warning.” Continue reading

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Audi Recalls R8 for Potential Engine fires. Dealers Stop Sales

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), parent company Volkswagen said that a fuel line may rub through on an engine compartment heat shield and cause a fuel leak. No fires have been reported, but Audi has no way of knowing the number of the supercars affected.
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NHTSA Opens BMW Defect Probe on 120,000 7-Series Models

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary engineering investigation on 120,000 2002-2008 BMW 7-Series models because of one complaint. The Office of Defects Investigation said in a regulatory filing today that it has received a single complaint from a consumer alleging a rollaway incident with a model year 2006 BMW 7-Series vehicle after parking and exiting the vehicle. Continue reading

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President Obama to Announce First Fuel Economy Regulations for Heavy Trucks, Buses. $50 Billion in Fuel Savings Claimed

The complicated standards vary by size and type of truck, and whether gasoline or diesel engines are used. However they appear stringent, calling for a 7-20% reduction in emissions with roughly corresponding increases in fuel economy. Continue reading

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NHTSA Investigating Ford Mustang Manual Transmissions

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigations has received 32 complaints alleging an unexpected inability to shift into gear on model year 2011-2012 Ford Mustangs equipped with manual transmissions. According to a filing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration some of the reports allege that the incidents occurred while merging into high speed traffic; others allege that incidents occurred while turning left across oncoming traffic. Continue reading

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Honda Recalls 1.5 Million Accord, CR-V and Element for Software Problem that Leads to Failed Auto Transmissions

American Honda is starting recalls on about 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S. to update the software that controls the automatic transmission. Four-cylinder Accord, CR-V and Element models from 2005-2010 have transmission shift software that could damage the transmission and lead to the engine stalling or difficulty engaging park. Continue reading

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Chrysler Recalls 300,000 Minivans for Possible Airbag Defect

Previously minivan recalls were conducted in November 2010 because a defective drain grommet on the heating and ventilation system (HVAC) allowed condensation from a/c operation to leak onto the computer. At the time only the grommet was replaced. Subsequent Chrysler durability testing revealed that some of the computers failed. Continue reading

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