national highway traffic safety administration
Toyota Corolla Under Investigation for Airbags that Fail to Deploy
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Toyota is facing the potential for more recalls as the government’s safety agency has announced an investigation into the Corolla for airbags that failed to deploy. In total the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is examining 170,000 Corolla models after receiving a complaint from one driver who claimed the airbags in his 2008 Corolla did…
Ford Should Expand F-150 Recall NHTSA Boss Says
The agency in charge of vehicle safety is continuing to push for a more wide-spread recall of the Ford F-150 pickup truck, a sign that Ford has failed to appease the government body with its first recall notice. Back in February Ford announced a recall for 144,000 F-150 models from 2005-2006, although the National Highway…
Booster Seats Not Up To Government Standards For Heavier Children
When you strap your child into a car seat, you think that they are safe because these seats have safety standards, right? Sorry to burst that bubble, but if you’re strapping kids weighing more than 65 pounds to a booster seat, they don’t come with any government safety standards. And even seats for younger children…
NHTSA to Investigate Car Seat Heaters
Always on the vanguard of public safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating whether overenthusiastic seat heaters pose a health and safety risk, citing 150 people who have been injured by leaving their buns in the oven for too long. In one case, a parapeligic man suffered burns in his Chevy Silverado after…
NHTSA Launches Faces of Distracted Driving Series
Sometimes, statistics don’t tell the whole story. That rings especially true when it comes to talking about distracted driving. And even though we all know the dangers associated with distracted driving, it takes the stories of people who have been impacted to really drive the point home. And that’s the why the National Highway Traffic…
Ford, NHTSA Still in Talks Over Larger F-150 Airbag Recall
A more significant recall of Ford F-150 trucks is probable, as talks between the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continue. In February Ford issued a recall of 144,000 F-150 models dating from 2005-2006 in response to a request by the government agency. That recall was not, however, satisfactory, with NHTSA requesting…
Plan to Make Back-Up Cameras Mandatory by 2014 Delayed
A plan that would see back-up cameras installed in all vehicles by 2014 will take longer to roll out than originally planned. According to a recent report by The Detroit News, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked Congress for an extension in order to look over information gathered from a recent pubic comment…
Anti Sleep Pilot App Keeps You Awake Behind the Wheel
You roll down the window to let some cold air in, you take swigs from your extra-large coffee and you have the radio on full blast. This was the old way of keeping your eyes open when you were feeling a little sleepy behind the wheel. But surprise – now, there’s a new app that’s…
New Technology Could Measure Blood Alcohol Through Steering Wheel, Door Handles
The breathalyzer may become a thing of the past, thanks to new technology that can be installed in your car. And it’s not like you can fake your way around it, as it’s located in key components of your vehicle, like the steering wheel and door handles. The court-ordered breathalyzers that can be used in…
Volkswagen Passat Under Further Investigation by NHTSA for Fire Risk, Recall Likely
After opening an initial inquiry, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a more thorough investigation of nearly half a million Volkswagen Passat models for a potential fire risk. The investigation surrounds 490,000 Passat models dating from 2001 to 2007 and deals with ignition coils on the 2.0T 4-cylinder engines. The initial inquiry into…
2011 Honda Odyssey Earns Best-Possible 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score in New Crash Test Ratings
It’s a five-star day for the 2011 Honda Odyssey, as the vehicle just earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) best-possible Overall Vehicle Score. And under NHTSA’s new system of safety ratings, the Odyssey is one of the first vehicles ever to earn five stars in each seating position for all three crash tests,…
Saab 9-3 Recalled Over Fuel Pump Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the cars affected were originally fitted with fuel pumps that did not meet the correct specifications.
Ford Windstar Under Investigation Again: Rusting Subframe Linked to Crashes
After an initial investigation and then a recall on the Ford Windstar for rear axle failure, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has put the minivan on notice – again. This time NHTSA’s investigation involves the van’s subframe, which reportedly suffers from the same structural rusting as the rear axles. The NHTSA website lists…
Toyota to Pay $32.4 Million Fine to Feds Over Recall Timing
Toyota has agreed to pay a $32.4 million fine in order to settle an investigation into the timeliness of the recalls it issued. The fine is the maximum allowable by law, bringing the total value of fines Toyota has paid to government agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to $48.8 million for…
Volvo Recalls S40, V50, S60 and XC60 for Power Seat Defect
A recall has been announced for four late model Volvo vehicles due to an issue with the power seats that could post a safety risk. In total 7,420 vehicles could be affected by the recall, with the list including the S40, V50, S60 and XC60 crossover from model years 2009 to 2011. The issue surrounds…
NHTSA Implementing Upgraded 5-Star Vehicle Safety Ratings System
Drivers will feel safer driving their 2011 models, thanks to the new crash tests that are now being implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These new crash test features, which were released to the public a few weeks back, boast enhanced 5-Star Safety Ratings System for new vehicles. Also just released were…
Back-Up Cameras Could be Mandatory by 2014
Back-up cameras could become mandatory safety equipment by 2014 if proposed new legislation is put into law. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has brought forward the issue, stating that by its estimates the use of such rear view cameras would help significantly reduce the 292 fatalities and 18,000 injuries caused each year by…
Feds Delay on 62-MPG CAFE Rules for 2025
With automakers currently struggling to meet the 35-mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards set in place for 2016, the thought of a 62-mpg CAFE number for 2025 is unimaginable by many. That 62-mpg number, the result of a proposed 3 to 6 percent increase in fleet fuel economy starting in 2017, has just been delayed….
Drugs Involved in 1 in 5 U.S. Car Crash Deaths Says New NHTSA Report
Here’s an alarming new stat – according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost one in five drivers in the U.S. who died in car crashes tested positive for drugs. A statement released recently from the NHTSA says that of drivers tested after dying in car crashes last year, 18 percent had drugs…
2007 Kia Optima Under Investigation for Transmission Issues, Recall Possible
Along with the 2006 Honda CR-V, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced an investigation into the 2007 Kia Optima. Both NHTSA probes have been sparked by just three complaints, with the Kia Optima being investigated for transmission shifting issues. A total of 41,000 Optimas are involved, with complaints that the automatic transmission…
NHTSA Investigating Rental-Car Companies Regarding Recall Repairs
We first told you about rental-car companies that were still renting out vehicles that had been issued recall notices. Now, U.S. auto-safety investigators are getting involved to ensure the repairs are being carried out before they are rented. The investigation is a result of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) being alerted to “incidents…
Honda Accord Hybrid Under Investigation for Braking Issues, ‘Unintended Acceleration’
The Honda Accord Hybrid is now the focus of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over possible faulty brakes and ‘unintended acceleration.’ NHTSA is currently looking into a crash involving a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid, where the driver reports the brakes failed to work and the vehicle accelerated on its own,…
Britax Recalls 17,251 Child Car Seats
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car-seat manufacturer Britax is recalling 17,251 Chaperone infant-safety seats due to chest clip issues. These chest clips were incorrectly produced and affect car seats that were built between April 11, 2009, and May 31, 2010. Car seat model numbers that are affected by the recall are: *…
Seat Belt Use at its Highest Level
It’s a little thing that does so much. By buckling up in the car, you increase your chances of surviving a serious car accident. And now, seat belt use in the U.S. has risen to 85 percent – its highest level yet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released these new stats that show…
