national highway traffic safety administration
New NHTSA Crash Test Results Released: Only BMW 5 Series, Hyundai Sonata Get Top Scores
1
The new crash results for 2011 models are in, and only the BMW 5 Series and Hyundai Sonata got a 5-star rating overall. The government-run tests were the first that employed a “female” crash-test dummy, and a direct crash into a pole. The vehicles were rated from 1 to 5 stars, which are based on…
NHTSA Investigating MINI Cooper for Power Steering Failures
It’s been announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently opened an investigation into possible power steering failures in MINI Cooper cars. NHTSA decided to investigate after receiving complaints from 54 drivers and confidential field reports where the MINI Cooper suddenly lost power steering assistance. The issue seems to only be presenting…
NHTSA Says Child Seats Still Not Being Used Properly
It’s time to double check your car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is saying that many young children are still being placed in the wrong restraint or booster seat systems. Last week was Child Passenger Safety week, so now is the right time to ensure that you have the right car seat…
U.S. Traffic Fatalities Hit 60-Year Low
It’s always great to get some good new regarding traffic. And this recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) falls into the good new category – they say that the number of fatalities on America’s highways is at its lowest level since 1950. Compared to 2008, deaths caused by vehicle collisions fell…
NHTSA Investigating Ford F-150 For Fuel Tank That Could Drop
The Ford F-150 is now a part of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for fuel tank straps that may break due to corrosion, which could lead to a fire. In total 1.4 million F-150 models are affected, dating from 1996-2001. NHTSA has received 32 complains regarding this issue from owners…
Drunk Driving Campaign Steps Up For End of Summer
We’re all a little sad to see the end of summer. We usually send it off with a long weekend, lots of backyard BBQs and a few pool parties. Since most of these types of shindigs involve alcohol, there’s always an increased risk of intoxicated drivers on the road. That’s why the National Highway Traffic…
Jeeps Being Probed for Fuel Tank Defects
However, the center also said that these post-crash fires, on their own do not establish a manufacturing defect with the vehicles.
Driver Error to Blame in Most of Toyota’s “Unintended Acceleration” Cases: Report
As early leaked reports indicated, Toyota is being exonerated after Congress pushed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reveal the preliminary findings of its investigation into the cases of “unintended acceleration” of Toyota vehicles. A Department of Transportation investigation of the black box recorders in 58 Toyota vehicles involved in “unintended acceleration” crashes…
Stability Control for Big Rigs May Become Mandatory
Do you clench the steering wheel in fear every time a big rig passes you on the highway? Loosen your grip a little bit – a mandate for the installation safety systems, courtesy of The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), may be on the horizon. Right now, automakers must legally install stability control to…
Nissan Cube Recalled for Possible Gas Leak Resulting from a Crash
Nissan has just announced a recall for the 2009-10 Cube model for a recall involving the fuel system. According to a NHTSA press release, the vehicle did not pass its fuel leak test, in which the amount of fuel leaking from the car exceeded, “allowable limits” in the agency’s crash test. A fire could result…
Automotive Safety in the Spotlight at the Smithsonian
Looking to treat the family to an educational vacation this summer? Then head to the Smithsonian Institute, where you’ll learn all about the three-point safety belt, the padded dashboard and the famous “Car Safety for Dummies” dummies. In honor of 75 years of automotive safety, as well as all the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration…
Report: Toyota ‘Planted’ Driver Error Story Claims NHTSA Insider
Recently a Wall Street Journal story revealed that with one exception, it was driver error and not mechanical or electrical issues that resulted in the “unintended acceleration” of Toyota vehicles. Now, another outlet, Just-Auto.com is claiming an unnamed source within NHTSA has confirmed the story was planted by Toyota as part of a public relations…
Child Deaths From Hot Cars on the Rise
With all the stories in the news and using a little common sense, you’d think that we’d be hearing less about kids being left in locked cars during the summer. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. New information shows that the number of infants and toddlers deaths from being left inside hot cars is higher through…
Newer Airbags Safety Claims May Be Inflated, Says IIHS
As time goes on and innovations are being implemented to existing safety products, you’d think that they would get, well, safer. But that might not be the case when it comes to the newest type of airbag, as a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows. Raising all kinds of questions about…
Silent But Deadly – Safety Regulation May Make Hybrid and Electric Cars Louder
As quiet as ninjas, hybrid and electric cars can be just as deadly. But while ninjas sneak up on you quickly, hybrid and electric vehicles are most likely to get you at low, parking lot speeds. According to a report that came out last fall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), hybrids tend…
Suzuki Recalls Equators for Suspension Issues
Like the Frontier, the problem stems around potentially weak welds on the lower front ball joint collars that could come apart, affecting vehicle handling and alignment.
Click It or Ticket Campaign Never Sleeps – Targeting Drivers at Night
The Click It or Ticket seatbelt safety campaign is in full force, and this summer, the focus of law enforcement officers will be on night time drivers who fail to buckle up. That’s right – justice never sleeps! One of the most successful highway safety campaigns in U.S. history, the Click It or Ticket message…
Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan Being Investigated for Toyota-Like Floor Mat Issues
Ford‘s Fusion sedan and Mercury Milan are currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for accessory floor mats that can become stuck. The investigation involves 249,301 Fusion and Milan models from the 2010 model year where an accessory floor mat may entrap the accelerator pedal – in essence causing a sticking…
Honda Says Brake Override Will be Standard in All Models by 2011
With increased pressure from Congress in the wake of Toyota’s recall crisis, Honda has announced it will include a brake override feature in all of its models by the end of 2011. “We are committed to applying Brake Priority Logic on 100 percent of Honda and Acura passenger vehicles produced for the North American market…
NHTSA Ups Toyota’s Unintended Acceleration Death Toll to 89
Already overrun with legal issues relating to its unintended acceleration issues, Toyota‘s problems are about to get worse as the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has just increased the number of deaths that may be related to the faulty pedal and floor mat recalls. A new NHTSA document now places the total number of…
Recall Notice: Ford Recalls Ranger for Faulty Parking Brake
This would result in extended pedal travel meaning the parking brake would not operate, a potentially serious problem during hill starts or other incline related situations.
NHTSA Investigating Mercedes E-Class for Airbags that Fail to Deploy
Federal investigators are looking into faulty airbags on the 2005-06 Mercedes-Benz E-Class luxury sedan. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said that it has received four complaints regarding a wiring harness in the steering column, that could lead to the aig bags failing to deploy in a front-impact crash. No injuries have been…
NHTSA Investigating Ford Windstar For Rear Axle Failure
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has now officially launched an investigation into snapping rear axles on Ford Windstar models dating from 1999-2003. In total NHTSA has 234 complaints about broken rear axles, with two noted accidents but no injuries. Of the complaints, 56 involve vehicles where one of the rear axles snapped at…
Toyota Expands Tundra Rust Recall
It’s happening again. Toyota is expanding it’s recall program even further, this time covering 2000-03 Toyota Tundras for frame rot. The problem stems from complaints of premature frame rusting on trucks sold in Northern states, primarily around the rear crossmembers and spare tire mounts. Toyota, in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, originally issued…
