NHTSA
2011 Toyota RAV4 Recalled For Airbag Failure
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Toyota is recalling 427 2011 RAV4 models because the side-curtain airbags that might not deploy. According to the notice, a propellant with incorrect specifications was used in the airbag inflator. In certain instances that can cause one or both of the devices to fail. The vehicles included in the recall were made between November 24…
Maserati Recalling Gran Turismos for Faulty Tail Lights
The problem, concerns the vehicles’ lighting system, specifically the tail lamps, which can unexpectedly fail, compromising visibility in dark or misty conditions, potentially leading to accidents.
NHTSA Looking to Mandate Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication Tech
In the continued pursuit to make our roadways as safe as possible, several automakers, like BMW, have been researching vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology which could become mandatory in the future. A decision will come next year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in whether or not it will mandate the technology for future vehicles. While…
Jeep Liberty Airbag Investigation Gains Steam
In September of 2011 we reported that 7 Jeep Liberty owners has apparently had their airbags deploy at seemingly random times causing injury to the vehicle occupants. NHTSA said on Friday that there are now 87 reports of inadvertent airbag deployment, 50 of which have resulted in injury. NHTSA is upgrading their investigation to an…
Lawsuit Demands NHTSA Disclose Records From Toyota Investigation
After almost a year since regulators closed Toyota’s unintended acceleration investigation, independent auto-safety firm Safety Research and Strategies announced Tuesday that a lawsuit has been filed in federal court requesting for the government to release internal records of said investigation. According to Safety Research and Strategies, there is reason to believe that the National Highway…
2012 Volvo S60 Earns Perfect Scores in NHTSA Crash Testing [Videos]
For decades, the Volvo brand was the epitome of safety. Many perceived the Swedish automaker’s models to be bland and boring, but one thing was for sure: they were built like tanks. Nowadays though, Volvo has developed a reputation for having sportier vehicles while maintaining the safety standards they established throughout the years. And now…
Safety Group Pushes for Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall as SUV Claims 14 More Lives
Calls for a recall of the 1993 to 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee have been redoubled after the release of a new report documenting the growing list of fatalities associated with the SUV. The report, published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has added 14 more deaths to the SUVs total, resulting from fires…
NHTSA Closes Chevy Volt Fire Probe
After an extensive two-month investigation into the Chevrolet Volt’s fire related incidents, the U.S. safety regulators of the National Transportation Safety Administration have announced that the case is closed. The conclusion: the Volt’s plug-in hybrid battery pack does not pose a significant fire risk following a crash. According to NHTSA’s statement, the organization “does not…
Kia Optima, Rondo Recalled for Airbag Issues
Kia says it will be notifying owners of the affected vehicles, suggesting to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer who replace the airbag clock spring assembly.
NHTSA To Take Crash-Assessment Testing High Tech
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering at length the changes that could be made to its 5-star crash-assessment testing. Rather than concentrate only on crash-worthiness, the NHTSA is looking into new technologies that put an emphasis on accident-avoidance. NHTSA Administrator David Strickland says, “Crash-worthiness has been the guiding star for NHTSA. But…
U.S. Auto-safety Regulators Pleased By GM’s Cooperation in Volt Recall
Recently, Chevrolet Volt fire hazards resulting from compromised battery cells have been under particular scrutiny by the NHTSA. Addressing the issue, GM has been informing Volt owners to bring their vehicles back to dealerships where steel plates will be fitted to increase protection surrounding the Volt’s lithium-ion batteries. At an interview yesterday during the 2012 Detroit Auto…
2012 Chevrolet Sonic Gets Top Safety Ratings
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is besting the competition for safety ratings, for now. The little sub-compact Sonic scored a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to beat out the Ford Fiesta, which only scored four out of five. Safety isn’t the only thing we’re pleased to say makes the Sonic great, it’s a…
Chevrolet Volt, Fiat 500 Named Top Flops of 2011
Efficiency is the new black for automakers and consumers alike. Even Porsche customers can get their gas guzzling Cayenne fix in a more efficient hybrid now or diesel soon, which is why it might come as a surprise that two new fuel-efficient guppies in the veritable ocean that is the U.S. car market seem to be floundering….
Fed Probe Targets Ford, GM Vans for Rust Problems
In response to the probe, Ford Motor Company has already said it will fully cooperate with the Feds on the issue, according to statement by company spokesman Dan Pierce. Approximately 63,000 Ford and Mercury minivans are believed to be affected by the problem.
Tips To Ensure Your Car Is Road Ready This Holiday Season
It’s officially winter and it’s also the holiday season – is your car ready for all those road trips? Before heading out to visit family and friends long distance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that you check your vehicle before heading out and to drive with extra caution this season. Here is…
Cadillac CTS, SRX Earn 5-Star Crash Safety Rating [Video]
Last week, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety announced that 2012 earned a record number of “top safety picks,” but the automotive industry is looking to set the record number even higher. Cadillac‘s 2012 SRX crossover and CTS sports sedan and wagon models received a crash safety rating of 5-star overall. According to the National…
Ford Mustang Safety Investigation Dropped By NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed their preliminary evaluation of the Getrag MT-82 6-speed manual transmission used in 2011 and future Ford Mustangs. “There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles,” the NHTSA said in a press release….
Infiniti M45 Under Investigation By NHTSA For Fuel Gauge Defect
An investigation of the Infiniti M45 has been launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding the fuel gauges of the 2003-2004 M45’s. The investigation was prompted by consumer complaints about the fuel gauge readings being inaccurate. According to NHTSA there have been 43 reports filed concerning faulty gauges in the luxury sedan. Of these, 23 cases…
NHTSA Pushing For Standardized Keyless Ignition For Quicker Vehicle Shutoff
The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) is pushing for a new rule that will standardized the time it takes for keyless ignitions to shutoff a vehicle to avoid accidents of unintended acceleration following the aftermath of Toyota‘s record recalls. The accident that started Toyota’s recalls involved a 2009 Lexus ES350 that filled four people…
Fiat 500 Gets Three Star Crash Test Rating, Lowest Of All New Cars
The slow-selling Fiat 500 hit another snag after NHTSA gave the compact car a three-star crash test rating, a dismal score in an era where five-star ratings are practically ubiquitous. While the 500 got four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests, the side impact result was a poor two stars. Only the now-dead…
Ford Recalling 128,616 Fusions, Mercury Milans, For Wheel Defect
After encountering 30 incidents involving cracked wheel studs and steel wheels separating from the vehicles, Ford will be recalling 128,616 2010 and 2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans to fix the issue. An investigation by NHTSA led to the recall, though no injuries have been reported. Ford will notify owners of the affected vehicles, inspect them…
NHTSA Denies Wrongdoing In Chevrolet Volt Fire
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is flatly denying any wrongdoing around the time it took to release data suggesting the Chevrolet Volt might catch fire. Earlier this week reports surfaced that Volts suffering severe crashes might be at risk of catching fire. GM hasn’t released an official statement explaining the phenomenon, but information…
2012 Toyota Camry Gets Five Star Safety Rating From NHTSA
The all-new 2012 Toyota Camry has received a five-star composite safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The redesigned 2012 Camry was able to achieve the five-star rating despite the NHTSA’s new, more rigorous testing procedure that’s targeted to raising the bar for overall vehicle safety. Featuring a reinforced body structure that…
Chevrolet Volt Battery Issues May Cost $1,000 To Fix Per Car
Nonetheless despite the highly publicized battery fires, reportedly caused by coolant leaking and then crystalizing to cause electrical shorts, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (which reported no fires as the result of its own crash testing) has no plans to change the five-star crash rating it awarded the Volt earlier this year.
