NHTSA
Whistleblower Ordered to Pay Toyota $2.6 Million in Damages
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The damages awarded to Toyota include $2.5 million for unauthorized disclosures of confidential information as well as $100,000 in punitive damages. Taylor also issued Biller instructions to return the confidential documents he obtained while employed by Toyota.
Ford Edge And Lincoln MKX Face Recall Due To Fire Hazard
Ford is recalling both the Edge crossover and the Lincoln MKX luxury crossover due to an electrical short that could lead to a fire. The vehicles were built during a 6 day window, and also includes certain Ford F-Series trucks. Dealers will inspect a component known as the body control module, and replace it if…
Honda Recalls Accord, Pilot Over Potential Suspension Failures
The problem is being blamed on faulty calibrations on machinery used to torque the bolts at the factory. In total 10, 823 Accords and Pilots are affected by the recall and notified owners are urged to contact their local Honda dealer
2010 Comes Up Short of All-Time Recall Record – Surprisingly
Toyota’s highly publicized woes, including hearings before congress fueled much of recall ‘mania’ in 2010, while a number of other automakers, including Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda and Nissan, also issued a number of bulletins, yet, despite a total of 136 separate recall programs, spread across 17.2 million vehicles, 2010 still wasn’t a record year.
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…
2011 Honda Civic Gets Just Two Stars in New NHTSA Side Crash Test
n the Civic’s case, it drops from a four-star overall rating in 2010, to three, largely due to a side impact test where it earned just two stars. Other small cars fared about the same or even worse.
Ram Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks Recalled for Faulty Brake Lights
Residual pressure in the steering system, caused by inadequate ventilation from the power steering cap,results in a slower return travel of the brake pedal, causing the brake lights to stay on longer, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
Mazda5 Fuel Pump Concerns Spark Recall
Mazda‘s diminutive minivan, the Mazda5, is the latest car to fall victim to the recall machine, this time a faulty fuel pump being the culprit. Water that remains in the fuel pump may corrode the electrical connectors for the electrical harness. Should the part fail, the engine may stall and be unable to restart, which…
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…
Land Rover Recalls LR2 Models for Airbag Fault
As a result the driver’s air bag may not deploy properly or deploy at all in the event of an accident.
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…
NHTSA Investigating 2006 Honda CR-V For Fire Risk
NHTSA is looking into reports of possible fires in 2006 Honda CR-V’s, caused by a faulty driver’s side master power window switch. Approximately 150,000 cars may be affected by the problem. NHTSA opened the investigation after fires were reported in three cars. Honda previously recalled 141,000 Fits from the 2007-2008 model year due to a…
2011 Jaguar XJ Being Recalled For Wiper Malfunction
Jaguar is set to recall 6,475 XJ sedans due to a problem with the windshield wipers. The malfunction may occur due to the windshield wipers losing synchronization and possibly hitting each other while activated. Dealers will begin sending notifications out on December 13th, and owners can contact Jaguar at 800-452-4827 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hot line at…
Chevy Silverado Tops in New 5-Star Truck Crash Tests, Ram Lags Behind
The results of the crash tests are awarded ‘stars’ based on the ‘level’ of injury risk related to a defined average from those individual front, side and roll-over tests – five stars being the best above average, one star being the worst.
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,…
Mercedes Recalls Fuel Filters on Select U.S. Models
Although the NHTSA bulletin specifically focused on diesel-engined models, M-B extended the recall to cover gas engined vehicles as well.
EPA Proposes Fuel Economy, Emissions Standards for Heavier Trucks and Buses
Ray LaHood; the current US Transportation Secretary, declared that the NHTSA and EPA proposals are ” a win-win-win for the environment, businesses and the American consumer.”
The Airbag Celebrates its 30th Anniversary
It seems just like yesterday when we heard about the first airbag being installed in an automobile. Can you believe that the airbag is celebrating its 30th anniversary? Time really flies when you’re being safe. Did you know that the first series-production car equipped with an airbag was a Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon? The company says…
