The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are demanding that airbag manufacturer, Takata Industries along with automobile manufacturer’s BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota, expand their airbag recall to include vehicles beyond the initial geographical areas. This decision comes after a recent driver’s side air bag failure in a vehicle outside the current regional recall area, previous fatalities, and many injuries that have been linked to the problem. Continue reading
Category Archives: Automotive News
In Dash Electronic Problems Top Consumer Auto Complaints
In recent years, in-dash electronics have seen substantial growth and increased popularity among automobile buyers. Not only does it allow drivers to link to their cellphone or connect to an iPod or other music device, but built-in navigation, vehicle controls for climate and lighting, and apps that remind you where you parked or whether you locked the doors have become increasingly popular. Continue reading
Takata Airbag Defect Affects Many Manufacturers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging owners of certain BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota vehicles to take immediate action and replace defective Takata airbags. Vehicle owners receiving regional recalls are especially urged to get the problem taken care of, as consistent hot and humid conditions are suspect to intensify the problem. These areas include: Florida, Puerto Rico, areas in Texas near the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Guam, as well as Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and Hawaii. Continue reading
2012 Ford Focus Steering Problems
The Safety Institute is a non-profit organization who’s main goal is injury prevention and product safety as a basis for a healthy and productive society and as a vital component to reducing health care costs. The group is currently involved in a variety of issues regarding product safety, including reports that monitor vehicle defect trends and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) recall and enforcement activities. Their quarterly compiled early warning list shows the top 15 vehicle trends that they say automakers and government should be paying attention to. Continue reading
Regional Recalls And Automobile Safety
Since the 1980’s, the NHTSA has been allowing a type of recall which lets automobile manufacturers restrict notices and repairs to a few states rather than making them nation wide. These “Regional Recalls” are usually due to the defect becoming a problem because of environmental conditions such as hot and cold climates or because of corrosion caused by road salt used in certain areas. Regional recalls can save automakers money, but consumer advocates have complained for years that because people are moving more frequently and driving in many different conditions, affected vehicles can be missed. Continue reading
Committee Encourages Changes To Vehicle And Highway Safety
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) faced criticism during a consumer protection subcommittee last week as Senator Clair McCaskill questioned the agencies effectiveness in protecting consumers from defective automobiles. Deputy Administrator, David Friedman was grilled about the agencies roll in the delay of General Motors’ recalls, including defective ignition switches which have been linked to 20 deaths. Continue reading
Are Customer Satisfaction Campaigns Affecting Vehicle Safety?
Customer satisfaction campaigns, also known as secret warranties or silent recalls, is a practice used by automobile manufacturers to correct relatively minor issues that could affect driver’s comfort or the vehicle’s appearance. Instead of dealing with thousands of customers, the manufacturer deals with complaints on a case by case basis. In many cases, those who are unaware that a satisfaction campaign exists, end up paying for the manufacturing mistake. Continue reading
Questionable Lending Practices Could Mean Default For Car Buyers
Predatory lending is unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent lending practices, usually backed by collateral that can be repossessed or foreclosed on if the borrower defaults on their loan. Lenders are often accused of tricking the borrower into thinking that their interest rate is lower than it actually is and that they will be able to repay the loan. Although predatory lenders tend to target the less educated, the poor, racial minorities, and the elderly, anyone can be a victim of this practice. Predatorial lending may not always be illegal, but it can leave victims with bad credit and unmanageable debt. Continue reading
