With a record number of recalls this year, the automobile industry has been under tight scrutiny. But even with increased efforts to address problems, known safety recalls continue to evade the United States market. According to a New York Times review of over 500 international recalls, there have been dozens of instances within the last ten years which have prompted recalls or other safety related actions in foreign countries, that have not been treated the same in the United States. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Automobile Safety
2014 Durango & Grand Cherokee Safety Defects
Chrysler has announced two safety defects affecting certain 2014 Dodge Durango and 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. According to reports filed on the NHTSA website, the two problems will have approximately 260,000 owners returning their vehicles for repairs. The automobile manufacturer is expected to begin sending out notices in December. 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
Toyota Tacoma Leaf Spring Defect
A defective leaf spring in the rear suspension of certain 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma‘s will have 700,000 vehicle owners returning their trucks for repairs. The NHTSA has received over two dozen complaints, with the first going back to 2009. The trucks affected include four wheel drive and Pre-Runner versions of the Tacoma truck. 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
2010-2014 Ferrari 458 Trunk Latch Safety Problem
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard (FMVSS) No. 401, requires that all vehicles have a release mechanism installed in the trunk that will make it possible for a person to open the trunk from the inside. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, certain 2010-2014 Ferrari 458 Italia and Spider vehicles may not comply to this standard. Ferrari has determined that vehicles manufactured prior to a running change made in May 2013 may not release the secondary latch when the vehicle is stationary. If a person was to become trapped in the trunk it will increases the risk of personal injury and possible death. Continue reading
Auto Safety Bill Proposes Increased Transparency From NHTSA
In response to the record amount of recalls issued in 2014, U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, J. Rockefeller, is introducing a bill (S. 2559) that will give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more funding and increased authority when it comes to recalling unsafe vehicles. Continue reading
2014 Jaguar XF Loss Of Braking
Jaguar Land Rover have filed a non-compliance report with the NHTSA involving a small number of 2013-2014 Jaguar XF cars. During accelerated durability testing it was found that the right hand rear brake pipe was chaffing on the rear sub frame bracket. Contact between the two parts could result in wear on the brake pipe and eventual sudden loss of brake fluid. Drivers will experience an illuminated low brake fluid warning light and stopping distances will be increased . Loss of one braking circuit could compromise vehicle stability and significantly increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading
