Category Archives: NHTSA

Mandatory Back Up Cameras

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The Department Of Transportation has delayed a ruling proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to make backup cameras mandatory on all passenger vehicles. The NHTSA was hoping the ruling would be finalized today, but the DOT has decided that further studies are needed in order to ensure the most protective and efficient rules possible. A law to improve and standardized rear visibility for vehicles was first introduced in 2008, but the deadline has been extended several times. The new rule requirements would see 10% of new vehicles equipped with backup cameras by the end of 2012, 40% by the end of 2013 , and 100 % by the end of 2014.

According to the NHTSA, over 17,000 people are injured and approximately 230 people die in backup accidents involving cars, trucks and SUVs. Statistics show that most on these accidents involve children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. It is estimated that using a camera to eliminate the rear blind spot could cut that number in half. Unfortunately, it could also add up to $200 more per vehicle for a total of approximately $3 billion to the auto industry, most of which would be passed on to the customer.

The NHTSA provides a 60-day comment period on this rule making that begins when the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The proposal and information about how to submit comments is at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws-Regs

NHTSA Investigates GM Door Fires

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating certain GM vehicles after receiving twelve complaints of smoke and fire from the inside of doors of some Trail Blazer mid-size sport utility vehicles. The complaints are similar to consumer reports that lead the NHTSA to open an investigation into some 2007 Camry, Camry Solara and Rav4 vehicles, earlier this month. The NHTSA will be focusing on whether window switches on the GM and Toyota vehicles were manufactured by the same supplier. The investigation could affect up to 310,000, 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazers. According to the safety administration, the Buick Rainer, Saab 9-7x, and the GMC Envoy share the same parts at the Trail Blazer, but these vehicle are not part of the investigation yet

Mercedes Benz Investigated For Fuel Smell

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating certain 2003-2006 Mercedes Benz E55 AMG sedans and wagons for potential gas leaks. The NHTSA has received over 20 reports from owners who complained about the smell of gasoline inside and outside the vehicle. In some cases, a visible fuel leak was noticed from the fuel sending unit at the top of the fuel tank, underneath the cushion in the rear seat. Several reports suggest the leakage may be related to a March, 2008 emissions recall conducted by Mercedes Benz (Emissions Recall Campaign # 2008-020001) which involved potential cracking of the fuel filter module in vehicles exposed to high ambient temperatures. If the investigation leads to a recall, over 8,000 vehicles could be affected.

NHTSA Accused Of Chevy Volt Cover Up

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is being accused of trying to keep the Chevrolet Volt battery fire a secret in an attempt to protect the government’s investment in the car company. Members of the House Committee for Government Reform released a report that states that the bailout of GM, creates business and political reasons for the government to sacrifice public safety. They criticize the time it took for the investigation to begin and the conclusion that the vehicle was safe, just two weeks into the investigation.

The NHTSA defends their position on the Chevy Volt investigation, saying that the agency is still developing protocols for dealing with battery powered vehicles. In the case of the Volt, they do not see the fire as a highway hazard because the problem could only be reproduced after impaling the battery with a steel rod. Still, it took at least a week for the fire to start. They added that GM was quick in responding to the problem, and developed protocols to drain the battery after a Volt has been in an accident.

NAS Recommends Improvements To The NHTSA

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is being urged by the National Academy of Science (NAS) to refine its investigative techniques and add technical help to meet increasingly complex automobile technology. The academy feels that the NHTSA lacks the understanding of hardware and software automakers are installing in their new vehicles, which became prevalent during the NHTSAs investigation into unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles in 2009/2010. Members of the NAS said that the NHTSA did all they could during the investigation, but a lack of understanding of the technology slowed down the process.

Some of the recommendation made by the NAS include:

  • A push to have automakers install “black boxes” on all new vehicles to record crash data.
  • The federal agency form an advisory panel of specialists who can assist both in regulatory reviews and specific vehicle investigations.
  • Review of how the agency’s investigators share data with its researchers.

The safety agency says it has already taken steps to strengthen its expertise in electronic control systems, and will continue to work with the National Academy of Sciences to do more to ensure the safety of consumers.

Chevy Volts Repaired But Not Recalled

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General Motors is asking its Chevrolet Volt customers to return their vehicles to dealers so they can make repairs that will lower the risk of battery fires. The announcement comes after an investigation into a battery fire that consumed three vehicles at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) test facility. Follow-up tests to simulate the incident resulted in two out of three vehicles catching fire. GM and federal safety officials believe that the fires were caused by coolant leaking from damaged plastic casing around the batteries after a side-impact collisions. That coolant caused an electrical short, which sparked battery fires seven days to three weeks after the crashes.

Dealers will add steel plates around the Volt battery that will spread the force of a crash over a larger surface area. Tests carried out by GM and the government have shown that the repairs prevent battery damage and coolant leaks.

Honda Airbag Problems Continue

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The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is pushing for a civil penalty against Honda Motor Co. for an airbag defect linked to two deaths and almost twenty injuries. The recall which now involves a total of over 2.7 million vehicles, first started in 2008, and has been expanded several times. According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the airbag could deploy with too much pressure sending metal fragments that could injure occupants in the vehicle. According to the CAS, Honda failed to disclose what they knew about the recall, which resulted injuries that should have been prevented. The vehicles involved in this recall include:

Owners wanting more information about the recall can go to http://owners.honda.com/recalls or call (800) 999-1009; Acura owners can go to http://owners.acura.com/recalls or call (800) 382-2238.

Chevy Volt Investigated For Fire

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into General Motors electric hybrid vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt. The investigation comes after a battery fire consumed three vehicles at their test facility, two weeks after performing side impact and rollover tests. Follow-up tests to simulate the incident resulted in two out of three vehicles resulting in a thermal reaction within the battery. According to the NHTSA there have been no reports of real world crashes resulting in fire.

GM has assured customers the the Chevy Volt’s fire risk after an accident is lower than any standard gas engine vehicles. The company said that the vehicles OnStar safety system notifies the company of any crashes involving a Chevy Volt and a team is dispatched within 48 hours to drain the battery. GM has offered to buy back vehicles or offer loaner cars at the customers request. If the investigation should lead to a recall, over 6,000 Volts could be affected.