Tag Archives: auto safety

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.

Wireless Technology Makes Autos Safer And Smarter

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Automobile manufacturers like General Motors, Ford, and Mercedes Benz are showing off some new technology that will allow customers to remotely track their cars, diagnose mechanical problems, and help drivers avoid collisions. The plan is to use the internet and develop new automotive technology that will give vehicles intelligence. Your automobile will not only get you to where you need to go, but will have the intelligence to be self aware of what’s happening around it and to it, and could even monitor how the driver is doing.

OnStar is encouraging developers to create apps that use its wireless service to control cars in new ways. The company already offers:

  • Automatic crash response
  • stolen vehicle tracking
  • turn-by-turn navigation
  • roadside assistance
  • real-time data such as mileage, fuel levels, oil life and tire pressure
  • remotely unlock doors, honk horns, shine lights, and start the engine

OnStar is also working with RelayRides, a neighbor to car-sharing service which will launch later this year on Apple’s iOS. The new app will allow car owners to unlock their cars remotely after the person renting their vehicle arrives, or even track where a renter has taken their car.

Most electric vehicles already use similar technology which allows customers to manage their car’s recharging cycles, and it is expected that over half of all new vehicles will be similarly equipped by 2016. But the growing volumes of information processed by the new technology not only creates distractions for drivers but also raises issues of privacy.

BMW Mini Cooper Fire Hazard

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BMW has announced a recall for certain Mini Cooper vehicles manufactured between November 14, 2006 to January 18, 2011. According to reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a circuit board on the auxiliary water pump that cools the turbocharger, could overheat and cause a fire. The vehicles involved in this recall includes:

Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact BMW at 1-866-275-6464.

Posted in BMW.

New Salvage Title Law Protects The Auto Consumer

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California is working to keep potentially hazardous salvaged vehicles off the road with the implementation of the states first salvage title law. The new law, scheduled to go into effect starting July 1, 2012, requires all new and used car dealers to report and check vehicle titles through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). The data base will be be maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice, and all insurance agencies, salvage yards, car dealerships, tow companies, body shops, and state motor vehicle departments will be required to report any salvage, junk, or flood title vehicles. Automobile dealerships, or anyone selling more than five used cars a year, must acquire the vehicle history report through the NMVTIS, and any salvaged or repaired salvaged vehicles will be branded. Private sales are not required to have the NMVTIS report, so buyers should be extra cautious when buying privately. Information on vehicles can be obtained through the NMVTIS, AutoCheck®, or CarFax. Currently, almost 90% of the U.S. DMV data is represented in the NMVTIS system.

Ford Escape Brake Problems

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Ford is recalling certain 2001-2002 Escape SUVs for a problem with the brake system, that could lead to a fire. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the master cylinder reservoir cap could leak fluid onto an anti-lock brake system (ABS) wiring harness connector, causing it to corrode. The corroded connector could short, overheat, and eventually start a fire. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the ABS electrical system will be modified. Ford will be notifying customers starting the last week of January, but because of parts delays, instructions will be given to park vehicles outside until parts become available. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Mitsubishi Turn Signal Defect

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Mitsubishi has announced a recall for a small number of 2012 Outlander Sport crossover vehicles manufactured between November 9, 2011 to December 16, 2011. According to reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the turn signal levers may have been manufactured incorrectly which could lead to the auto cancel function becoming inoperative. If a driver is not aware of the problem, inaccurate turning indications could result in an accident. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

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.

Nissan Reports Oil Leak Problems

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Nissan has announced that they will be recalling certain Nissan and Infiniti vehicles for oil cooler and oil filter bolts that may have been manufactured below specifications. If the bolts break, sever oil leaks could lead to a reduced engine oil pressure and eventually to a seized engine. Under the recall Nissan will replace the connector bolts on the following vehicles:

Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261