Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an intelligent cruise control system that uses radar senors or lasers to automatically slow down and speeds up a vehicle to keep pace with surrounding traffic. When the system is working correctly, the technology can be a great tool for preventing accidents, but because it is relatively new, software glitches can leave drivers feeling unsafe. Continue reading
Tag Archives: auto safety
California Bill Prohibits Sale Of Recalled Used Vehicles
Santa Barbara Senator, Hannah-Beth Jackson is proposing a bill that will prohibit automobile dealers from selling, leasing, renting, or loaning used cars that are under recall until the problem can be repaired. Federal law already prohibits new cars from being sold when they have known recall defects, but Jackson’s bill would extend the ban to prevent unsafe automobiles from getting into the hands of unaware used car buyers. According to a poll carried out by Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS), a key supporter of the bill, almost 90% of Californian voters support the legislation. Continue reading
2014 Hyundai Tucson Airbag Safety Problem
Certain 2011-2014 Hyundai Tucson vehicle may be affected by a manufacturing problem that could lead to the drivers side airbag inadvertently deploying or not deploy at all during an accident.
According to reports filed with the NHTSA, during assembly, it is possible that the bolts attaching the driver’s airbag module to the steering wheel assembly were not properly torqued. Over time, the bolts could loosen causing a rattling noise and could eventually detach from the steering wheel completely. There have been no reports of accidents or injury because of the problem. Continue reading
2014 Ford Escape Door Will Not Close?
Ford has identified a condition relating to safety in certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape SUV’s manufactured between October 2011 to April 2013. The automobile manufacturer will be asking approximately 581,986 vehicle owners to return to an approved repair facility to have the problem repaired free of charge. Continue reading
Are You Concerned About The Safety Of Your Automobile Tires?
Caring for your tires is essential in keeping you safe, saving you money, and reducing your vehicles environmental impact. Most newer vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system, but by the time the warning goes off, your tires are already significantly under inflated.
The above video is a great resource put out by the NHTSA during their TireWise campaign, as a way to help consumers make smart decisions when buying and maintaining tires. For more information, visit NHTSA’s TireWise website.
2008 Saturn Aura Transmission Shifting Problems
Owners of certain 2007-2008 Saturn Aura cars equipped with four speed automatic transmissions, will be contacted by General Motors about a problem that could lead to fractured transmission cables. The problem has already resulted in 28 crashes and four injuries in the past seven years. Continue reading
2014 Porsche 911 GT3 Possible Engine Fire
Porsche will be replacing engines on approximately two hundred 2014 911 GT3 coupes after reports of two fires. One fire occurred on February 5, 2014 in Switzerland and the second on February 8, 2014, in Italy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the engine has been replaced. Continue reading
2014 Fiat 500L Transmission Problems
In October 2013, Chrysler opened an investigation into reports of shifting delays in certain 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured between April 2013 to January 2014. Chrysler has determined that a safety defect exists in certain models and will be notifying owners to take their vehicle to a manufacturer approved repair facility to have the Gear Shift Module (GSM) replaced or re-flashed as necessary. Continue reading
